254 Humboldt's Letters. 



138. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



POTSDAM, October 29tfi, 1849. 

 MY DEAR FRIEND: 



A GERMAN letter of the Duchess of Orleans, to whom 

 I have sent all my writings for many years, and who is 

 very fond of them. She writes a hand so cabalistic to 

 my eyes, that I beg to avail myself of your diplomatic 

 experience in decyphering, and to be favored with a 

 legible copy. The purport appears to be of a political 

 nature. It will not be without interest for you, and on 

 this account I appeal all the more confidently to your 

 good-nature. 



Your faithful friend, A. HUMBOLDT. 



139. 



HELEN, DUCHESS OF ORLEANS, TO HUMBOLDT. 



YOUR Excellency will accept my most heartfelt thanks 

 for the token of the remembrance, so valued by me, 



