21 



template it in the depths of the heart ; you must in 

 this sad time receive some words of affection which 

 both brothers offer you. 



His release is not yet come. I left him at eleven 

 last night, and am now hastening to him again. 

 Yesterday was a less trying day. A state of semi- 

 stupor, much tolerably calm sleep, and each time he 

 woke, words of love and comfort the clearness of that 

 great mind that grasps and analyses everything 

 turned inward on itself. His voice was very feeble, 

 husky, and of a childish treble, for which reason 

 leeches were again applied to his throat. Perfect 

 consciousness ! ! " Think of me very often," he had 

 said the day before ; " but mind you do so cheerfully. 

 I was very happy ; and to-day has been another happy 

 day for me, for love is the highest good of all. Soon 

 I shall be with our mother, and gain insight into the 

 higher and better order of things." 



I have not a shadow of hope left. I never had be- 

 lieved these old eyes had so many tears left. It has 

 lasted now a week.* 



XIX. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Berlin, 5th May, 1835, 



I have, alas ! been so haunted by a host of princely 

 visitors, so hurried along by the blast, cold, yet un- 

 refreshing,. that I could not find time to thank you 

 for Bollmannf and my late (brother's) biography. I 



* Wilhelm von Humboldt died at Tegel, 6 P.M., 8th April, 1835. 



f The memoir written concerning Justus Erich Bollrnann, by Varnhagen, 



