Humboldt's Letters. 321 



a christening of a child of a very handsome and accom- 

 plished daughter of my Siberian waiting-man's, Seifert, 

 who,* a traveller named Moellhausen, who, at Baron 

 Gerolt's and my recommendation, accompanied the 

 great exploring expedition of Captain W hippie, of San 

 Luis, San Francisco, and Panama, in the capacity of 

 topographer and draughtsman for the American Govern- 

 ment. It is about a year since the King appointed 

 young Moellhausen custodian of the palace library at 

 Potsdam. 



An excellent article by Laboulaye, on the domestic 

 Institution, and the flagitious Pierce's extension of the 

 outrage upon territory, hitherto free, met my eye yes- 

 terday in the " Journal des Debats," of the 5th of 

 February, I believe ! 



Keep the very commonplace verses " Oh, Gentle Jim." 



174. 



VARNHAGEN TO HUMBOLDT. 



BERLIN, March 14th, 1856. 



TOUR Excellency's kind and precious gift come into 

 the seclusion forced upon me by the rude relapse of 



* ''is married to," evidently omitted in the original Humboldt 

 took a great interest in Moellhausen, and wrote a preface to his book 

 on the above journey. Tr. 



14* 



