Humboldt's Letters. 343 



188. 



CHARLES ALEXANDER, GRAND DUKE OF SAXE-WEIMAR, 

 TO HUMBOLDT. 



WEIMAB, November 29^ 1856. 



As I fortunately have the honor to be known, truly 

 known to your Excellency, I may flatter myself that you 

 will not estimate my gratitude for your services and 

 those of M. de Varnhagen, by the length of time which 

 has elapsed since the day I received your letter of the 

 31st, and the present time. My sincere thanks shall 

 here receive a place. They have been delayed by the 

 very nature of the transaction. Such could not but be 

 the effect, for in an affair of that kind it is impossible 

 to form a sudden resolution, and accordingly I now 

 write for the sole purpose of not appearing ungrateful, 

 and because, on the other hand, it is necessary to secure 

 the possibility of forming a fixed resolve. To do this I 

 must have time and freedom of election. Both are secured 

 by the kindness of yourself and M. Yarnhagen, for you 

 join in proposing to send the young man so as to enable 

 me in the first place to make his acquaintance. The 

 question arises, when can this be done ? for I do not 

 care to begin by calling * * * here with the trombone 



