Humboldt's Letters. 231 



My MS. " On the Textile Fabrics of the Ancients," 

 pp. 106 and 113, appears also to have been lost among 

 the papers of the lamented Wolf. The effect of the 

 religious music, particularly on p. 323, contains much 

 that is finely expressed. 



In the year 1846 we find the following remark in 

 Varnhagen's diary : " The conversation turned upon 

 the capacity of one of the younger princes, which was 

 declared to be inferior. Humboldt was of a different 

 opinion. * I do not agree with you,' he said ; ' the 

 young prince spoke to me the other day, finding me in 

 waiting in the apartments of his mother, and asked, 

 "Who are you?" "Humboldt is my name," said I. 

 " And what are you ?" " A chamberlain to his Majesty 

 the King." " Is that all ?" said the prince, curtly, turn- 

 ing on his heel. Is not that a proof of intelligence ?' " 



135. 



HUMBOLDT TO YARNHAGEN. 



BERLIN, November 28th, 1846. 



I DO not answer to-day, my dear friend, in regard to 

 your splendid Memoirs. How everything succeeds in 





