f

2-9

LIFE
OF

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

von

OOKPHilD

IN

OOMHEMO"ATiaN

OBNTENABX

THE

OF

OF

BIBTH

HIB

BT

J.

LOWENBERG,

BOBEBT

AVE-LATiLKIffANT,

DIRECIOR

KARL

IN

TRANSLATED

JANE

BRUHNS,

OBSSRVATORT

THS

or

AT

GERMAN

THE

OF

'

SCHELLKN'S

PORTRAIT

OP

AND

AND

NEW

YORK:

SHEPARD.

AND

1873.

All

righti

OP

TWENTY-SEVEN.

GREEN,

BOSTON

LEE

AGE

THE

LONDON

LONGMANS,

AHALTBD/

BPBffTRUM

I.

AT

HUMBOLDT

BT

LASSELL,

Volume

WJTE

UDEPZIO.

CAROLINE

TRANSLATORS

VOLUMES.

TWO

FROM

AND

DOVE.

BT

EDITED

PROFESSOR

ALFRED

and

reserved.

CO.

.C. IS'^

PEEFACE.

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Whbn,

May

on

death,

in

eyes

6,

eulogies,

in

the

in
and

country
universal

in

of

his

attempts

have

already

illustrious

in

entitled

W.

F.

addition,

A.

out

portions

fragmentary

in

various

forms.

of

Nature

been

But

depicted

nowhere
in

the

in

the

Klencke

of

in

his
his
has

daily

'

direct

while

volume
A

graphical
'bio-

references

with
and

1851,

for
this

of

eighth

scientific
in

1859

Humboldtbuch.'
have

biography
the

by

work,

(1853).

no

of

editor,

the

that

'

with

published

Zimmermann

of

of

of

furnished

acquaintance

H.

by

life

the

abridgment

Gegenwart

much

the

on

development

was

request

however,

with

even

nor

broiight

was

Die

compiled,

memoir,
authorities,

'

of

entire

the

of
unanimous

record

to

edition

published

was

own

century.

An

tenth

the

in

article

periodical

subjects,

the

at

his

exerted

process

Conversations-Lexikon.'

appeared

original

the

biography

1850,

year

and

of

that

in

evidence

made

the

trace

numerous

both

had

his

character

of

present

been

the

striking

he

the

skeleton

the

biography

to

and

man,

mind.

master

the

influence

the

during

Brockhaus'

of

genius,

science

Humboldt,

the

his

of

advancement

Many

afforded

closed

age,

description,

every

of

recognition

his

sketches

and

lands,

foreign

acknowledgment

this

of

periodicals

of

year

notices,

Humboldt

von

ninetieth

biographical

appeared

Alexander

1859,

inde"tigable

routine

of

his

In

appeared
Student

investiga-

vui

PREFACR

tions,nowhere
U/ued and

the

laboured

Labours

Man

as

"ct

The
which

of

it

not

universal

are

position to

do

The

shy

all

part in

in

France

and

the

Grermany that
England.

confess

most

were

that

they

activityof

of

his

information

for

unattainable, were

himself

my

both

'

"

painfully

was

dear

which

historyof science, he

to

I have

is

the

be

viewed

relatives

either

they

and

can

His

runs

friends

"

exercise

will

painted

or

control.

be

will, bearing

of

its

me

inserted

'

"

other

to

me

or

nounced
prodate

Potsdam,

at

endeavour

"

any

as

history of

even

follows

as

Staatszeitung

almost

worthy friend,

royal palace

biographical notice

any
the

to

in

men

the

in

of

both

eloge should

any

Institute.'

referred

old

I have

the

line

same

dailylosingfor

is

man.

in

brother,

my

biographiesis

indulgence,my

old

to take

maintained

portraitsof

may

or

the

preserve

of

horror

preserved

above

of

an

myself

hitherto

for the

writing

refused

often

so

in

by revisingthe compilations

or

forbidding that
at

me

clause

in

I have

of either

kindest

your

will

my

appearance

article

I feel

I need

10, 1841,
the

My

idiosyncracyof

in

the

disagreeablenecessity.Life

over

that

Humboldt

compelled

although

and

clause

feel

sun,

charm,
this

which

as

and

to

were

necessityfor

remarks

that

as

science

May

who

sources

purpose

by furnishingmaterials

conduct

for

men

the

justice to

taking
under-

an

biographies,especiallyeulogies. Thus,

others,that

by

the

compelled

biographicalnotice

any

whether

over

such

their

Spiecker,he

to Dr.

the

of

labours, was

brace
em-

'

detested

great

more

affairs ; and,
commimicating anything relatingto fsimily

of

though admitting

of

and

subjectand

of the

worthy

necessary

hermetically sealed.

even

realitylittle

in

scientific

his

him

with

genius.

Life

biography of Htimboldt

difficulty.Even

accomplishment

the

of

range

closelyassociated
are

be

sense

every

small

no

His

1860

already appeared elsewhere.

l^e compilation of

in

whole

the

Humboldt.

von

he

represented as

biography published in

Science,'furnishes

had

is that

should

the

even

Alezaiider

of

that which

than

'

been

of science

man

; for

C. Wittwer

W.

by

has

request

prevent

laudatoiy

publicjournal

I have

also

drawn

PREFACE.

letter

up
that

associate

prohibitionshis

confidential

any

the

the

life of

ivhich

cations

only
without

aid

could

no

of

cold

marble

publication

to

and

paper,
A

be

based

the

inner

conmiuni-

are

addressed

biography compiled

other

records

manuscript
of

representation
the

approach

can

For

confidential

friends.

bust

published

should

sources*

those

life-like

of

consequence

friends

that

correspondence or

give

more

foreign

simply impossibleto attempt

only in

seen

in

requesting

of

protest against the

Humboldt

intimate

most

the

and

hastilycommitted

are

his

to

than

is to be

relatives

authentic

investigationof

man

As

^as

life of

case.'

'

it
letters,'
of

compilation

upon

nearest

death

the

upon

in my

after his death

immediately
of

omitted

be

may

at Paris

Institute

to the

eloge usually delivered

the

these

for transmissioii

IX

glow

Humboldt
of

living

flesh.
Meanwhile

Notwithstanding
with
of

whose

be

not

public

of

right

the

is

posterityto

is connected

career

maintained.

long

frequent sad infringement,it

its

justice to deny

any

men

prohibitioncould

this

impossible
letters

the

inseparablywith

the

historyof their country.

after

year

his

death,

aspect, inasmuch
character

By

from

these

genius

as

in

they

which

the

disappointment,

represent him

to

revealed

still

men

by

more

secrets

privatelycircidated
be

denied

that

facts

which

the

and

letters

gratificationof

his

'

friend

have

various

Humboldt
had

'

been
who

remarks
undoubted

whose

spiritembittered
light

to

even

for

by
which

being

personalfriends,although

Letters

Ense

exhibited

portrait of

The

the

von

censorious

brought

were

of

always exempt.

the

"vourable

weaknesses

not

or
general publication,

amongst

Vamhagen

many

for

by

are

by Vamhagen,

annotations

many

in

of those

some

great

even

unsuitable

quite

to

letters,published scarcelya

unfortxmately marred

was

cannot

failed

letters,and

contained

were

of Humboldt's

first series

The

Alexander

from
made

us

traits of

would

seem

penned by

it

boldt
Hum-

von

acquainted

with

character, without
now

to be

Humboldt

plete.
incomfor

delighted in gossip, and

the

they

PREFACE.

should

in any
flames.

tbe

to

tbe
entitled

Friend,
and

In

work

witb

wbicb

from

Notes

witb

tbis
out

came

Alexander

Many
boldt's

life

H.

by

Grermany

that

to

it

that
At

only

was

interest

tbe

meeting

reference

to

allusion

to

some

birth.
of

of

want

nimiber

of

who

tbe

most

was

thrown

course

of

Humboldt
the

every

that

been

which

those

retained

Since

the

year,
between

that

Alexander

Cancrin,' and

the

of

the

of

significan
in-

once

tbe

lead,

Dresden

make

on

few

troductor
in-

science, especially
of

course

which
of

centenary

made

Humboldt's

point

out

tbe

distinguished countryman,

our

to

be

regretted

intercourse
of his

as

the
him

witb

teristics
peculiar charac-

valuable

*Le

Pictet

of

information

of

sources

compiler

Auguste

organ

by

the

of his birth

at
to

of

more

fresh

such

collection
made

of

their

were

the

publication

von

Hiunboldt

followed
of
and

the

Coimt

exceedingly interesting

'

In

letters

tbe

from
in

appearance

in tbe
*

bave

work.

Griobe,'constitutingthe

periodical,which

1869,

were

attention

take

opportimity to
of

tbe

diminishing.

yeai* 1868
Marie

Hunor

reawakened.

me

recollection

several

to

open

the

tbe

vivid

of

1848

Meanwhile,

was

enjoyed personal

period

to

of

tbe

was

year

geographical

volume

of

tion.
atten-

association

approaching

myself

little

to

him

progress

adequate biography

an

the

and

tbe

but

centenary

upon

in

astronomy,

I availed

need

tbe

upon

Years

the

now

of tbe

18, 1868, it devolved

Young

Prussia, the

was

scientific

the

to

aspect

drew

where

felt towards

of

(1860)

instance, wbicb

for

1866

approach

once

remarks
with

and

year

tbe

Hoquette.

Humboldt,

the

on

the

September

la

politicalstage
of

same

lection,
col-

piquant

prominence, tbrougb

tbose,

"

tbe

scientific

into

De

1864

years

country
and

and

Bergbaus
tbe

of

history

letters

otber

and

excited

tbe

again brougbt

was

publicationof
edited

passed before

years

ricb

between

and
1856,' appeared insignificant,

conmiitted

been

Humboldt

von

Conversations

of

bave

perusal by bim,

comparison

small

Letters

after

case,

seventh
ing
succeed-

Correspondence
George

Letters

of

von

Hum-

xi

PBEFACE.

boldt

Christian

to

and

eloges

Carl

Josias

speeches

Humboldt's

birth

also in
those

to

America,

of

from
undertake

firm

the

preparing
mature

and

previous

the

we

I had

year

of

the

work

Humboldt.
I

and

of

This

resolved

comprehensive biography

The

science.

to

centenary

literarymemorial

^the

"

proposition

many

his labours
of

more

to

erect

met

with

in

his birth

so,

the

of

event

my

of

enlist

to

the

in

men

the

to

me

commencement

native

city

the

work

of

branches

various

there

time

to

in which

Humboldt,

at that

his

in

Leipzig, offeringto

appeared

the
as

cation
communi-

attempt

scientific

of

appropriate opportunity for

most

no

number

done

be

did

nor

celebration

in

to

composing

justice should

name

intelligence helped

of

only by

already received

co-operation

the

of

graphical
geo-

Europe,

in

Ehrenberg;

Brockhaus

A.

publication

scheme,

my

and

occasion

only

refer

can

of

centenary

popular biographies.

of F.

life of

the

on

essays

the

During

which

Various

academies,

associations,not

among

appear

smaller

other

different

Agassiz, Bastian, Dove,

fail to

there

other

the

of

published by

were

Bunsen.'

von

commemorative

societies, and
but

Baron

of

to

offer

of

such

had

been
in

monimient

bronze.

My

scheme

Berlin.

Professor

deposited

Frau
the

promised

von

Biilow,

Asia,

while

possession;
their
work

The

story

of

labours

Manhood,

and

Humboldt,
his

during
have

Professors

life,the

is subdivided

to

all the

me

of

him

death

Dove

various
into
his

into

second,

and
the

Parts.
of

departments

three
Old

two

in

in the

travels

; while

the

in

Du

in

scripts
manu-

tory,
Observahis power
the

me

all the

use

letters

of
and

America
in

Bois-Eeymond

her
pressed
ex-

undertaking.
The

first consists

science.

sections, treating of

Age

in

granted

friends
the

Berlin

assistance

discussion
of

my

hands

my

to

access

willingnessto join in

the

in

me

is divided

his

afford

niece

kept by
allowed

and

to

placed

Humboldt's

at

and

Journals

Forster

W.

from

ready sympathy

second

in

detail
The

his

of the
of

his

first

part

Youth,

his

part, consisting

xii

PHEFAOE.

of

distinct

eight

each

treatises,is
of

department
Various

Hmnboldt
The

the

prospectus

of

that

on

the

before

person

valuable

of his

Upon
the
of

Humboldt's

imdertaken
with

Herr

by

spent

with

B.

Dr.

many

the

Alfired Dove

circles

I secured

depict

the

the

indispensablefor

and

assembled,
spent

French

from

able

thus

of

confided

was

many

years

of

from

who,

one

Berlin,
free

manner,

With

regard

been

fortimate
Dove

Beymond,

the

of

the

to

is

from

of

and
to

scientific

J. W.

Ewald

Gottingen,
G-. H.
whom

achievements

and

Wiedemann
had
in

been
the

the

of

the

his

timate
in-

peculiarly

every

trace

Humboldt's

for

of the

undertaking, I

co-operation of

of Professors

Leipzig.

entrusted

province

Dr.

arrangements

Berlin, of

of

amid

of my

part

obtain

to

to

Berlin.

at

purely biographicalportion

enough
and

Grrisebach

Peschel,

of his settlement

time

to complete
satisfactorily

compilation

W.

the

intercourse

in

capital. Finally,in

society

authentic

an

rous
nume-

sojourn in Paris, where

himself

the

was

occupied

possessionof

labour

assistance

with

been

to

events

travel

in

traditionaryfalse colouring,the closingperiod of

life,dating

H.

in

has

delay

without

had

material

there

summary

astronomy*

spent

in

was

scientific

who
of

acquaintance

of

who

distinguishedmen

Ave-Lallemant,

fitted to

Lowenberg,

occasion

narrating the

of
he

other

convened

presenting a
of

it in

present

which

proceeded

years, and

in

years

scientific

the

of

centenaiy

Vienna,

upon

task

the

of

career.

the
to

at

years

of

many

able

was

historyof Humboldt's

The

biography.
he

and

letters,and

documents,

The

Julius

subjectfor

the

his

on

department

Viexma

this

in

personalappearance

Humboldt,

scheme.

youth

first time

the

Astronomers

in the

from

of my

execution

pleasingduty

services

tended.
investigationsex-

issued

was

birth.

of

the

return

my

work

Congress of

with

entrusted

was

of the

of

consideration

principalstages of

the

honour

in

day

three

Humboldt's

of

his

published for
portraits,

during

anniversary

the

to

which

into

interestingrecords

afford

work,

science

devoted

the
of

Professor
J.

W.

Professor

was

the

work.
have

Professois
A. H.

Cams,
du

analysisof

fi.
0.

Boisboldt's
Hum-

physiology, has,

to

xiii

PBEFACE.

great regret,been

my

to

his

in

secure

work

the

from

compelled

the

stead

I have

but

been

valued

operation
co-

fortunatelyable

Professor

of

help

his

withdraw

to

W.

Wundt

of

Heidelberg.
Her

Majesty

the

Humboldt's
of

collection

letters

Besides

which

written

were

and

Russia,
A

three
of

series

in

From

54

Altona

Professor

son.

Otto

me

by

letters

late Director

of the

of Dresden
and

Dr. H.
of

For

of

Vogel 9,

Schools,

of

the

valuable

of

expedition to

by Humboldt

by

his

to

of

received

; from

fessor
Pro-

Mines, through

W.

to

Struve
of

Director

Encke,

G-. von

Dr.

by

father,late

surgeon

late

Herr

Herr
to

and

am

indebted

to Von

Observatory at Dorpat, I

am

Gams

the
and

king
from

Vogel, Inspector
African

unfortunate
letters I

I have

father,the

Leopold-Charles
;

the

been

have

his

; from

of Florence,
Biohards-Gagiotti,

Imperial

which

to

his

Fuss,

Boguslawski

Humboldt

of

and

the

Breslau

the

of 50

of

Valparaiso and

at

sons

to

330

to his

of

I have

mathematician

11

Academy

father

1845, have

of Gottin-

From

addressed

of

Freiesleben,

of Berlin

Observatoryat

the

time

Sobering

Kiel

addressed

the

year

Herr

son,

of Professor

and

collection

Director of the

my

addressed

Struve,

von

12, addressed

President

in

-Lejeune-Dirichlet
; 30

lent

his heirs.

28

received

to

kindness

Pulkowa

Observatory at
lent to

the

his

Borchardt

written

Karsten,

Herr

through

year

nineteen

from

the

to

Karsten, Privy Counsellor

to

30

the

period

Freiberg
by

Schumacher,

to

the

placed

letters,addressed

Jacobi, the

to

80

Ghauss,through

gen;

from

Professor

Kronecker

valuable

to his sister-in-law.

80

hands

my

letters addressed

13

during

of

many

during

Humboldt,

most

youth, Freiesleben, subsequently Director

departure

placed

Dresden.

his

the

Editor

Biilow

from

Freiberg, embracing

at

Humboldt's
been

than

flames

von

brother

addressed

are

of

letters

his

to

more

friend

the

of Mines

to

Journals, Frau

the

the

in

unfortunately,a

the

in

perished

twenty-two valuable

hands

to

letters ;

unpublished

has

Augusta

disposalof

the

placed at

gracious manner

1848.

Empress-Queen

explorer.
to Madame

Madler, formerly
indebted

for

19.

xiv

PREFACE.

Wild

Herr

also been

consisted

These

within

written

statesmen,

for

been

16

letters

furnished

of

his

to

with

memorial

of

Humboldt.

to

Camall,

from

Dr.

Henry

Meissen,

from

Langendeinbach,
From

received
reference

the

from

his

Heir

royal

artists,besides

orders

in

of
sonages,
per-

vaxious

"c., that

also indebted

am

of

date, most

insight into

an

of
von

also

mention

documents

from

may

Hermann

von

Professor

mAe
and

other

Herr

Lange

Goldschmidt

and

foregoing I

from

Herr

all

to

Hen

Council, the
of

some

the

history.

of Berlin, from
von

time

of

attendant.

death,

of several

letters and

Herr

the

at

original treatises,poems,

many

to the

various

received

possession

confidential

science, and

of

details of his domestic

addition

which

of his

years

private letters

some

obtain

letters of recent

Seifert for the commimication

Frau

labours.

Gottingen

erection

to

as

of 500

men

presentationsto

lander

the

of his

ten

and

of maps

sketches

In

various

Eisenstein, the mathematiciaii,

to

Humboldt

to

hands

the

fell into

Seifert.

loan

received

at

I have

fortimate

so

belonging

papers

were

them

to

at Berlin.

I have

them

firom

Petersburg,from

Cologne

student

organised for

committee

death

Bremen,

scientific

of

while

letters addressed

Humboldt

the

Dr.

Grottingen,

either

have

Hiunboldt's

while

Humboldt

by

series of 61
the

of

of St.

others, I

Hermann

Herr

to

Wegener
fellow-collegian

by

Breslau,
of

letters addressed

and

concerning

indebted

addressed

of

Weber

Dr.Focke

Helmersen

von

Schwerin,

of

communications
am

Freiberg,W.

various

Count

General

Paschen

Herr

of

Gralle

Professor

scientific friends.

to their

From

Reich

received

I have

whom

to

Petersburg, and

St.

of

due

are

Bilk, Herr

of

Luther

or

also

thanks

My

of

from

Lecher,

from

Kimth,

Bomer

of

of

Herr

Fraiilein

Herr

I have

Fried-

Munich,

Eudolph Wagner

Berlin, from

that

from

Gottingen,

Lothein, near

Lehfeldt,

from

Schwenken

of

others.

Superintendents of

the

Eoyal Archives

of Berlin

permission to inspectthe publicrecords containing any

to

Humboldt,

and

am

indebted

to

them

for much

PREFACE.

valuable

information

Through

the

Archives

Soyal

reference

having
I

oflFered

was

found
valuable

through

to them

addressed
all those

To

of this

have

others, I

Curtius, Dove, and

letters

kindness

the

who

by

of Berlin

which

G-. Rose

several

were

received

important

Professors

of

been

granted

kindly

I would

biography

papers

orders

Bellermann,

perusalof

the

Humboldt.

thus

have

to the

various

Gneist

the

correspondence,consistingof

letters and

unpublished

of

Council

in

Gancrin

the

to

of

access

Bockh,

to

Herr

From

the

Professor

letters

295

papers.

addition

number

his

By

have

to

from

abstracts

of

use

Director

Weber,

allowed

was

inquiries.

numerous

my

von

Himiboldt.

to

the

among

make

and

to

Herr

of

Dresden,

at

documents,

State

reply

in

kindness

XV

here

assisted

express

in

the

grateful

most

my

lation
compi-

thanks.
words

The

selected
of

the

as

William

of

for the

motto

is that

biography

first volume

historical

of

guiding principlethroughout

has

Author

this

regarding
a

very

before

different

of

representationsthat

have

rather

period,but

the

character, by

the

of

of

as

particular,the

to controvert

the

prevailedhitherto
the

support

introduction

second

expeditionsto

America

has

information

been

himself, which, however,

have
of

been

therefore

statements

of

of

proofs never

his

America, presented
that

section.

and

works

it

was

so

much
deemed

that
a

of

published by

careful

many
The

from

gation
investi-

published

and

expeditionto
the

travels

in

mode

of

similarityin subjectand
advisable

boldt
Hum-

wholly completed.

period.

lifetime

the

Asia, the principal

never

were

and
manuscript journals,

Asia, though separated by half

treatment

the

section,containing

supplemented by

tmpublished letters relatingto

same

to

the

compilation
of the

narrative

These

served

in

Humboldt,

duty, not

been

My only conception

truth,' have

much

as

have

published.

For

source

'

so

regarded it

unfounded

and

which

work.

the

portraying the earlylife

In

"lse

Humboldt,

von

to include

them

in the

XVi

PREFAOB.

The

third

section,which

Paris, where

in

for

the

preparation

for

their

from

partly from
the

his residence

introduce

to

to

The

at

much

correct

fourth

the

many

elaborate

the

matter

errors

that

first

like

found

was

of

the

of

omissions

repetitions. The
for the

guarantee

Of

Frau

classifythe

to

so

should

there
and

on

of

the

names

the

be

hand

fact that

it is

from

the

terms

of

at

Paris
from

in
a

Eduard

year

portrait
the

kind

are

no

sufficient

of

drawing
The

is

made

third

Hildebrandt,

friendship;

in

and

in

that

the

the

jects
sub-

1796,
the

with
this

in the

and

has

second
of

Frau

by Humboldt
portrait

is

never

von

the
self
him-

from

Humboldt

picture,in

of

volume,

interestingfrom

whom

first

possession

permission

1814, and

looking-glass.

intimate

hand

unnecessaiy

treatment

drawing

in the

The

through

copied

oil-paintingby

chalk

taken

published.

taken

was

firom

; it was

also appears

entrusted

one

no

authors

accurate

tion
compila-

in hand.

engraved

been

value

scientific

was

the

on

other

several

and

complete

for the

of which

portraitsillustratingthe work,

Biilow

weU

thing
any-

who

various

three

von

him

cellaneous
mis-

into

all those

by

the

Biilow,

on

welcomed

taken

is

period, as

literarychaos

have

before

which

this

they

volume

enabling

works, treatises,and

eight treatises,each

importance

amount

largelyprevailed.

impossible in arranging

author,

took

trivial facts in literature.

most

section,

in the

diiferent

order, be

almost

sixth

subjectsthat
to

and

in the

even

accuracy
It

system

this

he

vast

of

treats

constitutingthe fifth section,

reduce

to

attempt

death,

the Author,

all the

writings of Humboldt,
will,as

his

relating to
have

of

catalogue

and

public

when

1827,

year

city,till

new

the

section, which

disposalof

the

necessary

informatioB

on

before

with

docimients.

letters and

in his native
been

has

partly

already

Berlin, from

life at

arrangements

founded

also

of

closelyoccupied

was

the

and

matter

preparation

he

of his residence

account

an

years

works

his

manuscript

of material

as

of

printed

Hmnboldt's
up

eighteen

publication, is

derived

In

contaioB

the

an

was

pos-

xvii

PREFACE.

session
this

of Herr

Seifert,is

of the

one

the work

the

to

elaborate

to be

found

in the

the united

originally
planned by

appeared
need

excuse

be

in the

of 1870

summer

both

reception due

in his life and

hope that,upon

death, I present this work,

every

friend

of

of Hmnboldt

memorial

of 1871

for the

Editor,
; but

delaythan

and

springof

the

Authors

faithful

VOL.

!"

of

to afiford to the

pictureof

labours,meet

not

the

with

Alexander
the kind

recurringanniversary of

only

intellectual

to

progress,

in conmiemoration

May 6, 1872.

his

votary of science,

every

as

an

of the

KARL

is

1871.

intellectual

centenary of

his birth.

Leipzig

no

to their exertions.

It is in this

to

the

the greater part

aflfecting

efforts of the various

present generationa complete and

Hmnboldt,

Easter

furnished

excitingevents

Europe during the

May

scheme

to have

was

more

but

portraitspainted by

artist.
highly-gifted

According

von

few

BKUHNS.

CONTENTS
OF

VOLUME,

FIRST

THE

I.

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

CHAPTER

of

the

HOME.

Traditional

Histoiy-r-Anoestrj

"

Tegeland
for

Name

Childhood

Tutors,

"

Geographical
University

State

of

Bent

and

of Mind

Society

at

1788

of

"

"

Observations

'

on

Employment

in

University

Mines

only
ComimisBion

^Animus

of

the

of

of Mines

and

Philology

Gottingen
'

Rhine

at

Hamburg

at

Freiberg

"

of

Stepping-stone
Franconia

Short
"

Journey

"

Application

The

ter
Win-

"

Journeys
with

for

"

George
Ofiicial
44

in.

Official

Administration
"

"

in

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

of

lAGii:

Finance

CHAPTER

Assessor

for

LIFE

Commerce

School

"

^Preparations

n.

Basalts

some

of

School

Forstei^"

^The

Berlin

at

"

Enthusiasm

Berlin
.

Studies

Frankfort

of

Illness
"

COLLEGE

University

Parentage

^Universal

and

CHAPTER

The

and

"

Overwork

Discovery"

"

EARLY

EARLY

Signification

AND

LOWENBERG.

JULIUS

BY

MANHOOD.

YOUTH

"

to

more

^Appointment
a2

important
as

Official

Scientific

Superintendent

ment
EmploySchemes
"

of

Mines
"

CONTENTS

XX

Extension

THE

OF

of Commiasion

1703

January

to

VOLUME.

FIRST

Berlin

^Yisit to

"

'Floia

"

Fribergensis'Experiments on Sensitive Organisms Commencement

of Official Employment in Franconia, May 1793
of FranCondition
conia
for Miners
Free Schools
PractioAl Undertakings Scienti"
in
Labours
Commission
Appointment as Comisellor of Mines, 1794
Southern
Prussia
Repeated
Diplomatic Service under Mollendorf
and
Offers to become
Director
of the Silesian or Westphalian Mines
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Salt-works
directed

Refusal

"

^Tour in Switzerland, 1795

"

"

"

"Death

of his Mother

IV.

WEIMAR

JENA,

AND

and
Goethe
Jena
Societyin Weimar
Genius
of
Humboldt's
Early Recognition
Humboldt's
and
subsequent Recantation
afforded by the two
and Harmonies

of

"

"

Rhodes

"

Counsel

Contributor

Schiller's harsh

"

Idealism

^Humboldt

"

Judgment
Empiridsm and

Avowal

Reconciliation

and

"

Philosophy Humboldt
Nature
Frequent Visits
"

"

"

and

Earl

to

Weimar

"

Characters

to the

Humboldt's

Natural

Philosopher"
Oppositionto his Views
trasts
Conopinion of Goethe

as

"

Studies

118

page

CHAPTER

State

matic
Diplo-

"

Official Senrioe

further

"

well-

and

Berlin

^Visit to

Industry Dangerous Experiments

to Moreau, 1796
Proposalsfor

Mission

Return,

"

'

Love

"

Horen

Komer's

cal
Schiller's Medi"

Mediation
Formula

of

August
and

The

"

Jena

"

"

"

Duke's

^Friendly
the

Inscriptionin

PLANS

THWARTED
of

of
an

161

CHAPTER

Paris

New

Love

Album

State

of

Schillei^s

and

Humboldt

"

^The Genius

'

Prussia

in

Journey

"

Spain
"

Madrid

"

AND

1797"

V.

Visit

to Marseilles

ACCOMPLISHMENT.

ULTIMATE

THEIR

Jena

to

Dresden

"

Marseilles

"

and

"

Vienna

Toulon

"

SalzburgWanderings in
"

Corunna

211
248

Retrospect

n.
ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

VON

TRAVELS

IN

AMERICA

AND

ASIA.

BY

LOWENBERG.

JULIUS

TRAVELS

IN

AMERICA.

I.

CHAPTER

REMARKS.

PRELIMINARY

Extent

of the

Results

Spanish Colonies

of Previous

in

America"

ExplorationsNew
"

Principlesof Gbvemment
given to Physical
"

Direction

xxii

CONTENTS

OF

THE

FIRST

CHAPTER
FROM

"

Civilisation
Ketum
"

^The Road

"

the

over

VH:
TO

QUITO

Acquisitionof Manuscripts
"

Cazamarca

and

First

"

Guano

"

Current

Inca

Languages Former
Licas"Expedition to tiie Amazon, and

Truxillo, Lima, Guayaquil

Humboldt

MEXICO,

Carib

The
of the

Andes

VOLUME.

View

Pacific Ocean

of the

Manure

as

Letter to the National

"

"

Acapulco

"

Listitute

AND

MEXICO
From

THE

320

page

CHAPTER

The

"

Vin.

UNITED

STATES,

RETURN

ROME,

of Historical
Liformation
Acapulco to the Cag^tal ^Acquisition
New
The
Mines
of
Monm
and
Guanaxuato
^The
.concerning
Spain
Reminiscences
of a
Fair
JoruUo"
Correspondencewith Willdenow
The
of
Cholola
Mexican
Pyramid
Popocatepetland Iztaccihuatl
Visit
Second
^Visit
the
Havana
United
Orizaba
to
to
Cofre,
Jalapa,
Jefferson
with
Return
Home
States"
at Washington
^At
Sojourn
Humboldt
his
Friends
328
Bordeaux
to
an
Apparition Greetings
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

CHAPTER

IX.

