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14 Ungerstr. Hannover

Linden April 21st 1882

Dear Sir,

On opening the paper to-day I saw the announcement that the master-mind of our age has ceased of its work. There is no dying for the immortals and no lamentation at the consummation of a perfect career. I well know that. And yet the sense of the glory departed from amongst us, of the loss to mankind

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irretrievable, probably, for centuries to come, the sorrow at the removal of one whose genius and character made one worship and love him, though I never saw him, and of whose matchless condescension and kindness I have had personal experience, completely overwhelms me, and will have some vent.

So I trust you, who once, years ago, when I was living in England, were kind enough to give a detailed reply to a question daringly addressed to your great father, will not now despise, among the mourning

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voices of the civilised world, the sorrowful utterance of an insignificant and unknown woman, but let it be like a little flower laid on the grave of him for whom nothing was too great and nothing too small.

Charlotte Papé.

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