150 



a word of reproach. Only the last line is grand and 

 beautiful. 



With unchanging affection, yours, 



Friday. A. V. HuMBOLDT. 



CVIIL 

 HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Berlin, March 29th, 1846. 



I have only just leisure to tell you, that I shall for 

 certain be in Sans Souci from June till September, and 

 to thank you heartily, my excellent friend, for the 

 affectionate way in which you make mention of my 

 brother's " Agamemnon."* To pick out with malicious 

 spite exactly 16 lines out of 1 700 !! Some complained 

 that they did not wish my brother's translation to be 

 represented in a royal palace. Now, as the " States' 

 Gazette" comes every evening into the hands of the 

 King, they thought it was useful to abuse Wilhelm. The 

 very next morning I answered the article in " Spener's 

 Journal ;" but gently, because the very well-informed 

 and unpoetical Dr. Franz now asks for an increase of his 

 pension. I was myself on the watch to prevent the 

 King seeing my reply. Return me the paper. At least, 

 up to yesterday, he had never said anything to me about 

 it. I am working at " Kosmos," not .unsuccessfully, I 

 think ; but with a heavy heart, on account of public 

 affairs. Your news from England are very interesting. 



With heartiest friendship, your, 

 Sunday. A. V. HuMBOLDT. 



* Wilhelm v. Humboldt's translation of the Agamemnon of ^Eschylus. TR. 



