101 



I addressed a few words "from a window" to the 

 young men, on the intellectual links which simulta- 

 neously, and without suffering diminution by distance, 

 are strengthened through the communication of liberal 

 feelings and of lasting hope in all that honours 

 the progress of mankind. You will find this little 

 Address in the " State Gazette," such as I wrote it 

 down immediately after having delivered it extem- 

 pore. Without this precaution, my friends, whose 

 number is daily increasing, would have distorted it. 

 I read parts of Custine* to the King. He is a man of 

 infinite talent, and the work is gloriously written. I 

 know only two volumes as yet, and prefer the first, 

 since it represents, in a masterly style, a new gran- 

 deur of tragic events. With great esteem, your 



A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



Monday. 



Please return Eckermann. 



LXXII. 



HUMBOLDT TO YARNHAGEN. 



Tuesday, 27th June, 1843. 



I am terrified, my dear friend, at the prospect of 

 your going to Tegel on Thursday, and finding only an 

 empty house. Billow takes leave of the King to-day, 

 and intends to-morrow (Wednesday) to leave for 

 Schlangenbad with his wife and two eldest daughters. 

 I write this in case I should not be fortunate enough 

 (to-day) to see you before you leave. The torchlight 

 procession in Diisseldorf might throw a light on many 



* The Marquis de Custine, author of the well-known work on Kussia. TR. 



