76.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
I have a mind, my noble friend, to impart some enjoyment to you to-night by a few insignificant gifts, accompanying the horrible Ruthenic venom beneath enclosed.[37] I know that I am personally flattered in all the inclosed letters with the exception of that from Solingen; but this cannot prevent my offering what may be interesting to you. You will find the following letter from
1. Lord Stanley, the present minister, to whom I had recommended the cousin of our Dieffenbach, the author of a highly commendable journey to New Zealand. This traveller was implicated in the rebellion at Frankfort, wherefore it was difficult to get him an engagement in Germany. If travelling were still a business of mine I could not desire a better companion.
2. The “Presumption” from Solingen.
3. A very interesting letter of Count Bresson, the ambassador of France, dated Feb. 6, 1839.
4. A very amiable letter from Arago, when I had dedicated him the “Examen de l’histoire de la géographie du 15 Siècle.” I don’t recollect having given you anything else of Arago.
5. A note written by the King, at a time when he assisted me in obtaining the pardon of young “demagogues.” The note refers to the prosecution of young Hoeninghaus, for whom my efforts were successful. The letter of the Crown-Prince shows a noble indignation against Kamptz and his accomplices.
6. A letter of the Duchess of Orleans.
7. A letter of the King of Denmark. Simultaneously with Arago I had recommended Hansen, the great lunar calculator at Gotha, to the King. Our petition was granted. Arago received also a very amiable autograph from “Christianus Rex,” once constitutional King in Norway.
8. Another note of the Crown-Prince, good-humored and witty. He wished very much to have Metternich accept the Presidency, pour mettre la société en bonne odeur à Rome ou elle passe pour Bunsohérétique.
9. A letter of the Duchess de Dino, now Duchesse de Talleyrand. She has been created Duchess of Sagan lately.
10, 11. Two good-humored letters more of the King. Le Seehund, the recommendation of a rather rough Danish sea captain, who declared his willingness to take two naturalists around the globe at the rate of 2500 rixthalers a head (a little high). The plan was a failure. Le Seigneur Cados, ministre Sécretaire d’Etat of the watchmaking Duc de Normandie, who addressed to the Crown-Prince a complaint about the indecent manner in which he was treated by the Staats Zeitung.
12. From Brunel, the hero of the tunnel.
13. A letter of Sir John Herschel, full of flattering expressions.
14. Mr. de Balzac.
15. Sir Robert Peel. Somebody had written me, from Oxford, that Robert Brown, the first botanist of Europe, had got suddenly into money difficulties, and that Peel, on my intercession, would grant him one of the four only pensions accorded to savans by Parliament. I recommended him and was successful.
16. Mad. Récamier. I am sure you have already several letters from her.
17. A letter from Prince Metternich, to be added to the number of those which you have already from him.
18. The illustrious American historian, Prescott. In your hands all will be safe, even what I myself would destroy from wantonness. I entreat you, dear friend, not to tell anybody that I gave you the King’s notes, however insignificant they are. It would injure me.