Humboldt's Letters. 215 



and the observations of the planet would thereby lose 

 much of their interest, which exists only in the first 

 period of observation, and therefore only when the 

 observations are calculated immediately. I hope, that 

 by proceeding on this basis, Encke's calculations will 

 acquire certainty, which will prove itself up to a few 

 seconds at the reappearance of the planet. 

 At last an end of this ! 



In accustomed reverence to the end of life, 

 Your Excellency's most obedient 



F. TV. BESSEL. 



NOTE BY HUMBOLDT. The last letter but one which I received 

 from the great and noble man. 



113. 



VICTOR HUGO TO HUMBOLDT. 



MARCH 20th, 1845. 



You have been kind enough, my Lord Baron, and 

 illustrious colleague, to promise your acceptance of a 

 copy of " Notre Dame de Paris," and the further good 

 office of offering it in my name to your august Sove- 

 reign, my sympathy with and admiration for whom are 

 well known to you. To " Notre Dame de Paris" I add 





