259 



writing French, and at the same time a good reader. 

 Such a man must be born specially for the purpose. 

 I said " f aviserai" and quite accidentally added, " I 

 would ask you" It was not till he was taking leave, 

 which he did in official form, with some rather over- 

 strained compliments to " youthful age," that he 

 asked me whether he should be running counter to 

 my feelings if he were to propound the riddle to you. 

 The motive of his visit was, therefore, to give proof 

 of his " hereditary admiration," and to create sen- 

 sation ; and this at eight in the morning on the day 

 of his departure, must have cost him a little self- 

 sacrifice. To " engraft" upon him the excellent 

 H., one might send H. for four months to Paris 

 and London ; but would a talent like H.'s bear such 

 a slavery ? J'en doute. Warmly yours, 



A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



Grerlach will separate himself from the King, and 

 supplant Reyher* in his office. He would thus remain 

 near the King, nay nearer, for the motive of many a 

 little excitation (contact-electricity) would thus be 

 removed. 



CLXXXIV. 



HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. 



Potsdam, 9th November, 1856. 



I have neglected to inform you, my honoured 

 friend, that I had punctually, indeed within a few 

 days of learning it, fulfilled your wish by sending 



* General of Artillery and Chief of the Staff. TR. 



s 2 



