Don’t overlook the nice allusion, dearest friend! Your seal must help me out of nearly as great a difficulty as that of Countess Almaviva; otherwise the Prince would perceive that I have read all the flattering things which you have so ill-advisedly! said of me. _Pour vous divertir_, I inclose my letter. _Vale._ FR. W. B., _23 March, 1840_. (_In Humboldt’s handwriting._)—Autograph of the Prince Royal of Prussia.—The Prince offered to Prince Metternich the chair as President of the Archæological Institute at Rome. I was called upon to write a letter to Prince Metternich, which the Prince Royal wanted to inclose in his own. As it contained some praises of the Prince, he desired to have it sealed. HUMBOLDT. I was honest and stupid enough not to take a copy of the letter of the King to Prince Metternich. IV. I communicate you the inclosed despatch from Copenhagen, to inform you of the new “Seccatura,” which will wait upon you in the shape of a sea-dog of the Sound, to ask your advice, and assistance as to a voyage around the globe. This letter having no further object, I pray God, Monsieur le Baron de Humboldt, to keep you in his holy and especial care. Given at our Palace at Potsdam, 29th April, 1849 (1843?), near midnight. Signed, FREDERIC GUILLAUME. NOTE OF VARNHAGEN.—Every word exactly as above—to be understood as a joke. 81. KING CHRISTIAN VIII. OF DENMARK TO HUMBOLDT. COPENHAGEN, _May 3d, 1843_. MONSIEUR LE BARON DE HUMBOLDT: The letter which you addressed me the day before you left Paris has called my attention to the lunar tables, for which science is indebted to the labors of Professor Hansen. I have applied to our illustrious astronomer Schumacher, in order to learn what will be still necessary to complete this important subject. By following his advice it was easy to procure everything necessary for the continuation of the labors, the comparing of the observations, and when the necessary expenses are once apportioned and allowed, Schumacher expects to be enabled to publish the lunar tables before the expiration of two years. A recompense for efforts devoted to the sciences will no doubt be found in the advancement of science itself; but the approbation of distinguished savans gives us a veritable satisfaction, and we rejoice the more in it when it comes from a man so far superior to others. Always anxious to deserve your approbation, Monsieur le Baron, I wish to be guided by your intelligence, and I shall be happy to be acquainted with the results of your scientific observations, whenever you please to address them to me.