344 Humboldt's Letters. 



of an appointment. Nothing remains, therefore, but to 

 beg your Excellency to make inquiries at what time the 

 gentleman would be at leisure and inclined to undertake 

 a journey to the bank of the Jim. Having asked this 

 question, I would pause above all things, in order to 

 proceed to the expression of my thanks for the important 

 news you have the goodness to communicate. If I add 

 the question, whether your Excellency will kindly send 

 me the map for an admiring inspection, and if you should 

 possibly find this question wonderfully troublesome, I 

 take refuge under the shelter of your goodness to me, 

 which has often made me proud, and to-day, perhaps, 

 indiscreet. Yet I am proud of your goodness, which 

 is ever coupled with truth, and in the latter I put my 

 trust, that you will decisively reject my petition, if it 

 troubles you, to whom, in reverence, I remain the most 

 grateful scholar, 



CHARLES ALEXANDER. 



190. 



JOBARD TO HUMBOLDT. 



BRUSSELS, November 26^ 1856. 

 MONSIEUR LE BARON: 

 PERHAPS you will not be displeased to learn the role 



