Humboldt's Letters. , 313 



much for Germany and Teutonism. It is betrayed most 

 assiduously by its sworn defenders. Finally, Humboldt 

 added: 'When a man has the misfortune to be com- 

 pelled to live among such wretches as this Gerlach, 

 Raumer, and the rest who have crept into this 

 Court.' .... He went from me to the Koethener 

 Strasse to look at a picture, and left me much excited. 

 I could not keep in mind and write down one-tenth of 

 all he said." 



Varnhagen adds, on the 12th of August, Humboldt 

 said of the situation of Prussia, it reminded him of a 

 trial he once heard in Paris; the lawyer had to ask 

 damages for a box on the ear, and had exclaimed 

 triumphantly at the close : " Au fond nous n'avons pas 

 re9u le soufflet, nous n'avons eu que le geste ! " 



160. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEK 



BERLIN, January 13th, 1856. 



SMILE, dear friend (you are fully justified !) at the 

 strange lines of Princess Lieven, and at my troublesome 

 inquiry. Madame de Quitzow, who has not written to 

 me for twenty-five years, wants to know, whether the 



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