213 



rather illegibly, and here and there something had to 

 be improved in the construction of the periods ; thus in 

 p. xi perhaps you would like better, " bei Anerken- 

 nung." The phrase is clumsy, even in its present 

 amended state. 



P. xiv. You will not blame the substitution of " eben 

 nicht " for " haben nie gerade," which is even more fa- 

 miliar. The four lines present themselves like an 

 aerolite fallen from the heavens. They are to be pre- 

 served though, even as a great license. 



Could not you improve a little p. xiii at the bottom? 

 Does the end of the phrase, " Stimme des Grewissens 

 gelegt hat," seem to you clear ? It does not to me. 

 Perhaps a few words might be added to elucidate the 

 meaning. 



" Boma," the verses addressed to me from Albano, 

 all the choruses and " Pindarica" will form another little 

 volume. 



Your long attached and profoundly respectful friend, 



A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



The saddest news from Arago's family. Swelling 

 in hands and feet, diabetes, and all but complete blind- 

 ness. Forty years of life with him ! ! 



CLIV. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



erlm, 2nd September, 1853. 



A thousand pardons for having troubled you while 

 ill. I have adopted everything and acted on all your 

 hints. But I should also like to give a place to 

 the view you take of p. vi. Would you approve of 



