ii6 Humboldt's Letters. 



many is, that you do not allow Schwerin's death to 

 interrupt the narrative of the strife of battle. I will 

 bring you the " Collected Works" myself, and beg the 

 second volume of Hormayr's exquisitely spicy produc- 

 tion. Your last favor, doing me so much honor, con- 

 tains words about which I wish to prevent every mistake. 

 "You are afraid to enjoy the exclusive possession of my 

 impieties." You may freely dispose of this sort of pro- 

 perty after my not far distant departure from life. 

 Truth is due to those only whom we deeply esteem to 

 you, therefore. A. HT. 



On the 18th December, 1841, Varnhagen writes in 

 his diary : " I heard to-day the quite incredulous, mys- 

 teriously-whispered story, that the King would go to 

 England for the baptism of the Prince of Wales ; that 

 it had been agreed upon quite secretly, and that this 

 flattering communication had contributed a great deal 

 to make Bunsen's appointment as Ambassador agreeable 

 to the Court of St. James. The latter part of the story 

 makes me suspect the truth of the whole. This is by 

 no means the real diplomatic state of things. Should, 

 however, the journey have been decided upon, or even 

 only be under discussion, there can be no doubt that 

 Bunsen had a hand in it; and then important events 

 would result therefrom, and very dangerous events, too, 

 in my opinion. A near alliance with England would in 



