334 Humboldt's Letters. 



casually I added, that I would ask your opinion. Only 

 when taking leave, which he introduced officially by 

 very far-fetched phrases on the "noble grey-haired 

 youth," he asked me whether it would be contrary to 

 my wishes to submit the problem to you also. The 

 visit had for its motive the manifestation of inherited 

 reverence, and a desire to produce an effect, which must 

 be connected with some self-denial at eight o'clock in 

 the morning, on the day of departure. To vaccinate 

 him with our excellent H., we might send the latter for 

 four months to Paris and London ; but would a mind 

 like H.'s put up with it ? J*en doubte. 



Most cordially, your A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



WEDNESDAY. 



Gerlach intends to separate himself from the King, 

 and to oust Reyher, whereby he would still remain quite 

 near the King, ay, even nearer than at present, for the 

 cause of little animosities (electricity from contact) would 

 then disappear. 



184. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEK 



POTSDAM, November 9th, 1856. 



I FORGOT to inform you, my revered friend, that I 

 fulfilled punctually your wish to send to Weimar the 



