316 Humboldt's Letters. 



170. 



THE PRINCESS LIEYEN TO HUMBOLDT. 



PARIS, January Sth, 1856. 



You have not forgotten me, my dear Baron. I know 

 that by two kind messages which Baron Brockhausen 

 brought me from you. I have charged him to testify 

 my lively gratitude ; but I now prefer to express it 

 myself. On this occasion, it serves me as the passport 

 to a question which I take the liberty of addressing 

 you. 



Can you, who know everything, remember the follow- 

 ing fact? In 1799 or 1800, the Emperor Paul took it 

 into his head to propose a combat on a tilted field, 

 where England, Russia, Austria, and I know not what 

 other power, should adjust their differences by the per- 

 sons of their Prime Ministers, Pitt, Thugut, etc. The 

 task of drawing up this invitation was assigned to 

 Kotzebue, and the article inserted in the "Hamburg 

 Gazette." This is my very distinct recollection. I 

 have not dreamed any part of it. Could you complete 

 the tradition ? I can meet with no one who remembers 

 it. I have thought you might be able to sustain my 