HOME
New

but
Circumstances,

old

Publication

his

the

and

of

Gay-Lussac
Germany

Biot

Visit to
Friends
in the

"

The

Study

FsJl

"

LIFE.

Friends
Works

"

Letters

"

^Berlin

Co-operationwith
English Translation

"

to

Friends

^Honours

"

of Prussia"

and

at Berlin

Pictet

Labours

"

Visit

"

Occupation
"

Humboldt

as

Plan

"

Mediator

with

Italy

to

"

Letters
"

for

to

old

Consolation

of Nature

342

IN

TRAVELS

ASIA.
L

CHAPTER

SCHEMES.

PROJECTED

Negotiationswith Von Rennenkampff"

Proposalsfrom Russia in 1 811
with Prussiai 1818
^ProjectedArrangements
PreparatoryStudies
IH.
William
guages
of Frederick
Munificence
Acquisitionof Asiatic Lan"

"

"

"

366

IL

CHAPTER
ASIATIC

IN

TRAVELS

Proposaland Negotiations Journey

Moscow
to St Petersburg and
"

"

RUSSIA,

from

Berlin

^Line

of Route"

to

St.

Petersburg

Distance

"

^Visits

travelled"

"

CONTENTS

Personal

OF

Adventares

THE

^Diamonds

FIRST

in

VOLUME.

the

Ural

Return

Monntains

of

and

"

"

Beception

"

XXlU

Honours

page

873

APPENDIX.

1.

The

2.

Visit

8.

Humboldt's

Humboldt

to

Household

891

in

1790

892

Passport

on

England

leaving

Paris

in

1798

894
....

4.

Warrant

of

Arrest

against

Alexander

von

Humboldt

.894
.

6.

Aim^Bonpland

897

"

Errata*

Page

220,

line

222

"

ffoxn

below,

above,

10

,t

"

/or

/(^

genial

most

read

genial

gifted.

r"ff(2

full

of

genius.

I.

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT

VON

YOUTH

MANHOOD.

EARLY

AND

BY

LOWENBERG.

JULIUS

:li^o^

'MftU

l"m6

daiis
Auo.

'Worn
von

nur

Fremtdin,

TOL.

I.

dlgne

mon

mlionoxer

Toolant

en

K.

snrtoat,

le
FioiET.

Ton

iLe

16,

irrite

oela

Jounud

CfMe,

Biographie

histoiiadier
Deo.

et

feries

me

vom

public,

faltes

ami,

die

Wahrheit.'"

Eede

blographle

nne

toujonn.'"
gtogr.,

ist,
Wilhslu

1828.)

t11.

Albxandxr

toh

et

6t6
von

"loge;

nn

non

d6j"

trop

que

Huuboldt

to

177.)

Ich

habe

n'al

Je

tort.

dn

nun

Huuboldt.

elnmal

den

(Brtefe

Begrlfl
an

eine

CHAPTER

I.

EARLY

of

Sigiufication

Name
Childhood

for

University

of

alike

Humboldt

must
as

of

thoughts

the

in

men

who

bore

an

ancient

fromi

Zamenz

of

for

It

of

the

Alexander

lending
borne

the
half

von

whole
the

expenses

the

of

interprets
Hun
the

have

been

to

the

Seven
B

the

King,

Years'

War

in

who

the

circle

between

wars

'

in

the

etymological

gigantic

father
so

resident

ancestors

the

of

represent

property
of

their
the

descent

Cammin,

property

in

his

the

varied

their

of

principality

to

of

distinguished

two

Pomerania,

Eastern

Flammberg,

Humboldt
of

of

under

biographies

spread

most

of

fabulous

which

investigation.

that

of

trace

Pott

the

By

they

the

tinguished
dis-

Pericles,

visions

arousing

possession

von

critic.

as

and

modem

who,

vibrations

by Berghaus

as

of

and

stated

'

name

French
and

in

mind

awakening
and

trious
illus-

Alexander

Humboldt

the

Sclavonians.'

and

meaning

is

fought

times

Germans

in

of

scientific

family

generations

Neustettin.

ancient

of

tions
Prepara-

of

William,

the

enquiry
of

history

with

struck,

published

Zemmenz,

or

been

noble

the

nobility

import,

name

in

brother

circles,

branch

Illness

thusiasm
En-

splendour,

philologist

is

hitherto

the

twofold

and

the

philosophic

biographies

The

Society

elder

as

chord

and

Parentage"Universal

Berlin.

at

associated

for

every

Mind

"

in

his

deepest
in

achievements

had

stand

and

"

science

renowned

efforts

loftiest

of

ever-widening

in

of

intimately

Humboldt

of

"

statesman

of

Overwork

Discovery

shines

ever

further

even

extend

at

for

Bent

and

State

world

the

in

^Ancestry

"

"

Humboldt

development

name

Tutors

Geographical

the

name

was

History

"

for

The

Traditional

"

and

Tegel

SOME.

of

wealthy,
he
;

had

tions.'
proporWilliam
that

by

actually

eventually

it

ALEXANDER

"became

prefixthe

to

customary

HUMBOLDT.

VON

title

of

Baron

the

to

of

name

Humboldt.
Whether

it

additional

lustre

Alexander

von

the

meantime

be

guilty of

the

brothers, William

and

be

not

proof,have

of

this

and

copied

In

truth, nor
tional
addi-

for

wait

we

was

here.

historic

if

reverence,

been

honour

discussed

accepting myths

before

actual

any

kind, which,

recopied even

to

typographicalerrors.
best

earliest and

contained

the

nobles

the

correctness

additional

tested, and

with

statement

boldts
them
Zamenz

or
as

an

estate

^a

"

property, an

of the

old feoflfof

Himiboldts

in
"belonging,

the

; on

1744,

has

farm

at

Zamenz

Kratz

as

appertaining

in

to

freehold,without
any

portion of

Meanwhile,
ennoblement

the

among

in

the

the

but

Himi-

mentions

It is true

work,

and

the

to

is

stated

by Klempin

Humboldts

scribed
deof
that

possession

of Kleist.

Zeblin

that

manor

in the

name

and

quoting

again referred

also

the

to

in

to

as

The
and

Kleist's
reference

property.

though
of the

accompanies

ever

is

have

Gund-

Zemmenz

it is nowhere

of the

Juchow
to

thus

obtained.

^annexed

"

described

allusion

any

his

them,

to

might

province.

contrary, it

with

attributed

Pomerania,

Kleist's,
was

been

estate

the

heraldry,includes
of

brothers

to two

of

Briiggemann,

Juchow, in the circle of Neustettin,but

this

notices

but

in that

small

regretted

brief

Neustettin,

is alluded

Zemmenz

be

the

the

of

of

for

of

probably

remark.

longer resident

no

as

of

the

history

Humboldts

families

noble

the

among

the

and

the

statements

books

some

even

property

facts

further

no

Grundling and

from

'

circle

the

nobilityin

the

It is to

for

given

Krone's

of

ling,indeed, enumerates
the

published.

and

1774,

year

the

Allgemeines

'

supplied material

have

not

concerning

is Krone's

in the

authorities

have

Humboldt

of

family

classic

ancient

Pomeranian

been

work

in this

biographies hitherto

various
that

femily

Adelslexikon,'published

teutsches
details

information

of

source

Humboldt

of the

genealogy

to

confer

injusticeto

due

of

want

any

further

The

as

need

tales

to

whether

or

shall oflFer no

we

fabulous

Dioscurean

them,

upon

evidence
without

the

upon

such

by

Humboldt,

conferred

thus

intended

was

the

ancestral

Himiboldt

property

family have

not

and

been

the

early

satisfisu;-

ALEXANDER

he

while

Crossen, which

in

Syndico
afterwards

listened

charitable, and

down

writing them
and

home

for two

retained

rank

to

Bailiff.

of

consenting

not

in the

town

years,

and

He

with

sermons

for

industry.

five

little book,

neat

dine

to

the

during

war

true

and

he

until

Grod, and
for

the

been

some
hand-

plundered
and

modest,

retainers, to

to

restoration,

labouringhard, and

of his

service

service

of

had

they

the

surprising

do

purposes

were

which

bequeathed

gentle,obliging,and
heart, often

in the

he

had

he

there

with

out

pleasureto

bells of which

was

German

day,

of

it

churches

three

reinstatingthe

for

night

Church

of the

legacy to
and

written

always accounted

He

servant

any

been

had

years

was

pious and

was

carefullytranscribed them, so that on his death

found
five neatly-stitchedseparate volumes, in
sermons

of

peculiar devotion,

indefatigablyin

most

his return

on

he

to the

promoted

office of Clerk

the

appointed to

was

HUMBOLDT.

VON

sessed
pos-

travelling
them

secure

; yet his unenlightened neighbours

againstoppressionand injustice
frequentlyattempted his life,and by their persecution,

which

to escape

ultimatelythe
His

circle of

remark

^vith the

sermon,

by

stands

Virchow,

of

inscriptionin Latin,
the text

Preached

'

night, were

years.'
forty-five

church

an

in German

Christian

Pastor

bears

of

age

in the

appended

the

during

at the

seen

and

Drammburg,

flee

to

is still to be

side of which

either

on

often

of his death

cause

gravestone

in the

had

he

Griitzmachem,

on

of the

funeral

from

and

pounded
ex-

30th

of

the

January, 1650.'
Of his son,

in

note

Conrad

Humboldt,

the

Konig's manuscript

CyriacusGiinther

von

followingnotice

Collect,

geneal.'vol.

appointment of his step-son Humbold

held by his father,since he has travelled
at

xmiversities,has twice

Schultetz

with

(?),Counsellor

marriage with
of this

dent
von

during

1682,

has

of

of Herr

to which

his

completed

the year

11 March.
'

daughter

served

neighbourhood, and,

Schweder,

France
*

the

1676.'

Appointment
is

xxxix.:"

Eehebergk, Captain of Neuhoff, urges

the

studied

in

occurs

appended

to the

in
on

mission

Legation,

on

the

has

(?),Electoral
advice

entry nms

of Conrad

remark,

to Moscow

contracted

v.
'

as

Humbolt
The

Eesi-

of President

qualifications
by

second

the

foreignlands, has

Beeorks

office formerly

visit to

follows
as

:"

sellor
Coun-

originaldraft

EAELY

of this
that

prefix^*

subscribed

his

Humboldt.
his

deservingof notice, since

(von)has been recentlyadded.'

v."

Abundant

in the

evidence

is to

Royal

Draheim,

in

characteristic

be

of the

found

ministerial

which

he
and

energy
of the

assumptions

official documents

in

name

official duties

of

is

appointment

the

HOME.

Conrad

simply

as

in various

himself

He

abilityhe

archives

is

it is evident

displayedin

enactments

served
preStarost

respectingthe

represented

with

opposing,

as

the

untiring perseverance,

of
neighbours, especially

arbitrary

ManteufiFel

the

family.
This

Conrad,

Humboldt,
his

who

entered

captain with

as

up

residence
for the

it

the

earlier,it
of the
is

must

have

Even

given.
of

titles ;

they

Charts

the

of the

he

termed

of

'

his

Actual

orders,

should

it

the

English, since

more

is very

impleasant to

'Briefwecbsel

A.

von

the

the

ear.

Humboldt's

be
he

that

Berghaus's

to

that

For
mit

the

distinction

to
'

"

named

In

paration
pre-

English

an

In

giving

the

ing
mention-

simply

me

It

Humboldt.

repetitionof
sake, however,

Heinrich

all

as
hieroglyphics,'

writes

constant

and

tance
reluc-

condition

affixed

Alexander

letters,

with

omitted.^

you

von

friends

honourable
be

to

M.

his

'Confessions,'for

works,

least

fix
pre-

whether

prefixesnor

intimate

decoration

his

prefer

at

or

for

submitted

He

as

in 1805,

much

sounds

163,285.

well

as

account

the

signaturesof

Coast of Peru,' making

*

occurs

Alexander

and

his

back

then

in the dedication

his

cation
appli-

whom

to

neither

to

biographicalsketch

Humboldt,

was

in the

'

His

still doubtful

cared

Excellency

of his American

translation

M.

took

ferther

and

now

William

correspondence.

Geneva,

at

of

me,

it

to

himself

month,

on
conventionally,

Privy Councillor,' should

Pictet

to

due

was

date

individual

1830

as

represented by

honours

the

his communications

to the title of
^

by

his retirement

upon

Coslin.

not

it

used

mostly wanting

are

scientific

his

where

only

late

Alexander

in
particularly
in

been

as

of

does

von

that

so

Baron

Humboldt.

'

1738;

and

nobilityis still extant, whence

of

patent

prefix

year

1703,

neighbourhood

high positionborne

title

the

of

the

in

army

Paul

Hans

only son,

an

pension of eight thalers

the

grant

had

Draheim,

the

in

that

appears

than

Bailiff of

Berghaus/

the

de

of prevol. ii.pp.

serving the
work

your

in

OTilyon
with
ci/plea

but

most

considering

am

This

one.

which

is
do

you

my

title-pageof

the

on

never

in the

title^
except

of any

use

therefore

extraordinarycases,

prin-

certain

altogethersympathise, but
and myself throughout
brother

make

to

never

Humboldt,

von

which

not

by

one

on

me

with

connected

matter

Baron

Alexander

Frederick

as

life,leading us

see

^you

"

"

maintained

been

family

our

mention
diplomatic light ^please

single occasion

have

of

honours

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

"

book.'
Of

children

the

only four
One

and

sons

of

Alexander

daughter

sons,

in

1720,

Humboldt.

von

Greorge, bom

at

in

Zamenz,

and

William

brothers

of the

of him

following accoimt

The

young

him.

survived

father

is the

died

several

Humboldt,

Alexander

his

Pomerania,

Paul

of Hans

is

given by Biisching,the geographer* :

"

he
a

After

excellent

receiving an

entered

the

regiment

of

he
he

Prussian

does

not

for

the

displayof

; he

Major

in 1762.

He

of Chamberlain
Prince

Elizabeth

he

united

the

in

marriage

In

1769

of the

Crown

ofiGlcial employment,
He

let his

devoted
and

property

himself

it is manifest
of

man

to the

from

'

Descriptionof

but
New

the

the

won

k M.

jouniey

from

and

his

without

not

Mark

upon

sons

the

the

were

useful
a

in

out
with-

occupation.

lease

of his residence

was

of

appointment

of his labours

He

office

the

henceforth

lived

of

Hollwede,

von

; two

rank

qualitiesof

eminent

resigned

result

taste.

the

the
to

could

he

household

to the

1766

in

improvement

Letties d'A. de Humboldt

his

he

King

of Baron

Prince,

charitable,and

p. 28.

in

and
intelligence

affable,and

widow

Colomb,

to her

by

with

the

paigns,
cam-

favourable

any

army

in
though
Al-

three

in

whereby

attached

was

Attracted

von

of this union.

household

left the

appointed by

was

of Prussia.

Maria

talents

served

Platen.

von

with

met

his

therefore

1764, and

in

have

to

appear

promotion

issue

1736, and

in

Lieut-General

imder

dragoons

obtain

was

militaryservice

innnediatelydistinguished himself

opportunity

the

in his "Bither's house,

education

that

while
at

he

he

Tegel,
was

exceedinglybenevolent,

respect

and

esteem

of

all

Aug. Pictet,'
p. 189.
Berlin to Eyritz (Leipzig, 1780),

classes.

His

1779,
The

these
also

age

these

relationship

in

Great

with

during

Major

which

whom,

consequence

of

Humboldt.

In

king writes,

the

Frederick

William

11.*

especiallywith

undertakings,

which

subsequently became
he

(for leasing
had

1766,

the

Major
!Emst

von

1766, by

Humboldt

fionily

of

landed

property:

Ton

Briefe

von

was

owe

from

Alexander

the

her
von

the

as

and

princes,

Lotteries,
and

his

the

cousin

was

life,as already

widow

to the

To

possessionof
she

Humboldt

an
v.

her

and

Gender.

von

of

Captain

; she

Colomb, Director

von

1,

Beuss

recently deceased

mother

Ghamisso, GneiEenan,Haogwitz,

among

November

Count

domestic

with

but

W.

of

to him

since

Baron

of Bliicher.
the

be

reign of

other

farming

one

might

future

of the

ministers

upon

Heinrich

Princess

who

good

tobacco-magazine enterprise

marriage

who

of

man

to

in the

pointed out

lucrative,both

entered

Chamber,

became

the

chamberlain

of Johann

Filesland

in

courts

in

in

by

his

'

men

tobacco), which

the

HoUwede,

daughter

East

and

Humboldt

von

in

stated,

concerned
of

as

in

honourable

Ferdinand, procured him,

very

imdertaken

been

the

interest

an

sale

Eickstadt

Count

the

also

was

of Minister

of Prince

that

Potsdam,

English ambassador,

capable

of

with

other

all

heir-apparent,

so

character,'and

post

connections

was

is described

list

the

in

to occupy

heirs

quently
fre-

concerning

at

the

of

that
the

from

estimable

expected

various

troubles

Humboldt

von

foremost

His

he

told Humboldt

prince'scourt

the

confidence

letter

and

understanding

from

this

1776, Major

the

I have

domestic

the

impair

not

of

letter

the

wick,
of Bruns-

Years' War,

In

intercourse.

towards

Duke

the

Seven

of the

the confidential

stood

to

the

people
patriot.'

Humboldt

loss in

is to be told at this distance.'

his retirement

year

January,

his

State,but

country

Adjutant

as

personal

Even

did

the

laments

to be ascribed

von

times

disaster,the

there

that

the

qualitiesis

the worst

held
Wedel's

friend, and

admirable

King,

an

of

6th

universallydeplored.'

event

only the highest in

Not

'
"

was

the

on

of January 9,
Zeitiing,'

in him

mourn

To

of 59,

Vossische

terms

occurred

death, which

the

at

HOME.

EAKLY

of the

lady who
mainly

their

was.

sequently
sub-

did

considerable

inherited, in 1764,
Yarahagen/ p.

Humboldt, ""/

the

113.

'

the

Briefe

voL L p. 5,

10

ALEXANDER

liouse

in

Jagerstrasse,No.

her

through

first

possession of
residence

second

inheritable

purchased by
The

and

Major

of

marriage
was

Major

the

Hollwede

on
was

Lochow.

von

Humboldt

von

mitted
trans-

was

Falkenberg

at

daughter, who

her

Von

by

Lieut.-Colonel

from

into

came

Humboldt,

von

held

born;

was

she

through

lastly,the property

Hollwede

the

with

died

in

infancy,

sons.

Frederick

Potsdam,

William
June

on

Frederick

Christian

William

year

bom

Ferdinand,

Alea^Tider,bom

Henry

September 14,

marked

by

which

the

in

Charles

at

22, 1767.

Berlin, on
The

Alexander

HoUwede,

von

been

had

in 1791

her

of Von
two

husband,

lease ;

issue of the

widow

22, where

Eingenwalde

at

Tegel which

at

HUMBOLDT.

husband, Captain

the estate

her

to

an

VON

1769.
of Alexander

birth

the

22, Jagerstrasse,

at

following

1769

"

illustrious

was

"

first

also

that

the

light: Napoleon, Cuvier, Chateaubriand, Canning, and

Prussia

At

Lessing

had

while

"

as

Brunswick,
with

and

qualities of

as

brilliant

and
the

Duke

of his

stars

October

Prussia,

advantages

and

of

twenty

years,
of

horoscope.
19, 1769, when

distinguishedpersons

the

connected

following royal
King Frederick

Hereditary

with

was

of the

heart

world

Prince

of Brunswick.

Humboldt
sense

genius

classic literature

including the

Ferdinand

von

of

youth
the

of

establishingthe

Prussia,afterwards
of

the

career,

was

place on

Henry

extensive
mind

of

great King

intellectual

Kant

passion of

took

the Prince

position,Alexander
elevated

the

of

sponsors,

II., Prince

Bom

the

were

victorious

Goethe,

and

the

several
chaplain officiated,

court

personages
William

in

storm

named

were

of his

birth,

illuminate

to

baptism,which

the

Sack,

the

These

his

his

philosophicmind

already raged
At

height

reason,

Oermany.

of

time

begun

the

of pure

laws

the

the

at

was

Oermany,

of

saw

"

Wellington.
of

men

than

word,

by

high social

noble

in

ennobled
the

the

most

by

more

pedigree

of

his
his

ancestors.

It is a remarkable
discoverer

'

'

of

circumstance

America,'

BaptismalBegiBterof

the

that the mother

Columbus

the Cathedral

at

of

of the
the

Berlin/vol.

tific
scien-

nineteenth

yii. p. 252.

EAKLY

bore

century,

the

fifteenth

the

family,

Von

of

the

This

same

talent,
of

her

Her

fortune.

her

world, and

great anxiety,while

attainable

intellectual-

in

therefore, in consequence
devolved

hand,

she

which

of
he

he

estates

long

language,
become

the

earliest

since
of

act

mother

of character

to introduce

connections
career

and

yet she

judicious

counsel

her

of her

the

the

in

and

mortgage

of

act

A.

Ton

hus-

to

estate.. It
of

one

these

this engagement
in official

it is termed

no

her,

had

that

real
on

was

prosecution

expenses

has

notary

help

interest

at

by

and

ever

by

wish

Kunth:

of

one

and

force

her
originally

tion
inten-

great world, where

their

been

promised

court

are

mother.

not, however,

transmitting genius
the

that

showing

character,none

exercised

was

It had

own

the

those

earlyinto

yielded her
offered

of

mind,

to form

Humboldts

children.
sons

the

upon

in

them

indeed

the

brilliant
with

the

liberal

and

compliance

Hamboldt, 'Eritisclie Untersuchungen iiber

and nautisclien Kenntnisse
Entwickelong der geograpbiscliezi
Jafarbundert,'translated by Ideler,vol. ii. p. 277, note.
'
'
Kunth's
ManuscriptAutobiograpby.'
^

younger

privatetransaction.
in tracingthe
is a peculiarcharm

capable

to their

two

death

heavy

released,as

there

two

gifted women

those

frequently

Upon

property

powerful than

of the

had

the

in this

as

more

towards

culture.'*

sons,

notaiy.' Truly

influences which
or

considerable

in 1845, though
officially

been

biographer

direct

The

her

on

impressionsreceived

of all the

in

here, that

notorious

so

To

by

extensive

an

for her

premature

of her

involved

only cancelled

was

had

more

education

became

remarked

moral

and
of the

by mortgages

met

may

the

strative
admini-

women
befitting

possession of

desire

her

distinguished by everything that

them

see

of

remarkable

advantages

her

tion
revoca-

sound

high

first marriage,who

her

noble

advantages

latterlydirected

were

by

son

the

of

MargraviateJ

sons

education

an

these

to

endeavours

to

was

sons

united

of her

reformation

her

the

the

on

in the

upon

than

received

she had

of the

knowledge

to confer

ancient

an

Burgundy
settled

and

character

from

Naturallygiftedwith

and

rank,

caused

able

was

distinguished name.
^

fled from

Nantes,

subst^antial

more

descended

was

who

of

Edict

geographical discoverer

the

as

She

Colomb,

lady, however,

of

name

century.

11

HOME.

die
im

historisclie
14. and

16.

12

ALEXANDEE

XLiiprejudiced
spiritthat
for her

is

sons

to

worthy

of

services
with

Of

considered

the

William

She

spared

with

Alexander

Himiboldt

von

with

the

the

eight

miles

course
inter-

an

time.

none

was

of his two

history of

future

than

Humboldt,

securing

of the

men

earliest recollections

the

von

in

maintaining

intellectual

intimatelyconnected

and

the education

expense

in

longed
be-

riding,fencing,

time

no

tutors

herself

for she

in
requisites

possessionsof Major

more

nor

sons,

the chief

giftedand

most

closelyassociated

more

that

at

of

choice

in the

best masters, and

of the

all the

manifested

of all commendation,

of distinction.

youths

the

she

in life where

station

dancing were

and

HUMBOLDT.

VON

country-house

Tegel.

at

On
from
the

which

of the

it is

into

the

south

had

been

by
the

upon

lake, studded

shore
and

town

stands

lands

Burgsdorf,had
trees,*whence

been
in

of

employed

the

as

On

this

at

high bank

the

looking towards
The

house

Elector, and

district of Schonhausen.
under

the

rangership

nursery

varieties,mostly of North

1786,500

point
islands

Great

extensive

an

is situated

Spandau.

the

Berlin,

numerous

the house,

Tegel, while

at

with

fortress of

incorporatedinto

river

shore.

originallya hunting-box

crown

The

Tegel.

from

pine woods,

extensive

richlywooded

side of the

afterwards
The

of

beautiful

surrounded

forming one

was

mansion

about

Havel,

separated by

village and

expands
and

banks

the

of

of

foreign

American

supplied for the ornamental

species,were
plantationsof the
and
Schonhausen
:
Boyal Grardens at Potsdam, Charlottenberg,
previousto

this

culture

to the

arrangement
of

silkworms,

the

crown

and

had

had

devoted

let the

the

house

estate

land

and

the

on

this

nominal

plan being

rent

carried
Since

being planted.
^

of

thalers

138

out, and
the

of

(28Z.),on
100,000

1738,

year

the

condition

of

mulberry trees*
various

Leonardi^^ Bescbreibungder preussisclieii

Monarchie,'vol.

tenants,
iii.part L p.

746.
^

[The rearingof

at this

sUkworms

time, that Goyemment

for the

encouragement

instance

the

excited
bounties

of schemes

so

much
were

attention

given in

for this purpose

throughout Europe

almost
; but

in

every

country

nearly eveiy
to English readers to be
interesting
of the old mulbeny trees in our
reminded
that many
own
country were
of a circular letter issued by James I. to persons of
plantedin consequence
influence throughoutthe kingdom, reconunendingtheir cultivation.]
attempt failed.

It may

be

14

ALEXANDER

It is unnecessary
afterwards
into

childhood

my

adorned

to him

the

by

for the

fine

which

and

well-grown
the

displaythrough
On

leben

changing

his return

to Berlin

describes*

this

in the

hills

here

beholder

awaiting the
of

one

the

and

luxury

conversation

held

we

listened

you

but

with

where

Now
am

here

that I

to

me

are,
was

are

influence

Briefe

This

an

will indeed

place without
doubt, the

no

Milischauer,

the

descriptionof
time

unhappy
showed

circumstances

charms
at

which

even

that

eine

of

every

here

which

of my

Sad

exercised

character

and

Freundin/ pp. 123^ 156.

letter is dated

June

5, 1702.

at

was

jected
sub-

obliged me

self-sacrifices.

restraint,

which
turn

by painful

such

as

the

is

nature

the inanimate

interestingfrom

are

here

kindness^

me

continual

met

be

self-imposedsolitude^

continuallyawakening.
residence

'

you

high degree

sympiathy,where
much

to the

am

childhood

in the formation

hood.
neighbour-

master, and livinghere without

however, they

just my

and

me

to make

and

reserve

prodigal,because

around

of that

and

placed in

yield myself

of my

in the

to

extensive

edly
place undoubt-

remember,

interest

least

the

not

own

my

recollections

it

close

am

unable
so

You

loved

who

often

was

this

visit this

never

much

so

restraints

thousand

maintain

to

I had

whom

to

and

passedmost

people

Tegel, among

its

returning to Toplitz from

in

with

youthful days.

my

that

Freies-

surrounding the
picturesquebanks

home,

our

feelingof melancholy.

certain

when

reignsin

I tell you

surprisedwhen
a

that

taste

mountains,

pictureto yourselfthe

you

boldt
Hum-

von

"

meadows
with

eminently
pre-

charms

his friend

residences

attractive

most

turn, render

at every

If,in addition,
of

the

passed

year.'

to

call

we

lake

of the

lovelyviews

strain

at^

variety continuously

delightfulresidence

plantations of foreign trees,

and

manifold

Freiberg,Alexander

from

which

place is

of the

seasons

followingmelancholy

'Vine-clad

house,

of every

trees

cient
an-

doubly

the

of the

exhibition

and

Here

'

it

as

Humboldt

von

rendered

was

youth

my

Tegel

of modem

treasures

residence

portion of

of

William

by

early association.*

of

adapted

descriptionhere

with

this

charm

and

HUMBOLDT.

converted

when

Tusculum,

art ; and

tractive

give

to

became

his

VON

objects
tions
recollec-

thought

that

so

powerful

the

direction

an

of

EAKLY

study of nature, "c.

to the

tastes

my

shall weary

with

you
of

Complaints
similar

and

be

of

of

of
remark

discontent

that

; but

taught

Alexander

giving this

in

is sad

and

These

flew

years

favourable

their

spent in

house

own

of

but

Basedow
On

his friend

1822:

which

he

of

amount

feshion

capitalcities,the
he

On

He

governor

to

was

in

row

consisted

happy

very

mother's
three

he

occasion

another

Campe.

had

tutoi-

was

young,

he

joined

as

follows

letter dated

tutor

in

of

great

reading

of

in

father's

my

the

knack

world,

and

writing,

"c.

the

to

of the

Even

stimulatingthe

of

here

trees

knowledge

\o

Tegel,

geography, according

wonders

seven

remarked

at

mind

child.'

my

historyand

be

may

wiites

I learned

him

times, which

of those

that time

From

planted.

some

standing

was

at Dessau.

private

was

tion
posi-

they lived

before

Humboldt

von

is still

It

Humboldt

Institution

'Campe

"

there

house, and

of

von

the

winter

summer

for the

correspondentCharlotte,

and

December,

and

Major

The

the

frequentlyat Tegel, on

capital.

of

earlyyouth

placed by

in

more

of books

subjectWilliam

this

and

indicate.

writer

ignore.

to

pleasantlyas

as

Berlin, while

Educational

in the

may

panied
accom-

brother, William.

they were

the

household

the

his

appearance,

the

bursts
out-

magnanimous

almost

elder

at

vicinityto

Campe,

here,that
in

its

and

with

occasionallyat Eingenwalde,
account

their

childhood

parents would

of their

wealth

and

which

endure

in which

circumstances

these

often

are

passedhis
all

by, to

perhaps

"

patientlyto

inseparable companionship

in

to

and

distressing,a painful truth

youths, but

Humboldt

the

in

instance, we

one

that

the

would

allusion

every

gifts of fortune

them

von

indispensable.It

sion
expres-

solitude

the

rarest

earlyexperienced by
natures

to whom

mother,

in

origin mainly

the

even

much

by

their

withhold

to
scarcelyjustifiable

when

occasionally
gave

had

often

myself.'

