192 



vous avez fait un bien noble usage de votre fortune 

 morale. Que Dieu vous conserve en sante et en vie ! 



Becevez, mon cher baron, avec 1' expression d'un 

 voau dont vous ne mettez pas en doute la sincerite, 

 celle de mes sentiments de devouement et d'amitie, 

 dont la date est ancienne, comme tout ce qui est place 

 entre nous ! 



METTERNICH. 



CXXXYIII. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Potsdam, 29th October, 1849. 



My dear Friend, A German letter of the Duchess 

 of Orleans, to whom these many years I have been in 

 the habit of sending my books, for which she has a 

 particular liking. She writes now a hand which to 

 me is such a sealed book, that I most earnestly beg 

 you, with your old diplomatic skill of deciphering, to 

 transcribe her lines for me. They appear to contain 

 some passages about politics. The contents will be 

 interesting to you. I, therefore, may the more readily 

 reckon on your indulgence. 



Your faithful friend, 



A. HUMBOLDT. 



CXXXIX. 



THE DUCHESS HELENE OF ORLEANS TO HUMBOLDT. 



Your Excellency, I beg to offer to you my most 

 heartfelt thanks for the proof of your kind remem- 

 brance of the hours spent by us together in quite 



