376 Humboldt's Letters. 



retreat was, then, the only resource. I did so in order 

 to steer further in the ocean of investigation. Whether 

 you will continue, even in this matter, to cast upon me, 

 as a star of good omen, the light of the goodness ever 

 extended to me is what I may be permitted to wish, 

 but can hardly be permitted to hope although we 

 agreed that the acquaintance of the party was not to 

 include his selection. 



I shall now retire into various forest solitudes of Thu- 

 ringia with a number of books, among which I anticipate 

 particular pleasure from the perusal of Earth's itinerary. 

 I bow in reverence before such endurance in the love of 

 science, before such indomitable energy ; how much the 

 more must I do so before his prototype, before you ? 

 Remaining your most devoted, most grateful servant, 



CHARLES ALEXANDER. 



Sll. 



THIERS TO HUMBOLDT. 

 (FROM THE FRENCH.) 



PARIS, May Uth, 1857. 



MY DEAR M. DE HUMBOLDT I take the liberty of 

 commending to your goodness shown so often to myself 

 and to Frenchmen generally, M. Duvergier de Hau- 

 ranne, who goes to Germany to show it to his young son. 