William

their

of this.

enough

escaped Alexander

often

even

Tegel were

But

about

feelings. They

depressing illness
retirement

much

so

this kind

melancholy mood,
to

15

HOME.

at

was
an

by

elder
a

years

one

writes
time

'

"

tutor,

I
or,

am
as

not

it

mistaken
then

was

step-brotherof mine, HoUwede,

former

marriage.

old,

reading and

From

him

writing.

about

I
He

termed,
a

son

of

learned,when
must

have

16

ALEXANDER

left

house

our

VON

somewhere

about

HUMBOLDT.

1770

he entered

the

Basedow

in the

in which

Philanthropinat
accompanied him, did

but

Church,

1771.

or

left his

soon

quittingus

charge to

Dessau.

with

engage

His

journey to Paris,
place till the year

take

not

On

1789.'
From

these

Alexander

than an infent at
scarcelymore
with the family. It is therefore

was

residence
if he

it is clear that

statements

received

ever

instruction

any

from

the

time

that

could

Campe

have

not

both brothers,nor

have

exercised

quite

tain,
cer-

the contrary,

to

influence'
'lasting

first aroused

'

Campe's
doubtful

and

Campe,

notwithstandingthe frequent assertions

of

than

more

boldt
Hum-

von

in Alexander

the

upon

imoon-

the

explorationof foreignlands.'
Humboldt
would
Alexander
the
von
assuredlyhave become
read Campe's Robinson,' the
even
great traveller had he never
first edition of which
was
publishedin the year 1780.
querablepassionfor

'

It

perhaps

may

somewhat

seem

remarkable

leading characteristics of Campe's mind

which led him, after Klopstock,to be one

that

^the love

"

of

the

two

lang^uage,

of the firstin

Germany
in the study of philology,
in rethough principally
gard
engage
to the German
which
language,and the love of adventure

to

made

delight in presenting before

him

the

bold

histories of

have

been

manifested
strikingly

so

the

in

journey

assumed

the

post of

the

the

of the

sense

independentlyat

fashion

method
evinced

to

educate

by Campe

these

in

measure.

kindness

terms, and

in

far too
he

and

did not

elder

'

that

to, Campe

Humboldt.

the

But

in both
At

it

highly
oyer

most

developed

cases

time

Emile,'the

and

truest

distinction

exerted

Alexander

relatively
distinguishing

earlyage.
of

should

of notice

alluded

origvnaL in

youths

children

when

it

according to

educational

Alexander, who

gratitude,never
to
scrupleeven

the

powers

estimated, and
the

was

quently
conse-

Humboldts

two

always mentions
refers

allude

to

Campe

to him

in

of ridicule.*

tone
^

with

tutors

were

influence

exaggeratedbeyond
his

an

above

was

and

worthy

of mind

word, and

by Rousseau

described

the

was

be

the

to

of
"

in William

1789

governor

Humboldts

two

characteristic

quite

in

that the bent

equallycertain

is

Paris

to

minds

great explorers

nevertheless

It may

Humboldt.

von

and

adventurers

the

Campe

has

projectof going

to

America/

\rrites Humboldt

to

EABLY

Should
that

further

exercised

Campe

of

development
uttered

Alexander

of

visit from
from

William

Paris in

I Is it not

heavens

left in

men

any

when

Germany,

1789,

ing
astonish-

their tutors

'

Humboldt's

von

Koblanck

Sigismund
notice

are

'Good

"

exclamation

surely the

their return

on

intellectual

the

over

receivinga

upon

Campe,

Campe I

all like

Humboldts,

assertion

disprovethe

to

influence

conclusive:

there

that
are

and

deemed

two

Forster

by George

will be

be needed

decided

the

Humboldt

von

evidence

17

HOME.

fact

"

biographers;

first tutor

he died

which

Johann

was

has

Heinrich

hitherto

escaped the

first

preacher of the Louisenkirche

In his manuscript curriculum
in Berlin.
vitcB,still
preserved by his grandson, Dr. Koblanck, Privy Councillor of
the
Board
the
of Health, there occurs
followingpassage:
as

"

Within

month

Koblanck

became

Humboldt,

as

capacity of
and

wede

and

two

in every

to the

young

Herr

of

in

Infentry,and

of
in the

ordained

was

William

year

Arnim

at Potsdam

year.'
According to family tradition,Alexander

and

high

so

In the

the Von

the

Holl-

von

the
literature,

globe.

appointed militarychaplainto

was

Baron

for themselves

of the

quarter

pedagogue, in

Humboldt,

von

his attainments

by

one

noted

since earned

have

who

tutor

sons

the

Campe,

to

governor

the
his travels

successor

the

Alexander,

quittingthe Universityof Halle, in 1773,

of Major von
resident
in the household

of

putation,
re-

other

by

1775,

he

Royal Regiment
October

on

20,

same

Humboldt

von

Sommering from Hamburg, January 28, 1791 ; ' whether he carries it out
that he
not ia quite uncertain.
or
Conceive, my dear friend,the motives
the
of
that
that
enchant
he
intelligent
youth
specifies
country hy
may
; not
of his children's

introduction

the

hooks, his Hohinsoniads,"c.

his

; not

that he

immortalityof the
soul ; not that he may
regulatedancing in Philadelphiaaccordingto the
close study of the
enter upon
laws of chastity nay, hut that he may
a
in
of a year
the course
constitution of the United
to he able
as
so
States,
him
of
for
of
that
he
must
to
even
length
deprived
time)
puhlish
(forEurope
may

disseminate

the savages

among

new

proofof the

"

the

result

freedom

of

his observations
be

may

trulyabsurd

more

extended
?

am

to
to

the

all

Old World, in order

mankind.

dailyexpectingto

him.'
accompany
' Sammtliche
Forster's
Oeorge

Can
hear

that

truth

and

fancy anything
Campe, inviting

you
from

to

me

vol. viii.p.
Schriften,'
Oeschichte der Padagogik,'
vol. ii.p. 808
Ton
Raumer,
schichte dea 19. Jahrhunderts,'
voL iii.Part iL p. 163.
*

'

VOL.

I.

89.
;

See

also
'

K.

Schlossei;Ge-

18

ALEXANDER

received

Koblanck

from

HUMBOLDT.

VON

first instructions

his

reading

in

and

writing.
second

tutor

committed

was

The
was

first time

Berlin.

living at
Major

An

dated

and
is still preserved,

bears

TegeL'

Kunth

mentions

him

his

in

the

'

address

in

him

to

November

Humboldt

Monsieur
Schloss

household

by

25, 1776,

'

Manuscript Autobiography
the

still

was

written

de

local

the

'A Monsieur,

Messieurs

predecessorin

his

as

letter

private

1828

year

Eingenwalde,

des

Cliisener, Grouvemeur

the

in

autograph

Humboldt,

von

and

for the

became

Counsellor

and

Ferdinand,

education

mentioneid

afterwards

he

Sonnenburg,

of

Government

of Alexander's

care

Cliisener,now

connection

Princess

the

the

Johann

this

in

secretary to

to whom

of

expressly

Major

von

Humboldt.

Though
who

Kunth,

in

Councillor,

upon
the

education

1777,

Kimth,

of

and
the

at

of

and

culture

external
he

given
his
which

he

career

he

elegant
quest

manners

afterwards

was

had

than

when

William

with

excellent

the

acquired

that

and

dramatic

in his father's

to modem

of

his

engagement

of

tutor

to Herr

position,that

his

requested

undertake

to

new

household, as

correspondence.

In

Cliisener.

Major

as

von

to conduct

Humboldt's

made

almost

was

important

some

well

he

of

sons

He

duties

much

for

languages and

the

successor

bourhood,
neigh-

university

theology,and

the

tainments
enter-

assurance

Secretary of Legation
to

of

amount

polish and

study

received

knowledge

as

as

of

distinguishedsociety

musical

attention

had

Baruth,

considerable

residence

the

family

appointment

acceptablein
the

of

manorial

to

In

the

an

of

Humboldt,

with

pastor

at the

more

bestowed

Humboldts.

distinguished. During

devoted

literature

accepted

at the

Privy
lence,
excel-

he

care

entered

earlyacquired an

meet

Actual

of age.

Italian, with

privileged to

was

two

he

instruction,

remarkable

capacityof tutor,

intercourse

by

the

twenty,

Protestant

liberal education, and

of

for the

of

eight years

the

Latin, French,

of
the

in

Alexander

son

culture

of

dignity of

character

age

Hmnboldt

and

ten

the

attained

deserving of lastingfame

the

von

special powers

any

gifted with

was

is

Major

later years

and

year

was

possessed of

not

in

was

when

Major

he
von

himself

so

immediately
in

of the

absence

connection

necessary
it not

un-

EABLY

frequentlydevolved
and
Duke

on

the

had

the

his powers

of
versatility

honour

furnishes

and

the

Kunth,'

fulfilment.
of

was

find

to

'

The

brilliant

such

the

indissoluble

more

It would
his

to

him

that

seem

pupils,and

to claim

his

than

more

winter of

1827-8,

before

beaming with
*He

made

by a

almost wish

begun.'
*

by Kunth
the

his

That

is true

'

There

he

Stein

minister

Kunth's
*

eye
her

was

ear,

allusion

when

once,

the

ment,
arrange-

every

Humboldt

von

of

to the

tensive
ex-

when

history had

doubt, however, that

no

he
prolixity,

history make

upon

exercised

pupils,and

it were,

in the
the

with

the

one

only just
views

it is evident

held

endeavours
influence

retrospectof

prototype of

from

the

sions
expres-

controvertingthe views

of in

use

all

very considerable

his latter years, that

their characters.

ManuscriptAutobiography.'
3, 1829.
Staatszeitungof NoYember
'
* Henriette
148.
Fiirst,
Herz/ p.
* *
Aus
dem
Nachlasse
Yarnhagen's. Briefe
"Wilhelm von
Haugwitz,
Humboldt, "c./ vol. L
^

and

whispered in
and

lectures

Adam,

subsequentlymade

formed, as

'

painful amount

; his

have

of his

the minds

of the

Berlin, when

at

It

delivering

was

purport

invariablymanifested

he

after fireedom,must

he

in

during

the

life,and philanthropy,and
political
citizenship,

upon

sympathy

upon

in

Humboldt

both

almost

be

can

ally
personallowed

never

occasion

one

of William

-been

have

to

instruction

historypossessedby Kunth, accompanied

of

upon

"

on

for this!

me

in the presence

remark

observed

to

to

possessed.'

nature

admiration, Kunth

excited

knowledge

he himself

von

audience

indebted

is not

was

mixed

to conunimicate

influence

Herz,^ that

lecture,excellent

admirable

an

formed

pupils
merely

producing
they subsequentlyattained.

Alexander

as

teacher

unassuming

which

by Henriette

obituary

his

and

that

rarelygave

limited

intellectual distinction
is related

but

Kunth

celebrated

in his

Kunth

than

nature

throughthe solicitude of a faithful

highlygiftedpupilsthe knowledge

which

hopes receivingso happy

existingbetween

bond

sufl"cient

confidence

'It is rare,' remarks

reposed in him^^
political
economist, State-Councillor Hoffmann,

the

receive

to

was

of

tion,
of distinc-

persons

which

circumstance

"

entertain

to

he

occasion

one

of Brunswick

proof of

him

upon

19

HOME.

Kunth

'

'

von

p. 11.

ChamissO; Gneieenau,

20

ALE3CANDEE

possessedof qualitieswhich

was

and

by

official ; and

excellent

an

and

other
and

sense

furtherance

the

and

especial credit
of

many

introduction

of

ZoUverein

tariff union

or

chief

The

character

of

displayedto
afforded

These

school.

suitable

the

development
began

soon

No

; but

stones,

his

were

and
much
Little
The

the

Ernst

from
the

of

continued

to

be

official

increasing my

income,

tages
advan-

public

encourage

tastes which

for

of their
natural

beetles,shells

and

the

and

ranging,
arcollecting,

carried

was

on

jest,the

they

received

Gottfried

in

use

duties, I
to

engage

in these

with
name

so

of

undertaken

as

Pertz, Leben
*

means

of

long

was

in

mathematical

after

his

remarks

Freiherm

'
"

some

von

In
the

extraneous

not

in

the

school-

death.

obliged, for

livelihood,are

des Ministers

early years

Fischer, Professor

consistingprincipallyin private tuition.

to

taste

and

Grey Friars, whose

arduous

my

stantly
con-

youths.

acquired,in

manuscript journal,still preserved,he

to

at

progressiveorder

treasures

he

principal instruction

Gymnasium
books

in the

playthings;
these

he

his

Apothecary.'

derived

was

of the

supplying

been

mental

giftsand

plants,butterflies

child

the

pupils in

this way

early evinced

very

labellingof
as

towards

educational

having

themselves

favourite

zeal,that

tices
prac-

his

to

peculiarlycalculated

preservedof

and

corrupt

private instruction,social

never

individual

Alexander

Flowers

history.

he

the formation

valuable

as

from

manifest

to

has been

record

studies

such

were

of the

classes,

which

also

companionship, in

methods

the

lightened
en-

deserves

judicious efforts

the

in

the most

procure

advantages they missed

the

with

most

and

he

and

rendered

Kunth

by Berlin,

intercourse, and

free

industrial

commerce,

trade, and

the

throughout Grermany.*

consisted

tutor

the

but
corporations,

that

service

of

of

of industry
marked

with

suppressionof

of free

system

and

the

trade

the

claims
were

unremitting industry

only towards

laboured, not
of

the

for

the

himself

elevation

trade

of

on

establishment

the

to
legislation,

views

devoted

the

to

diligentworker

him

politicaleconomy

He

clearness.

made

his

of

branches

indefatigableenergy

so

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Such

In

his

addition
sake

of

tion,
occupa-

labours,

generallyfavour-

Stein/voL

vi. p. 789.

Knowledge
himself
he

In

the

was

admirable

an

1785,

year

gave

the

of the

request
a
'

of their

1786.'

June

to

recollections

and

twenty
sake

him

of

hours

in

years,

sought

out

doing

of

always

in his

interest

strong

called

with

towards
him

the

and
in

Dohm,

It

he

treasures

would

William

in

giving

him

attending

and
Prussia.

one

Yet

Mendelssohn

Gronau,

the

it

is

'Chr.

that

did

the

lectures
of

the

compilers of
to have

there

Wilh.

v.

may

Dohm,

taken
be

nach

join
and

New

Cod^

interest

truth

seinem

his

in

some

brother

Court

in the studies

some

of

he

jurisprudence

Supreme
the

as

him.'
not

the

of

spare

of his travels

exhibition

law

on

several

good tutor,"

an

with

probable, from

is known

Humboldt,

von

of

back

interval

an

1806, and, for the

narrative

Alexander

that

by Klein, Counsellor

delivered

after

his

"

to

evening

brought

had

appear

also maintained

year

his descriptions
by
America, illustrating
of the

youthful auditors;

triflingpleasure,devoted

happiest

grateful affection, he

of the

end

of 1785

autumn

Humboldt

spiritof

the

ordinary

an

life the

his

tutor, since

former

'

attended

to

the

through

von

beautiful

morning

from

retained

Alexander

that

it is evident

at

Gronau,

Humboldt
similar

points

earlyconnection

of this

and

the instruction

writes

von

continued

were

'Dohm

"

Trade

politicaleconomy,

upon

Alexander
in all

were

and

universitycourse,

of

Department

mother,*

excellent

and

lectures,which

these

biographer Gronau,^

Schulenburg, for

Von

without

Amim.

William

brothers

two

in the

and

'was

youth.'

his

from

Engel

world,

the
of

of lectures

minister
von

wish

the

At

learn

we

series

Count

young

for

instructor

engaged
officially

Commerce,

of

as

form.

engaging

truly a philosopher

then

Dohm,

HUMBOLDT.

Iter most

in

appeared

most

doubt

VOK

ALEXANDER

22

of Judicature,

that

in

Moses

of William

in the

WoUen

Law

of

und

tradition

Handeln/

p. 127.
^

very

privatelibraryof the King of Saxony there is still preserved

elaborate treatise of nearly 760
some
quarto pages, together with

In

the

letters of Klein

and

remarks

of Moses

Mendelssohn

upon
Alexander

'

extorted

treaties

von
Vertrage '). A letter of
Humboldt,
('fiber erzwungene
follows
the
to
nms
as
book,
:"
appended
^ The
in my brother*s handwriting,contains
the essays which
book, entirely
lesson
of
from
after
the
laws
he wrote
nature
Counselout
on
every private

'

EARLY

that

used

he

the

in

garden
in

lessons

between
letters

several
the

by

Humboldt

were

his death

on

Upon

father

attractive

of

valuable

of

and

the

for

His

upon

beauties

the

of

intellectual
into

and

worth,

similar

with

was,

since

towards

successful
could

well

through

him

the

has

of

of

and

day,

quity,
anti-

correct

ability in
difficult

; to these

the

my

friend

constant

most

and

tellectual
in-

liberal

the

most

oppressed people.
closed

appreciate the
they

much

direction

tongues

his

life

for

delicate

he

tions
recollec-

knowledge

united
of

which

language, the

our

were

grateful

these

considerable

and

sacred

order

intellectual

most

Engel, the

of
flexibility
the

and

and

in the

extensive

poetry,

affection

family, who

his

von

27, 1834.

indebted

am

and

politicalevents

long, happy,

circle

of

high

devoted

and

eincere

William

kindness

speculativephilosophy, a

gifts of
opinions

He

translating from

of

education

possessed an

the wonderful

solving,by

problem

in my

He
of

father

lamented

yoiu:

feelings.

love

taste

to

house.

our

25,

following

the

pleasure of

the

enhances

me

influence

thoughts

to

December

noble

marked

The

youth.

my

invariably showed
for

addressed

December

earliest

the

distinguishableamong

reminiscences

Friedlander,

and

Berlin:

of your

image

is

character

"

The

David

Alexander

from

ever,
proof, how-

Friedlander, received

condolence

of

expressions

that

gaged
en-

valuable

similarlyinstructive

still extant

son,Benoni

while

them

to

and

are

about
li^alking

brothers, and,

two

the Humboldts

brothers.

two

his eldest

1834,

of

intercourse

in

philosophy. Ample

and

philanthropy

maintained

him

the

firiendlyintercourse, discoursing

in

since

'

morning hours

'

with

company

exists that
was

the

spend

to

23

HOME.

have

within
value

been

the
of his

fashioned

mould.

marginal notes commenting upon the work, for the most

in Klein's
in refutation,are
handwriting.
part in praise,but occasionally
fall
for publication,
1 cannot
but wish that this manuscript^not meant
may
of those who
will know
how
into the hands
to appreciatethe philosophical
boldt
jurisprudencecontained in this youthfulproductionof William von Humlor Klein.

Berlin

The

February

1864.'

24

ALEXANDER

midst

In the

the

wish,

of your

receive, with

pray

sorrow

of the

assurance

HUMBOLDT.

VON

affection and

ardent

most

good

every

grateful

friendshipof
Yours, "c.,

Alexander

"

Huiooldt.'

von

"Tegel : Janvaiy 2, 1836.

In

of

father,and

revered

your
to

you,

express

reached

remark,

you

of usefulness

during
often

been

either

of

From

the

his

how

us

the
quick intelligence,

kept

interestingand

and

"

for

kindness

hours.

beg

the

which,

the

of

assure

affectionately
reciprocatedby
'

remain,

with

at

under

the

name

to the

of

Meyer Hirsch,

to

two

Meyer

the

continuance
ever

studies

our

whose

minds

our

time

by

were

of your

be most

life

with

no

you

his last

kind

sideration,
con-

sincerelyand

highest esteem,
Yours,

Himiboldts
;

that

useful

some

particularsof

'

tutor

while

mood,

eager

from

us

me.

Another

towards

thank
sufficiently

some

will

you,

I had

forgottenby

early directed

cannot

me

that

improvement.

our

incitement

which
I

be

to

and

important points connected

sending

favour

for

had

uninterrupted cheerfulness

He

attractive.

in

be

never

one

learn

to

his

he

cease

brother

my

If

talents

physical,rendered

or

that

also been

me

to

letter

your

never

manifested

constant

universallyreceived.

your

can

writing

him.

to

and

pleased and

views, however,

society

meai^s

his

several

on

it

almost

mental

occupation, either
views

friend

death

assurance

it has

will

he

he

always in

us

and
disposition,

correct

the

one,

laboured

which

interest

his

to

which

thoughts, and

he
first,

both

happy

of

point

granted

been

the

grief,when

receive

to

deceased

our

the

of his

heartfelt

diligentlyhe

kind

the

to
great gratification

ilhiess of
in

been

has

It is

the

on

was

had

positionin

remembered.

honour, for by his worth

and

for himself

won

only recentlyof

truly glad

was

painlessrelease

gentle and

heard

and

sincere

my

me.

life,as

here, I

retirement

my

William

is referred

probablythis

books

on

Humboldt.'

was

to

the

by Kunth
tician
mathema-

algebra and geometry

are

EABLY

still in

use

in the

engaged
A

In

the

of

system
1783,

he

with

my

noted

the

the

writes

:"

friends

elder

Humboldt

Kunth

Tegel,

Tegel, and

explained to

of

the

Linnsean

readilycomprehended,

one

Spandau

to

of Kessler.*

to

over

difficulty/Again,

over

from

"

youthful days

following entry

twenty-four classes

the

Bode

was

court.

Life

*Eode

von

without

names

in Helm's

time

the

of the

physician,the

Frau

with

botany, which

retaining

given

July 30, 1781

date of

Humboldts

young

is

this

earlydinner

an

the

of

journal

occurs

took

Humboldt

that

at

princesof

young

uninterestingglimpse

not

von

tmder

some

who

and

works,

of

tuition

but

hasty

Alexander

of

educational

as

25

HOME.

to witness

and

his

May

on

the

19^

review

distinguished

pupils.'
Since

William

sixteen

years

of

suppose

that

the

of

Humboldt

von

term

In

modem

ander
the

Humboldt,

von

Berlin,'
which

distinguished is

would

Alexander

must

politeinterpolation

of the

the

'

de

tutor

Nans,

Grazette

to

litt^raire de
in

Francheville,

actor

arts

Berlin

Academy,

the division

imder

Dead.

studied

by

catalogue of

in the

1786,

year
:'

'Amateurs

chalk

No.

"

Friendship weeping

in black

Drawn

also

were

; for in the

success

Himiboldt, junr.

von

Bauld

the

fine

the

of the

followingentry occurs
Herr

of

by

degree of

some

Le

literaryeffort appeared.

that

seem

with

Ashes

editor

was

Alex*

instructor, according to

Professor

was

first

first exhibition

290.

their

publication started

Humboldt's

It

the

scarcely

was

yet fourteen, we

not
'

languages

royal fiEonily
; he

the

time

later date.

the

Alexander

age, and

that

at

after

over

Angelica

Kauffmann.'
Those

who

Alexander

Humboldt

von

drawings, in

and

studies

much

natural

and

configurationsof country.
painting
from
success

that
in

in

later

Paris, under

models
that

familiar

varietyof style,illustrative

every

generallyknown

scientific

the

doubtless

are

botany, zoology, anatomy,

and

with

acquainted

are

as

he

was

well

It

may

years

he

Gerard,
as

from

able to

labours

with

of

his later

of his studies

science, besides

maps

not, however, be
studied
when

life,and

produce

some

drawn
life-size,
half-lengthportrait,

both

he

so-

drawing

made

laboured
admirable
in black

in

severe

with

so-

traits.
por-

chaJk,.

26

ALEXANPER

inscribed

and
of

with

in

myself

of

arts

from

Neither

This

as

it
'

so

botanical

tastes.

in the

Until

be

to

family,who
^tudy

of

the

in 1788

just

them
never

of Herr

been

him

the

'

Anton

the

This
I

I had

much

so

as

Willdenow,
Flora

the

him

any

specimens

of

one

Hiunboldt's
to

"

showed

tion
little inclina-

restless

and
disposition,

displeasingto

devote

much

so

in

youth

myself

to

my
the

life.

Of

of

the

Christian

gave

me

Dahlmann'

of

science

who

age,

gentle and
pursuits.

but
professedly,
he

acquaintance

own

my
His

the

all

almost

occupied,and

I felt in his

collected,and

Springer,'Fricdrich

of

self-taughtin

am

of Berlin.

lessons

1806*

till I formed

interest

Willdenow,

opportunity of attending

now

heard

gaged
en-

early education

was

should

no

am

choice

comparatively late

stimulated
from

of

was

that

which

his

of

tutors

his influence

that

years

in the year

development

chemistry ;

publishing a

character
received

with

appreciation for

certainlynot

was

of sixteen, I

(I)

that

or

served,
pre-

to allude*

Humboldt

later

writes

age

desirous

botany

acquired

in

pursuits.

were

sciences

botany

the

soldier.

pressions
im-

still

concerning the

them,

only in

was

finance,so

of

course

several

are

again

von

among

followingterms

for scientific
wished

certainlyknown

Hmnboldt

I reached

and

received

sociale.'

powerfully

operated
Pictet

it

trait
por-

absolutelyintolerable,while Alexander

was

included
and

number,

he

copper

smallest

the

of Alexander

tuition

often

though

is

on

Humboldt

occasion

had

calamity

is all that
in the

'

brothers

to William

regarded it

the

the

of

best

excellent

an

Chodowiecki,

shall have

we

the

works.

plates engraved by

which

to

of

one

assistant
indefatigable

engraving

celebrated

the

Humboldt^

von

made

his

Kunth,

and

etching

from

instruction

also

his botanical

preparationof

In the

Alexander

'

He

existing.

pencilof Professor

in

music

hand

own

looking-glass. Paris, 1814,' is

him

portraits of
in the

his

HUMBOLDT.

VON

I used
their

had

amiable
I
to

never

bring

classifica-

(Leipzig, 1870),

p. 237.

in

'

"

'

Le

Lettres

d' Alexandre

Globe,Journal

See
p. 180.
Humboldt.'

de Humboldt

also Brockhaus'

Maro-Auguste Pictet,1795-1824/
G^gr. de Geneve
(1868),voL viiL
'
'
Alexander
art.
Converaations-Leadkon,'
von

de la Soc. de
g"Sogr.

'

HOME.

EARLY

tions.

especial
exotic

became
in

Owing

Willdenow
eould
or

desire

iieart.

tastes

which

later

life.

Thus

distant

This

^Europeans.
in

ivhen

nothing
of

emotion.

so

West

or

mines,

within
further

And

travel

of

times

at

'

study
secret

the

sight of

the

mingled

was

'

'

Reise

Chreat
the

in die

famous
the

'

Ansichten

Nature'*
Pacific

interest

Natur/

in

by

period
horizon,

the

fancy as

sentations
repre-

of sensational

which

held

at

for

direct

no

of either

and

and

fascination

things

pang
he

from

with

to

to
in

the East
distance

extensive

long

voyages

the

which,

3rd

ed. toL

perusalof

bring

in

me

far

shine

in

the

was

close

remote.

all

renounce

'In

"

the

high peaks
as

which

me

regions
to

books

hope

southern

heart.'

my

states

the
over

seemed

Aequmoctialgegenden des

der

to travel

for their

sea

neuen

HaufiTs edition,
vol. i. pp. 2, 3.
*

his

certain

reside

to

might possiblyhave
splendid constellations that

'Aspects of

upon

boimdless

settlements

of maps

and

hemisphere invariablysent
In

youth's

strength.'
ever-increasing

the

when

rarely visited
of

country

for

and
irresistible,

that

some

the rise of these

excitement

called

passion

The

seeing

in

colonial

places

thought

the

mountains

The

exercised
almost

but

been

and

afterwards

with

"

the

desire

intense

an

is characteristic

educated

relationship with
of

I had

the

me

"

completely captivates

among

that

influence

an

I yet felt the

growing

powerful

life appears

the

Japan, and

in

interest

as

with

coast

with

have

impulse

Indies, and

the

from

physicaldanger

communication

Herr

which

Although

be

southern

earlydays

first awakened

was

so

youth

existence, when

our

would

hope

of those

glimpse

writes

lands

rium,
herba-

an

Thunberg,

the

indulging

of

foreign coimtries.'

visit

exercised

earliest

Chevalier

receipt of plants from

furnish

he

pleasure that

sight

tropicalvegetation in

always recalled

early

in

took

and

The

specimens

the

with

foreigntravel

my

dried

as

without

might

Humboldt

From

in

botany,

to

cryptogamia.

intimacy with

them

for

of

often

last words

These

those

his

see

other

only

view

to

Avas

never

time

when

the

of

study

imagination

my

from

lands.

the

plants,even

derived

the

passionatelydevoted

interest

fired

27

ii.p. 363.

boy, I

longing for
of

had

the

Andes,

listened

Continents/vol.

to

i. p. 47.

28

ALEXANDER

the

narrative

The

reedy

the

delta

shores

its outline

And

in

derived

as

continents
behold

and

those

seas

Greorge

remarks

Garden

the

influence

the

to

form

of

yearning

to

above

appear

of Lebanon

cedars

and

pleasm^

the

of

never

desire

all have

travel

in

foreign

niscences,
reviewing such earlyremithe insatiable longing to view

me

should

London,

perusal

^The

"

islands

the

in

the

in

paintings by Hodge,

some

in

reply:

descriptionsof

representing scenes
excited

admiring wonder
an

also be due

may

of Alexander

general

by

old tower

von

for

excitement

nations

of

Europe, causing

acquiring a knowledge
the

Perouse

the
of

the

house
the

on

tion
contemplathe

Botanic

which

taken
them

lands

D'Entrecast^au,

of

had

Bougainville,and

the

emulate
and

time

and

BUgh

excited

Cook.

Owing
'Kosmos/

the

each

the

leading
other

in

seas.

imfortunate

extraordinary zeal

been

possessionof
to

the

powerlessto damp

youthful

geographical discovery,when

of distant

that

fact that the

passed during

were

befel

disasters
and

to the

Humboldt

passion for exploration had

Even

The

*
"

pictorialBible, may

gigantic dragon-treein

or

at Berlin.'

Some
years

in

vivid

Hastings

; and

maps,

which

tropicalregion,I

sight of

Warren

of

scientific labour

to

in

the

me

deep

myself,while

first awoke

Forster's

Pacific ; the

Ganges

within

I to ask

gloriesof

of

stances
circumthe

with

contemplation

constellations

to excite

what

La

he

delineated

as

the

by

"

' *

the

Asia

youthful days

imbued

when

of

sea

first awakened

moulded

and

from

certainly not

inland

tastes

incentive

Cosmos

illustrations

in the

Were

lands.

of

the

from

southern

contributed

of

The

map.

