1 24 Humboldt's Letters. . 



guage. Now we are separated. In his last speech, not 

 the one on art, amid the glare of torchlight, he spoke of 

 his departure like a well-paid artist who had just accom- 

 plished a musical tour probably only a sentimental 

 figure of speech to frighten his listeners. 



Now for an answer to enquiries for the biography, of 

 which, after all, I think with some fear, not on account 

 of its political contents, but on account of family con- 

 siderations. I rely on your promise. The man cer- 

 tainly cannot want to afflict so many ! 



Wilhelm was born in Potsdam, because his father was 

 Royal Chamberlain, and at the same time acting Cham- 

 berlain to the Princess Elizabeth of Prussia. He left 

 Potsdam when the Princess was sent to Stettin. My 

 father remained in high favor with the Prince of Prus- 

 sia, w T ho visited him frequently at Tegel. This explains 

 to you the passage in the English despatch, running 

 thus (I believe very early in 1775? Raumer's Beitraege 

 zur neuern Geschichte, vol. v., p. 297) : " Hertzberg, 

 Schulenburg could form a ministry, but those have the 

 greatest chance of success, who, although not of the 

 same kind, are considered favorites of the Prince. 

 Among the first of these stands Herr von Humboldt, 

 formerly an official in the allied army, a man of sense 

 and fine character; Herr von Hordt, an enterprising 



genius " The expression " official" is a strange 



mistake. My father was major and aide-de-camp to Duke 



