Humboldt's Letters. 137 



tain. The King acts just as he pleases. He fol- 

 lows the impulses of his early received and firmly 

 rooted impressions, and the advice which he may now 

 and then think worthy of hearing, is nothing at all to 

 him. He speaks contemptuously of Eicbhorn and 

 Savigny, as hypocritical menials, who receive the word 

 of command from Thiele, from Gerlach, and from Heng- 

 stenberg. The King has relinquished nothing whatever 

 of his cherished designs, and may, at any time, come 

 out again with them, as with his designs regarding the 

 Jews' observance of the Sabbath, the Anglican ordina- 

 tion of the bishops, and the new institutions of nobi- 

 lity, etc. He has . projects which it would take a 

 hundred years to accomplish. He contemplates immense 

 constructions, outlaying of parks, enterprises in matters 

 of art. There is already the question of going to Athens ; 

 in the background a pilgrimage to Jerusalem may be 

 looming ; triumphant promenades a la Xapoleon ; peace- 

 able ones to London, to St. Petersburg, to the Orient ; 

 conquered scholars and artists, instead of countries. 

 Love of art and imagination upon the throne, fanati- 

 cism and deceit all round, and hypocritical exaggeration 

 in matters unworthy of attention. And with all this, 

 the man is really ingenious, is really amiable, and inspired 

 by the best intentions. What will come out of all this 

 at last ?" 



