Humboldt's Letters. 245 



it myself, together with notes and facsimiles, all locked 

 in a tin box, which must be shortened. Then you will 

 be in possession of the whole treasure, and I " salvavi 

 animam meam.'' The thing will create much provok- 

 ing but salutary scandal, and will elicit much conflicting 

 criticism. 



With sincerest friendship, yours, 



A. v. HT. 



Please don't let the book be printed at Berlin, and 

 have it (if possible) advertised before it is in the trade. 

 My letters to Carriere will have duly reached you, I 

 hope? 



On the 30th March, 1847, Varnhagen wrote in his 

 diary : " Just when I returned home, Humboldt came 

 in and brought a pack of manuscripts the letters of his 

 brother to Mrs. Diede. Humboldt regards affairs here 

 as desperate, as I do myself. He consoles himself with 

 the belief that the constitution presented, though good for 

 nothing at first, may result beneficially. He expects vio- 

 lence of every description atrocities committed by the 

 police, popular rage, and military strokes. The King, 

 however, Humboldt thinks, has no misgivings. He is in 

 high spirits, having prepared his opening speech, and no 

 longer minds the llth of April, and its consequences. 

 He never yet talked with Humboldt on constitutional 

 affairs. As to Michelet, Eichhorn has instigated the King 



