306 Humboldt's Letters. 



substance, and elegiac in tone, is the worthiest and most 

 lasting monument of the prince,* of whom I hear on 

 every side accounts which make one mourn his loss in 

 the prime of life. I shall try to procure his work which 

 is so highly recommended by your Excellency. 



The gloomy cover of mist which veils the light of 

 day, corresponds with the sentiments by which I at 

 least feel myself weighed down. I have not succeeded 

 in becoming cheerful for some days. 



With the warmest wishes for you, in faithful reve- 

 rence and most grateful submission, immutably 



Your Excellency's most obedient, 



VAKNTHAGEN VON EJSTSE. 



167. 



HUMBOLDT TO 



BERLIN, April 2Sth, 1855. 



REVERED FEIEND A strange missionary experiment, 

 enveloped in a somewhat idyllic ghost story, political 

 and religious, in a style of singular " finish" and bom- 

 bast, which I cannot refrain from showing to you. I 

 take it to be the work of a male author. 



The saturnalia of despotism and of flatteries, the wan- 



* Waldemar of Prussia, the traveller in India and Brazil. Tr. 



