200 



written scarcely obtains notice. The latter, however, 

 is an unavoidable necessity. In order to attain an 

 object which is within such easy reach, a very short 

 written petition, directed to the King himself, is needed; 

 which I will hand to him, with warm recommenda- 

 tions. The excellent man begs the King for a small 

 pecuniary assistance to enable him to go to Munich. 

 To name a sum is not exactly indispensable, but would 

 simplify matters. The delicate sensibility of the artist 

 will not feel offended at my proposal, as his application 

 is not made for his own personal benefit, but in the 

 noble interest of Art. 



With strong attachment and very grateful devotion, 

 Your most obedient, faithful friend, 



A. VON HUMBOLDT. 



CXLV. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Potsdam, \stNovemler, 1851. 



My dear and generous friend, you have given me 

 infinite gratification by your kind letter. I am deeply 

 in your debt, and may, no doubt, by my long silence 

 and apparent neglect, have given occasion more than 

 once for strong suspicions of coolness and alienation on 

 the score of difference of opinion. I ought never to 

 have been under any apprehension of one possessed of 

 such acquirements, and at the same time so well dis- 

 posed. Before I received your welcome letter, with 

 Baader's* portrait, it was my intention to bring to 

 you in person, as soon as it should be published, the 

 third I am sorry to say, exclusively astronomical 



* Franz von Baader, the mystic philosopher. TR. 



