An inquiry about letters and packages of the 8th and 22d of August, gives me the gratifying certainty of your return to monastic Berlin, where (supplement to No. 215 of Tante Voss, Sept. 15) “God in History”[96] is accused of rationalism and sinful Romanism on account of a kiss extorted from M. Merle d’Aubigné, and not yet sufficiently explained, and where (what is much more refreshing) pastor Kind boasts of having been kissed on the shoulder by a young Italian chambermaid at Naples, with the warmth of semi-conversion to Evangelism. As my monotonous birth-day has already brought in more than three hundred letters and packages, I never know anything about the dates of arrival; but I well remember having received a letter with a black margin of the 15th of July, from your distinguished relative Adolfo de Varnhagen in Madrid, and also a fragment of his history. I shall thank him heartily. His history is not without interest. You know that an attempt was made to get rid of M. von der Heydt, whose independent activity is disagreeable to his colleagues, by the appointment of a commission of finance in the council of state. But the man has acted with considerable energy, and the King has adjourned the whole commission, which was the work of Niebuhr. With heartfelt friendship, Yours, A. V. H. WEDNESDAY. My respects to your talented niece. I believe “God in History” has acted unwisely in accepting the King’s invitation, even after so many repetitions. I esteem him, but he will be accused of many things of which he is innocent. 217. HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN. BERLIN, _October 14th, 1857_. (WITH LETTER FROM GENTZ AND GARVE RETURNED.) My best thanks! I had already received the letters and enjoyed them. Nothing can add more to the glory of my brother. Strange that Ancillon could so long deceive so shrewd a man as Gentz. A. V. HT.