380 Humboldt's Letters. 



tive for the disruption of the fetters, indelicate on his 

 part, has something depressing. Immerman wishes to 

 be loved, dreads the constraint of marriage, as Elisa does, 

 but marries nevertheless ! ! The man who most occu- 

 pies my thoughts in all these matters is Friesen, who 

 worked so hard with me at the Mexican atlas in 1807, 

 who was so dear to me, and to whom I was so much. I 

 have mentioned him with tenderness in the Essai Poli- 

 tique sur la Nouvelle Espagne. Had I known the beau- 

 tiful work of Miss Ludmilla, I would gladly have offered 

 her a few lines. Her book, however, will go through 

 many editions. As I am unfortunately compelled to go 

 to Tegel for a night, I inquire, my dear friend, whether 

 I may call upon you at three o'clock on Friday, and 

 whether I may hope then to find Miss Ludmilla with 

 you. So much skill in art and literary genius united in 

 one and the same person is a rare luxury. It might 

 lead to misfortunes. The course of the world refuses to 

 admit of great exceptions to its compensatory system of 

 pleasure and sadness. 



Your A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



TUESDAY. 



In great haste, and incorrect. 



(Inclosed, a Letter from Friesen, of the year 180T, with this Super- 

 scription by Humboldt. ) 



A little gift for Miss Ludmilla Assing, the brilliant 

 authoress of Elisa von Ahlefeldt, an autograph of my dear 



