396 Humboldt's Letters. 



that enjoyed by the knights of old, who galloped over 

 a course covered with obstructions, and the prospect of 

 escape from the infernal regions of the fourth class.* 

 I shall write to Illaire for the third class, but beseech 



you to jog my memory. 's title ! I believe he 



does not preach has even ceased to administer the 

 little wafers which refuse to unite with the bread, their 

 chemical kinsman. I believe, however, he is a Pro- 

 testant power in . 



For the benefit of your soul and Miss Ludmilla's, I 

 inclose some phantasies on the antediluvian universal 

 absence of rain in the Berlin world, and on the con- 

 suming fire, sure to be occasioned by a little forgotten 

 potash, in the midst of innocent felspar of the granite 

 formation, on the day of judgment : " de la geologie 

 hebra'izante," as I have been imprudent enough to style 

 it in " Kosmos." 



Yours, A. v. HT. 



TUESDAY. 



* I.e. of the order of the Prussian Eagle. The sentence reads 

 thus : " Da gestern Illaire bei mir war, so habe ich alles vorbereitet, 



Herrn dem vielgeachteten Geistlicheu in .... nuetzlich fuer 



eines der Spielwerke zu werden, welche zwar nicht naehren, aber 

 eine augenehme Zerstreuung, auch des spaet aiisgefuehrten Reitens mit 

 Hindernissen, Aussicht zur Errettung aus der Unterwelc dervier ten 

 Klasse gewaehren." As it stands, the clause printed by us in italics 

 makes nonsense. Translator. 