Balboa.

them

Volga, are

of palms
horizon, the representations

occurring

of

in

child

I viewed

as

the fietctthat in my

de

Nunez

import,'

vast

passage

Vasco

this vast

life,often become,

undertakings of

the

in

of later years,

earnestness

our

sight of

impressions of childhood,
of after

first

the

of the

mouths

great delightfrom

drawn

the

to

Caspian Sea,

by the

formed

yielded me
by

expeditionof

the

of

picturesque; yet
I had

bold

of the

HUMBCWLDT*

VON

enterprisesof
Malaspina, were

for travel

and

covery
dis-

by Byron, Wallis, Carteret,

to

the

perseveringenergy

vol. ii.p. 6.

of

30

ALEXANPEB

HUMBOLDT.

VON

animating Europe, and already events

scarcelyventured
crowd

into

in the

three

This

excitement

science

itself felt

even

with

most

the

discoveries

more

literature

in the

of the

glowing images, the

the

even

Buffon's

St.-Pierre's

Etudes

'

have

but

the

such

travel,his
should

result of

for

inflame

The

society.

with

almost

his

as

It

is

usual

tastes

their

death

of their

father

the

charge

his

watchful

her
tutor

prevent
in

the

retrospect of
himself,

'

so

his

that

desire
that

to

their
the

and

under

and

smTounded

had

removal
fronk

as,

with

considered

the

position

change

in

in their

guardian

property

that

of

and

her
the

youths conthiued
the

intellectual

Kunth.
of

Alexander

brother

of his

was

his earliest years

know

as

him,

much
and

was

of such

of ihtellectual
William.

earlyeducation, William

from
see

of

early a development
case

no

natiiral

care,

]N"ajor

viewed

their

to

the

so
affairs,

physicalconstitution

occurred

and

health

good

his sons, and

produced
as

of

circumstance,

derogatory

mother,

of all their
under

remain

thing

such

To

management

to

tions
descrip-

increasing

ever

possiblethat

fortuitous

developed in

committed

was

The

the

Vir-

illness ; this event

casual

merely

life.

loss of their

of life.

guidance

to

de

knowledge

unexpected

for, since

long

tastes

gratificationof

sons,

call

to

excitingcircumstances

thirst

the

occurred

unlocked

more

impatience the

mode

the

'

high militaryposition,he might probably have

his

with

given promise of
be regarded
may

the

for

January 6, 1779,
the

time

(1778),Bemardin
(1784),and 'Paul et

'

wonder, then, if under

Humboldt,

was

made

colouring,

writingsof Playfairor

investigationof nature,

von

and

Forster.

youth's passion

On

as

the

as

that

We

la Natiire

la Nature

de

well

George

enthusiasm

to

de

Epoques

'

ginie'(1788),as

the

made

which

gorgeous

of

writings

prose

mind

the

been

day, supplying language

most

daring flightsof imagination.

we

should

geography

enthusiasm

an

most

Can

had

than

discovery in

for

accompanied by

was

inspiring

of

minds

preceding centuries.

intense

natural

and

generation

the boldest

transpiringwhich

anticipatewere

to

one

which

he
as

not

In

remarks
could

nature

power

as

making

concerning

scarcelyrepress

possibleabout
content

until

every-

every

EABLY

idea

that

presented

itself

in

his

own

on

the

contrary, could

mind

and

had

him

only master
As

suffered

and

before

been

worked

out

thoroughly appropriated,' Alexander,

extraordinaryeffort.
William,

31

HOME.

boy, he

from

daily tasks

his

much

was

of

amount

an

dint

by

of

less robust

than

debilitywhich

not

unfrequently produced great prostration. He himself confesses

to Freiesleben, his fellow-student
at Freiberg and subsequently
Director
tutors

of Mines,

full

1790, is
be

been
as

this

to

letter written

that

it

any

evidence

to show

began

of

Forster

by George

interest

wish.

He

Herr

'

"

to

again

worse

until

the

when

only

was

of

the

the

system

body

that his brain

of education

illness ; then

severe

outbreak
is for

I am,

And

again, in a letter
August 6, 1791, in

him.

As

William

if for

has

more

been

some

of the

that

tion,
indisposi-

date, Forster
strain:
afraid

lost to

me

for

writes
*

"

long ;

many

was

as

chUd

he

then

dull

von

lose

sight of

is at

Erfurt,

examples

so

to Jacobi

Alexander

of

the

late

seemed

gloriously.Albertus

more

ageS;

logicalcom-se

I shall

which
intellects,

finest

the

and

professors.'

similar

the

of

the accmnulation

by

am

suddenlyand

constantly

excepting
gradually becomes

from

learnedphilosopherof the middle

well

great activityof mind,

consolatioD,
historyfurnishes

of
development

expand the

of later

Freiberg,and

at

too

Berlin

so

however, fullypersuaded that in

a

the

has

not

been

attack

sadly overworked

been

adopted by

Hiunboldt is

freed

time

and

better

he

of another

suffers from

has

much

is never

desires

me,

journey, though
has

July 14,

who

is still with

he

occurring

on

Humboldt,

says, indeed, that

humours.

unhealthy

his case

the

Heyne,

to

von

you,

last five years, and

the

immediatelyafter

and

him,

subject,the followingpassage,

tolerablywell throughout

I could

on

he

that

speciallyremembered

ailingfor

of

in

his

of intelligence

ordinary powers

even

developed

boyhood

In reference

to

be

his childhood

of

vigour.'^

mental

in

first years

in the

whether

ever

later

quite

that

doubtful

were

would
in

'

only to
Magnus, the

of understanding

appearedincapableof learningto read ; the geniua.of Newton

a
long time so entirelyconcealed that his mother took him away
^m
him
school and destined
to agricultural
pursuits^LinnaeuS;for the
i^ame reason^ was
intended by his father to be apprenticedto a shoemaker
;
Moli^relearnt to read only in his fourteenth
The
case
was
scai'cely
year.
ho

for
Ifty

"0

desperate,
however,

with

Alexander

von

Humboldt.

32

ALEXAin)"R

getting

married

to

present

humour

declines

Ms

Fraulein

much

talents,is

all
be

to

anxious

is most

HUMBOLDT.

VON

and

in

regretted. Alexander,
but

he

has

the

on

not

the

to

allude

his
with

public employment, which,

work,

to

Dacheroden,

von

trary,
con-

physical

power.'
Even

in

health

in

for

me

and

travellingabout,
with

At
about

health

his

1799:

'If

"

climate

science

from

extensive

of

of

scenes

letter

the

travel
Thus

change

than

those

Irwin

victim

Moll

of

'does

of

who,

one

much

the

the

of the
For

tropicsas
some

the
for

only

in

the

and

the

prior to

resided

capable

education

within

years

brothers

tutors

being equallyin

as

more

circle of the
their

; and

the

tutionally
consti-

dangers

of

stronger

undertaking

enjoy

the

the

and

vel
tramore

of

accoimt

Humboldt

element

in

the

the
scribes
de-

region

poles.

departure

they

robust

more

Seetaen,

for the

frequentlyat Berlin

capital could
of

his

less

surrounding
vigorous, fell a

compelled, on
hardy companion, Jacobsen, was
climate, to leave the expedition at Smyrna.
himself

suffer

the

desert

more

his

in

hardships of

be

to

leavingCairo

such

tion
investiga-

often

and

privationsof

the

the

physical

together

years

appear

Arabia, while

and

for

constitutions

which

of

17,

mation
infor-

possessed of

zeal

with

to

valuable

departments

Ledyard, though

Syria,Egypt,

September

much

combated
delicate, successfully
in

accept

succumb

not

foreign climate

before

the

anxiety

some

various

delicate

all the

climate

to the

Von

to

burning

natures

survived

while

Thebes,

to

devote
least

at

expresses

intending to spend
such sublimity.*

Fortunately,however,
from

Kunth

even,

and

knowledge,

last

months

not justifyme.'

observations

the

the

constantly

to

^you would

"

expected in

of nature, is
midst

obliges me

be

to

knew

am

for three

hardships of travel,how
be

not

if you

his

to

right

^that I

laid up

health,'he writes,

the

may

have
Yet

"

study

could

You

placed

was

to

period
in

his

and

'
"

illness,which

if you

still later

am

have

now

even

excuses,

that

serious

little leisure
my

obliged thus

seldom.

writing so

which

in

circumstances

winter

is

letter to Willdenow

with

angry

Humboldt

1795

various

than

the

procure

University,
Tegel ;

assistance

branches

advantages necessary

at

of

for their

of

their
prepa-

coll^;elife.

for

ration
William

this

period of his life,

followingparticularsto his

Concerning
relates the

Humboldt

von

33

HOME.

EABLY

You
correspondentCharlotte : *
residingin 1786 and the following years.
My mother
only resided there during the
friend and

brother

yomiger
with
was

and

the

by

collegelife

after with

this

thrown

was

It

was

at

Gottingen.*
By

this

of his

the

pupils in

of their attendance

upon

1789.

when

that

in

gymnasium

other

or

at

was

joined

completingthe

years, without

years

in 1789.

Pyrmont

brother

still

farewell

twenty-two

at

my

went

brother

responsibility.It

of ten

course

at any

of

Gottingen,I bade

own

of 1790

panied
accom-

brother

my

Easter

at

succeeded

Kunth

system

my

existingat Frankfort-on-

acquaintance

your

Easter

till the

but

1788, when,

with

moment,

my

upon

I made

period that
not

that

from

tutor, and

of age, I

established

Once

at Frankfort.

at Berlin.

winter,

Gottingen,leavingmy

to

tutor

my

was

the

of

autumn

till the

I remained

the-Oder,where

to my

to

Universitythen

the

at

lived

summer
through
This
Tegel usuallyof a Sunday.

tutor, I entered

same

where

there

continued

of life till the

mode

my

soon

tutor, ridingover

ask

"

me

education

the

necessity
public school.

his pupils remained

imbroken
with
friendship formed
duringthe ensuing forty years, till his death in 1829, and
while they were
positionsof distinction,
winning for themselves
man,
of science, the other as an enlightenedstatesthe one as a man

The

towards

attachment
As

florinswas

the

Kunth

to

the

giftwhich
bequestsof her

to act

as

the household

of Frau

in 1796,
afterwards,
^

VOL.

I.

Frau

confirmed

will.

service

by

played
dis-

devoted

of
of the

and

'Briefe

of my

him,

to

as

Alexander's

property.

Humboldt

remained
till her

an

eine

Freundin/ p.
D

death

enjoyed a positionof
164.

the
.in

younger

legacy,among

lived,Kunth

State, he

as

manner

two

he

long as

As

von

faithful

for the

gold

of 400

Humboldt,

von

entire education

the

administrator

enteringthe

and

and

care

yearly pension
'

was

gratitude

mother's

'

"

watchful

same

1782,

year

which he has conducted

sons

confidence

familiar

manifested.

ever

granted

expressionof

the

them

he had

early as

enjoy their

to

he continued

such

continued
Even
member
nine

after
of
years

friendship

34

ATiEXANPER

confideiice, that

and

Humboldt,

His

called to

are

of the

lot

and

another

order

adverse

and

of

offered

ease

manifold

the

the

by

earliest years

all that

good

was

to

thirst for
and

knowledge

and
his

from

aspirationtowards
impelled hJTn amid

and

himself

devote

luxury

evinced

he

an

beautiful, which
to

that

aristocratic

life of

of

were

nature,

family,his

possessionof wealth,

bodilyweakness

much

enticements

genius, who

temptations

his

von

struggle against

heaven-bom

his

notwithstandingthe high position of

birth, and

constant

His

to

of

sons

many

energiesin

it is due

of Alexander

earlyyouth

that

interred

were

Tegel.

at

circumstances.

; and

remains

his

Humboldts

not

was

their

spend

poverty

death

childhood

passed the

Thus

his

on

family vault

the

near

HUMBOLDT.

VON

study with

to

xmremit-

ting application.
desirable,before

It will be

that

it

time, since

the brilliant

to

The

as

of

one

boyhood,

at

so

could
since

the
of

be

also

the

on

'

on

And
the

as

Augsburg

the

social

'

be

great monarch.'

the

this
was

begun

lightened
en-

an

pulsationof
yet

as

of

'

new

in
circles,

every

circle

there

AUgemeine Zeitung'

of Jane

higher life

general
'

lights
which
were

1759

against

partialand

so

as

since

criticism

severe

itself

evince

to

had

'

home

In

the

of their

Mendelssohn,

justlyregarded

number

of

to

past generation,

Nikolai

and

Literaturbriefe

it cannot

lay claim

recollections

and

had
politics,

yet

of William

religion,science,art, social life,

Biester

muse,

guiding

celebration

to the

of

image

Lessing

intermittent, it

appreciated.
^

of

could

earliest

the

on

both

the

in

that

the

thought

extent

and

also

expressed it

days

at

background

still the

was

Alexander

still recall

the

of Berlin

earlyyouth

who, amid

courtlyFrench

were

and

Berlin, though

in taste.

childhood

those

some

weak

the Great

Humboldt.

himself

to

distinguishedmen.

of Frederick
the

brothers

historical

an

great king'saccession,*

commenced
the

of these

von

tone
to

as

the

general condition

of the

Although,
and

it were,

during

he

centenary

forms,

career

Alexander

belong,as

the

form

august

star at Berlin

and

in review

take

University,to

accompanying

was

alone
few

was

modic,
spas-

elevation

small,

they
among

9^ 1840^Supplement

so

coidd
the

^^^g generation

who

mediocrity.

It

Kant

of the

At

the

intellectual

new

been

and

his

the

the

licentious

The

and

the

of any

circles

families

in the

together in
thracian
would

Henry

tinguished
dis-

was

wit, and

sarcastic

failed to prove

and

all

was

nent
perma-

circles of their

been

of true
Men

Montags-Club,' like

the

as

of

remained

hid

at most

priestsof

profanation of

the appearance

cultivation

ladies

which

in

luxury

of science

the presence

regarded

the

wealthier

The

families,and

own

ness
busi-

pressing to permit

too

for

only

calls of

the

of sentiment.

unattempted.

found

work,

elevation
noted

intellectual

was

grade,receivingsmall salaries,

of their families

were

of whom

military,most

societythat

lower

mysteries, where

have

civil

was

the

old with

giown

Prince

but

men,

nurtured, but

restricted

had

they took no
many.
thought taking place in Ger-

were

even

exclusivelyof

Metterie, while

official

necessities

commercial
their

of

with

the cultivation

who

brilliancyand

younger

Those

overwhelmed
and

select circle immediately

consisted

gathered round

birth, avoided

elevating.

the

superiorminds.^

to

noble

to be

flimsyphilosophy of Voltaire,

of

both
higher ofl"cials,
of

and

La

movement

captivatingto

were

the

as

for intellectual

The

destined

was

dulged
through life. They freelyinhigh-flavoureddishes with which the

such

circle that

attraction

Konigsberg, where

the

Great,

part French,

paradoxes of

of the

cognisance

the

ing
prevail-

Germany.

monarch

for the

regaledthem,

more

but

the

companions

their taste
French

life of

Frederick

of

court

surrounding
for the mbst
foreigners,
him

Berlin,

not

inculcatinghis philosophy,that

was

cradle

promise of exceeding

gave
was

35

HOME.

"AKLY

the

and

met

Samo-

strangers

their

sublime

revelations.
It addition

to

political,and
further

and

his vaunted

causing
been

the

this, the views

administrative

further

severityof his

seemed,

the

by the king on military,

subjectswere
estranging him
livingworld around him, and even
showed

philanthropicprinciplesnow

btirdensome,

There

from

held

to be

had

regarded as tyrannicaland

in short, to

Pertz,' Leben

government,

which

be

tone

des Ministers Freiherm

D

new

not

Stein/voL

hitherto

oppressive.

pervading every

von

phase,

class of

i. p. 21.

36

ALRXANDEB

if all the

society,as

point of

the

This

of

produced
'

Berlin

But

the

this

gluttony;

licentious

then

the

find

of

men

^vith

that

human

lightfrom

with

and, still worse,

the

instead, with

I met,
with

philosophersand theologians;

from

feet and

my

there, I dined
each

dull
in

and

hear

first

idle

weak

dull

and
and

might

be.

This

death,

and

Berlin

Of

the

is to say,
(

In

the

flow

kind

breath

fair

coquetry

Siuumtlichc

"

is

Scbiiften

are
as

'

and

self-conceit

has

not

that

so

at

astound

to

knowledge,
before

captivate

however

foolish

this

as

in

1843),toL
(Leipzig,

the

the

berance
exu-

those

almost

me

to

description.
Were

Berlin, where

universal

of

amuse,

by

think.

was

houses,

listeners

of

dust
I

recommence

people

say.

round

their

tormented

even

not

oflF the

same

they might
ideas,

with
I dare

of

gaping

thing

swarms
sex

that

modesty

questions, to

same

extent

of their
of

the

to

ordinary type,

five weeks

to

the

it to

illuminated

shake

me

of

out

sixty different

listen

And

sw^p

I need

more

say

expected

pride and

fiftyor

the

entirelycorrupt, they

people, who, wishing

a

of

brains

rapid

....

let

the wonderful
in

the

answered, only

was

"

answer

queries

ten

in

"

obliged to

was

neighbours by
put

supped

thousand

short, a

would
the

time

on.

pass
or

stories,to

their

reduce

of the
the

Academicians

French

the

to

and

simplicityand

men

filled with

men

almost

would
perfection,

understandingI

Heaven, yet

Europe.

scepticism.

incomprehensible,and

is

the

of

moral

pictured

thought perverted

in their wisdom

clergy,who,
and

of

quite a superiororder, pure, noble,and

children.

and

I had

pleasuresof refined

unbridled

and

my

more

cities in

the

habit

enlightened

of their virtue

level

As

than

handsomest

in

is much

exterior

Hospitalityand

rationalistic

ordinary

that

of the

greatlyerred

dark

^'I

"

April 23, 1779,

on

had

more

extravagance

religionall

from

ever

great city.
much

disagreeableimpression

Jacobi

to

The

and

bold

into

fulness

on

were

his visit to Berlin:

by
I

certainlyone

inhabitants

the

I found

life within

is

for

degenerated into luxury,high living,I might

taste

of

important epoch

an

Forster

Forster

January.

of

beautiful,the
it.

of

accounts

George

upon

close of

conceptions

of

things

Berlin,'writes

at the

the

elements

dissolution.

state

reached

HUMBOLDT.

VON

women

self-love

Paris, where
vii. p. 112.

"

th""

38

ALEXANDEB

Lutheran

clergyman

chapel,to

hear

the

Ancillon, Erman,
at

the

small

that
at

no

the

Dupasquet,

could

the

is well

honest

Cicero's

have

might

them.

But

honourable

I could

which

such

And

mathematician

of

follows

as

taken

place
that

the

the

them,

them

no

be

to

their

regard

that

such,

as

"

"What

time

as

obliges all

the

"

Alas

in the

Wagner,

me

an

expected

one

of

Johann

you

and
I

agitating the

of

enlightenment ;
friends

'Leben

for such

Pfeff,at
sad

of truth

activelyto

Wirken

SommeriDgV

und

two

Helm-

changes

have

ever,
keep hoping, how-

condition
bestir

voL

will

mind

pubHc

the

distinguished

most

Friedrich

sad

Fischer, who

tutors

the

left it.

the

highest degree

the

I alas I many

since

describe

27, 1788, Professor

subject to

day,

fermentation

the

and

Bischofs-

be

residents

even

being

as

this

on

at Berlin

of

with

is to

can

like

high

critique of WoUner,
says

of

trade,

own

associated

call

even

character

people who,

have

to

me

less

end, notwithstanding all counter-pressure,tend

progress

the

converse

much

mysteriesof

never

others,he

at that

writes

stadt,

to

hold

hypocrite,and

already mentioned

been

women

'

Humboldts,

the

the

depressing. On October

and

gustus,
Au-

period is
Sommering,

disclaimingthe

only foreigners,but

not

of Berlin

state

has

men

at this

could

call

you

severe

and

werder, Theden,
from

'I

"

them

over

the

play

to

King

with

followingletter

possiblefor

been

was

morals

abandoned

of Berlin

state

I found

impossibility.'After
"

the

in the

laughed

augurs,

and

syrens

16, 1788:*

Had

crowds

attendance

of

court

corrupt

them, without

man.

in

of

times.

Forster

to fathom

attempt

such

laxityof

extreme

an

the

all-powerfulpeople,as

the

in

came

William, bringing

heathen

March

date

bearing

it

known, by

descriptionof

caustic

frequently

preaching

sisterhood

the

preachers

most

the

by

soon

Catholic

pious church-going, however,

Frederick

of

court

practicesof

with

for

seductive

many

given by George

an

This

but

Eeclam,
attracted

gallant Saxony,' from

'

worst

foimd

be

institution.

came

to

and

Roman

French

the

or

great world

the

accompanied, as
from

Culm

of

Hospital Church,

room

at the

even
occasionally

Bishop

where

Ambrosius,

HUMBOLDT.

VON

to

in

further

of

things

themselves.

L p. 2G0.

ecdesia

The

and

instance,

been

issued

as

an

policy,as,
a

on.

so

lectures
of his
^The

of

kitchen

the

For

peasantry

the

at

sun

great heaps
fire,there

has

be

formed

in

certain

Academy,

by

Semler's

placed

there

master

in his labours.

Such

time when
were

'

'

the

of

therefore

The

edict

on

an

age

was
religion

of the press December

19, 1788.
Esaias Silberschlag
Johann
was

Councillor
Trinity,
Commiasion
fioyal

of

for

were

to be most

dated

are

result

follows

as

of

there

is

godless

the

devil

is

Academy
in

year

clouds

as

at the

same

some

The

and

discovery

when
this
a

small

in order

and moral

Humboldts

two

in it

servant

the intellectual

was

his

tested

actuallyfound

and

diminished,

roast, such

committed

salt

volatile

Klaproth

condition.

warm

to dance

which

Universityof Frankfort, Semler

Academy

the

to

spots

Atheists,

1787, the

at the

matriculated

allowed

Sciences.

the

to

been

In

during the previous year.

many

of financial

consequently,where

meat

had

some

incontrovertible,is

reality

that

will be

tax

of

fire,and

be

must

not

are

has

regarded

is in

motives

that

State,

recently delivered

Academy

of soot

Still greater absurdities

communicated

by

the music

Silberschlag

ticable,
prac-

of

be

this kind

only originate from

people. Deists, Universalists, and

the cook
the spit.'
who
turns

Humboldt

It may

all

press

the Council

it is maintained

from

the

libertyof

victoryof

reasoning,supposed to
is reallya kitchen
sun
and

requiring that

favour,^

in its

whether

revenue

the

on

"noke
a

plans,

confidentlyreported

imanimously by

for instance, if the

the

cherished

most

edict

It is

crown.

only voting

Sunday,

civil

and

"

to

restriction

liberal acts

of these

on

the

of truth.

triumph

by

question

o{)en

in her

sition,
oppo-

subject of religionshould, whenever

latelyrejectedalmost
ministers

two

regard

for the

edict

new

in

the

on

be

might against a powerful

defeated
occasionally

is

enactments

triumphare cupiens has, meanwhile,

or

all her

with

contend

to

as, for

triumphans

39

HOMR

EARLY

kept
salt

that

in

piece
to cheer

moist

by

gold

gold-leaf

of

"

his credulous

entering man's

; the edict

at the

estate, and

easilyinfluenced by

preacherat
principal
and
the Upper Consistory,
Privy
Public Buildings.

and

of the

order

atmosphere of Berlin

July 9, 1788

was

on

external

the

ship
censor-

the Church

of the

Councillor

of the

40

ALEXANDER

What

circumstances.

VON

HUMBOLDT.

what
attraction,

stimulus

could

such

thingsoffer to their giftednatures ? To minds already

fired by aspirations
world of thought,what congeafter a new
niality
could be found in society
of this kind,where, not?dthstandingthe boast of high cultivation,
Lessingwas stigmatised

state of

as

and

innovator

an

There

but

were

free-thinker ?

few,and

those the

of Lessingand
disciples
oriflamme of a higher intellectual life was
these were
Engel, Blester,Sack, Teller,

Kant, by whom the

unfurled; among
Spalding,Meier-Otto,Mendelssohn,
Herz, and Zollner,and

David

cus
Friedlander,Mar-

lent to this
charm
was
peculiar
circle from the presence of those giftedwomen
the
by whom
influenced.
tinguished
tone of thought was
powerfully
Among these disladies may
the two
be mentioned
daughters of
and
Mendelssohn,the romantic enthusiast Dorothea Schlegel,
her sister Henriette
entrusted

von

Schleiermacher

de
and

whom

of the unfortunate

Briest,afterwards

Madame

and

Mendelssohn,to

the education

Fraulein

"

Frau

later years was

Duchesse
de Praslin
in

quently
Eochow, and subseFouque Henriette Herz, the friend of
the two
Humboldts, her sister Brenna,
von

"

for peculiar
mental
SibylRahel,who was distinguished
of intellect worthy of Aristotle.
acuteness and a subtilty
The brilliant circle that in after years gatheredround Bahel,
in the intellectual society
and formed an historical element
of
Berlin,found its prototypein the select assemblagemeeting at
the house of the Jewish
physicianMarcus Herz, firstattracted
there by a course
of lectures,on
physicsand philosophy,
which he, an ardent disciple
of Kant, had commenced
at the
ad\ranced age of eightyyears.
The lectures on physics
were
admirable
from
the
markably
exceedinglypopular
experiments,reelaborate for that time, with which they were
trated.
illusthe

It

was

throughthese

Alexander

and
Herz

and

his

von

lectures tliat,
in the year

Humboldt

household, and

first made

the

1785,William
acquaintance of

this

acquaintancewas further
matured
duringseveral interviews that took placein reference
to the erection of a lightning-conductor
at Tegel,an
ance
appliat Berlin.^
not yet in generaluse
*

on

The
the

first lightning-conductors
used in Berlin

Royal Arsenal

and

on

the barracks

were

of the Pfuel

erected in 1777,
Begiment at the

EARLY

This
of the

closest

house

intimacy, and

the

to

in

small

of Herz.
of

terms

becoming
while

with

wrote

to merit

her

and

Nathan

made

to the

for his

'

in

whom

he

they formed

culture

brothers,at

two

At

and

and
intelligent,

of

Beer,

felt in their fair

of

tinge

some

Hemiette

Herz

the

was

she

homage
passed into

Grendarmes

Platz

far this

is evinced

Amidst

his

and

most

his

Herz,
while

has
has

he

publishedin Vamhagen's

numerous

the
occupations,

since
wholly forgotten,

we

find that

doubt,

claims

Berlin.'
Humboldt

von

at

the

of

societywere

at this time

Alexander
even

also

and showed much

keensightedspiritof gallantry,
concerningwhich
reading the language of the affections,

Daanifested
in

versity,
Uni-

Remains.'

bore the reputation of being a gracefuldancer, and that he

* Minuet
instructedFrau Herz in the new
He
" la Reine.'

ness

the

seen

seen

was

The

expression,

not

not

'

charms.

Berlin.

the

in

tensive
ex-

In the interest

in

experiencedby William
written

vivacious

mingled, no

beauty
shown

and

possessedof

'Whoever

Madame

letters

were

noted

proverb,

'

great personal

her

inspired is

feelingwas

in

which

for

there

nur"

of sixteen

estimable.'

way

companion

admiration

universal
which

in every

and

Fischer.
been

Herz,

ship,
friend-

Joseph

ever

distinguishedmanners,

information, and

they

they had
Henriette

by

house,

intimate

an

order

Herz's

Veit

respectiveages

described

as

were,

the

unfre-

not

their friends

in which

studies^

English, in

industry.

dear

'

modesty

of his

Herz

acquaintance 'of

the

high

eighteenyears,

not

gifted Frau

and

the

under
Mendelssohn, formerlytheir fellow-pupils

tured, the

How

mitted
freelyad-

the progress

they here again encountered

Owing

and

were

fatherlyfriend,'his

'

dreadfrilly
long letters

physicianwith

young

his

to him

commendation

Humboldts

friendship

feelings of gratitudeand

beautiful

quently

into

but

pupil,recounts

the

to

Humholdts

the

as
great affection,

ripened

soon

at the
interestingcircle assembled
addresses Herz
subsequentletters Alexander

In

teacher,' and,

the

intercourse

occasional

41

HOME.

he often held

opinionsat variance with those

the reminiscences
of a lady who met
him
some
Kopniker
Gate^accordingto

the

plans of

around
years

Flrofeasor Sulzer and

him.
later

In
*

at

cillor
Privy-Coun-

Gerhard.
^

Frau

tate at

Ilgen,wife of the well-known

Schulpforta.See Laube, 'Modeme

director of the educational

Charaktere,'voL i. p. 366.

insti-

42

ALEXANDER

Jena, where

he

is described

often

was
'

as

wit,

on

and

good-looking man,

visit to his brother

he

William,

diplomat, a philosopher,always busy

electrical machines

with

HUMBOLDT.

yON

and
galvanic batteries,'
the

midoubtedly

'

handsomer

ble,
amia-

an

of

the

two

brothers.'
It will be desirable
fact that
Berlin

all the

almost
Jews

were

here

; and

chieflyreceived

middle

the

of

circles

around
While

the

the

of

that

pedantic

was

works

best

the

of

And

the

burst

adoration

that

spiritof

the

that
from

their
and

Henriette
*

their

They

of

that

writes

hatred

set

in

to

all

delight the

indulged
with

of

in

the

mired
ad-

mentality
senti-

jubilant

feeling reached

Lessing.

to

their

highest admiration,

world

the

of

had

of him

of established
of

sphere
dissipatethe depressingatmo-

von

as

restraints

had

fireed

generation, in emulation
around

spread over

very

and
literature,

irksome

chillinginfluences

Alexander

days^whenever

study

were

with

and

enthusiastic

the social world

societyproved

Herz

In those

to

read

of

fiery

Italian writers,they

Goethe,

and

formalities

dead

ference
pre-

the

the

hearts

inspired with

leader, seek

social life the

into

souls

their

count
ac-

school

severe

youthful

oppressedthe

enveloped

It appears
this kind

themselves

did this younger

rules,so

was

Chiistian

the

originalityand

they sympathised
of

their

of

all conventionalities

it from

now

society.

naive

Lessing,the object of
bonds

time

thoi^ht gathered by

English, and

Werther,

lectual
intel-

the

biography,that, on

disciplesof

obsolete.

and

Schiller, but

of

as

their

profound genius

in their

climax

with

French,

with
strains

of Jewish

which

agitationand

Jewish

the

in

prevailingin
of

nature, threw

poetic literature,by
violent

in her

earnest

women,

eastern

an

constituent

of

review

circles.

classes,men
centres

that

of notice

the

to

thought originatedby Lessing

Herz

became

men

philosophy,the
zeal

of

constraining influences

of the

to in this

that, especiallyat the

and

Henriette

by

worthy

Jewish

among

It is related

referred

important

an

phase

new

is

it

society at Berlin,

spoken of, the

particularattention

personages

early formed

element

to direct

which

follows

banish

and

tions
tradi-

empty

them.

