HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN

Berlin, 25th September, 1827.

Allow me, my dear friend, to offer you the best copy of my Paper I have left. The last lines will make you more indulgent towards the rest.

Tuesday. A. v. Humboldt.

HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN

Berlin, 1st November, 1827.

You once said something to encourage me in my attempts at giving a vivid and true delineation of Nature (i.e., one in strictest accordance with the results of observation). That your words have left an agreeable impression on my mind, you may perceive by the accompanying slight expression of my gratitude. I have almost entirely remodelled the “Explanations,” and added the “Rhodian Genius,” which Schiller appeared to fancy.

With kindest regards, yours,

A. Humboldt.

Strange that Koreff has never sent me a line to acknowledge all we have been doing for him here.

HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN

Berlin, 21st November, 1827.

Wednesday night.

As I rely more on your good nature and my own notes—which I followed strictly—than on the report of it taken down by my audience, I herewith send you, my esteemed friend, the whole of the fifth Lecture, together with to-day's recapitulation of it. You certainly will find no anti-philosophical tendency in it. Make any use of the papers you like—only no copying for the press—and be so good as to send them back by Saturday.