Humboldt's Letters. 117 



itself be hazardous; but to enter into close connexion 

 with the Anglican Church and the Tories, sure ruin ! 

 And all Prussia, all Germany, all Europe would take it 

 for granted that such a connexion was really established, 

 even if it were not ; and the supposition alone would 

 damage us in a thousand ways ; the king would lose 

 more hi the loyal attachment of his subjects than he can 

 now afford. I hope the whole story will turn out a 

 fable. Humboldt says the spirit of discontent, which 

 he calls the howling mania, has largely increased here. 

 When he left, a few were howling ; but now they all 

 howl. His sharp and witty remarks are really refresh- 

 ing in our spiritless society." 



Before his departure for England Humboldt called on 

 Yarnhagen to take leave. On this occasion the follow- 

 ing entry was made in the diary, on the 14th of 

 January, 1842: "Humboldt called to take leave, he 

 starts to-morrow night. He came from Count Maltzan's 

 of whose life but little hope is left to-day. 'His 

 death will bring Canitz here not Buelow', said Hum- 

 boldt dolefully. I comforted him with the suggestion, 

 that Canitz too might be dropped, ' And whose turn 

 would it then be?' ''Bunsen's.' 'That would be too 

 frightful ! But as it is, he accompanies the King on his 

 return. That is already decided upon.' Humboldt dis- 

 likes Canitz and cannot understand how I am not more 



