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entirely free, and in consequence observe the neces 

 sary discretion as to the real object of this journey. 

 Dante would have spoken still more truly if he had 

 said, "Viver, ch'e un correr' a 1'eterna gioventu." 

 You prove it, for your immortal genius rises ever and 

 anon in eternal youth. Its goodness is also an evi- 

 dence of this. 



In thankful admiration and affection, 



Your faithfully devoted, 



KARL ALEXANDER. 



ecu. 



VARNHAGEN TO HUMBOLDT. 



Berlin, 1th April, 1857. 



Your Excellency's kind and most welcome com- 

 munications, or at least the substance of them, I for- 

 warded yesterday in all haste to f f. I hope that 

 M. * * * will start at once on his journey, but I 

 expect an answer from him before he does so, and as 

 I do not believe that he can make the detour via 

 Berlin, considering the short time on which the 

 Grand Duke has fixed, it will be best for him to 

 receive at Weimar the letter of recommendation 

 which is to introduce him. 



The Grand Duke insists on discretion, in which he 

 is quite right ! It is convenient for him, and deli- 

 cate and considerate for the other party. * * * has 

 in this respect behaved quite correctly till now. I am 

 very anxious to know the result of the whole affair ; 

 provided that, on the whole, affairs are about to assume 

 a satisfactory form. Its success would give me extreme 



