The world, my dear Baron, is in a dangerous position. The social body is in fermentation. You would do me a great favor if you could teach me the nature of this fermentation, whether it is spirituous, acid, or putrid? I greatly fear that the verdict will be for the last-named of these kinds, and it is not I who could teach you that these products are hardly beneficial.
Be pleased to accept the thanks of my household for your friendly memento, and the assurance of the continuance of my old attachment.
Metternich.
123.
HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.
Berlin, May 30th, 1846.
Perhaps, my dear friend, it will not be without some interest to you to possess a copy of the poem of the Crown-Prince of Bavaria. The language is less crude than that of Walhalla; and some passages show a good deal of feeling, if but little poetical fervor.
Yours,
A. v. Humboldt.
Saturday.