io6 Humboldt's Letters. 



57. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



TUESDAY, May 4th, 1841. 



MY DEAR FEIEND : Even after deducting the kind 

 expressions written expressly for my tranquillity, there 

 still remains more than enough in your letter of to-day 

 to comfort me. The penance,* therefore, which I 

 assign you is to receive me to-morrow morning at 

 11 o'clock, for a few moments, to accept my thanks. 

 The " schmeichle mich " must be a clerical error ; as 

 for me I am unconscious of it. The false use of the 

 accusative case at p. 44, you will have to show me. 

 It cannot be " Einsicht in den Zusammenhang ?" be- 

 cause it is looking into. I shall expunge Mr. Spiker. 

 I had a presentiment of the end, and would rather even 

 omit the English as well, which, after all, is rather a 

 praise of ignorance, than indicative of the increase of 

 enjoyment to be derived from science. 



I see that you give me full liberty concerning the 

 " Saturnalia." Speaking of the Dane, you say : " I 

 only mention, I do not object." 



* The 5th of May was a day of penance. 



