277 



does not quite believe in his own doctrine; he would 

 not " resign our national ideal in practical life, the 

 restoration of Emperor and Empire, although his 

 theoretical faith in its realisation is not great." 

 (Page 157.) Whoever can write such a thing has, 

 properly speaking, condemned himself. A kind 

 answer from the part of your Excellency the author 

 may still be entitled to expect a sympathizing one 

 you will not be able to give him. 



To hear that your health, your activity, and your 

 labours maintain themselves, and progress in the 

 usual way, is refreshing news, and an encouragement 

 for us others, who require great examples not to get 

 weary in our daily work 6\fyov re fyCkov re. I rejoice 

 greatly in the intelligence of the new volumes of 

 " Kosmos," and I say with Schiller, on the occasion 

 of a completed masterpiece of Goethe's, " I thank 

 the Gods that they have spared me to see this." 



The Neufchatel affair even, in its present stage, 

 presents a greatly foreboding aspect, and from the 

 very beginning I disliked the relations to Paris- 

 looking much like snares in which many a thing will 

 remain caught. The zeal of certain people is not at 

 all meant seriously for the affair itself ; but it serves 

 as an excellent means for other purposes which no 

 doubt they will attain. Yet I do not fear for the 

 future ; the light cannot be extinguished and must be 

 victorious, only the moment of the eclipse is ugly and 

 heavy. 



With cordial wishes, great admiration and devo- 

 tion, unchangeably your Excellency's most obedient, 



VARNHAGEN VON ENSE. 



