EAN: 9783957389893

LETTERS OF ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT TO VARNHAGEN ...

The following letters of Humboldt furnish a contribution of the highest importance to the true
correct  and unveiled representation of his genius and character. That they should be delivered
to publicity after his death was his desire and intent  which have found their positive
impression in the words preceding this book as its motto. Never has he spoken out his mind more
freely and sincerely  than in his communications with Varnhagen  his old and faithful friend 
whom he esteemed and loved before all others. In him he placed an unlimited confidence  with
him he deposited those letters received by him  which he desired to be saved for their
importance  while he used to destroy nearly all others. He presumed that Varnhagen  the junior
of the two  would survive him. Varnhagen  however  died first and transmitted the duty-a doubly
sacred one-to me  of publishing this memorable evidence of the life  the activity  and the
genius of this great man. In the accomplishment of this charge it was a religious duty to leave
every word unchanged as written down. I would have thought it an offence to Humboldt's memory
had I had the arrogance to make the slightest alterations of his words. For the same reason I
did not think myself authorized to grant the request - however well-meaning it may have been -
of the publisher  that I should make such alterations  nor could I accord the least influence
to my own feelings or to personal regards. 'l'here was but one consideration to be obeyed-the
eternal truth  for an adherence to which I am responsible to Humboldt's memory  to History and
Literature  and to the will of him who enjoined this duty upon me. [...] Ludmilla Assing This
book is a reprint of the original published in 1860.

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