Humboldt,

congenial

Alexander

them,

and

among

others,

attractive

; for

"

von

Humboldt

wrote

to

EAELY

me

or

seat

Tegel,

at

[Schloss

of

other

of,

that

was

his

be

more

ancestors.'

intimate

our

dated

This

his

they
a

read

wrote

young

by

entertaining

circle

chiefly

in

and

very

which

had

which,

by

the

should

that

everyone,
him

than

and

additional

to

help
not

was

in

of

society
visit

he

him

given

confess

the

"

Boredom

letters

the

It

successfully.

nobleman

to

of

in

family

the

from

"Castle

letter,

occurred

character,
instruction,

friends,

could

ladies

of

usually

Hebrew

some

thought

of

he

the

brother

which

member

Langweil].
in

wrote

his

other

any

43

HOMR

the

to
letters

Jewish

mansion

be

44

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT,

VON

CHAPTER

n.

COLLEGE

The

LIFE.

Philology The
of
at
Qottingen" -Short
Basalts of the Bhine '
Journeys ^ Ohservations on some
Journey irith
for
School
of Commerce
at Hamburg
G^ige Forster
^Application
Official Employment
School of Mines
at Freiberg.
Frankfort--Studi6s

Universily of

Winter

1788

Berlin

"

Finance

in

and

"

Uniyerfiityof

The

"

"

"

"

"

On

the

selfeame

William
Alma

and

Alexander

Viadrina,

that

time

Professor

under
of

year,

runs

judiciousand
there

be
a

selected

Pomerania

and

from

the

of

their

much

the

anatomy,

furnished
was

very

no

ill

inefficient.

mortuus

est, mater

be

provided

former

supplied,and

tutor.

frequented by

was
a

but

the

for

being

botanic
one

no

them

The

nobles

printing establishment

the

of

in auxiliaries

museum,

bookseller's

in

and

University,

young

garden,

would

care,

sadly deficient

Margraviate,was

there

watchful

mother's

could

their

fort
Frank-

consideration,that they

observatorynor

library;

Berolinensis,

accompanied by Kunth,

for scientific instruction, there

of

eighteenth

guardian, the Universityof

Loffler,their

however, though

his

Humboldt,

jam

meus

to be

were

home

of Professor

completed

of

entry

Berolini/

reach

comfortable

ab

Alexander

youths

within

had

at

"

conscientious

been

had

house

vivit ; domicilium
the

the

Ludwig Causse,

college registerthe

the

Studiosus; pater

Although

that

In

Fridericus

CameraUum
adhuc

rectorshipof Johannlsaak

fortnightbefore

follows

as

Henricus

'

at

University of Frankfort-on-the-Oder,

the
the

brothers,

two

matriculated

Humboldt,

von

Theology,

Alexander, who

1, 1787, the

day, October

and

no
no

hall
well*^

shop, which

exceedingly

46

ALEXANDER

with

sponded
had

they

in

as

for

to

me

far

as

the

be

given ^:

he

whole
the

on

excels

and

togetheras

You

in

used

rarely of

though

widely.' When

the

be

to

remained

is far

only

it lies in other

to

way

is my

joke

this is

you

branches.

He

imagine

can

concludes

interspersed. What
Kxmth

that

Aus

Haugwitz,
a

'

dem
W.

has

not

may

Nachlasse
von

vex

he

and

written

has

to

and

it is hi"
with

Hebrew

he writes

it.'

he

Again

Briefe

von

me

most

comical

Grreek, continued

some

i. pp. 72, 79.

gether
alto-

jokes

you

say of you

understand

Herz,*

information,

of the most
in

too

considering

often

very

one

with

friends,

they suppose
ledge.
general know-

partlybecause

me

German,

of

People

'

much

as

live

differ

"

others, he defends

VAmhagen's.
Humboldt, "c./ vol.

Ibid. vol. i. p. 57.

Ibid. vol. i. p. 98.

quite

me,

in

to

to Henriette

am,

; it is commenced

in

he

Though

Before

everyone.

and

Latin,

best

follows

than

possesses

partlyto

energeticwarmth.
letters

the

wrote

Berlin,as

talented

junior,he

he

you,

continue

particularlywhen

him,

more

that

about

in

ever

that he wastes

characters

our

is for

enjoy himself

not

greatlyhis superiorin abilityand

so

He

He

the

on

certainlynever

we

always

are

mind

same

misunderstand
me

and

William
Grottingen,

at

Alexander

while

do,

to

may
perament.
tem-

exceedinglyindustrious^

things. Moreover,

many

we

is

did

he

is withal

he

well.

the

period

brother's

not, however, suppose

must

this way

in

all his time

that

says himself

this
my

; he

attend

during

being dull,but

pretty

continuallyjoking

and

at Berlin.

more

himself

hardly

rarely

usual

had

Kunth,

I could

we

with

of

complains

amuse

sad, and

least

the

to

seems

move,

he

is true

as
as

impo^ble

dear friend.

on

wish

I sometimes

'

"

It

"

goes

Humboldt

von

^*It will be

expressionsconnected

holidays.' Other
here

Besides,

work

public lectures, our

the

William

going there, and

alone.

the

to

scarcelybe accomplished

for Christmas, my

journey

six to

study,which, according

Herz

be

There

from

in
exhaustively,

account

Henriette

to

see, will not

can

accomplish

in

this

to Berlin

come

as

Ou

session.
follows

writes

of

course

Berlin.

study at

University,would

of the

whole

of

finish

to

scientific

custom

method

former

accustomed

been

eightweeks,
usual

their

HUMBOLDT.

VON

writing
in

writes

Grreek,
to

her

Chamisso, Gneisenau,.

COLLEGE

this

on

subject under

give

you

of

me

fellow, and

he

heart.

at

the

stirred

These

to his friends

Friedlander,who

Beer,

medical

medical

he

eventuallyhe

died.

Beer

to

After

holding
for the
of

absent

pain

of

it.

lines.

I dread

when

not

to

attend

only time

to

tell you

Remember

letter

who

the

to

that

dear

on

me

substitute

pang.
sweet

so

is constrained

than

these

strike

jurisprudence;

to

few

th?:ee,
that

so

another

day.

excellent

wife,

more

his

and

counsellor

Friedlander, and

Herr

pleasm-e of

well, and, quantuTti fieri

are

we

friend,

certain

clock

the

writing

dear

poor

to-day

I shall write

life.

still bear

others

any

you

may

in remembrance.'

in November

1787,

is of

greater

"

thousand,
with

inclined

with

me

hear

lecture

followingletter,written

interest
A

to

me

with

The

'

happy

Veit, Levi,

to

meet

from

more

moment

every

potest, leading
also

expect

of

lies concealed

there

sooner,

the remembrance

being sentimental, one

have

we

have

Do

longing

to

little hindrances.

the

more

always associated

is

you

promise

letter is but

writes

from

personalintercourse, and

of

feeling,that,without

cherish

Yet

once

for the

Glogau, where

thousand

23,

philosophical

settled,my

enjoying

you.

friend

in this

even

in p.

to

to

heard

have

about

his studies

of time

somewhat

are

von

in the household

to

prevented by

my

with

converse

referred

earlier fulfilled my

we

prevent

can

enjoyment

an

But

that

never

be reckoned

must

physicianat

rejoicedto

been

not

Now

nothing

have

gladly have

if I had

you,

practisedas

has

William

by

inmate

an

deal

good

approbation,

nature

whom

addition

in

excellent

letters written

already been

who,

chievous
Mis-

interest.'

own

was

noble

fortnight'sseparation,Humboldt

I should

'
"

I would

and

and

devoted
profession,

subjects:

in his

student, who

Herz,

his

news

man.

love of

sketched

thus

as

has

useful

fact that

Berlin,among

at

'The

"

is indeed

overwhelming

or

times, he is reallymost

the

clearlyevinced

Counsellor

of

deep

any

are

this time

and

lies in

traits of Alexander

Humboldt

David

by

himself

prove

to be at

He

failingis vanity,and

of which

cause

been

chief

1789

February 14,

delightsme.

day

some

appears

His

of

fr^re

mon

will

as

date

47

LIFE.

which
to

thousand
you

quarrel

thanks,

my

dear

latelygladdened
with

you

for

me.

friend, for the

I feel indeed

believing

so

little in

kind
half
my

48

ALEXANDER

only

I cannot

kindness

leads

excuses,

Your

allow

such

to

hope

me

to

people from

many
had

that

from

him

your

absent

company

your

kind

other

the

and

friends

Whether

present position as

of life at

Berlin, are

it

which

to

for

not

were

the

spot

upon

the

Oder.

What

to make

mankind

before

appear

the

be
a

dull

me,

If

for

the

have

(I

character

of

of

bank

of

Goddess

of

herself

to

been

strivingto

fine writer, but

both

for every

ice-bound

can

so

amount

is created

the

here

place to

small

very

aim

contented

in

you

before

temple here)propose

no

mode

enjoy

we

mankind

exalted

more

former

my

whether

place, and
to

in

enjoyed

answer.
satisfactory

no

earth, consequently

of

remembrance

daily come

but

that

(who certainlyhas

Science
than

convinced

be

philosophy to

learnt

unhappy

societywe

indeed

would

requires,however,

It

us.

by

student

find

can

I have

yet forgotten
many

the

friendly intercourse

the

Frankfort

thoroughly,
of

brings

We

not

how

questions which

yet

as

here

on

acquaintances

knew

whose

attributed

have

like this

prefer my
but

old

here

us

will have

Friedlander.

only

to

my

going

now

with

letter.

to engross

thoughtlessnessthan

to

well, and

sweetened

been

have

you

Fair

If you

friends.

you

of all my

all

are

you

that
rather

pleasure in meeting

most

hours

Berlin, and

theme

silence
long (unintentional)
of friendship. The
any want

my

have

succeeded.)

not
'

while

of students

number

The

between

there

is

weeks

of

whom

one

medicine

only was

honores

cina

among

brought

to market

to attract

the

easier.

praeses

in most
behave

as

cannot

if the

to

so

than

Such
that

five

facilitate

must

not

it

the

merely

half-a-dozen

objectionsof

their

good

so

of

in medi-

must

wares

of
be

In Frankfort

the

The

words

first five

candidates,

called,is

write

simple acceptation.
put

the

manifestation

be

tor's
Doc-

many

acquisitionof

can

only

are

sunmios

customers.

many

disputation,if

it in its

cases

obtinendos."

so

During

fewer

physicians proves

degree,since

where

foreigner,disputed "ad

everything conspires

defend

no

; there

studying medicine,

are

conferred.

are

here,

legitime

eagerness

The

small

is very

universityin Germany

no

residence

our

here

230, eightonly of whom

and

220

degrees in

but

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Doctor's
nowhere

disputation,

respondents,who
together

opponents

were

in

Latin,

quite irre-

COLLEGE

levant.

read

They

patiently listen
however,

it is

able

being
doctors
When

there

here

shall

since

Hartmann.

that

Meier

feculty.

He

is,moreover,

Latin
these

versifier.

subjects.

Kunth,

the

to

latter that

I shall not

dare

that

instead

than

"

of

little

in

English

and

all my

feeling

from

She

shall then

Ever

great activity,and

A.

and

addressed

three letters
bear the
The

as

have

much

on

and

Herr
the

assure

received

assure

me

she is

dreadful

more

letter

Veit, and

to

Levi,

kind letter

they

was

than

was

death

sheet

William

me

on

almost
one,

made

every
as

after

even

very
B

evidence

and
had

in his

his

to

of

pupils,

been

called

fanadly. The

quarto size,and

19, 1787.
Humboldt

from

surpriseto
happy.

"

Frankfort,

account, yet the

great
me

prosecuted

furnish

of paper,

von

departure

your

been

Kunth

between

date, Frankfort, December

as

younger.'

at intervals

by

one

on

the

Friedlander, who

Frankfort

written

are

it distressed

I.

me,

able
agree-

following letters,belonging

existed

first letter is from

reasons

medical

an

too

with

to have

seems

introduced

to David

from

same

Sudden

VOL.

The

friendshipthat

were

entire

can

Humboldt

V.

maintained

was

be

here

period, may

suddenly away

'

Beer

America.

from

the close

thology,
pabut

yours,

correspondence with

his return
this

on

I have

she

also

me

'

with

"

pen

acquaintance.
*

His

say, until

Eemember

me.

the

brother

until

her

to

little vexed

pleased."

the

my

dear

medicae,

perhaps
as

man.

will at

lecturer

materiae

new

my

"om

his wife ; pray

and

is to

"

which

and

to write

complete absolution, that

kind,

nearly all

well

as

me,

counsellor

dear

this

and

enough

Eemember

you,

and
profoimd philologist

But

clever

bring

constitutes

Berlin, he

is at

there

properly the

is

As,

the

among

to

are

therapeutics,chemistry,
now

and

hope

they

He

that

deny

disputationsof

of

merit,

some

been

himself.

good physician without

I will not

Berlin, I

to

friend,a large store

of Professor

be

and

addresses

or

disputes with

prseses

have

not

may

49

'

compliments

quite possible to

return

least possess

the

speak Latin,

to

we

their

out

while

LIFE.

much

receipt of
me,

and

and,

ought

for

your
more

indeed

to

ALEXANDER

50

reckoned

have
doubts

are

exist

also

not

do

rejoiceto
be

to

two

Were

excuses

work

I have

been

entrusted

for him

the

perplex
think

would

he

benefit,

my

idea

an

to

and

me,

motive,
Do

not

and

on

the

forget at
the

evil
"

Mysterien

thanks

for

it,when

we

for the
my

slight

shall

you

I have

meet.

remembrances

remainder
brother

of
and

'

to

untruth.
have

have

only

left

read

this sheet

of paper

room

has

been

'

To

be the

dearest

Humboldt

youngest

unfortunatelyintrudes
first page

of this sheet

him

of the

of

truth.

grateful

by

grand

received
former

to

; -many
care

you

the

desire

for
my

household^

appropriated

Kimth.

Herr

Farewell, my

von

for

surely

more

all your

friend.

Ever
*

Alexander

give

of my

the

myself

post

love

have,

and

is necessary

condone

yourselfand

to

he

opinion,if

my

letter,it

excellence

him

my

minutes

will

your

assure

thus

Guibert," and

"

time

same

to

the

that

all the

of the

violence

do

that

by

scientific

new

that

will be

sake

the

For
once

some

see

with

employment,

create

then

; for

few

kind

so

other

to

affection, and

of

and

them

affectionate

by

for

must

answer

of

amount

hear
a

only

politeneas.

past

to find

some

will

have

Engel

to

to

were

something

he

must

philosophicand

even

to Berlin

return

old friend.

you

me

obliged

contrary ;
my

me

to

tell him

unchangeable

truth
'*

Eather

devoted

my

himself

the

of

find

to

reply,you

time

some

if he

and

which

in

him

for

entire

permit

not

weeks

several

during
would

did

labour

That

the

not, however, say this

country,

again ?

find suflSlcient in

I have

this

greatly

(for I

has

how

of

Do

of

than

not

heart

want

to do.

reviewing

increased

I could

my

bashfulness

of

Frankfort)

at

of

they

will

your

cheerful

tardiness

the

to tell you

and

since

should

friendship?

me

comforted

token

needed,

his kindness

literature

allow

; but

more

of

sustained, by which

you

months

been

of

see

stage of love,why

stage

have

apologise for

not

consider

task

certain

but

remembrance,

yonr

certain

deeply wounded

so

I shall
I

in

in

loss you

refer to the
been

natural

so

of

proof

this

on

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of the
itself

then

continues

femily has
even

fallen to my

into

one

W.

yours,
Humboldt.'

"

disadvantage,which

this letter ; for had

share, you would

then

the
have

COLLEGE

been
of

dear

able, my

(inthe

things

?),to
place,and

actual

rise from

make

world, or only

bad

to better.

of

use

to

me

as

upon

collections

to dispense with

asked

often
how

that
look

ber

to

to

me

be

because

gratified the

wish

"

affection

point of

whatever

endurable

only

Fair,

to

from

me

gratulating
con-

your
be

that

do not

and

from

glad
I

am

tell you
the

at

sad

ship
friend-

your

of

one

to express

warmest

my
to

you

that

be

it may

thought

sonally
per-

Eemem-

everything.

rest assured

the

light of

feelings. I ardently

above

view

the

it not

trust

these

prize your
and
your family circle,

here, from

to

style

middle

(I should

departure

with

me

out

as

this sort, were

venture

next

our

will then
how

is

will credit

you

bring

of satires.

sudden

phers
philoso-

unfortunate

contribution.)I

your

leaving,for

forward

wishes

at

was

of your

cause

of

all sides for

on

sorry

collection

my

of

faults in

unwarrantable

as

progression

heads

if my

as

the

me

foil to

infinite

in the

But,

give

surrounding objects,is quite

me

the

friend,according to

glaringenough,

not

were

51

LTFJB.

residence

my

regarded by

that

it is

you,

necessary

evil.
'

Ever

yours,
'

'

P.S.

be ascribed
stands

in this instance

Kunth

stupid than
concludes

in

small

unfair

the

way,

at

my

the

of

of

sheet

sheet.

would

rather

to write

since

is after
you

possibly
must

cut

do

cutting is

not

libertyto

acquittalm

forma probatissimafor Engel. If Ijeshould still entertain

doubt,I shall be happy to pay back the principalat the
B

the

you

all at
an

most

and

glad if

this art of

I send

Herewith

be

so

me

in

thereby may

I shall

one

left

to you

Meanwhile

little.

but

have

it stands

that

you

predecessors,

my

they

paper

I have

desire

me

which

much,

so

according to my cloth,and
mistake greatlyin thinking that
second

who

Kunth,

"

coat

Herr

to

despatch. I

use

disposal. That

gainer concerns

this letter must

said

wholly undeserving of merit,

take

to

but

me

modesty

has

this

on

space

I have

be the

not

own

proportionto

time

my

his

follows

as

prevailsin

to

me

the younger.

disorderlygenius.'

Notwithstanding

each

not

behind, admonishing

be called

lyricaldisorder which

The

Humboldt

any
next

52

ALEXANDER

Fair.

for

As

pleasurethis
this view

the

matter

He

is

If

you

his

because

I ask

stay

If you

from

but

you,

long,unfortunately,before

will be very

he

college friends

Coimt

Alexander

Frankfort

between

appointed

Minister

William

Instruction.
the

Tbey
count's

young

died

in

1837

in

and

also

KUNTH.'

and

science

events

and

illuminates

our

valuable
years,

are

own

for
found

of

the

time,

In

these

portraying
the

forward

reflect upon

to

the

the

future

further
with

past,'writes

the

became

warmest

evidence

of

Humboldt

the

of his zeal for

of

lightupon

reflection

the

other

of

which
furnish,

next

two

friends,Metzand

Sartorius,
much

at

boldt
by Hum-

the

gleam

is known.
as

young

letters,which

of several

names

nothing

Public

Church

express

give

as

Albinus,

to him

history of

the

Keverberg, Herzberg, Bertram,

concerning whom

with

Lutheran

throw

was

time

same

youth'snature,

that

day.

1808

at

theologian,who

young

1790,

knowledge, and

persons

details
to be

friendship. They

love of

in

Humboldt

von

the

and

1788

studied

Beligion and

letters still extant, addressed

years

tioned
men-

well-informed, assiduous

Alexander

genuineness of

and

nobleness

of

and

the

at

be

who

friendlyterms

on

Wegener,

to

1788,

Prussia,

superintendent of

devoted

most

and

Minister

became
were

the

between

look

State

companion,

as

The

Ziillichau.

ner,

of

stronglyattached

most

the

1786

of all his friends

But

man.

years

about

me

may

DohnaoSchlobitten,

von

it

again.

Humboldts

the

the

Humboldt

von

of

say

deserves

'

the

not

Yours,

Among

man.

in return, for it

meet

we

panion
com-

object,or

to tell

him

by

made

Berlin.

see

I will

so"

because

lines

few

of

is

this

further

anything

me

to

towards
do

bearer

worthy

vacation

way

in

He

most

that

probably

here.

is

Christmas

any

have

send

may

and

agreeable,pray

more

this favour

thoroughly.

Engel, you

in

The

you

walks

it in the

I think

loser.

whom

Dohna,

reckon

to

you.

no

your

of the

him

assist

render

so

Count

young

taking advantage
can

of

some

be

with

Albinus,

acquaintance during
to the

will

you

have

afforded

has

contest

letter is Herr

this

will

interest,you

merry

of the

HUMBOIJ)T.

VON

Fickert,

Could

pleasure as
to this

friend

I
I

only
can

from

54

ALEXANDER

branch

this
are

of classic

kindred

on

modem

Authors

Basalt

of

Basalts

definite

nothing
the

Yet

within
from

to be

him

Greek

in

from

and

of

charge

to

an

tells him

that

he

Bartholdi,

and

*was

his
in

me?

understand
imderstands

he

accents, but

already

writes

with

be able

much

too

in German

stand
under-

of my

upon

it with

had

constraint

impossibleto define,although

I should

greater energy.
am

The

I confirmed

I know

more

in my

for all the

certainlyvery

ill contrived

sand
may
that

yet

the

easily be
I

am

have

since

long

foundation

true

shall
not

things

relaid,

of

and
to

so

me

fore
(there-

master

work

to

something
of its

of

to build

contend
that

therefore

it

Sx^Bva in

Upo^fjTtjCf
t\iSva,

fluence
in-

with

language,the
that

house

sttucture

does

was

powerful

it is the

learning.

my

and

have

only

always
a

will

hard,

could

of the Greek

temporary

decline

these

prosecuted this study

year.
*

From

preconceived opinion

of

only learning

conscious

higher branches

foundations

not
"

possibly

shoulders),you

If

pleasure.

was

Greek.

in

progress

and

friend.

own

againsta disagreeablemental

more

all

much,

dear

my

inclination,and

own

my

Thus

"

put together without

all rest

study

to

"

knows

does

worship

who

'

to-day, my

I have

judge

continue
followed

for

faults must
to

God

matter.

this

me.

lines,which
the

Your

"

still

'

letter concludes

The

few

No
"

Panza

ceiving
re-

grammatical reputation
declension,

without

was

first declension.'

the

in

save
error

Greek,

in

Sancho

with

on

his friend

to

say

were

period,

"

to

the

information

only
letters

his

he

otters

this

I must
freelyconfess that I fear you will not
prefece:
I have
of all that
written, and then
a syllable
have

and

On

at

The

from

in order

letter

formal

'

Strabo,' which

studies,even

gathered

prophets

the

of ancient

Ancients

of

ascertained.

be

month,

the

earlywritings

Mineralogical Observations

of his

course

instructions

strugglingwith

Basalt

the

Bocks

beginning of May

In the

Wegener.

work,

of his

Ehine.'

can

subjectis

as

Columnar

his

the

On

Syenite of

the

the

of the

Concerning

on

and

into

incorporated
some

Pliny

On

'

several

philology,for

subjects,such
'

HUMBOLDT.

VON

not

my

It

was

on

mere

as

mine

distress

me

nineteenth

COLLEGE

Engel

'

explainingto

was

inanner,

how

advanced

in

in

the

should

we

the

me

have

Greek

the

and

before

she

theme

bishops of

Church

instead

copy
of

the

had

of the

repairthe

of

which

Latin

examination,

On

Humboldt

knowledge

his

thoughts

"

the

study

subjecthave

and

of

at Frankfort

of

of

'I have

be

in

Berlin

; his

of

'

of these
the

notice

to

tion
logicaleduca-

the

Humboldt

that

remarks

in p.

the

by

26,

menced
com-

Pictet

to

but

on

this

additional

some

following letter

walk
solitary

seeking for

perfection.
is

yet there

Wegener

to

nature.

the purest and

most

in

the

the

feet of existence

mere

up to Him

who, in the language of Petrarch,

philosophy of

the reflections

alle

vita

they inspirewith

Willdenow

in these

is the

pursuits;

!),and

Leibnitz

circumstances,

are

solitude

but

dear

certain

only
we

with
"

one

are

when

friend,
delicious

here
both

who
so

of

thousands

(precious
heart

lifted

le stelle

muove

erbe, ai musci,

my
a

by

alone

complete enjoyment

the

da

fungi,which
about

this

thoughtof

viaggio torto, e

Thiergarten,

pleasure,surrounded

innocent

rejoicingin

in

in the

to wander

attractive

be

To

sad

How

February 25 (1789).

lichens,and

mosses,

something

occupied with

me

the value

views

philosophicalarrangement
doubt,

at

given

in from

been

just now

My friend

Apostolic

:"

where I have

....

in

interest

great

no

botany

furnished

just come

of creatures

preparation

expressing his

'

with

plish
accom-

professors.'

already been

particulars are

(wc)

all

that Eoman

in

Tongues

may

the

sojourn

this

during

was

of

consequence,
Berlin

the

given by

loro

Bome

engaged

opportunity

all events

varietyof

of

of

complete

must

its

indifferent

wrought by

was

Gift

the

an

is at

And

and

instead

an
original,

mischief

Wegener

sentiments, it

are

Greek

established

not

good

theologicalsubjects. Whatever

It

the

perfect and

most

amount

vast

can

on

Times,' gave

of his

farther

'

bishop!

upon

admirable

an

centuries

introduced, in consequence,

language in place
languages. What
a

for his

several

the

Western

literature,the

The

day, in

philosophy,enlightenment, taste, the arts, "c., if,

Churches,

supremacy

other

been

great struggle between

Latin

55

LIFE.

alle
which

"

pietre

tinge

melancholy I

sympathises
closelyoccupied

56

ALEXANDER

that

it is

hand

in

that
only occasionally
the

hand, through

believe

that

of

out

the

scarcely four, besides

HUMBOLDT.

VON

And

ordinary exercise

ought
to

incited

the

of finance

corrupt system

important

more

be

sought

many

out

have

they

in

exist

powers

must

Numbers

the

from

farthest

in

foot

oiu:

reveals

them, when

lost,or,

much

as

by

little

except

as

is

training of
few, while
which

to

the

human

me

to the

all the

powers

endowed

by
It

wants.

the

human

they

nothing
the

may

to

in

reached
that

for

there

them

belief that

"

benefit

to

of

and

food

the

people

of the

is either

to

those

the

the

that

the

half-dozen

in

for the

that

every

similar

department

the

truth

is

nothing

discover.

in

the

in

to

from
whole

half-dozen

opposition
has

satisfaction

been
of

our

misconceptions pervade
of

every

thought

shun

think

men

direction, and

left for them

They

only

globe)contain

vegetable kingdom

providence

jective
sub-

studies

anticipatedto

suppose

science

for the

is obvious
of

one

widely

profession,

means

which

use

as

medical

the

accident

to

they

improve, and

investigationfrom

everything is already investigated. The

spiritis apparent

bring

beneath

some

specimens covering the

me

could

we

discovery

most

cause
be-

employment

trodden

are

centuries

be

(I say

which

How

is made,

use

products which

very

be

mistake

beneficent

seems

should

sustenance

no

possibly,as
to

with

mind

have

imagine

mind

different

20,000

which

members
or,

cultivate

we

of

means

chance

it appears

A\Tiat

plantswhich

people, the

course

but

the

greatest

race.

the

regarded by

amusement,

an

upon

rarelyhappens, is developed and

to any

use

impose

furnish

another

more

propagated. Botany
of very

in

which

unrecognised,but which,

of the

land

in

burden

quarters of the globe

own

rise

the

of

they only be developed,might

for thousands.

consequent

ever-increasingdeficiency.

been

the

greater

heavier

fresh

nature

hitherto

the

for

the

higher

the

meet

to

recreation

professionalduti^

"

the

it that

is

their

pursuits?

provisions,and

of

price

such

population, the

in

increase

follow

to

of

as

of

especiallyall politicaleconomists,

physicians,and

not

be

as

are

branch

this

secondary study,or

even

the

cultivate

ourselves,who

you

Berlin, there

in

people

145,000

together,
Will

of nature.

temple

vast

physicalscience
yet, in

able to wander

are

we

and
religion,in politics,

in

all

same

subjects

COLLEGE

wherein

the

botany
the

which

in
the

there

work

the

on

such

been
of

working

send

do

time.

Pray

author

forthwith

next

; I

years, and

ten

do

that

In

and

it may
we

Our
the
we

most

that

walks

hitherto

been

flowers which

botanyis
name

here

we

unknown
had

noble
of

follows:

but

of

have

course

I
of

course
as

appear

an

for

happen

the

discovered

our

us,

for

of

we

of

no

creation.
re-

more
a

than

pleasureit

there

is when
The

which

had

missed

the

The
An

by

rest,
peculiarinte-

plant

bloom.

clergymen.

others.

together.

with

we

them

among

surrounded

are

some

in

hours

yielding you

notice

favourites

because

delighted

am

find

will

of

invested

lately been

*I

"

talking sentiment,

What

first discovered

occupation

to

friends,and

worthy

made.

to

things which

in your

you

Without
our

placesbecome
insignificant
because

enlist

the

plans in

capable

more

several

in

I shall have

since
longer solitary,

occasionallymeet

perties
pro-

astonishment.

shall

that

loneliness

more

have

of

are

fieurbeyond

far

with

going

am

study botany

to

one

some

no

are

and

with

I trust

plantsbecome

acquaintances we

of the

inexpensive enjoyment.

naturally find

Thus

all my

again as

present

be said that

jects
sub-

important.'

and

fascinatingpursuit,nor
pure

They

endeavouring to

amusement,

time

going

your

But

with

you

to be

friends.

my

intend

he writes
are

you

avail is

great research,.

botany, as

gaping

not

that

by

afterwards

to hear

of

me

new
something startlingly

Soon

of

therefore

am

imagine

not

what

collectingmaterials

am

requiring such

particularsof

further

you

writingsof

propagation?

constantlymeeting

am

set
(to speak familiarly)

will

me

in modem

little interest.

since

for

only

researches

my

for its

but

work

and

it

at

in the

in

propertiesof plants,medicinal

various

powers,

awakened

confirmed

been

upon

sions
priori conclu-

friend,for wearying

co-operationof several

the

been

buried

means

profound knowledge

unassisted

my

no

to me,

it is

technologists. Of

and

have

can

you

excepted ;
and

have

dear

highest importance

for

which

exist

forgiveness,
my

crave

found

chemists

discovery if

any

I have

botanists,and

by expert

times

discoveries

great

remarks

My

solelyupon

contrary,these thoughts have

the

earliest

the

associated.

are

founded

not, however,

are

; on

by

herd

common

57

LIFE,

study

of

Englishman

Ray (Riius),holding priest'sorders

in

the

58

Church,

was

ALEXANDER

VON

of

greatest

one

the

HUMBOLDT.

