65 



with. Accept, madam, the expression of my highest 

 esteem and most grateful sentiments. 



AL. HUMBOLDT. 



LII. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Berlin, April 22nd, 1841. 



Your letter has been a source of unbounded comfort 

 to me. I see from it that we are the same friends 

 still, and that you have attributed my long and to 

 me very sad invisibility to the distraction of my 

 position, and to the constant employment of energies 

 always striving to reach an unattainable goal. In 

 the evening of a chequered though not altogether well- 

 spent life, it is a consolation to retain the esteem of 

 those to whom we are united in thoughts, feelings, and 

 aspirations. I shall thank you in person. As for 

 Mr. L., I must intercede for him with the Princess of 

 Prussia this very afternoon, and will also endeavour to 

 induce her Imperial Highness* to aid me with her usual 

 energy. With unaltered respect and affection, 



Yours, A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



I had occasion while at Potsdam to read to the 

 King, at his request, Schelling's Lecture on Nature 

 and Art (Philosoph. Schriften, vol. i., 1809). The 

 passages on Eaffaelle, Leonardo da Vinci, and the pos- 

 sibility of a new age of prosperity for Art, are as grace- 

 ful as any our language can produce. The reading 

 produced on the King the impression of a beautiful 

 song, but the bird is now sixty-seven years old, and 

 passes from one golden cage to another ! 



* Grand Duchess of Weimar, mother of the Princess of Prussia, and sister 

 to the Emperor Nicholas. TR. 



F 



