Cover of Letters of Alexander von Humboldt to Varnhagen von Ense. From 1827 to 1858. With extracts from Varnhagen's diaries, and letters of Varnhagen and others to Humboldt — Key Ideas to Explore

Letters of Alexander von Humboldt to Varnhagen von Ense. From 1827 to 1858. With extracts from Varnhagen's diaries, and letters of Varnhagen and others to Humboldt — Key Ideas to Explore

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Authors: Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859, Varnhagen von Ense, Karl August, 1785-1858 [Contributor], Assing, Ludmilla, 1821-1880 [Editor], Kapp, Friedrich, 1824-1884 [Translator] Digital Source: Project Gutenberg Gutenberg Release Year: 2022 First Publication Year: Not confirmed

Key Word: Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859 -- Correspondence Target Reader: Readers of public-domain and historical texts

Book Edition: Project Gutenberg digital edition Book Language: en

Edition facts

Words 83,119

Reading time 362 min

Text sections 231

The source record for Letters of Alexander von Humboldt to Varnhagen von Ense. From 1827 to 1858. With extracts from Varnhagen's diaries, and letters of Varnhagen and others to Humboldt — Key Ideas to Explore measures this digital text at 83,119 words, 6 hr 2 min estimated reading time, and 231 detected text sections.

The text analysis averages about 17.1 words per sentence, while the detected sections provide another way to judge how the source is divided.

Project Gutenberg metadata also associates the work with “Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859 -- Correspondence,” connecting these edition facts with the source record’s subject description.

Source: Project Gutenberg record #67420

This editorial note examines the structure of Humboldt's letters to Varnhagen, focusing on recurring imagery of seeds and growth, the movement between intimate and public spheres, and the role of third-party letters as structural counterpoints.

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hiss, it was hoped. At Treves, something of that sort had already happened, on their way through that city. No doubt, however, that our Princes, notwithstanding their ill-feelings, will behave very civilly, as the King has expressed his wishes in this respect too positively. The Queen of the Netherlands, who is just now here, and who was believed to be the most violently opposed to them, leads the way with a good example, and declares that she will receive the strangers. The Ambassador, Mr. Bresson, and Mr. von Humboldt, at first disapproved of this excursion. That it is carried out notwithstanding is owing to Prince von Metternich, who desiring to secure the influence of France in the Oriental affairs, and at the same time to preserve the friendship of Russia, puts Prussia in the foreground, whose conduct in receiving the French Princes will form a precedent which must necessarily be followed at Vienna. The thing is, indeed, an event of great importance, and must tell effectively on public opinion. It is a fact, and, as such, speaks to every one. Every one will say that our Court has not the principles it pretended to have, or that it is too weak to avow them openly, and is driven, therefore, to try hypocrisy. A bad thing either way!”

23. HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.

BERLIN, _May 31st, 1836_.

[Concerning the article in the Allgemeine Zeitung, against Raumer,[14] written, it was said, by Major von Radowitz.]

The correspondent had, it seems, little to fear from the mendacious declaration of this “defloured.” In the general view on the shallowness and dough-facedness, of the _great_ historian, I am of his opinion. Moreover reading Herr von Raumer’s books is like being “whipped,” and that I neither suffer nor pardon.

24. HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.

_Monday, April 24th, 1837_.

It is very consoling, that both brothers in this intellectually desolated city (how brilliant it was when Rahel was in her zenith) live in the memory of the only one, to whom have remained good taste, refined manners, and gracefulness of style.

All my researches concerning the separate print of the essay were in vain to-day. I have not even the single volume of the Academical Proceedings of 1822, because at that time I lived in Paris. Yet, in a few days, I will bring you this one. I will then also show you a list of all the remaining works of my brother, which I have made with great care, and which you may perhaps increase. Cotta will print all of them; also, the eight hundred sonnets, and likewise the hitherto unprinted ecclesiastical poems from Spain. I make the preparations for this edition in a spirit of sincere piety that I may not die regretting its non-completion.

How could I ever suspect, dear friend, that you would let me become a Madame Sontag, at the house of the excellent Princess (as in the saloon of the Princess Belgiojoso), and make an exhibition of myself! I will read with pleasure in a small circle of twelve or fifteen persons, certainly not otherwise, because Berlin is a small illiterate town and more than malicious, in which people would find it ludicrous, if I, in addition to two alas! already so _public_ theatres were to offer a third entertainment. But happily, I certainly am no Madame Sontag in Berlin, and the lecture can therefore well remain a secret de comédie. You are certainly sufficiently humane to understand all this, and not to blame me.

