25 



On the llth May, 1836, Varnhagen wrote in his Diary: "Alexander 

 von Humboldt called on me quite early this morning, and stayed 

 an hour and a half. The French princes, who arrived here to-day, 

 furnished the chief subject of conversation. The perplexity of the 

 King is not small. He wishes to show his guests every attention, and 

 at the same time to make these attentions appear at St. Petersburg as 

 incivilities. Ancillon,* the minister, has not yet ventured to tell the 

 Crown-prince the real object of this journey. He has left it to chance 

 to inform him of it. Our princes were -greatly enraged, and railed at 

 the unwelcome visit. The Princesses Auguste and Marie, who spoke 

 favourably of it, got hard words. There was a talk of a row in the 

 theatre ; some people, it was said, would applaud, but it was hoped 

 far more would hiss them. An incident of the kind has already 

 occurred on their passage through Treves. Our princes, however, 

 in spite of any feeling of their own to the contrary, will, in com- 

 pliance with the King's desire, which has been very plainly intimated 

 to them, be extremely polite. The Queen of the Netherlands, who 

 happens to be here just now, and who was believed to be most 

 hostile to them, sets a good example, and announces her intention of 

 receiving the visitors at her house. The ambassador, M. Bressonf 

 and Baron Humboldt, had previously advised against the visit. 

 That it has now become an accomplished fact appears to have been 

 brought about by Prince Metternich, who, wanting the good offices 

 of France in Eastern affairs, and at the same time wishing to give 

 no offence to Russia, puts Prussia forward, as, after her example, the 

 reception of the French princes at Vienna will be a matter of course. 

 The affair may certainly be called an event, and one likely to ex- 



* Friedrich Ancillon, born 1767, at this time Prussian Secretary of 

 State for Foreign Affairs. He published several works connected with states- 

 manship and history. In politics his views were moderate, as may be per- 

 ceived by his work entitled " Ueber den Geist der Staatsverfassungen und 

 dessen Einfluss auf die Gesetzgebung " (Berlin, 1825). TE. 



f Count Charles Bresson, Peer of France, born 1798, from an early age 

 destined for diplomacy. He was appointed Ambassador Extraordinary to 

 the Court of Berlin in 1832, and continued there as Minister Plenipotentiary. 

 About the end of 1832, it was his diplomatic skill alone, which prevented war 

 between France and Prussia. Louis Philippe created him a Count and Peer 

 of France in 1837, in consequence of his successful negotiations in reference 

 to the marriage of the Duke of Orleans. TR. 



