312 Humboldt's Letters. 



gone from here to Erdmannsdorf to the King ; thence he 

 hastens on to Baden. The King has Lieutenant-General 

 von Gerlach, with him in Erdmannsdorf, among others, 

 also Radowitz, in case he is not * already tired of him, 

 as happens so easily.' Humboldt talks of Radowitz 

 decidedly as of a Jesuit, calls him Ignatius, mocks him, 

 and jests on him a long time. 'The great destinies of 

 Italy' leave the King very indifferent ; but a colored 

 pane of glass, a quaint device on an old monument, a 

 family name, enlist his greatest interest, occupy, and 

 amuse him ; and for such trifles Radowitz was the right 

 man ! The same is the case with Bunsen, with whom 

 the King corresponds on theological and patristic curi- 

 osities. He has asked him to write articles in the papers 

 against the Bishop of Mainz ; but Bunsen makes 

 the condition to be allowed to refer in his articles to the 

 command of the King, since otherwise they would pos- 

 sess neither influence nor effect. Humboldt thinks 

 Bunsen would not resist a call hither, even if it was not 

 official, but only a personal one by the King. The Duke 

 of Coburg-Gotha desires an enlargement of his territory 

 and a higher title that of a c King of Ostphalia' is 

 already proposed. The King jestingly calls him by that 

 title already. He counts upon England and France, 

 and willingly flatters and accommodates Bonaparte, who 

 would meet with little difficulty in being the recog- 

 nised Protector of a new Rhenish Confederation. So 