Jacquin, the distinguishedbotanist

for his travels

Jamaica

in

in his seventieth

of

book,

of this

copy

perusal till the

its

elements

of

comparison

with

ask

to

the

the

is

do

not

plete
com-

attempt

investigationof

opportunity of

nature, is

acceptance

your

; pray

leaf,for

in

are

is celebrated

botany which

remembrance

botany indoors, without

of
direct

trees

who

times.

America, published when

I venture

as

former

of

Vienna,

South

and

magnificent work.

and

of

compendium

year

botanists

and

dry

the

ting
institu-

most

some
weari-

undertaking.'
this

To

time,
work,

Upas,

is due
an

the

treatise

the

drawn

was

of

memory

the

to

; his

note

'

Galvanism,'

refers to this treatise

remark

De

that

Arbore

valuable

M.

Le

of

stores

It may

by
well

ecclesiastical

maintain

'

Gazette

*
"

knowledge,

lectures

on

and

It is

before

litter, de

it in
ii. p.

ments
Experi-

expressly

it and

make

exercise

notes

numerous

added

already possessed

are

evidence

from

Provost

of

keen

that

the

cier
finan-

yoimg

the

lips

of

Counsellor

and

Zollner's

(and this

Zollner

1270

and

you

possesses

of

he

boldly

may

only a

1271, for January

an

tility
versa-

theological acquirements,

falsehood

of

tinguished.'
pre-eniinentlydis-

so

technology

Berlin/ Nos.

he

French

find

everyone)that

tion
atten-

Thimberg's treatise,

describing to Wegener

gross

his

; his

note

surpriseto

extensive

afterwards

(1795),vol.

as

give

his later works

some

of

been

and

le Bohun

from

he remember

The

have

to

It

note),in which

undertaken

dignitary,Zollner,

talent
:

him

After

Ann.'

did

de Nans.

Sur

made

had

translation

Bauld

occasion

Consistory.

continues

was

which

attending

of

it

prove

observation

Chem.

literary

only when

Gases,'p. 376,

Macassariensi,'

work

the

the

he

for his tutor

to

quotations

his own,

as

Berlin.'

de

vol. ii. p. 141,

this

at

unknown

entitled,

and

Subterranean

pursuit
'

Humboldt,

'

in

the

in French

publications(Crell's

various

favourite

his first almost

jeune Gentilhonmie

un

par

botany, his

of

publicationof

anonymous

escaped

106,

love

strong

super-

5 and

12,

1789.
^

'

the

of Macassar,in the
[The UpaA-tree,or poison-tree
This Upas-tree was
again called to remembrance
Manzanilla-tree
in Meyerbeer's' Afiikanerin.'

island of

by

the

Celebes.]

of
description

COLLEGE

"cial

with

acquaintance
have

of-tific

had

Tvliich,

during

delivered

as

of

variety
physics,

subjects,such
truly of

very

know
time

some

"

His

the

other

heard

day

from

of

cost

on

"c.

great

Biester

What

"

is

that

extensive
a

tures
of lec-

course

the

of

some

re-

Zollner

does

so

imdertaking

this

scien-

hydraulics, botany,

of medicine
of

his

the

information

mineralogy,

desirous

was

anatomy,

on

him

treats

technology,

on

worth

mechanics,

as

knowledge

he

ago

well

are

of

judging

lectures

repletewith

are

subjects he

of

of

course

chemistry, medicine,

xaarked
not

by Zollner,

ducats, for they

lOO

multi"rious

the

good opportunity

attainments

59

LIFK

physicians

here/

Humboldt

continued

branches.

Besides

etching.

Among

heads

inches

ten

A.

School

free-hand

and

designing,

"

of

by

Athens,'

lower

other

represents

clothed

forti, 1788.'

places

seven

imdoubted

head

of

and

drapery

wearing

pinx.'
work

as

interest

as

works

of

being

the

the

with

man

hand

art, they
work

the

beard,

bears
fee.
in

heads

the
aqua

many
possess

nevertheless

are

Humboldt

of

right-

is visible
of the

the

picture;

Humboldt

neither

though

etching,and

v.

of another

the

figure in
of

two

from

study

of

art

Baphael pinx.'

'

turban, and

A.

is

left

extreme

the

as

possession are

our

half-lengthfigureof

the

especial merit

any

is the

well

as

inscribed

one

in all its

drawing

ing,
practisedplan-draw-

forti,1788,'

the

at

The

in this

the

Bembrant

'

inscription

he

in

specimens

and

group

rich

in

art of

drawing,

fee. aqua

hand

the

engineer-drawing,

other

Humboldt

V.

cultivate

to

of

when

youth.
the

Under

tuition
in

progress

success

remarking

of

killing
Kant's
*

expect

present
with
the

himself

works,

to

to

to

his

with
and

learn
think

Humboldt

of

great

study

brother,

lives and
a

the

study,

has

deal

that

had

and
of

from

he
the

then

at

already
in his

moves

such

practicalmatters,
shelf.'

Fischer,

applied mathematics,

marked

with
After

of

subjects.

now

practicalsciences.
Gottingen,
read

the

for I have

am

speculation must

self
him-

devoted

system,'he

him,

able
consider-

made

so

*he

whole

is
of

continues
no

time

at

busily occupied
needs

be

laid

on

60

These
the

lectures

in

furore

1789

weeks

by

that

time

at

for aesthetics

'Moritz

"

fifteen

to

have

been

delivered

His

into

passes

another

into
upon

form

marshals

mixture

of the

Again

much

the

on

beautiful, I
is

In

the

active

to

the

events

who

writes

of
:

monads.]

these

I*

An

and

Moritz

that

ensued

feast of

to

On

the

fests
mani-

of

propositions
His

quence
elo-

between
be

boldt
Hum-

made

sionally
occa-

capital,especiallywhen

mark
one

her

see

popularity.'

fail to

not

of

one

flashes

pleasure.

of his

occurring in

civilisation.

with

the

What

to

his

approve

sorbed
ablive

"

actual

real

some

secret

could

nature

being

vegetable

words,

order

in

man

was

One

II est sublime!

"

created

is the

too

life till it attain

hearing

disposed to

somewhat

"

of

the
of

of

the

occasions

he

history

these

"

[The science
taught that
to

On

to

that

one

; therefore

monadology

reference

of

missing

perfection. Animals

animal

correspondence

events
were

advancement
thus

felt

listened

Wegener,

to

intellect

fascinating,and

and

those

as

the

of

But, notwithstanding all, he

of

acuteness

Little

genius.

and

him.^'

perfectionsin

own

Berlin,

attended

example:

animals

upon

Nature

''

of

organisation,by becoming

exclaimed,

court

from

discourse, it

...

is raised

life."

of materialism
I

monads

human

the
for

errors,

gradually through
in

excite

lectures

fluent,but

of

matter

live

they

counted

brilliant

most

three

numbers

and

Grermany.

inferior

; an

mankind

rise

highest

the

superior one,

grass,

life must

in

of brilliant

mixtiure

strange

for

As

be

Berlin

about

never
greatest regularity,

deliveryis dignifiedand

declamatory.

lectures

"

in March

Wegener

may

Neale,

certainlythe

are

of

distinguished ladies

Count

Art

whole

Arts, and

of

his audience

the

They

ever

them.

with

attending
in

to

of

course

Academy

most

Heinitz,

ofl"cials attend

relates

his
the

the

of

minister

lecture.

the

hall of

twenty

him

-Esthetic

setting the

^and he

"

the

on

were

applause. Among

the

court

Moritz

conmienced

in the

ago,

universal

and

delivered

which

HUMBOLDT.

occupations prevented

multifarious

lectures

VON

ALEXANDER

which,

of monads
all bodies
as

importantpart of the philosophyof Leibnitz,

tuents,
are
compounded of certain piimaiy consti-

an

simple substances

without

parts,he

gave

the

name

of

62

ALEXANDER

BerKn

shared

awakened.
The

the

ascent

selected

the

as

The

the

front

and

the

he

showered

of

preserved:

been

I
sistory,

learn

heard

doubt

"

that

in

throughout

of

what

that

the

is

on

is

speak

of

these

be

knowledge
able

to

than

Of

speak
be

injudicious. Many

of Latin

versa.

in view
the

very

more

usefulness

and

what

Latin

yet

will

use

be

Would

not

the

the

C!on-

have

have

of

cause

no

such

for

WoUner's

be

each

at

rejected.

examination^

itself

he

outl)

has

regulationsappear
may
to

country

aim

the

intellectual

by catechisinghim

on

the

gifts of
whole

the

range

to

good

possess

speak it, and

parson

to

examiners

successfully
accomplished by deciding
of the

no

be conducted

must

totallyunable
to

has

principal alteration.

men

it be

letter

examination

should

being present
Both

we

his

alarmed

Latin

actuallyaccomplished.

vice

the

am

the

wear

to

been

and

You

on.

learningyou

soon

(his

far

sum

have

in

seat

upon

will

so

to

in another

going

debates

this

gifts

the

Wollner

to

has

zeal

which

realised

appears

examinations

and

Latin,

insists further

Wollner

me

he

matter, but I confess

therefore, cannot

Whoever,

with

him

piece still remaining

Zollner

extensive

your

propositionwas

back

munificent

Albanus, Kohler, Schiiz, Israel, "c.

as

left.

aeronaut

saluted

the

reference

result of the

in the

parachute

the

the

la

his exhibitions.

small

some

something

With

anxiety

first

from

Now

the

candidates.

men

Besides

Fortunately the followingpassage

edict.

bonnets

on

troops

foregoingletter

it contained

gather that

court

the

proceeds of

the

purposely torn off,but

whole

public greeted him at the

applause, and the king distinguished

the

of

last leaf

The

banners

by royal personages,

as

of the

The

conveyed

personalfavour.

thalers

of 12,000

parade

troops

balloon, with

alighted,the

of

him

upon

2,000

gromid.

of

day.

Brandenburg gate, was

with

car

the

princesses wore

six horses

by

shouts

marks

the

in the form

right side

with

by

him

for

and

highest militaryhonours,

theatre

the

of

keep

to

were

place where

the

from

of the

in

queen

royalcarriagedrawn

hero

imposing spectacle,and

time

which

the

fSted

most

discovery had

new

an

stationed

present.

on

the

the

place of exhibition,where

garrisonwere
Blanchard,

HUMBOLDT.

which

was

made

was

that

hung

enthusiasm

Blanchard

ground, at

was

VON

future

be

have
as

to

preacher

of Christian

ter-

COLLEGE

which

minology,

is

theology?
but

for

Xiatin

in

only another

All the

few

And

Wollner's

been

modified

only

be

model

be

to

drawn

the

On

of
thalers
ode

Humboldt

the

other

day

innocent

of

is

nothing

My

from
Those

of

serve

as

is imfor-

various

sub-

examination

are

pass, it will
that

fall

it is not

the hands

into

short

the

pair

Court
that

of favour

twice

ship
censor-

fined
^a

"

of

get

of
the

the
most

garters,*without

Censorship.

you

have

The

gossipshere

ten

wedding

occasion
not

of

the

was

poem

could

falsehood.

gross

out

Unger

"

on

All

is in and

Lottum,

experience1 1 11 1
a

lately,on

the

heard

He

day.

This

about
make

has

really

to fear.'

Friend,

dearest

dearer
you,

"

the

happy

happiness can

are

my

Frankfort

Li those

me

heart

be

days

March

1789

I find words

can

are

The

; the

intensely do

more

never

to

is dated

How

last letter gave

you

this visit to Berlin

during

and

Wegener,

pleasure your
the

And

before

letter to
'

the

imposed through

printing a

last letter he wrote

The

to

which

up,

it will not

couplets printed

he

that

those

subjects,and

certainlysee

remarks

Countess

disgraceis

Wollner's
out

licence.
the

own

my

will

were

for

garters laid

the

having

that

press

of

of

regulation should

that

the

marriage

shall

'

restrictions

^without

"

drawn

was

Hebrew

form

new

method

the

If this

mercy

be

other

of

say, has

to

case

applicationin

subjectand

What

Silberschlag!

of

is to

by Zollner, who

the

in

prepared

passed. Lastly, a

prescribed.
up

rejectedwho

thankful

am

rejectionin

of universal

made
The

strict.

too

ill

but

are

to be

consistories.

be

of

ground

for all examiners

tnnately
both

This, I

be

regulationthat ignorance of

it has

state

should

tions,
defini-

to

proposition

candidate

Hebrew.

the

who

this

in

by

made

candidates

with

acquainted

not

disputation

Another
"

matic
dog-

sion,
apprehen-

interrogated as

every

conduct

to

be

to

of

filled with

are

subjects.

of

that

was

have

they

arrangement

candidates

trash

the

for

name

competent

are

63

LIFE.

fexther

long

gone

for

for

again. Nevertheless

to express

am

yom-

the

of you,

separated
presence.
for

such

fervent

love

ever,

my

well
fare-

"

I know

more

is

days a customary wedding present.

64

ALEXANDER

sincere

and

friendshipfor

""reer.

changed.

alone, and

am

free

as

may

appear

kept

as

as

confidence.

appears

to have

study of

have
will

been
ever

will

the

friend

like you

know

alone

this

in

by

side !

my

Serious

life.

Gottingen

is

nature

Of

all my

whether

world's

should

pation
occu-

best ; therefore

to

as

strong passion

no

the

me

for

whom

absorbing study of

an

happy
inexpressibly

how

happy,

walk

by

men

power.

judgment

will,and

own

opportunities

many

observingthe
persuaded that

you

pent-up

personal happiness

temptations of

the

being

position,however, with
sphere of my previous life

found

by

Wegener,
to

his

his

set

of his

overwhelming

an

from

me

am

induced

calm

strong enough

the

in

yourselfpronounce

can

How

with

dear

friends,my

as

yet

nature

me

preserve

you

I have

been,

surrounded.

and

new

Limited

human

sway

my

After

longs to
of

architect

contemplate

modest

the

the

circumstances

condition.

man
leading-strings,

agent

misery.

the

as

world

the

in

step

accordingto the movement

free

critical

; and

agent

first

my

be, I rejoicein the

to

in action

become

take

to

now

child in

powers

or

soul

the

imperishable as

as

are

you

now
returning to my former
givesthem birth 1 I am
But my
whole position
My collegelife begins afresh.

-which

is

HUMBOLDT.

VON

am

slipperypath.

I
a

be, if

I had

perfect desert

to

plentyof acquaintances; but my

oh ! miserable
brother,Dohna, Stieglitz,
Mecklenburg, Bing, and
I shall find there

I know

me.

"

me

people

with

among

800

"

have

there

must

whom
men

friendship,but

other

out

before

we

other ?
where
side

Were

not

To

in my

be
I

you

how

with

some

to find

friend
friend

whom

"

what

whom

I could

form

find

each

three

made

were

months
for the

one

existence

an

I could

appear
the

at

your

affections 1

My departure is fixed for the 8th of April, and

planned my journey through Magdeburg, Helmstadt,
places,and

And

place by

'

and

that

not

we

acquaintedfor

all

are

"

doubt

before

is it often

and

sympathy.

be

malum

avertant

completelywe

without

hope

Dii

no

long

how

discovered

can

quod

Keverberg

"

Nordheim.
remain

court, I

journey.

In

for

Although
some
days

doubt
any

reaching Gottingen

to

shall

at

stop

Brunswick,

if I shall be able
case,

it will

give you

news

at each

be

my

of my

where

to write

have

wick,
Bruns-

of
I

these
must

to you

first business
arrival.'

on
on

COLLEGE

In

those

much

time

more

letter

the

here

pains
distinguishedmen,
Humboldt

It will not,

Grottingen,

is usual

than

that influenced

motives

travellers

for

customary

was

and

of

acquaintance
to

it

days

65

LIFE.

now

this

and

in the

of

out

Johann

to

Friedrich

stadt, and
in

his way

on

the

Universityof Gottingen,delivered

to the

Helm-

Universityof

the

PfaflF,
professorat

distinguishedmathematician

most

insert

that

at

time

Germany
'The

of this route

Fischer, which

Himiboldt,

of the

one

place to

Professor

from

expend
seeking the

was

selection

therefore,be

of introduction

in

to

"

bearer

of

1789, *is Herr

whose

this

the

Humboldt,

von

Fischer

letter,'writes

April 5,

on

of two

younger

brothers,

the
and
regards mathematics
study of the ancient languages,I have for many
years taken
not
a
possibly recall hearing
unimportant part. You
may
in

education,

mention

me

to think

venture

also to
head

in

and

branches

various

or

become

will find

"

"

friend

8.
"

whose

sively
exclu-

convinced

am

; but

I trust

the

ject
sub-

in

him

not

shall

both

sides

society

during the

weeks

first few

to Pfaff.^

confidential

interestingcomments

residence

of his

which
letter,

The

upon

letter

bears date
some

of his

which
tingen,
at Got-

May

Ibid. p. 231.
I.

1,

studies,

Sammlung von Briefen gewechseltzwischen Johoan Friedrich

Dr. Karl Pfaff (Leipzig,
1863),p. 170.
w., herausgegebenvon

VOL.

he

of

appreciatedon

'

u.

the

1789, contains
*

ficiency.
pro-

attention

mathematician
distinguished

also

in

considerable

his

devote

to

education

of these times.

knowledge he already possesses

I lose
for all practicalpurposes.

addressed

fashion

attained

has

highly this acquaintance was

apparent from the friendly and

Humboldt,

excellent

an

politicaleconomy,

How
ife

his

on

your

present
of

he

able

good pupil, but

is

one

the

sufficient

miss.'

been

elder

The

younger

to mathematics,
partially

even

have

only

he

the

student

which

of

Had

he

is

one

the

received

have

accordingto

one

younger

would

that the

heart, and

Berlin.

at

were

you

acquaintance,and I
acquaintancewill prove an agi'eeable
two brothers
are
highly giftedboth

yourself. The

therefore not
The

when

name

alreadyat Gottingen, and

He wishes to make
join him.

to

one

as

is

brother
way

the

both

Pfaff,

66

ALEXANDER

and

proprietybe

with

may

VON

HUMBOLDT.

inserted

interruptingthe chronologicalorder
I

greatlyindebted

am

makes

kindness

Your

to

him

higher expectationsthan

and

slender abilities

received

with

me

take
^

of

As

the

destined

am

to

otherwise

has

invariably

visited

him
could

"Who

instructive.

in

follow

Unfortunately, the

branches

various

mathematics

an

as

I have

career

attractive, requires an

very

in

attainments

I have

country

only

can

excited

truly great ?

so

my

to Eastner.

have

Kastner

kindness.

man

serve

politicaleconomy,

auxiliaryscience.

letter

limited

my

societymost
in

"

may

you

with

greatest

at externals

offence

your

possiblyfulfil.

can

I find his

and
repeatedly,

for

that

fear

me

of events

you

somewhat

here, althoogh

adopted,
with

acquaintance

so

great a varietyof subjects botany, mineralogy,chemistry,and

that one
is obliged to exert all one's
others
statistics among
"

"

study

of

from

as

acquaintance I
the

can

study

of

drawing
at

use

of

at Berlin.

and

far from
any

my

which

and

new

the

invention

well

all the

particularlyto
I

feel

myself

being

vain

in

the

new

enough

combination, yet

essential service

also

close

to

the

slight

believe

how

engaged

I have

devote

deficient.

very
a

work

these

had

machine

prosecute

reasoning necessary

to

differential

the

that I shall

found

in

time, therefore,

constructions,and

to think

draulic
hyretical
theo-

of

occupations I

continue
of

Holl's

even

can

of

occasioned

be

be to those

must

numerous

and

vances
contrivalue

vindication

From

mathematics,

mathematics,

the

needed.

will

mines

certain

might

best

the

this science

higher

application,the

political
economy

from

of

want

that

be

of

in

or

going diligentlythrough Tempelhof,

now

conmienced

am

of

to

ever

however,
little,

aid

steam-engine

were

with

study of

spare

calculus,in
am

have

consideration

that
the

the

me

if any

mechanics,

important

to

appear

press

their

Boulton's

through ignorance.

the

mischief

the

and

of

will

slightlyacquainted with

manufactures
from

mode

the

mathematics,

well

as

How
the

the

Yet

mechanics,

without

is but

in various

fail to discover,

not

of

politicaleconomy.

Whoever

used

machinery

mediocre.

very

that

as

accomplish

analysis1

of

mode

of

mechanics

can

well

as

basis

true

something

to

even

mathematics,

the

remain

the

attain

to

powers

though
ever

arrive

exercises
to

of

fiaid the

for

means

Fischer

heartilywith

first sightof my

the

at

been

thus

brought
I

though

the

discoveryin

(when

is

afforded

it may

for

finding,

on

weight

to

to

acknowledge that

I have

of

which

mathematics,

himself?) hals

with

pleasure. But however

sumptuous
prewith
a
commence
correspondence
letter

"r

trespassso

of such

upon

unusual
time

your

length,I
will

as

preliminary explanation. The subjectinterests

deeply. In my limited labours in algebra I keenly
occasion
and

sums

the

inconvenience

factors

suffice
me

precise value

by

of remedying
possibility
the

accomplishment of

and differences
kind

new

of

of

was

evident

who

were
was

this

for

sums

find

either

time,

complete

more

in

neither

twenty

communication

that

and

to be

had

proposed

expected from
the

to

method

student

was

later,yet

Alexander

in

pletely
com-

solution

the

years

the

himself

of his

statement

solving this problem,

Gauss

the

to

permission to lay before

alreadygained a great insightinto

upon

the

ways

all the

either to reduce

friend's

his

accomplishedby

mathematics,
than

two

in regard
particulars

logarithms. Although

from

had

begs

future

successful
which

"

additional

some

and

methods,

system

the

subtraction.'

adds

some

object

discovered

of two

or

Humboldt

him, at

evil,and

on

various

quantitiesinto products, or to
available
logarithm,which might be made

for addition

two

this

my

felt

not

of

means

equations,where

in

so

being able to arrive at

logarithms. I thouglit over

of

occur,

chanical
me-

of

friend,by

to

all claim

renounce

one

had

point,and

same

dissatisfied

to

seem

esteemed

yet going

am

the

branch

ever

amoimt

some

to

feel bound

another

man

young

me

you, my

and

the

at

and

combinations, power

one

on

laughed

evinced

subsequent dismay

compelled

am

invention, I yet
made

his

he

often

locked.

become'

But

'

to bear

I have

astonishment

designs,and

of
that,by the multiplicity
had

end.

certain

accomplisliinga

67

LIFE.

COLLEGE

von

of

it is

boldt
Hum-

principlesof
problems

severer

political
economy,

point of enteringonly his

second

collegiate

term.
The

followingletter

to

Wegener

describes

his

journey

to

:
Gottingen
"

We

left

Berlin, I think, on

the
F

10th

of

April.

spent

five

68

ALEXANDER

at

days
La

Magdeburg

Boche,

to unite

in whom

noble

What

along the
I

visited

Prosen,

as

the

salt

well

as

High

Saxony.

in

the

for the poor

forms

the

Magdeburg

Grrossensalza,and

been

ing
concern-

the

inhabitants,their
of the

half

dozen

excellent

tion
considera-

colony in fact,
Gottin-

of wisdom

fetching,there ought

for the

reality.

state.

emporium

an

Crnadau

at

raised

small, well-ordered

terior.
ex-

walks

our

From

surpassed by

management

is to say,

probably

it),where

of

had

is to be

wisdom

in

their
houses, their cleanliness,

ideal of

University,that

gen,

complete

attractive

Moravians

the

far

were

^the entire

"

expectationshad

repair,the industryof

of

and

fri^d

my

condescended

once

Schonebeck,

colony of

my

of the

architecture

state

of

institution, they

this
The

as

!^

of the Elbe

new

there

spent together

we

works

for

handsome

hours

banks

secluded

I met

has

nature

intellect with

happy

HUMBOLDT.

agreeably,for

most

man

VOK

lectures

(where

to be

lack

no

physics are

on

a
going on at a time, yet leaves the collegelibrarywithout
lightningconductor ; while at Crnadau, a colony of superstitious

enthusiasts,there
whole

is besides
At

Helmstadt

he

formed

the

Alchemist

the

full extent

and
:

'
"

spends

Japanese,
and

as

he read

from

he

well
out

Bergen,

to

knows

of the

with

assures

the most

combines

in

many

people

He

is in short

some

me,

the

of

other

terms
men

most

personalnature

dinary
extraor-

of

chemistry
most

to Gurlitt

of

doubt

to

charlatanryof the

to

India,
passages

venture

profound knowledge

Brunswick, and
matters

of Northern

in Grerman,
facility,

Hebrew!

with

dialects

here alludes in very favourable

Funke

then

know

always engaged

Crell

some

proceedsto
presentsubject

and

the

as

to me,

numismatics,
Humboldt

called

was

himself

not

his

subjects.
day in reading,on
European languages,he speaks Egyptian, Chinese,

who

man,

of

account

on

as

now,

celebrated

the

he is

home

just

there

various

Japanese book, yet

whether

:and

hours

in

does

Beireis
At

And

the

church.'

peculiar habits,

of his treasures.

sixteen

JBesides the

to

of Helmstadt

I !!

houses

Beireis,who,

prosecutingdiscoveries,and

he

conductors, though

interested

Professor

by

extraordinary acquirements

in

to the

much

was

five

twenty

some

lightningconductor

museum,

only of

consists

town

than

fewer

no

are

in

cun-

Kloster

stadt,
learningin Helm-

which

are

irrelevant

70

ALEXANDER

Alexander

Fridericus

It

this year

in

was

Revolution

this

Campe,

'

Europe,

terrific

assist

to

while

Alexander

-^hen

travellingwith

derstrasse, and

number

The

of

took

210

of

Saxony,

Mettemich.

Coxmt

Osnabriick, Von

Mecklenburg
held

Coimt

Van

and

^all of
the

The

'

in his

"

his

stay

at

82, Ween-

County

young

University

was

theology,405

of

philosophy,under

philology, agriculture,

rank

of

boldt
Hum-

afterwards

of

much

govemor.

to

Von

from
from

Kamptz
distinction

to

and

Government.
of Friedland,

native

assistance

of his work

on

boldt
Hum-

to

America,

geologist,who
accompanied
Rhine.
England and the Lower
a

just then

was

Humholdt

taken
to

the

at

marks
diBtingubliiDg
General
Malortie^was

gladlyhave
von

valuable

department

"

Prussian

Oltmanns,

Groningen,

journey

in the

Humboldt

^Von Vincke

rose

Ein-

von

contemporaries of
and

the

were

Westphalia, and

from

of notice

whom

of

life

Paris, Count

Onolzbach,

be mentioned

Count,

of

in after

Meerfeldt

highest offices

whose
Englishprinces,
would
and
our
family,
and
myself.* Alexander

p. 181.

the

of

93

from

worthy

whom

there I received many

to

later,

year

fellow-students

of the

University of Gottingen

While

in

and

other

from

astronomical

Geuns

Humboldt

the

students

the

von

also

are

Nagler

may

in the

time

St.-Simon

subsequently rendered

who

"

of

some

addition

In

nobles

Among

followingnames

the

with

English royal princes,Ernest Augustus,

of
Hanover, and Adolphus Frederick,Duke

Broglie and

siedel from

the

of

despotism/

No,

at

as

distinguishedthemselves

most

de

Counts

at that

Among

also fourteen

who

those

house

same

lightning

Paris

to

French

his residence

French

the

of

King

afterwards
Sussex

of

two

were

the

During

mathematics,

aesthetics.

history, and

of

the

horizon

the

Forster,

medicine,

included

were

above

registeredas

were

jurisprudence,104

which

the

in

doubt

flying visit there

up

of students

812, of whom

stu-

Mettemich.

Prince

afterwards

juris

of

immediately

George

lived

without

obsequies

only paid

Humboldt

Gottingen,

and

went

the

at

startlingevents

blazed

storm

William

Humboldts.

two

Berolinensis

Humboldt,
the

that

burst upon

flash of

ab

HUMBOLDT.

Yiadrina.'

academia

diosus, ex

VON

height

of favour

from

of

the

stronglyattached

the surveillance

of

Pictet,in

Qhbe^

Le

my

brother
vol. viL

COLLEGE

its

glory

for

the

of

as

school

culture

publicity.

Crottingen
For

in the

to

boast

no

follower

no

metaphysical prophet

had

that

of Brown

his influence
of

the

in

sectaryin

always

was

his

day

of the

time

that

reputed

Alexander

invested
had

be

to

first in

the

theology,

of medicine,

of natural

of

science,

the

accomplish*
from

us

preserve

entered

with

and

already passed away,

in

Universityof Gottingen

the

as

For

Germany.

