196 



writings with the historical name of your town, which 

 is so dear to me, and within whose walls besides, 

 in 1767, my brother was born that brother whose 

 name is cherished in the memory of those who have 

 preserved freedom of mind for those extended views of 

 political life, progressing in steady course of develop- 

 ment. A. v. HUMBOLDT, 



On the occasion of his being presented 



with the Freedom of the City of 



Potsdam. 



CXLI. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Potsdam, 4th November, 1849. 



How happy you have made me, my dear friend, by 

 your agreeable communication from England. But, 

 for the sake of my brother's memory, and in order to 

 answer those who slanderously misrepresent my stay 

 at this Court, I am very anxious to have my answer 

 to the Potsdam Town Delegates correctly reported in 

 a liberal newspaper. I should like to send it to the 

 " Constitutional Grazette," which has not yet made any 

 mention of the affair. I have, however, no copy, 

 except the slip of paper which I sent to you. Have 

 the kindness to return it to me soon. 



How important is the news from Paris ! That reck- 

 less personage* will, perhaps, obtain the Consulat a 

 vie (to which the words duree et stabilite allude;) but 

 he will fall notwithstanding, and wake the slumbering 

 Hon. Liberty will not be a loser by it, and the German 



* His Majesty Charles Louis Napoleon, Emperor of the French. Tn. 