With all reverence, yours, A. V. H.

25. HUMBOLDT TO THE PRINCESS VON PUECKLER.

I arrived this very night from Potsdam, and I accept with pleasure the amiable offer of Madame la Princesse for to-morrow, Wednesday night, at eight o’clock precisely, for the spectacle lasts one hour. I feel some fear in fixing it for Thursday, considering the planetarian perturbations. Any persons selected by you will be agreeable to me. I would only beg Madame la Princesse not to invite Rauch, Gans, and Mr. and Mrs. Ruhle, because they have already been bored by this affair. Mr. de Varnhagen may add whomever he pleases. This tact in selecting only those who will have some indulgence in listening to me is unsurpassed.

Thousand respectful and affectionate devotions.

THURSDAY, _2d May, 1837_.

26. HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN.

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The letters in this collection move between the intimate and the institutional with a rhythm that mirrors Humboldt's own position as a scientist at court. One recurring image—the seed—appears both literally and metaphorically: Humboldt writes of seeds gathered from a plant, and Varnhagen's diary extracts record Humboldt's gift of seeds from his travels. This botanical motif ties the personal correspondence to Humboldt's scientific legacy, suggesting that even private exchanges are part of a larger cultivation of knowledge.

Seeds as Recurring Motif

The image of seeds appears in multiple letters, linking Humboldt's scientific work to his personal relationships. In one letter, Humboldt mentions seeds he gathered from a plant; Varnhagen's diary notes that Humboldt gave him seeds from his travels, which Varnhagen planted. The seeds become a tangible connection between the two men, a symbol of growth and continuity. This motif recurs in the context of Humboldt's scientific expeditions, where collecting seeds was part of his broader project of understanding nature. The letters thus weave together the personal and the scientific, using a simple image to bridge the two spheres.

Movement Between Private and Public Spheres

The collection is structured by a constant shift between private correspondence and public life. Humboldt writes to Varnhagen about personal matters, but the letters also include references to court events, scientific meetings, and political figures. The inclusion of letters from third parties—such as Thiers, the Princess of Canino, and Duchess Helene d'Orleans—further expands the scope, showing Humboldt's network of correspondents. These letters serve as structural counterpoints, moving the reader from the intimate dialogue between Humboldt and Varnhagen to the broader world of European politics and society. The diary extracts from Varnhagen add another layer, providing a private commentary on the public events.

The Role of Third-Party Letters

Interspersed among Humboldt's letters are letters from others to Humboldt, including a note from Alessandro Manzoni, a recommendation from Thiers, and a request from Duchess Helene d'Orleans. These letters are not mere appendages; they are integral to the structure, offering different voices and perspectives. Manzoni's letter, for instance, is accompanied by a note from Humboldt explaining the context, creating a dialogue within the text. The Duchess's letters show Humboldt as a sought-after companion for cultural outings, while Thiers's letter highlights his role as a facilitator for young scholars. This polyphony enriches the portrait of Humboldt, showing him not only as a correspondent but as a central figure in a network of intellectual and social exchange.

Temporal and Spatial Movement

The letters span from 1827 to 1858, covering three decades of Humboldt's life. The collection moves chronologically, but within individual letters, there is often a rapid shift between topics: from scientific observations to personal news to political commentary. This movement mirrors Humboldt's own restless intellect. The setting also shifts: letters are written from Berlin, Paris, and other locations, reflecting Humboldt's travels and his role as a peripatetic scholar. The diary extracts from Varnhagen provide a counterpoint, grounding the correspondence in a specific place and time. The overall structure thus creates a sense of movement, both temporal and spatial, that mirrors the life of the writer.

Readers may find it useful to pay attention to the way the letters are arranged: the editorial decision to include third-party letters and diary extracts creates a layered narrative. The seeds motif, the shifts between private and public, and the polyphonic structure all reward careful reading. This collection is not simply a record of correspondence but a carefully constructed portrait of a man at the center of a web of relationships.

I was rereading the Humboldt letters the other evening, noticing again how his seeds and growth metaphors seem to cross the boundary from science into personal warmth. It struck me, oddly, that the steady, considered voice in Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star: War-time Editorials — Key Ideas to Explore carries a similar weight, that same quiet patience in the face of upheaval, as if both men trusted time to do its charitable work. A strange pairing, yet there it was.