206 Humboldt's Letters. 



ministers who would gladly permit the " Turnen,*'* throw 

 suspicion on Prof. Massman, whom the King likes very 

 much, and whom he wants to keep here. My letter will 

 show you at least, that I openly say, how the tide of evil 

 is bearing down all things before it, and how we are 

 depriving ourselves of the means of action. 



With my old attachment, yours, 



A. V. HlJMBOLDT. 



110. 



HUMBOLDT TO FRIEDRICH WILHELM IY. 



As early as eight o'clock this morning I sent to the 

 Koethener Strasse, to have an interview with Professor 

 Massraann, after the confiding communications of your 

 Majesty, concerning the decision of his situation. He 

 has just gone, leaving me again with an excellent 

 impression of his solidity, clear perceptions, and enthu- 

 siastic vigor for influencing our youth (the indelible, 

 primaeval, self-restoring institution of mankind). To be 

 afraid of every enthusiastic energy is to take from the 

 life of a State its nourishing, preserving power. Pro- 



* Gymnastic Exercises. TE. 



