328 Humboldt's Letters. 



philanthropic principles which you have consistently 

 advocated through the course of a long and eventful 

 life. I thank you heartily for the letter of M. v. Gerolt, 

 and its printed inclosure, which will be a valuable addi- 

 tion to my collections. At this moment, it is true, the 

 chances of Fremont are a little doubtful ; nevertheless 

 the latest accounts represent the zeal of his supporters 

 as very great and by no means hopeless. 



Our domestic events domestic in their origin though 

 the scene be laid abroad it would be more agreeable to 

 pass in silence, as it is difficult to find the proper expres- 

 sion with which to characterize them, and impracticable 

 to make use of those expressions when found. The 

 most consoling observation to be made is that of unani- 

 mous condemnation on all hands, where there are no 

 private ends to gain. For the veritable Prussian of the 

 good old school such things as Jade, Neufchatel, and 

 even Zollern, are at all times nothing but distractions, 

 having no legitimate concern with the core of the Prus- 

 sian state. In regard to Neufchatel, I fear that a 

 momentary favorable nod of France is over valued, and 

 will lead to inextricable entanglements ; Reynard* is apt 

 to incite his friends to dangerous adventures ; the escape 

 from them is their affair, and he takes a malicious plea- 

 sure in looking on. 



* The Fox, i. e. Louis Napoleon. Tr 



