Humboldt's Letters. 329 



The other day Lady Bettina von Arnim contributed to 

 my collections near a thousand autographs. One of the 

 most valuable is a letter from your Excellency to Lud- 

 wig Achim von Arnim, on petrifactions ; it is not dated, 

 but I refer it to the third decade of the present century. 



I well know on what day I write these lines. It pre- 

 cedes the day more widely and more enthusiastically 

 celebrated than any other. May it please your Excel- 

 lency to accept the modest tribute of my warm good 

 wishes with kind favor! In faithful reverence and 

 grateful devotion, 



Your Excellency's most obedient, 



VABNHAGEN vox ENSE. 



17Q. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



BERLIN, September 22d, 1856. 



THE Grand Duke of Weimar, who has just left, com- 

 missions me to beg of you as a particular favor, the 

 permission for him to visit you to-morrow (on Tuesday) 

 between nine and eleven o'clock. He is determined to 

 see you in person. 



A. v. HUMBOLDT. 

 MONDAY. 



