Note by Varnhagen.—I had replied in Rahel’s name, who was prevented by sickness, to the note of the 1st inst., directed to her, and in a postscript had expressed the desire Minister de Humboldt should write the critique of Faust, just then to be published for the Jahrbücher der Kritik.
11.
HUMBOLDT TO RAHEL.
Berlin, February 9th, 1853.
I have seen Beuth once more, to remind him of his ancient friendship with L. His opinion is, that it would be advantageous for the family to separate the architectural subjects from what belongs to landscape merely, and also to leave out the engravings. Only the architectural drawings were of any use to his institute, and if the family wanted the money, he would be enabled to purchase to the amount of some hundred Thalers (perhaps four to five hundred?). However uninviting such an offer may be, I thought it my duty, dear friend, to impart it to you. In case of acceptance, Beuth wishes to deal forthwith with some agent, who should come and see him in his house.
May the sun of gentle spring give you both warmth, cheerfulness, and vigor! The “Byzantine empire” (ours I mean) is seriously divided into two parties about “Bunsen’s Psalm Book,” and “Elsner’s Collection of Hymns!” The military power and the adjutants are in favor of the “Collection of Hymns.” As for myself, I have not yet made up my mind.
Saturday.
A. Ht.
12.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
Saturday, March 9th, 1833.
To a mind like yours, noble friend, solitude and calm are necessary. You draw only upon yourself. Think, that I received the painful news[[9]] only last night by Prince Carolath. You know what a warm-hearted, long-proved, and kind friend I lost in her, the honor of her sex! how amiable she was, when lately she instructed me to transact the little business with Beuth. So experienced in all the vicissitudes and illusions of life, and yet so cheerful, and so gentle! With such an intellect, so full of soul, and so true of heart! The world will appear to you a solitude for a long time, but the consciousness of having imparted to such a lovely woman, until her very last breath, all that genius, and heart, and gracefulness of intercourse like yours can afford, will be a balm to your wound, dear Varnhagen. I conjure you, take care of your health!