Halle

and

Leipzig

entitled

being prevalentat Gottingen I

Humboldt

von

was

Gottingen;'although

in favour

ever

^yetnotwithstanding all,the

"

at

he

school

the

'Heaven
pious ejaculation,

own

philosophy

exerted

by

appointed

was

reformer

department

any

chair
occupied a professor's

ever

ment

other

or

1791

in

wild

or

exerted

thought.

who

Wolf

study

the

its vital element

University,thought

discipleof

no

into

noted

was

united

was

of German

Brandes,

affairs of the

the

on

which

it

important influence

the

development
Ernest

science

to

first launched

this is due

To

although

referee

philology,to

here

political economy,

"

Next

of science.

of classic

71

LIFB.

the

the
of

glory

was

had

who

men

their

Jena

splendour of

the

at

student

'

celebrity

had

scarcely

yet dawned.

as

The

science

of

philology,hitherto

restricted

to the

study

mere

of

language, was
developed at Gottingen by the genius of
Heyne into a historyof antiquity,and was brought to bear upon
the

ordinary

been

entirely remodelled

Gatterer
80

of

as

life.

of

concerns

and

to include

inventions,the
and
to

study

the
of

the

throne,

change

of

range

history had

conjunction

its

subjectsextended
the

histoiy

and
civilisation,

the

tution
consti-

the

sion
succes-

of

in

of

of

dynasty, or

state

regard to
the

contained
anzeiger,'

events, but

not

valuable

only most

to induce

country,powerful enough at one time

herselfto pause in her projectswith
^1

Schlozer

gathered roimd

In

say?'
Runde

had

and
Gehauer;

attained

Putter

of
the

Martens

Cgelehrte Eleganz') who

while

the

faculty

the
and

records

'

Maria

thought,

Staats-

'

in

the

Theresa
But

what

jurisprudence,there
*

enticed

been

war.

of historical

highest politicaltribunal

the

constituted

of

events

Schlozer's Correspondence,' Gottinger Journal,'and

*

with

in

politics,
together with

advancement

legislative
powers

of

science

by Schlozer,

and
Spittler,
the

The

clique of
from

positionof

literati

'

Leipzig by

distinction

as

72

ALEXANDER

of

expounder

an

But

the

excited

in the

system

new

universal
of

study

pre-eminence
due

in

nothing

revolutionary freedom,

objectwas

their

only which
and

Lichtenberg were
their

of

lectures

classical

theory

of the

means

of

complete

of

by

Gmelin
the

the

distinguishedfor

his lectures

Chemistry,'the
founder

Among

latter

of

this

to

known

who

by

his

for

philosophy

"

sacred

flame

in

Germany

as

for

the

the

with

been

have

of

by

was

work

*The

on

natural

accoucheur,

translated

animating
has

Of

and

all the

lectures

where
every-

carefullynurtiured

*
century.'

of

children, to

the
into

world

before

of lectures

the

the

the first

was

dignity of

mankind.

European
into

system

nection
con-

His
guages.
lan-

distinct

Cuvier's time, he
the

as

regarded merely

of

and

nearly all

1786, long
course

He

it to be in intimate

comparative anatomy

complete

of

Blumenbach,

was

history,hitherto

history of

in

honour

History

curiosities.

renowned

most

chemistry,

with

successful

his

the

physics,

of the

one

mentioned

he

half

instruction

study,and

in

for

enlivened.

were

day

which

than

formed

He
branch

as

that

applied mathematics,

that

demonstrated
successfully

science,and

physics;
meta-

science

pure

professorsof

comparative anatomy, physiology,and

love

more

raise

to

subjectfor

works

love

the

the

most

well

writingsas

kindled
natiu-al

they

of natural

museum

of

Kastner

physics,than

upon

his
as

professorsat Gottingen, the

'

life.

and
earth, meteorology, electricity,

distinguished for

former

the

less

which

are

these

of

speculationsof

for human

with

Osiander

and

matics,
mathe-

philosophies

useful

and

time.

doubtedly
un-

discoveryand investigation of

philosophicalapparatus

of

"was

study of

and

humoiu*

founder

pursuit

the

idle

the

mathematics

illustrated

Lichtenberg
the

not

on

and

wit

the

The

with

with

available

was

to the

medicine.

common

nor

the

as

Universityof Gottingen

facilities it afforded

to the

had

attention

appointed

jurisprudence.

of the

physical science, and

sciences

HUMBOLDT.

law, the youthful Hugo,

German

professorin 1789,
a

VON

he

pounded
ex-

had

established.

Upon
found
^

his

arrival

his brother

Alexander

deutscher

von

at

Gottingen,

already on
Humboldt's

Naturforscher

und

terms
'Hede

Aerzte

Alexander

of
bei

in Berlin

von

Humboldt

friendlyintercourse

with

ErofFnung der Versammlung'

18. Sept.1828/
am
p. 6.

the

distinguishedmen

and

literature,by

taking the

all of whom

he

at

entered

once

found

that

quoted,

for

in the

of

largehall

of the

studied

the

history of
from

fiftyassembled.
by
a

from

200

letter

to

and

man,

professor,in

tatiag,but
of

His

vein of

youth
the

of the

sketch
he

great men,

is in the

not

abilities than

mind

must,

from

of

the

with
any

all

clear-headed

the

learned

most

amid

and

of seriousness
of age,

refined

merely

restrict

hesi-

his turn

by

truly surprising in

and

society and

ourselves

one

acquired

of

of

sive
exten-

so

been

men

course

to

that

to prove

seems

things had

formal

of

posse

marked

early manifest

thus
and

men

this

equally well,'is

could

in

of his ideas.*

sequence

years

which

however,

Humboldt

most

knowledge

tures
lec-

attended

were

delivery is laboured

know
tone

association

from

We

the

acquaintance with

an

undoubtedly

he

about

numbering

Heyne,' writes

'

of

Heyne's

attended

audience

an

branches

electricity
;

popular lectures

His

scarcelytwenty

of

maturity of

more

is

and

obtained

and

and

with

Spittler he

certain

and

humour

in

the

in

round

imder

commerce,

professors,although

could

little

formality,

highest degree philosophicalin

logicalin

and

mind,

which

Gottingen.
he

and

branches

certain

above

gave

"

hung

was

antique;

Beckmann,

most

'

letter

the

intercourse

light, heat,

hear

Wegener,

in

in

archseologydelivered

students.

300

to

note

Pfaff

the

as

The

of

men

to

Lichtenberg

such

Iliad,io

the

most

intimiacy: nevertheless,he

on

trade

agricidtureunder

on

other

the

to

from

casts

physical science,
studied

the

societyat Gottingen

by Heyne

instruction

private

with

Universitylibrary,which

and

engravings

welcomed

science

dissipate. He joined his brother

philologyat the seminary,and attended

study of

lectures

circles of

and

unreserved

began

soon

William
course

and

in the

of

complains

free

which

however,

Heyne

unsocial
stiff,

the

opportunity

he

was

terms

upon

first,as

at

lead

he

gratifying cordiality. With

7^

LIFE.

COLLEGE

superior

instruction.
of

two

or

hi?

descriptions.
*
.

is the most

Heyne

is

undoubtedly

deeply indebted;

enlightenment by
he has instituted

for young

the introduction

of

more

means

the

to him

man
we

of the

to whom
owe

the

education

this

spread
and

villageschoolmasters,to
liberal

tone

of

century
ligious
re-

training

him

thought,

of

the

is due
esta-

74

ALEXA2!n)ER

of

blishment

and
literaryarchiBology,

aesthetics

principlesof

the

with

published

Heyne

has

twelve

subjects upon

never

lie lectures:

antiquitiesof

Virgil,Horace, Flautus, and

delivered

in

certain

intended

like my

who,

they

d'or.

sold here

are

of

the

whom

in all

Heyne
the

The

was

who

in

familiar

an

fact

the

Louis

only

him

neUr

ceeded
suc-

seminary,

fit successor

have

Schiitz,
his

during

is besides

fettered

Wolf,

the

among
a

excellent

resemblance
educated

imder

become

the

writingsof

Greek

has

had

I have

to whom

the

the

in

the

almost

most

"distinguishhimself.

o'clock every

with

the

drawn

in

by

whose

certainlyone

when

we

from
read

ception
ex-

he

find

is

nine

here

Woltmann,
and

German,
the
He

He

is

striking
has

been

influence

extraordinaryenthusiasm
will

so

philosophy.

With

yourself.

to

usually spend
him,

in

daily intercourse.
been

in

England, Spain,

companions

StoUberg, by

ancients, and

evening

here

pupil ;

Kant's

with

for versification

character

with

of

seminary.

I have

younger

for

for

Germany

scholar,with

ever

intellectual

talent

bears

in

literature

recent

collegiansof

imbued

has

best

Heyne
most

Greek,

Woltmann,

astonished

are

intimatelyacquainted

man,

he

unrivalled

Among

extraordinaryproficiencyattained

whom

wonderful

also in

almost

is the

all the
is

condition.
flourishing

learning. People

agreeable and

most

indeed

find

inactive,and

most

be

Mathia

with

has

will

find such

to

Italy,and

who

to five

three, Mathia, Kreis, and

are

their

time.

of

"Bxe

there.

elaTM"rate

and

is in

of

use

studies

three

from

first instance

the

for

presidency of

to

too

is in the

years

of

extent

The

he

can

is much

there

few

Gottingen

and

and

always

are

the

in

are

Homer

in the

anxious

so

seminary

students

short

lectures

therefore

price of

Borne,

literary
journal.

the

the

the

Aristophanes, Homer,

they

upon

Gesner

Germany,

declining years,
with

comprise

Heyne's surreptitiously
reproduced. Heyne

renowned

where,

the

and

Greece

comprehensive

so

Koppen's commentary

"dissertation

but

are

at the

these

Yet

of

any

prosecutingtheir

brother, are

of

philology.
upon

These

seminary, and

Heyne's published lectures

that

Cicero.

order, because

for the

of

study

tragic poets, together with

ancient

those

the

first associatioB

the

compendium

which

the
classics,archaeology,
the

HUMBOLDT.

VON

he
for

day highly
till

eleven

together Plautus

COLLEGE

and
to

It is the

Petronius,

earlier in

out

go

"

fine

possesses

with

house

is

Crerman

for

of

Gottingen

not

affectation

great

is

'^

of

historyand

of

rapid torrents,"the royal

oak, under

whose

themselves."

cast

shadow

His

history,for

"be

more

such

attractive

nevertheless

than

the

of delineating

the

from

subjectof
him

would
who

impartialityof

the

^by

It

masterly.

of Plank,
disquisitions

esteem

great

won

lectures

of

course

free

mode

his

"^ureh

he

It is

eloquence.

grouping of events is most

regrettedthat he does not take up

to be

fer

*^

history;

statelydelivery which

ideal

are

ancient

an

modem

on

beau

the

Nations

me.

people delight to

is much

lectures

his

people as

of Prussia

lias

there

understanding,with

most

bombastic

too

day, for

^I attend

Spittler.

passes

Tnethochia vivendi

here,

industry
'

the

75

LIFE.

his

views.
Kastner

the

to

irit

has

loss of his teeth.

finished,the

he

has

who

The

his

laugh

in

well

audience.

with

drawback

great

help being
that

very

strongly of
in

Fromm

ought
"

The

trash

mode

of

it

paid

He
so

and

cannot
ful
remorse-

as

as

he

calls

couple

of

obliged to

It

chess

out

every
each

to

as

me

would

put

Is not
well

be

Less

occasion

one

might

In

reminds

Fromm

lottery.

our

condemned

hours

write

or

miserable.

so

Christian

casuist ?

play cards

to

for

philosophygiven
Less

thought.

Frankfort, though

English princes are

youths are

said.

kindest

him.

moral

on

anything

of

lawful

was

Geneva,"

Christian

for

been

is afterwards

comparison reallyeloquent. On

morals

on

heard

certainlynever

enquired whether
di

lectures

the

character, speech, and

Lotto

of

to

sometimes

attention

the

deal

he

sarcastic,for which

also attended

I have

by Less, and

"

great

always

invariablyasks forgiveness.

he

thought

small

nevertheless

is

own

amends, however,

is the

academy

his

at

of it is not

nothing reallywitty has

; I see

men

makes

He

Kastner

agreeable of

humoui*

by being politeenough

this

to

mathematics.

most

when

laugh

him

is always saying

invariablylaughs

he

as

delivery,oving
and

humorous,

before

join

is very

but

those

to

He

indistinct

very

something witty ;
appreciated by
to

unfortimatelya

into

the

this lecturing
be

asked,

?
.

"

listen to this sort of

to

day,

"

and

lecture

"

the
an

unfortunate

exercise

which

76

ALEXANDER

afterwards

is

demanded

corrected

Humboldt

then

his brother
'I

and

to be

stay

it would

Grreek

of his time.

use

he

Forster

with
and

to wonder

astonished

few

Kant's

be

must

in

you

acknowledged that,
of time

course

the

bearing on

is

you

chance

and

and

compilation has

I have

Romans.

discovered
loom

capable of

abundant

the

MSS.

proof is
be

easy

from

used

terms

inaubtvlum^
In

is

loom

by

of

his extensive

quite

me

professo,there

ex

the

the

in

with

the

writings

of

nimiber

understand

the

was

to

me.

just
a

"

the
fact

Herculaneum,
Isidorus, the
"c.

The

of authorities
work.

the

writers, scapuSy

the

learning,

into France
of

the

of

distasteful

bronzes

It

among

use

ancients

by

notes

of mine.

prodigy

most

delighted with

ancient

Edited

small

Gottingen,

at

descriptionsof Homer,

interpretationto
by

with

production

quite

the

elaborate, from
is

"

the Saracens

from

Pollux,

Heyne

therefore

Virgil,the

somewhat

my

the

proof
of

of

consulted.

been

introduced

Onomasticon

Vatican

his

English, French^

published

weaving-loom

work

The

that

high-warp

be

it to be

the

upon

Greeks
its

be

high

from

told

meet

to

title-pagethe words,

conclude

may

dissertation

will

equal him.

to

Heyne,"

dismissed

long

this be added

to

here

learning and

acquaintance with

his

philological
pamphlet, shortly to
and

both,

reallybeginning

am

extensive
for

correspondence

philosophy (which Rehberg

him), and

Should

'

that

he has not

interest

his deep
jurisprudence,history,and politics,

of

Italian,it

general

of his letters

probable some

brother's

at my

excellent

an

sensation

quite a

confess

I must

making

confidential

gifted a philologist. If

so

insight into

are

it is

by devoting myself

much

how

his

By

says that

Heyne

think

my
tasteful
dis-

reallybelieve,

end

has been

he has made

and

Jacobi.

knowledge

and

Jacobi

myself

culture.
tuition

excite.

Bhine,

published by

brother

cannot

of years,

I should

me,

My

to

and

the

on

to

You

beginning

is

be

couple

Were

philology.

of

atmosphere

an

for

literature.

particularsregarding

some

"

in

prolonged

as

to

himself:

folly actually

is the

English orthodoxy.'

proceeds to give

livinghere

am

Such

Less.

by

detestable

that

by

HUMBOLDT.

VON

It

meaning

is

to
now

of the

pecteii,radivSy

"c.'
.

postscriptto

this letter Humboldt

mentions

having

made

78

ALEXANDER

VON

HUMBOLDT.
"

lines

"

brother

My

gationsregarding the
of mummies,

and

also been

has

he

cloth

inen
intends

Humboldt

Greeks

ancient
view

in

statement,
mentioned

The

in

58, stands

p.

work

zeal with

has

which

Humboldt

he

that

was

in

Blumenbach

muscles

the

in Grrens'
addition

In

of

experiments

and
'

nerves

Neues

to

objectthe

for their

ancient
that

of the
and

Holy Land,

less active
year

the

Nile.

in their

Van

Nor

were

devotion
was

several

Geuns, Deimann,

to

of the

actios

lished
pub-

better

his

students
than
of

means

suit
pur-

confined

in

residence

of
the

search
the

to

the

himself

occupied

in

of

system

attention

discoveries

travels

the

to

principles of

new

of

was

science
the

the

all efforts which

of

Humboldt's

the

fluenced
in-

proof

forthwith

Michaelis

recent

of

time

Humboldt

1789

conjimctionwith

in

most

as

and
the

upon

offered

centre

elucidating Bruce's

University was
of

the

at

and

men

he communicated

thus

Blumenbach

the
classifying

science, and

source

world,

his

Physik.'

devoted

Heyne

of the

geography

the

in

trating
illus-

natural
at

the

of

the

imiversity

professors. La

foimding

society

of his

friends,Seetzen,Link, Meyer,
and
Kries, Kels, Schrader, Hofmann,

others, called the PhilosophicalSociety,*

which, by the valuable
^

'

Brockhaus'

Conyersations-Lexikon/10th

ed., art

Humboldt.'
^

Seotzen'a

'

"

easily suppose

may

were

establishment

the

While

We

of

tion
instruc-

of such

galvanism

development

physicalgeography, and
delineation.

der

was

the

Blumenbach,

to

encouragement

science, Gottingen

by

intercourse

results which

"

Upas,'

lessened

way

degree, without

with

Journal

the

no

first to whom

of the

one

this

modificatioiL

stimulated

was

considerable

was

of his

results

in

stronglyattracted

him

by

the

the

weaviiig

le Bohun
some

lichtenberg,"c.

Beckmann,

Blumenbach,

of

nature

the social

heightened by

of

prosecuted these studies

science, which

to

publish

lost.

been

interest in natural
and

Sur

'

need

in

antiquarian

map

to

literaiyeffort,^but

pamphlet

philologicaland

had

envelopment

the method

upon
first

his

as

of the

Unfortunately,the

of

time

future

at some

investi*

some

in the

employed

to this treatise

alludes

the

among

the

occupied

of his researches.'

result

that

in

Eeisen/ edited by Erase, vol.

i. p. 6.

'Alexander

von

COLLEGE

assistance

afforded
and the

museum,
a

of useful

state

After

was

of natural

museum

January 10,
from

away

Geuns,

van

through

curiosities,
rapidlyattained

activity.

his

writes

1790

in

"

with

scientific

September
a

acquainted

Our

subjects.

with

tour

I became

whom

botanical

writings on

from

months

two

making

Dutchman

from

Wegener

to

Grottingenfor

24, spending the yacation

Herr

library,the ethnological

long silence, Humboldt

Gottingen, on
*

wellnstored

the

by

19-

LIFE.

lay

route

through Cassel, Marburg, Giessen, Frankfort-on-the-Maine,,

Darmstadt, along the Bergstrasse to Heidelberg, through
Speier,Bruchsal, and Philippsburg, to Mannheim, thence by
Alzei
to

Morsfeld

and

Mayence,

Mayence

where

the road

to

stayed a

week

down

Cologne

and

week

Bhine

the

by Duisburg, Miinster, Warendorf,

Cassel. Of this
in the first
of

place this

times,and

I should
to

know

Mannheim,
*

Amid

luade

the

not

very

Among

the

nova.

spent

on

described

delightfuldays

able

of the

distractions

to

sometimes

write

to

on

up

you.

was
Kanth, the botaniBt,
'
Piantaxum
botany, Sjstema

J. Reichard

'

(4 volumes

The book is exceedinglyinteresting

from

subjects

in the

me

mag-

the

journey,which

was

by carriage,and with
and plants,I
minerals

effects of

cur.

of

Medicus.

occupation of packing
well

and

himdreds

letter followed

Your

begin.'

and

Gottingen

some

this multitude

of Counsellor

foot

to

nothing,because

tell you

been

took

Pempelfort, and

returned

can

three

we

Eittberg, Paderbom,

place,amid
to

numberless

of linnaBtts'manual
et sp. Edit

garden

sometimes

the incessant
was

where

where

liificentbotanic

has

route

in the second

not

interestingtour

From.

whence

rather

we

Vosges

Forster.

Bonn,

to

; thence

of the

with

Diisseldorf,or

Jacobi

with

quicksilvermines

spent

we

sailed

we

the

among

in

requireto
found
sec.

be

Humboldt's
class, ordd.

in

copy
genu,

1,8vo.,Frank.

details of his

1779-80).
earlyjourneys

of conyersations with Forster,.

memoranda
to be gatheredfrom
studies,
the
^Aoks^
"c,,and
frequentannotations (between400
WilldenoWySieveking,
the plantswere
And 500) having reference
and
to the time
placewhere
1790 j vidi in
mihi
monstravit
found. For example: 'Banks
horto
suo
monte Mam-Tor
versus
Ax-edge, Jun. 1790 ; legiprope Helgoland 1790 ;
1789 f
Harz
vidi m Hamburg, 1791
Cuxhaven, Dover, 1790 ; am
; prope
prope Colberg,1793; apud Calais 1700; prope Wittenberg 1790; praest.
1790; legiprope Ostende et
1789 et in horto Kewensi
"pec.vidi in Harbke
"c.
CaJaia1790; praest.spec, e Virginiav. in herb. Sieveking,'
SQd

80

AXEXANBER

HUMBOLDT.

VON
"

of mind

frame

certain

to write

that will be enticed, therefore

that

long

and
host

day,

be.

may

since been

have

of lectures
that

so

(I attend

philologicalresearches

my
have

myself
with

deal

good

contributions
number

which

of

also to write

basalts
there

is to

influence

for the

and

scepticism. My

pen

that

think

separate

form.

boast

my

of

greater
to write

at least

by

of

and

expects

brother,on
fast

so

grows

dear

my

to

be

load

printed

is

point of fact,I

in

twice

sometimes

the

under

friend, that

the

in which

by theism, atheism,

have

probably

thb

week

my
in

I wish

to

certainlynot
have

but

I have
to

very

always
mother

my

Kunth.

or

William,

of

way

has

who

Mayence,

Forster, and

he

where

thence

Paris

in

oeen

made

with

the pass

down

lie returned
further

this

This

same

of

Eichsfeld

'

alone

in

in the

Obeervatio

Lausanne,

by
a

Neufchatel

who

me

the

beginning

most

detestable

critica de

with

by

young

Grindelwald
to

and

glacier,

Geneva,
Basle,

whence

and

after

fortnightproceeded through Saxony

William,

ungracefulperiod,asked

I went

'

Mayence

sojournthere

Berlin.

to

to

and

weeks

returned

through Switzerland,visiting

tour

the

of St. Gothard

Campe,

three

spent

Zurich, Schaffhausen, Kostnitz, Bern,

last

I have

magazine,

correspondence,seeing that

once

for the

Forster

my

nation

however,

bear, but

left for my

away

occasional

in

treatise.*

of his

occupations:

can

instance,

lock

and
runs

Magazine,"

paper

think,

not

numerous

than

little time

Do

there

go

for

when

Sunday,

tour, and

number

morals

will

I still need

Latin

of the

ndneralogical descriptionof

paper,

it

as,

excellent

the

on

for

vember,
of No-

greatest part

pressingcharacter

of my

next

an

exerted

to

written

with

appear

Heyne

Botanical

journal

him

on

however

beginning

library,which

weaving,
of

Zurich
have

the

Unkel,

at

the

time;

my
"

out

furnish

to

me

of
the

to

six)occupy

work, too,

Extra

in.

condition

tissue of contrarieties.

from

permission

express

the

at

occupied in

on

it is not

till it oomes,

wait

here

visit the

only

can

I must

returned

friends:

to my

has

to meet

of

caused
him

me

to construct

at Gotha.

Thither

December, riding through

weather

and

along

still

more

*
in Usteri,'
Elymi Hystric.charactere,
Magazia

fiir Botanik,'1790,Part VII.

p. 36 j Part

IX. p. 32.

COLLEGE

detestable

roads.

encountered

The

of

eye-witness

so

difficulties of the

sake

for the

of

that

with

Frankfort

inanimate

friendship and

of

brother

seeing a

nature

days.

who

had
We

been

an

spent

two

to

me

What

the

renew

all the

are

inspire,in comparison
elicited by the sympathy

of being
gratification

the

willingly

were

can

emotions
heart-stirring

those

journey

extraordinaryevents.
it was
delightfulto

many

days with Loffler,and

relationshipsof the old
sensations

81

IJFE.

loved

by good

men!'
"

"

The

"

Easalts

some

not,

took

as

works

here

Seains

on

The

the

in

Remarks
'

in

that the

Humboldt

mineralogy and

geology.*

publishedin Crell's
Aqueous Origin of Basalt,'and
at

Basalt

Unkel.'

in ancient

Observations,'he
the

give

Pliny is identical

no

with

In the
and

proves

at

was

treatises

classic writers

basalt of

of age,

journey he subsequently
with George Forster : and

learning,and
philological
the

years

the

subsequentlydeveloped into

genius,that

twenty-one

that
distinctly

Basalts

on

precedes his
of

which

state

small
'

of

in company

to

two

were

Incidental

which

Ehine

Annalen,'

Metallic

was

on

the result of this tour, undertaken

self-taughtboth

this time

'

when

youth
of
is usuallyrepresented,

it is necessary

mische

'

Ehine

of the

the Lower

to

next

'

Humboldt

by
and

pamphlet, Mineralogical Observations

anonymous

in that

ground

The

Writers,'
a

great

lucid

full flower

Che-

'

chapter on

modern
with

His

penditure
ex-

manner

of his later

for

supposing
syenite,basanite,lapis

it is erroneous
to maintain,
; that
lydius,or lapissethiopicus
that the basalt of our
has been the practice,
time
as hitherto
that referred to by Pliny ; that it is impossible
is the same
as
the particularmineral
rock
that
what
ascertain
to
was
now
termed
was
by Pliny basalt ; that the supposed basalt of Strabo
that it is quite uncertain
granite; and lastly,
with that in
in Pliny has any connection
passage

is

"

Beobachtungen iiber einigeBasalte

Mineralogische

am

whether
Strabo.

Rhein.'

the
The

wick,
Bruns-

1790somewhat

'I take the liberty

Freiesleben,
the
which
small pamphlet on
of sending you
basalts,
(with many
my
absence
in
has
appeareddaringmy
England. I wrote
errors)
typographical
it before I had received the benefit of any instructions in mineralogy,
and I
it
have
be
allowed
to
I
ventured
to
had
have
should never
not been
printed
considerations.'
do
to
so
by
many
urged
'

Humboldt

VOL.

I.

writes

later to

82

ALEXANDER

with

chapter concludes

VON

HUMBOLDT.

dissertation

the

on

lapisheraclins

of the ancients.
this work

In

basalt Humboldt

on

clear mode

a
observation,

of

displaysrare
powers
and
extensive
an
description,

literature.

with

is here

He

discovered

be

to

of
quaintance
ac-

not

but also a botanist.

and a geologi"t,
merely a mineralogist
The plantswhich he found
growing on the basaltic rocks of
the Bhine are compared with those he had previously
gathered
and
he
enters into a searching
from the basalt of the Meissner,
criticism of the observations of Collini and De Luc.
thing,'
Every*

Forster, *upon

writes

which

had

the supposedvolcanoes
concerning

words

full confirmation
the condensed

in the two

observations

quartos of
of

our

on

Dr.

acute

touched
the

in few

Rhine, finds

Nose, as

well

as

friend Alexander

in
von

ingenuitywas mainly directed to the support

of the erroneous
theoryof the aqueous originof basalt,at that
time prevalent
geologists
; and the influence of the work
among
often appealedto in supthat the book was
so considerable,
was
port
of those views long after the author himself had renoimced
them in favour of the volcanic theory.
The
extravagant length to which the science of geology
the nature
had been carried by these fantastic speculations
on
in a polemicaltreatise by the
of basalt is strikingly
seen
Humboldt.'

learned

His

Professor

Witte,*of Rostock, Counsellor

of the

Duchy

explainedthe

Pyramids of Egypt to be
the remains of a volcanic eruption,which had forced its way
upwards with a slow and statelymotion,' the hieroglyphics
as crystalline
formations,the lake of Moeris as the
upon them
of

He

Mecklenburg.

sunken

of

crater

Cheops

other
had

'

like

taken

as
a

extinct volcano, the well

as

the form

the

of

air-hole

of

or

shaft

of the

volcano,the sarcophagus
two
piecesof lava, which, lying one over the
before completely
couple of biscuits,'
cooling,

great Pyramid
of

an

"c.
coifin,

Even

the ruins of Perse-

in
polis,Balbec, Palmyra, the temple of Jupiterat Grirgenti
the two palacesof the Incas of Peru, at Lacatag^ and
Sicily,
supposedto be natural formations of basalt
Alkunkanjar,were

lava.

and

Ursprungder Pjramidenin Aegyptenund

]789.
Ticipzig.
Pereepolifl/
^

'

Ueber

den

die Hoinen

ron

COLLEGE

less

Not

fantastic

Soulavie,'who

of

prone

to have

been

an

the

of the

land,

estimate

an

of

wrote

even

be misunderstood,

and

of

constitution
the

inhabitants
the

of

be

of influence

the

'
"

the

caution
of the

opinions and
of

modes
The

natural
I need

any

few

after

an

There

deny
be

can

but

to

the

upon

that

of

the

attempt

law, that

the

was

the

determine

to

by

regarded as

knowledge '"
formation

to avoid

of his

startling
which

always preserveda grateful

here
advantages that were
the

century afterwards,on

he

1790, passed without

casion
oc-

most

of the

that

it

to this

was

valuable
the

part

University

that

one

he

of

house

Heyne,

that

Humboldt
son-in-

genius who shone upon his youth

he
not only the friend with whom

who

all

in

exercised

Histoire nat. de la France

o

was

of his education.

acquaintance of George Forster,Heyne's

also the

'

Gottingen,

at

March

in

intellectual

nearly half

remarkable

stay

Humboldt

Gottingen, at

at

his

guiding star, and was

the deepest sympathy

but

be

the

upon

that

is exerted

our

led him

which

physical

Georgia Augusta (Universityof

September 1837, he expressedin gratefulterms

for the

firstmade

the

acknowledgment

was

of

earlydisplayedin

of

centenary

Gottingen),in

It

the

to

decidedly from

very

character

boundaries

modesty

event.

afforded him, and

indebted

scarcelyfear

question

no

region differ

year'ssojourn

remembrance

his

conformation

important influence

the

months

remarkable

of

exerted

expression.

last

quitted

he

in later life

exerts

plain;

trespass beyond
of

diflicult to

are

who

or
basalt, must
granite,porphyry, clay-slate,

proof

'The

to

particularinfluence

wanton

the

upon

supposed

moimtainous

kind

of the

people.

Humboldt,

at this time

people dwelling in

what

gical
geolo-

inhabitants.

the

country by

country

of

manners

the

influence

an

he maintains,
regions,'

Beformation.'

inhabitants

the

upon

exercised
of

that

prove

Griraud-

irreligious.Basalt appears
agent, though hitherto unacknowledged, in the

just

so

to

Abb6

the

insurrection, and

to

rapidspread of

able

roanners

of basaltic

govern,

formed

and

of

theories

was

country

physical condition
inhabitants

he

thought

formation

the

were

88

LIFE.

his

tastes

the most

m^rid/

and

like
joyed
en-

pursuits^

powerful influence

vol. ii. p. 4^.

