212 Humboldt's Letters. 



ries of the province, together with the Mayor of the 

 town, may decide further on the place and manner of 

 its keeping. Moreover, on the 28th of January, I 

 entered upon the execution of other plans relative to the 

 fulfilment of my hopes, which entertained me in various 

 ways during these last months. In order to receive the 

 portrait of the " most highly revered" in a becoming man- 

 ner, it is necessary to put the place where I shall keep 

 it into the best state at my command. I have, therefore, 

 condemned the present furniture and ornaments of my 

 two rooms, and ordered new ones, as luxurious and 

 tasteful (for a professor, of course) as I could decide 

 upon. The directions for their manufacture were sent 

 immediately, and with the opening of the navigation in 

 spring I shall have everything I want. I shall blame 

 no one who thinks me foolish in prosecuting plans for 

 embellishing my residence at a moment when my leav- 

 ing it for ever seems so highly probable. But if I 

 delayed, the prospect of the arrival of the royal portrait 

 would depress, instead of elevating me joyfully, as it 

 does now, above much suffering. If I enjoy the sight 

 of the picture even one day only, I shall pass through a 

 fleeting, indeed, but beautiful " frontier scenery" from 

 this life into the other ! One thing yet I shall add before 

 I cease annoying your Excellency, by narrating the con- 

 sequences following the invaluable expected gift of the 

 most high Master. Mr. Chancellor von Wegnern has 



