154 



schwingh will send for Massmann. In haste, as 

 ever, your faithful, 



To Alexander v. Humboldt. F. W. 



Here. 



CXI. 



BESSEL TO HUMBOLDT. 



Konigslerg, February I2t?t, 1846. 



I have learnt, with sorrow, that your Excellency 

 has to mourn the loss of Baron Biilow. Although I 

 had not the good fortune to know him personally, I 

 knew the sincere love of the uncle for the nephew, and 

 often heard how enthusiastically it was returned. I 

 knew him, moreover, by repute, as high-minded, 

 talented, and sagacious. Would that I could speak 

 words of consolation, such as I heard when my severe 

 loss befell me !* But it is not given to every one to 

 utter them. That time stanches the bleeding wound, 

 which at first appeared as though it would never close, 

 I have found from my own experience; and that 

 death after short suffering is preferable to death after 

 long suffering, is a truth which has often forced itself 

 upon me ! 



The Chancellor, Baron Wegnern, communicated to 

 me, on the 27th ult., the letter which he received from 

 your Excellency. It contains the first news which I 

 have received since the 7th November last year, on 

 the subject of the portrait with which His Most Gra- 

 cious Majesty thought to confer happiness on the poor 

 sufferer. That its tidings were gladsome and soothing 

 to me you may naturally suppose. Ever since the first 



* The loss of his son. See Letter XLVI1L TR. 



