Carl Friedrich Gauss

Goettingen   December 6, 1850
                         

My beloved Eugen: 

 How shall I sufficiently express to you the heartfelt joy, which after such a long time a  letter from you and the dear, sweet pictures of your wife and children have given  me!   Since this morning when we received them, I have done almost nothing except  to look by turns upon the one and the other with ecstasy, and now in the evening I laid them aside only in order to take my pen and to thank you for them at once and  with all my heart. The sweet little faces of the children have really fascinated me. I should always like to kiss them, and the longer I look at them a greater and greater  longing arises within me to press the little charming creatures living to my heart. But at   the same time almost, tears enter my eyes when I think how far we are separated from each other and that I shall never in reality embrace either you or your good wife  and children, whom I now have so vividly before me in your pictures.  The little girl  with the round, curly angel’s head and  the splendid little boy with his faithful,  intelligent face, both are indeed such lovely creatures that one cannot help conceiving  a love for them, merely by looking at them. You cannot believe how much also  Father rejoices over these pictures, they bring for the first time two of his many  grandchildren before his view and he looks upon their charming faces with the most heartfelt love; little Theresa he thinks looks as If she were fighting against tears, from  fear that she mast sit so quiet and serious. Charles Henry, on the other hand, to if he   were happily conscious of his dignity to sit for a portrait that is to wander out into the  wide world.   What great rich joy you must have in these children, dear Eugen. 

I still remember how fond you were formerly of such little beings, how affectionately you always treated me, and often tenderly took me upon your lap and teasingly,
caressingly, changed my name into “mein Tiitzen”; all that now will repeat Itself in a much more tender manner with your own little Theresa.   The letter in which you wrote me that you named this daughter after me was the last  one which I received from you; it was in 1847.    Since that time an evil star has   governed the letters of both of us and I heartily wish a better fate for this present one. 

 At that time two years ago, when the shipment of the dear relics of our good  grandmother bad met with such a sad accident, (of which Joseph has without doubt  informed you) I had placed In that box which now lies at the bottom of the sea, letters and presents for you and 'William, among other things also a little ornament, an inheritance from our Mother, for my dear godchild. Of that, of course, you have not learned anything. But I deplored doubly that, since that time, there must have been  lost also two letters from you, of which you speak, for since 1847 I have not received   any.  But Joseph wrote me about half a year ago that he had received news from you, and that you had mentioned a former letter to me, for which I afterwards hoped in  vain. 

I am exceedingly sorry that Dr. Behrens, to whom you had entrusted the pictures, did not himself pass through Goettingen but sent them to us from Rosstoch. It always gives me great pleasure to see someone who himself knows you and has seen you,  shortly before, and you also would certainly be pleased at  his return, if he had met   us.   I cannot tell you much of our quiet life.   One day and one year is always very much like the other.  But they are contented days and years, as Father even now in  his advanced age still possesses an unweakened health and an always cheerful   disposition.   A year-and-a-half ago, in July 1849, he celebrated a beautiful festival, his fiftieth year doctor's jubilee, or rather the University and the city celebrated it for him, with general love and sympathy. He himself was very much opposed to having this day noticed, but without his knowledge everything had been prepared for it.  

From near and far the University bad invited strangers, Father's friends and eminent
scholars came, many as delegates from other cities, who brought him congratulations, honorary doctor's diplomas and three new orders; from Brunswick and Goettingen he received honorary citizenship, from the King an autograph congratulation and a higher degree of order.  There was no end to letters and communications. Already in the morning festive processions began to congratulate him, all the authorities of the city, the University and the school, strangers, acquaintances, probably about fifty  persons.  Then Father himself delivered a lecture in the hall of the University, which  was overcrowded with spectators and listeners, and had been decorated with  garlands and flowers like a fairy hall.  Even the houses in the streets through which he  passed were ornamented with flowers, and in the city there were waves of people in   festive attire, as on a holiday. When at last in the evening, at seven, Father came  home from the great banquet he was indeed quite excited, and it was well that the torchlight procession which the students had intended f or him was abandoned upon  his wish, but the love and sympathy which had been shown him from all sides had, in spite of all fatigue, pleased him indescribably.  How sad it was, though, that when so many strangers had congregated on his day of honor, not one of his beloved sons  could be with him. Also Joseph had been compelled to decline as his position as  railroad director did not at this time make his absence from Hanover possible. 

Although Joseph lives so near us we have not seen him for many years. But he is
prosperous and very happy in the possession of his little son Carl, who is now 1 3/4
  years old.  When the latter grows a little larger, I will request Joseph to imitate you, dear Eugen, and send us at least such a charming picture of the little one as you have  done of your children. I have not as yet especially thanked you for the dear picture of  your good wife. How glad I am to become familiar with her kindly appearance by this   means, and how dear her delicate features are! Please tell her that from me, with heartfelt greeting. It is nice that both of you are also in the pictures of the children but  the older Daguerreotype of you is still clearer and better than this with your sweet   Henry. 

Last summer I received a letter from William; he is, as he writes, happy and  contented, but is entirely engrossed by his business.  On December 15 the last vessel  leaves Bremen before winter sets in.  I hope to be able before the "closing of the  gate” to write once more to  him.  Now accept my hearty farewell, my dear Eugen, and once more a thousand thanks  for the great pleasure which you have given us.  If I only could press you to my heart  for once! Would it not be possible to make more secure arrangements for your future  letters, in older to bring them safely to our hands?  It is so sad that some have been lost!  Kiss your wife and your dear children for me, and tell the latter that Grandpapa and Aunt Theresa love them indescribably, and look at their pictures every day.  May Heaven preserve you all in good health.  

                                                                    With faithful love, your sister, 
                                                                                   Theresa.