WCP3329

[1]

Herford

Westfalen

Germany

(Deutschland)

5/4 13

Sir!

In[?] different German newspapers there were concerning your 90th birthday some examples of your important expeditions; and especially the Malayan Archipelago was pointed to. I have bought the book and have read it with the greatest pleasure. I have got your address by Mr Muller¹ who was so fortunate to as to call on you in England in your Home. I hope you will be so happy, still for years, to live over in remembrance, for a second time, your blissful and industrious life in peace and[2] happiness. There are not many people who share in this happiness. Besides you, I know in Germany only our venerable Alexander Humbolt² who has created himself an eternal life by his great knowledge and labour. Your name, as well as him[?], will be known and talked of, as long as there are intellectual nations in the world.

I was fore[sic] two years teacher in Powick Court³, near Worcester.⁴ I love England, the life there, and the climate, and I always think with pleasure of this time. England is simply beautiful, the Eng. ought to travel in their own country, there[?] are splendid sceneries.[3]

I have also your likeness, but only one of the newspaper, and such pictures are generally not well done. I shall put your likeness near Alexander v. Humboldt's, Darwin's,⁵ Prof. Ernst Haeckel⁶ of Jena then[?] I shall have my friends together. In this letter I wanted to thank you for ^the treat I have had in reading your book, and to congratulate you on your beautiful old age.

Respectfully yours | Frau Elise Schönfeld [signature]