Humboldt's Letters. 327 



Mr. C and the beau moncle have retreated to the 



mountains and the sea-baths long ago, and I shall not 

 see him for three or four weeks to come. 



Mr. Fillmore would be the best President ; but he ap- 

 pears to have little hope of succeeding against Fremont 

 and Buchanan ; and theKnownothings have lost all credit. 



My poor wife and children are counting the hours 

 which must elapse before my return, and I am not less 

 anxious to find all that is dear to me again in the 

 country of my home, next year, at the close of the 

 Congress. 



The approaching departure of the mail for England 

 compels me to close this letter, which I do with the 

 most heartfelt wishes for your Excellency's continued 

 well-being. 



With immutable reverence and affection, I remain 

 your Excellency's most devoted GEEOLT. 



178. 



VARNHAGEN TO HUMBOLDT. 



BERLIN, September 13ih, 1856. 



THE great influence of the name of your Excellency in 

 the United States, as in America in general, is a gratify- 

 ing sign of the improvement of those countries in civiliza- 

 tion, and a sure pledge of the ultimate triumph of the 





