Humboldt's Letters. 217 



behalf with their Majesties, whom it was not my fortune 

 to see this winter. May I yet be permitted to work 

 something worthy of their approbation and of yours ; 

 but may you also be persuaded that it is not for me to 

 appear in person before the public of the capital, but to 

 shape my thoughts in the solitude and quiet of rural 

 life, whither I am now permitted to withdraw, grateful 

 for the highest favor of his Majesty, and with the 

 purest reverence for you. 



RUECKERT. 



114. 



ALEXANDER MANZONI TO HUMBOLDT. 

 (FROM THE FRENCH.) 



MILAN, Dec. Gth, 1844. 

 MONSIEUR LE BARON : 



I WOULD not have hesitated to express my confidence 

 in an august and perfect goodness ; but, instead of a 

 becoming confidence, it would have been an unpardon- 

 able presumption on my part to have dared to foresee 

 i under what ingeniously amiable form this goodness 

 I would deign to manifest itself. I have thus a second 

 time acquired the precious right (I had almost been 

 made to forget that it is a sacred duty), to beg your 



10 



