What a tragi-comical arrangement it is that in this world of ours everybody is laughing at everybody else! The scientists of the congress afforded Chopin an almost unlimited scope for the exercise of his wit.

Among them he found so many curious and various specimens that he was induced not only to draw but also to classify them.

Having already previously sent home some sketches, he concludes one of his letters with the words "the number of caricatures is increasing." Indeed, there seems to have been only one among these learned gentlemen who impressed him with a feeling of respect and admiration--namely, Alexander von Humboldt.

As Chopin's remarks on him are the best part of his three Berlin letters, I shall quote them in full.

On seeing Von Humboldt at Lichtenstein's he writes:-- He is not above middle height, and his countenance cannot be called beautiful; but the somewhat protruding, broad, and well-moulded forehead, and the deep inquiring eye, announce the all-embracing mind which animates this humane as well as much-travelled savant.