Humboldt's Letters. 163 



81. 



KING CHRISTIAN VIII. OF DENMARK TO HUMBOLDT. 



COPENHAGEN, May 3d, J 843. 



MONSIEUR LE BARON DE HUMBOLDT : 



THE letter which you addressed me the day before 

 you left Paris has called my attention to the lunar 

 tables, for which science is indebted to the labors of 

 Professor Hansen. I have applied to our illustrious 

 astronomer Schumacher, in order to learn what will be 

 still necessary to complete this important subject. By 

 following his advice it was easy to procure everything 

 necessary for the continuation of the labors, the com- 

 paring of the observations, and when the necessary 

 expenses are once apportioned and allowed, Schumacher 

 expects to be enabled to publish the lunar tables before 

 the expiration of two years. A recompense for efforts 

 devoted to the sciences will no doubt be found in the 

 advancement of science itself; but the approbation of 

 distinguished savans gives us a veritable satisfaction, 

 and we rejoice the more in it when it comes from a man 

 so far superior to others. Always anxious to deserve 

 your approbation, Monsieur le Baron, I wish to be 



