Humboldt's Letters. 347 



103. 



HUMBOLDT TO VAKNHAGEN. 



BERLIN, December 3d, 1856. * 



So my pedestrian prose has led you back, my friend, 

 to the regions of the noblest of rhythms ! It would 

 make me proud, if the universe were not entitled to 

 your favor. With even more modesty than the poor^ 

 for whose benefit the old man with the moss-grown 

 beard* exhibits himself for the small compensation of 

 five silver groschen. With what excellent taste you 

 have transferred the English " home" into " Daheim." 

 Indescribably beautiful is your poetry, full of grace 



"Werke der Kunst, der Natur, und Schrift und Geraeth des 



Gelehrten. 



Aber ibn selbst inmitten des neidenswerthen Besitzthums 

 Seheu wir froh sein Reich mit sinnigem Blicke beherrschen, 

 Deutende Sprache verleihen dem wundervollen Gemaelde, 

 Durch lichtvoller Gedanken beredsam gluckliche Fiigung 

 Schaffend ein neues Bild, ein geistiges, staunendem Anschaun I 

 * Bemoostes Haupt is an expression often applied to a student who 

 has grown grey without passing an examination, and which, in this 

 connexion, has an effect at once humorous and pathetic, which is 

 inimi table. Tr. 



