“M. Dechamps, in the last homily delivered by him in the Chamber, cited the name of M. de Humboldt to prove that science could well be made subservient to the creed. It must be admitted, as Mr. Devaux showed, that the example could not have been worse chosen. M. de Humboldt is one of those rationalists, pure and simple, against whom M. Dechamps has already written so many letters. If M. Humboldt had taught in Belgium he would most certainly have been pursued in pastoral letters, and discharged by M. Dechamps, if M. Dechamps had been the Minister. Nevertheless, it is thus that history is written, and thus that the most important questions of our intellectual and moral future are appreciated!” Here is another unmixed and undisguised political opinion:— “As often and so sure as you base your church upon human obtuseness, the gates of the mind will not prevail against it, because there will always be consummate fools, old fools, and little fools, to uphold and repair it. Pure reason has not the same chance.” Yours, ever devotedly, JOBARD. 191. LINES BY VARNHAGEN ON HILDEBRANDT’S PAINTING OF HUMBOLDT’S APARTMENTS, AND THE MOTTO ATTACHED. (TRANSLATED BY CHARLES GOEPP, ESQ., AT EASTON, PA.) This was the latest, the peaceful home, where the mighty explorer, Early ascender of summits, reposed on the heights of his glory. Hall of the Castle of Knowledge, the limner has deftly restored thee! Lofty and light, rich hung with trophies of noble endeavor; Treasures of nature and art, and of love, and the weapons of science. While in the midst sits, earnestly glad, thoughtfully commanding All the profusion around, himself thy sovereign, breathing Speech and significant life into every shape of the picture; Plying the wonderful shuttle of thought, until it produces, Painting and painted at once, fresh images, brighter and brighter.[87] VARNHAGEN VON ENSE. BERLIN, _December 1st, 1856_. 192. HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. BERLIN, _December 3d, 1856_.