87 



under the glare of torches, there is a hint at going 

 away, as after an accomplished (and well-paid) musical 

 tour. I suppose this is only a sentimental expression to 

 create alarm. 



Now for a few answers in reference to the biography, 

 of which I am almost frightened to think, not on 

 account of politics, but from family considerations. I 

 fully rely upon your promise. The man will surely 

 never wish to give pain to so many ! 



Wilhelm was born in Potsdam, as his father was 

 a Eoyal Chamberlain, and at the same time Acting 

 Chamberlain to Elizabeth, Princess of Prussia. He 

 left Potsdam when the Princess was taken to Stettin. 

 My father enjoyed to the last the highest favour of 

 the Prince of Prussia, who regularly every year paid 

 him a visit at Tegel. This will explain to you the pas- 

 sage in the English Despatch where it is said (I think 

 very early in 1 7 7 5 ; " Eaumer's Contributions to Modern 

 History," vol. v., p. 297): "Hertzberg or Schulenberg 

 could form a Ministry, but those have the greatest 

 probability of success, although they are of a different 

 stamp, who are considered the Prince's favourites. 

 Among the first of these is Baron Humboldt, formerly 

 a functionary in the allied army, a man of natural 

 good sense and of a fine character ; Baron Hordt, an 

 enterprising spirit/'. . . The vtwc& functionary is a strange 

 mistake. My father (Major) was aide-de-camp to 

 Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick, after having served 

 for a long time in the Finkenstein Eegiment of 

 Dragoons. He was often sent by the Duke to 

 Friedrich II. in the worst times of the Seven Years' War. 

 Therefore Friedrich II. writes in his letters on Wedel's 

 Dcconfihire, " I have said to Humboldt everything 



