Humboldt's Letters. 185 



enthusiasm out of mere perverseness has repeatedly de- 

 graded in burlesque prose. Your exquisite art of puri- 

 fying is highly gratifying. 



If Sussmilch will graciously permit, I shall try to accom- 

 plish my Kosmos. It is, however, true after all, that at 

 the gates of many a temple of science (History of the 

 World, Geology, Mechanics of the Heavens) black 

 spectres menacingly defend the entrance. 



Indeed Madame von Hormayr is a very charming lady. 

 With constant devotion and love, yours, 



A. HUMBOLDT. 



00. 



BERLIN, June 16th, 1845. 



I AVAIL myself of the few moments allotted me before 

 going to the railroad station, dear friend, to thank you 

 heartily for your characteristic biography of " Hans von 

 Held." I have read but one half of it, and that imme- 

 diately after having read your " Life of Bluecher." It 

 is, therefore, but natural that I was filled with admira- 

 tion. How fortunate you are in coloring all the details 

 of military life in the one, and in describing the civil 

 efforts of a people struggling for liberty, in the other 

 book. The fatalistic word " fortunate," however, is out 



