I am sorry to learn that your health is not satisfactory. Mine is very bad; but I care little about it. All that I daily see in this vile world of meanness, servility, and low passion, makes me look with indifference on the events with which men are mostly pre-occupied. The only news that could at present cure me of my spleen, would be that you were coming to Paris. Why have I not found a single word of hope in your letter—even for a distant future? The scientific world here is in a dead calm. Everything has a desponding look. I am going to-morrow to England with Mr. Pentland. Shall I come back with more comforting notions? Our observatory is elegant, and very commodious. The Ministry decided that a director must be appointed, and I was chosen unanimously. I have under my orders four or five youths, who have the title of assistants, and a salary of 2,000 francs. Under this arrangement, we shall try to achieve something out of the beaten track. Adieu, my dear and excellent friend. Mathieu, who has not yet entirely recovered from a severe disease in his eyes, charges me, as does his wife also, to recommend him to your remembrance. Always yours through life, ARAGO. 80. FOUR NOTES OF FREDERICK WILLIAM THE FOURTH TO HUMBOLDT. I. 23D DECEMBER, 1836 (_at Night_). The quasi nameless number[39] may expect the mildest of sentences. It will, doubtless, be commuted to six months, and three years’ incapacity to hold office. You may therefore send some comfort, at least as a Christmas present, to the faithful Crefeld. _Perhaps!!?!!_ I shall succeed in procuring the full pardon of this list. It is, however, revolting and horrible to let the poor boy languish so long in a loathsome hole. Leaving the respectability of his parents out of the question, had they been fools or knaves, it could _scarcely_ be excused. Shall we see each other to-night? FR. W. II. Cherissime Humboldt, you are acquainted with all the pretenders to all the crowns. Please read the inclosed letter, and inform me who the _Seigneur Cados_ may be—who were his father, mother, and ancestors, and also what are his titles to the crown of France, which I shall certainly try to procure for him? FREDERIC GUILLAUME, Pr. Royal. B. _21 Feb., 1839_. III. Episode from “The Marriage of Figaro.” Il y manque quelque chose. Quoi?— Le cachet.