84

ALEXANDEB

of

scheme

his extensive

have, in

we

mode

studies, his

his

upon

of

the

sense,

formation

the

thought, and

In

life-long
activity.

certain

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of

Forster

George

of Alexander

prototype

von

Humboldt.

had

years,

and

Humboldt,

to

he

masterlynarrative
He

to fame.

Cook

accompanied
had

studied

with

animals, he

excelled

politics
; he
and

the

to
enthusiastically

Dutch

and

Italian,and

French

these

and

modest, which

nature, his
less than

their

But

truth.
travel

can

of the

the
even

throughout

"

the

he

charm
as
a,

from

the

loving

the

man

interest

artistic

which

and

beyond

himself, and
close of

"elf-seekingwhich

an

age
had

the

geographicaldiscoveries

so

the

artist

the

simple

books

from

the

subjectshe

of

extent

treats

which

colouringin

he

of,
trays
por-

human

sympathy

manifested

led him

always to

select

him

him

under

left its

by

man,

of

life,as

to

look

with

the

tattooing

to

form

in

and

every

right of

characterised

of the

traying
por-

elevating by

only

much

feathers

the

the

unrivalled

his

taught

enabled

even

reader

circumstances

positionto acknowledge
the

which

intense

sympathy

while

of

picturesqueadornment,

of the

arises not

his attention, which

and

such

lectual
intel-

as

art

to charm

displaysupon

of the

the

in
as

the

amiable

well

master

their

read

languages.

once

agreeableas

enquirer,and

mind

be read

condition, manners,

objectof

At

the

delight with
now

the

them,

every

descriptionsare

before

infolmation

from

his

was

poetic flights,
enchanting by

they yet bring

nor

an

Forster

instruct

to

him

spoke

could

Polish

and

at
disposition

he

acquainted with

extent

united

rendered

companion.

no

he

acquirements

devoted

and

English, he

Swedish, Spanish,Portuguese, Bussian,

To

had

Greek,

and

some

science,

geography, history, and

of

understood

to

was

the

"iim

acquaintance

fine arts, and

study

and

both
facility

with

wrote

T^tin

wrote

the

draughtsman

as

pedition
ex-

and

natural

extensive

possessedan

philosophy,literature,and

himself

of the

one

voyage,

of

branches

various

troduction
in-

fifteen

published had justlyraised

including physics and chemistry,he

plantsand

of his

by only

as

in his second

after

soon

time

his senior

therefore

already circumnavigated the globe

that

of

at the

of age

George Forster, thirty-six

years

the

chief
tender

and

reason.

spiritof piracy and

impress upon the grandest
a

century, Forster

was

the

first to

86

ALEXANDER

Alexander^von^Humboldt was

ambition,

independence

the

by

it

possessed,through

sufficient

position,of
with

habit

the

love

contemplation

of close observation

of

for the

the

leisure

and

means

pursuits,to gratifyhis

his mind

stimulate

prepare

of his

his fevourite

follow out
to

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of

to

travel,
and

nature,

sean^-

most

ing investigations.
his

During
laid for

old love

for the

he

anxious

was

much

Van

of

was

his young

if the

as

were

to

20, Forster
to

join him
Forster

had

Forster

at

work,

'

in the

course

given

Sketches
to

reference

travellers

the

the

of

that

Humboldt

of

Lower

may

exerted

two, and the first

or

Boppart, March

the

journey

Ehine,'
occasional

have

ever,

copious

of the book

upon
record

still

in his

March

but
to

That

journal is

preservedbearing the

connnu-

24.

in his

classical

unfortunatelythe
afford
or

evidence

of

the influence

it

Humboldt
evident

kept, how*
from

portion

:
inscription
Journey
'

of

England.'

1790"
The
when

his mind.

On

expecting Humboldt

was

impressionthe journey produced upon him,

the

projected

circumnavigator

long.

not

was

dated

was

is too

this

this

diversityof discovery
been accomplished.

he

day

account

an

latent

and

Mayence

his

preparatory training for those

hitherto

of

new

join with GreorgeForster

to

extent

Heyne

to

has

for

all that

wrote

from

nication

the

art.

the

inspirationof

excitingguidance of

expeditions which
stay with

1790

various

where

established

an

affairs,

history,and

France,

Forster.

on

Gottingen friend, in

to become

surpass

by

spring of

natural
in

been

France

in

information

year

if moved

as

led in the

and

in his father's

use

some

been

now

vast

His

gain

of

centred, too,

globe was

our

to be

had

following spring,

aroused

again

of interest

Geuns,

It

tour.

been

geography,

Humboldt,

genius,was
and

had

to

riffimehad
political
Thus

plans

in concert, the

with

connected

points
How

travel

of

England promised

A visit to
and

be taken

to

Mayence

at

Bhine, Holland, Belgium, England,

Lower

the

to

journey

Forster

with

stay

journey
a

cloudy sky

accustomed
wonders

glowing

charm,

of Borneo,
colours

the

down

robbed
a

book

where

and

Rhine
the
of
the

was

happily accomplished;

well-known
travels

scenery

placed

imagination

gigantic growth

of

was

them

of any

of its

among

excited

vegetation

and

the

by the
of

that

COLLEGE

tropical region, with

clistrict

had

With

the

and
"with

in

nothing

Forster

scrutiny;

which

for

piece of

botanic

could

was

curious

the

closest

and

churches,

the

alike

were

literarycelebrity,no

no

past

viewed

park

rior

public institution,manufactory,
there

mechanism,

observatories,that

gardens,nor

escape

politicalmatters,

private pleasure-ground,no
nor

Bhine

common.

all

there

the

of

wintry aspect

art, manufactures

present, and

interest;

the

guide nothing

and

nature

87

LIEK

docks, mines,

were

no

were

left unvisited

and

uninvestigated.
One
of

reflection

Cologne,

made

is of extreme

sublimity of
arrested

ivas
a

of

man

time

by

After

interest.

building he

the

yet

refined

experiencing beneath

these

above

him,

gloriousto

was

of the
the

with

riveted

was

in this

see

temple repeated
shades

the

church,

and
his

walked

we

knights, whose
imagination
with

tamest,

with
of the

out

reached
of

state

person

here

further

determine,

whether

things direct

through

the

the

had

medium

to

remarks:

"

it is most

from
of

the
an

was

of

I it

have

to

and
our

serted
deown

in stone, awoke

restless

in
real

In

activityof

watched

hurried

by

the

there

with

had

him
had

we

enviable

keen

ciation
appre-

so

agreeably shortened
from

journey
Alexander
never

satisfactoryto
aroimd

time

that

displaying a

'I have

world

feet

electors,bishops,

regained

while

our

pression
im-

...

more

once

silent

bygone days.

air, and

open

during

referred

of

sorry

of nature, he

hours

Forster

real

he

charms

monotonous

The

into

first

who

Oh

spot.

echo

of

gi*aves

night.

through which,

of the
the

been

the

through

hotel

mind

the

dispositionand

have

the

hundred

the

the

save

images

sensitive

Cathedral

our

sad

for the

the

to

efligieslay sculptured

should

him

sound

no

stood

me

contemplation the grandeur

Ere we
left
by reflection.

were

among

many

his

imagination, I
alone

by

attention

before

than

evening fallingon

of

aisles,disturbed

footsteps as

it

derful
won-

architecture,and

admiration

wrapt

as

My

majestic arches

grandeur inspiredby Gothic

sight of this choir,rising more

the

'
"

taste, who

of

at

engrossingobject;

more

Cathedral

describingthe

continues

livelyimagination and

was

the

by Forster, referringto

us,

mind,
intelligent

Coblentz.'

Humboldt.

von

yet
derive
or

to

which

been
our

able

to

ideas of

receive

them

by selecting

S8

ALEXANDER

and

an*anging

at

idealised

an

Each

mode

infinite

an

fully enjoyed

both

with

nature

animated

impression upon
that

ever

the

upon
which

with

detail

no

this

clear

is omitted.

of him,

sharply

The

most

all

past, and
received

when

associated

once

into

with

saw

if

through

the

with

present, with

the

consecrated
the

therein

read

letters

Wegener

been

for

you

with

also,become,

another

the

mind,

at

selves
them-

weave

greatness in

store

fulfilment

in

Cathedral,
for

Forster

Humboldt,

fer wider

for the

as

laid up

as

of

sense

seized

before

me

left

me

prostration. I

was

which

delightedas
my

dear

you

used
reason

was

for
in

to

"

best

allowed

these

you

without

acquainting

line,

friend,to whom

am

who

is

imcomplaining, so rarely

last

letter

so

reached

influenza

of

But

recovered

time

in

condition

to

replyto

you.

find that

you

from
of

state

...

am

still

are

when*

was

(febrisGdUingensia),

some

from

forgivenessis

me

well

to hear

friend,to

sending

I had

no

to

life.

attack

severe

journey

of my

happiest hours
Your

follows

as

without

dearest,my

yourself.

this

dated Castleton,High
first,

Continent

left the

even

one

slip by

to

from

with

during

forgivenessfor having

your

plans,my

my

easily obtained

that

globe,from

the

they

precincts of

15, 1790, is

months

having

indebted

and

the

on

reality.'

preserved. The

reallyask
four

or

and

which

of

which

by Humboldt

written

have

I must

vexed

ideas,

future

apprehension

the

Peak, Derbyshire,June
three

the

from

"

in

image,

destiny.

own

Two

mocks

that

prophetic eye

willingto

his

add

drama

in the

Thus,

may

"

diverse

was,

deeply

itself

defined

quarters of

be,

is, and

impresses

and

powerful

it may

that

man,

contact

most

object,whatever

co-operationof

contrary, though gathered from

the

the

have

we

Immediate

journey.

the

independent

mind

nature.

our

peculiar advantage, and

own

mind

the

with

harmony

produces undoubtedly

the

will be

in

more

during

exists without

and

its

arrived

variety of impressions has

conception

possesses

HUMBOLDT.

VON

so

the

measles,

great

your

nervous

letter then,

much

gratified^

completely what

be, so frank, so honest, so noble, so entirelyimspoilt

has

enabled

dogmatic theology.
which, though

it may

you

Do

not

have

to

triumph

fear that
been

over

all the

I shall insult

torment

to all

assaults
a

of

position

mankind,

has

COLLEGE

We

be

to

ought
when

world,

to further the

intended

been

yet

of

for

highest human

happiness.

grumble

evils

disposedto

remember

we

opportunity
amount

less

that

The

good.

and

more

be

termed,

withstanding
this

on

with

sentiments.

with

you,

caution,

your

myths,
you

your

acquaintance

sacrifices

many

theism

absurdities

who

princes
of the

world.

What

was

an

of Leibnitz
is called

most

am

of the

of

is

such

We

quite unstrung,

and

day

below

ground
the

among

these

fatigued among

as

to

all

in the

Peak

hills you

of the

it is

rest

light*

should

evil.

Cavern,

sult
re-

And

this
dark.

in the

I have

spent

Eldon

Hole,.

quite possible

learn

may

Moritz's

from

travels.'
A

few

days

journey:

later

he

writes

again

further

'Do

not

about

that has been

so

^te

something

more

to say

when

me,

It is hard

dear

my

to

say

impressionsif
reasonable.
we

publishing an

meet.
account

We

anything
I had
shall

our

June

fresh

I should

only

Forster,my
of

Oxford

20, 1700.

friend, anything

extensivelyvisited ; but

individual

intends

from

expect

England.

you my

of his

account

"

'

substitution

groping

That

mines.

The

tired,for

very

when

even

in this

me

the

cure

all the

discerning

declension

are

those

thoughts

religiousfaith

expected to

cause

slaughter
spiritual

the

direct

that

religious

heart.

your

see

truth,

may

faith,for

it commits

thought I

Poole's Hole, and

to be

than

for Luther
of

of

intolerable

so

of

dangerous than

more

sophistsappear

form

imposed

painfulto

far

to

Berlin

natural

freedom

....

The

more

from

is

determined

are

it

position, although
be

imbued

rejoiceto
and

eyes

Nothing

reason.

upon

national

with

passage

mind

love

in the scabbard

sword

fin6

"dend,

positivesystem

more

delight in

your

investigation,
your

may

is in my

of the

keeps the

that

be

contains

dear

zeal for

this

spiritualvirtues

expression of

Yes, my

in

will

letter

your

placed

are

Dogmatic
it

entirelythe

in the

confraternity

your
the

as

greater

last

"

"

furnishes

existence

hear

you

the

Your

them.

subject,so

noble

that

much

so

"

thereby securinga greater

preaching superstition,humbug, cant,

may

at the

their veiy

them

combating

89

LIFE.

time

therefore

of

country

like to
and
have

new

give

quiet to
all the

travellingcompanion,
journey, and I have read

"90

ALEXAKDEE

his

HUMBOLDT.

VON

descriptionspiecemeal ; they
will make

the

book

his

opinions as

different

at

for

mine,
of view.

point

journey

sensaVion.

We

provincesof Belgium,

the

must

not, however, accept

everything
have

We

travelled

in the

were

from

"ncy

very

this

undertaken

not

time.

and

written, and

at

could

fortunate

more

You

look

we

well

are

all

through
during

counby

the

der
van
stirringevents, the taking prisoner of General
Mersch, the flightof the Due d'Aremberg, the conmiencement
Brabant
of hostilities between
and Flanders, and were
actually
late

the

at

present

insurrection

universal

excites

in

Hague,

him

upon
here

in

almost

in

Hastings,the

Abbey,

elections

paintings,and

for

For

the

And

now

collections

hills to

Castleton

been

that

the

visited

we

doubtless

be

and
feelings,

last three

can

assure

agreeable journey, but

benefit

and

journey

in the

by

way

of

by

that

time

of three

Paris,

Hamburg,
I

shall
^

with

He

and

from

to

also attended

Burke^

Pitt^and

which

shall

but

some

quitean
Sheridan

the

of the

all

on

he

speak the

will

much

short

rapidly
stay,

go

to

the

in Parliament.

at

once

to

after

of Commerce,

shall
In

as

of absence

returning

very

homeward

leave

probably

which

hope

to

conversation

having heard
night'

mentioned
same

had

derive

our

Gymnasium.

debates

old man,

shall

his

intend

not

only

only

exceeded

places

; you

shall travel

and

make

Busching'sSchool
at

we

impressions and

not

start

weeks,

I do

half.

perhaps study

Tajlor,when

have

Mayence,

enter

I have

shall

we

will
a

few

where

Forster

months

University

of

course

list of

mere

entertainment

shall

We

instruction.

the

among

Stratford

Oxford, where

to

individual

that
from

one

n:iaking

thence

by Derby,

and

But

in my

you

historyand
been

have

Buxton,

little

you

interested

most

exhibitions

in natural

Blenheim

days.

afford

can

and

Matlock,

and
{Shakespeare'sbirthplace),
have

are

country, visitingBeading, Bath,

the

and

length we

various

fortnightwe

Bristol,Gloucester, Birmingham,
the

forced

attentions
at

the

things to interest us, the

ster
Spain, the music at Westmin-

last

interestingtour through

an

the

Parliament,*

new

innumerable

physicalscience.

At

authorities.

Leyden,

where
every-

other

with

war

whidi

name,

introduction,"c.,

highest

burdensome.

England, finding,among

trial of

of

and

Amsterdam,
were

to the

access

us

Forster's

letters of

interest,his

procured

Lille.

at

Edmund

COLLEGE

Temain

will

You

forgive my

not

have

good

so

how

not

it

as

on

the

was

in the

"tigue.

The

has

not

change

in France

stay

my
till

Wegener,

forget

to

never

infinitelymore
now

the

seen

England
happy

so

but,

"

me

celebrated

believe

while

as

brotherly love

to

can

be

in

seeing

sittingin Steinbart*s

of information

range
contains

observations

only

can

The

find

them

travellers

take

to

everything

still

was

festival,to be held

the

few

and

days,

reached

in

that

Alexandek.'

evidence

ing
astonish-

the

the

of

traveller.

young

that

It

of them

Appendix.

time

France

in

was

of

great

pure

induced

preparationsfor

the

Champ

humanity

travellers,however,
Forster

the

de

Mars,

and

lovers

versal
uni-

animating
great

was

all

national

gratifying

of freedom.

Humboldt

and

where

The

prolonged beyond

not

was

the

The

success.

noble

and

the

by July 11,

abstract

an

journey through Paris,

return

of

all friends

sojourn of

the

giving promise

people in

of the

spectacleto

place in

for all that

enthusiasm
classes

the

been

never

arm-chair.

character

transpiringat

events

and

history of civilisation,
together

the

various

suitable

I have

mineralogy, botany, agriculture,

upon

of such

remarks

with

are

'Journey

possessedby

and
trade, technicalities,

you,

You

above, inscribed

to

England,' gives abundant

"

bear

placesin Germany, Holland,

fragment of journal alluded

1790

of

you.

'

The

dearest

you,

to

write

not

friendship.

ever

As

expected.

know

you

and

I have

me,

as

good, but

me

I beseech

which

is

impossibleto

is uncertain, do

But

again.

than

it is

much

as

I tell you

easily imagine

may

when

Bhine

affection

when
"C.''),

certainlydone

me

the

me

our

most

has

book, (" Mine-

my

you

to Berlin.

return

My physical health

just now,

me

on

all the

by

winter

benefited

and

you

myself.

journey

from

hear

you

it

seen

sent

then

Basalts,

some

yet

this is to
distressing

avoid

spring,and

having

not

Observations

xalogical
that

till next

Hamburg

at

91

LIFE.

had

again

Mayence.

Humboldt

always

referred

peculiarenjoyment. There can

school
to a pupil in the
of

listeningto

the

this

to

journey

in truth
of

be

conceptions of

time

of

ness
greater happi-

no

knowledge

as

than

the

the

grand

tunity
opporcreative

92

ALEXANDER

faculties

of

outflow

of

well-stored

suggestive,

the

inflames

coldest, inspiresthe

the

to

the

by

me

for

me

Forster,

lifetime

him

made

by Humboldt,

generallyknown

that

himself
work

Duke

friend

you

noble

that
You

which

compilation.

its

which

so

much

kept

has

produced

me

sad
known

never

that

I have

The

penetration and

ones

upon

mind

my

also.

For

leisure but

spent

tellingmyself

the

in

How

*
"

by

such

the

On

for

an

can

friendly

Grrand-

departed

my

fidelity,

accuracy,

ability of
work,

in

displayed^

long evenings. It
pleasingimpressions,and
two

space

of

thirty years

evening, and
how

his

followed

prince, the
of

of

copy

good feeling are

ceaseless

others
1

'

Abroad

many

of

in this
and

expressed

representationsas by the
perusal of your admirable

agreeably occupied

has

many

its

failiure.

thus
him

sent

much

as

the

pecuniary assistance,
accurate
places so inmany

biography

by

Huber;

complete

liberal-minded

is characterised

of

Humboldt

had

executed

was

gratitude,for having

furnished

into

Continents,'

neuen

Wilhelmsthal,

at

and

have

and

my

you

in

was

who

translation

wife
of

means

Home

at

to

impartialityof

and

in

Konig,

suggestion given

by
spirit,

as

of his life

Forster

adequately express
the

des

the

translation

last year

George

caxried

Regions ^^mnoxiales,'the

aux

undertaking proved

to Heinrich
*

the

brance.
grateful remem-

the

by Cotta, 1815-32,
her

to

the

in the

Even

be

not

in

that

Forster, afterwards

unfortunatelythe

but

Voyage

'

six volumes

entrusted

was

in

sanguine temperament
men,' was always held

of

happiest

Aequinoctialgegenden

Therese

Frau

visiting

influence

could

only in respectfulbut

not

die

publisliedin
work

the

of Humboldt's
in

for

mother.'

of my

of

one

It is not

'Reise

which

passion

powerful

most

interest

noble, sympathetic,and

whose

exerted

projects which, however,

the

during

all

kind

the sea, and

with

imparts

companionship

the

'

sudden

the

everything connected

of

formation

German

The

so

and

warms

indifferent, and

most

and

Joseph Banks,

Sir

tropicallands,
out

mind,

retiringa sense of elevation.

this journey,'writes Humboldt,

enjoyed on

seized

'

most

shown

reception of thoughts

The

mind.

master

HUMJOLDT*

VON

the

activityhas
much

July 28, 1858.

owe

have

half-century

been
my

occupied
teacher

94

ALEXANDER

words

were

necessary

thanks

and

HUMBOLDT.

VON

With

renewed

expressions of

I remain

yours

friendlyesteem,

felt
heart-

the

with

est
high-

respect,
A.

Humboldt
It

remained

that he made

at this time

was

with

he

whom

celebrated

at

affection

the

to

Forster

Freiberg, a

noted

he

professorof

the

grateful respect

and

of

science

day

the

While

Sommering.'

followingletter

the

distinguishedgeologistof

most

with

'

the

wrote

his

Excitabilityof

the

upon

distinguishedanatomist

staying with

July.

livelycorrespondence ;

is dedicated

Nerves,'

of

acquaintanceof Sommering^

into

Experiments

'

end

till the

Forster

the

entered

once

work,
and

Muscles

gnest with

Humboldt.'

VON

to

Werner

at

and

mining

the

"

'Mayence: July 25, 1790.

*

"

certain

propounded

have

Although

Rhine.

the

to send

I venture

Sir,

youthful production
myself

of this

respect for

views

successful

advantage
observe

imder

fossils in

and

efforts in

but

Freiberg ;

at

future

some

have

the

in

have
*

succeeded

traversed

nothing
agency,
aqueous
oath of

for
to

but

to

time

the

formation

yet

myself
far

as

as

on

minerals

circumstances

of

your
will

powers

my

myself

with

have

my

allow

system

your

How

own.

it to you
I have

whence

abundant
Your

25.

at

me,
to

as

far

decide.

to

just returned, I

of the Shine.

supposition of previous

30 ; while

March

fore
there-

can

positionof

one

the moimtains

the

March

enjoy

enough
pupils.

of basalt.

before
citizenship

who

fortunate

contrary

hia fatal joumej to Paris

of

science

be

England,

second

avail

profound

my

who

this

institution

leave
respectfully

necessitate
on

the

expressionsas

your

I must

journey

you

of those

one

Various

may

as

that

admirable

familiarise

and

ideas

your

In my

to

so

of

visitingthe
I

enroll

to

meanwhile,

endeavoured

adopt

from

perhaps

time

not

am

bed.

natural

hitherto

prevented me

basalts

remodelling the

guidance

own

your

their

to

express

personalinstruction, and

of your

approval, I gladly

your

to

mineralogy. Unfortimately,I
the

in which

columnar

the

upon

gain

opportunity

your

pamphlet

scarcelyflatter myself

can

will

small

you

evidence

theory that
he himself had

to
a

I foiind
volcanic

prove

the
of

stratum

alreadyset

out

on

COLLEGE

9"

LIFE.
"

basalt had
more

reasonable

where

I noticed

But

horizontal

basalt

layers of

severelycensured

be

Linz

at

upon

for this

I feel to be

what

true, and

this resolution.

traversed

on

Bhine, as

well

and

accept

in his
have

minerals

in the

the

and

that

as

other

of

rules

the

Would
an

that

external

will
'

little my

how

and

kindly pardon

I cannot

notice,and

round

suppose

that

your

are

though

crowded

you
you

kind

'

by

morales."

great

as

naeus.
Lin-

given

of

us

families
and

the terms,
laid

down.
for

construct

againstthe

known

am

was

on

retain

branches

the

among

your

still very

of

knowledge,

to favour

Humboldt, care

for

to-morrow
me

with

of Professor

of

hope

you

of

young,
I

and
at

am

small

under

your

those

Hamburg.
address

cannot

name.

my

the

panying
accom-

though
the

back-

"c.

Should

you

will be

of

assurance

remain,

Biisch, Hamburg.'

who

least sensible

With

repairthem.

reply,my

My

of

for this letter and

profound respect and esteem,

I leave here

Gottingen, I

remembrance

am

to

come

foremost

last visit to

any

anxious

yet

to you.

have

to
insignificant

too

utterances

expressionof sentiment.

myself that
I

do

can

indulgence both

niy deficiencies and

of the most

forth

set

from

distinguishedmen

more

pamphlet.
^vard in many

voice

this rash

flatter

botanical essays

crave

the

system 1

greater

many

and

investigationslaw

complete the work,

soon

industriously

have

treatises,you

has been

in

characteristics

determining species and

could

you

entire

I know

for

time

botany by

to

banished

and

saying

mineralogy

has been

discovered, confusion

criticism.

physiques et

rendered

the

upon

various

your

Lettres

gether
alto-

not

always maintain

charmingly

science

the

to

work

your

"

by

of Zweibriicken

your

80

highest

Hanover, Hesse,

hypothesis so

service

of

philosophy of mineralogy. Through

the

from

I have

neighbourhood

geologicalwork,
rendered

In

volcanic,and

mountains

those

as

important

us

Unkel,

considerable

me

confession

me

I shall

for

resided

called

the

prevent

never

I trust that

have

been

foot

but I cannot

You

has

region that

De Luc

shall

considerations

to

and

our

such

'

than

seemed

and
pamphlet (ifit be
geologists,
my
overlooked)will be subjected to no tender

of

many

earth, never

obvious

more

or

I shall

smnmits.

whole

the

covered

once

be
Herr

posed
disvon

96

ALEXANDER

VON

HU3IB0LDT.
"

Humboldt's

On

of introduction
Humboldt

anxious

of

of

branches

literature,but

considerable

made

official career,

to

merits

he will

in

motive

Humboldt's

he wished

to attend

book-keeping,and

business

routine
with

of

England

Hamburg
The

of

Messrs.

emporiums

first

in

of

of

fitudyof
The

which

Commerce

at

there

to obtain

an

of

gathered
In

introducing

above
to

all who

Hamburg,

to

Biisch

enter

and

Ebeling,

knowledge of

With

the

the currency,

mind

deeply
sight

have

must

the

impressions

the

commerce,

the Universities

G. Forster's

"

Sammtliclie

had

Hamburg

of

excited

at that

Biisch

already attained
political
economy,

upon

students

instruction

celebrity,too, acquired by
1

in

peculiardegree.

high reputation for sound instruction

and it is an indisputablefact that the
enabled

in

full of vivid

were

of

portions.

was

sea-port in Grermany

has

twenty!

acquire some

and

her

has

of lectures upon

office.

he

singularletter of

and

one

by

and
descriptions,

the

School

of

cluded
in-

knowledge

he

Hamburg

merchant's

.'

also

useful

his way

to

course

to

him

one

on

great

acquirements

and

now

sound

in which

justifymyself

youth

and
has

less attractive

Forster's

as

his interest

is

going

to learn

imbued

He

conducted

of Commerce,

School

to

read

to enter

possessed of

of which

certainlyfor

introduction

where

return

time

excellent

Berlin.

to

have

make

being known,

acquaintance.

your

whence

of

worthy

one

is well

education

to

the

particularprovince is
you

an

upon

word, I think I shall be able

you

He

varied

fitted

are

neglectingthe

without

the flowers

mind.

:"

formation
full of in-

man

manufactures,

studies
classics,

the

philosophy and

young

His

These

founded

are

Cas^l

Humboldt

store of observations

progress.
which

nature,
practical

acquaintance

von

will find him

of fabrics and

study

the

Herr

his

practicalexperience.

of

the

close of

the

passed through

Should

subjectwith him, you

supported by a rich
principles
amount

following letter

of

maturity

the

upon

with

notice

political
economy.

and

finance

at

he

as

to your

rare

Mayence

Miiller, whose

von

travellingcompanion,

and
in most

him

make

to

to introduce

my

younger,

furnished

Johannes

to

was

I write

'

Forster

July 1790,

from

depaxture

upon

time
as

in this

subjects,for

offered

no

juristand

vol.
Schriften/

science

viii.p. 122.

the

facilities*
a

mathe-

COLLEGE

matician

attracted

destined

men

That

from
at the

of

afforded

by

that number

this

between

institution

Danes,

Kussians, 6 Swedes,

The

increased

by

year
of

concourse

so

fluency in

of

of his

1798,

in

than

youth,

receptionhe
sympathy he

at that

house

and

testified

received

had

tendered

to

his

from

of

accompanying

him

in

the

best

Hamburg :
Hamburg, but

grown
VOL.

...

of

one

or

two

my

friends

I am,

one

studies
with

happy, less happy

time

the

of

Humboldt

by

father

of the

whose

name

of Dantzic

shared

my

same

desirous

of

January 28, 1791^

mode
mode
than

was

the

at

of life at
of

life at

Grottingen,

relieved

vicinityof some
however, always contented, when
H

his

journey.

and

even

existence
and

at

Petersburg,possessinga

Sommering
his

noble

the

known

the

projectedextensive
to

friend

hospitable

of

subsequently was

contented

am

monotony

mountains.
I.

not

who

at

lapse

his death

met

the merchants
St.

from

insightinto
I

'

"

of
society

letter

family who

at

still

the

by

Heidelberg ; Maclean,

and
his

on

Barcelona

at

Wattenbach,

the

Speckter,well

Otto

met

this

fellow-students

rubles,who

Humboldt,

passage

him

other

Among

of 40,000

yearlyincome

the

living

the

After

name.

gratitudefor

of the

Bothling,a wealthy Sussian

where

oppor-

afterwards

wealthy partner in

highestrepute among

of the

famishes

Europe

favourable
the various

he

of that

one

historian
distinguished

of

parts

century, he still remembered

half

1848.

with

possibleway

time

Speckter,the father of
illustrations of Hoy's fables

room

Portuguese, 3

all

most

Grill,whom

John

were

became

proportion which

youths from

the best

mercantile

Berlin in

Italians,

the

Englishman,

more

men,
English-

25

object apparentlyof acquiring greater

shared
his lodgings with
a
English, Humboldt
With

languages.

prosperous

1778, nearly half

included

"

apparent

instruction

year.

of Humboldt,

timity for learningin

Barcelona

American

many

furnished,in the words

young

and

Poles,

is

received

Dutchmen,

Scotchmen,

14

Spaniards,1 Norwegian, and

has since

who

foreignparts,and

Frenchmen,

vantages
of the ad-

Hamburg

1767

years

of young

themselves

at

students

the

from

were

attendance

foreignersavailed

fact, that of the 159

Academy

the

Academy
career.
political

number

the

for

the

to

97

LIFE.

by

the

moss-

I feel

98

ALEXANDER

that

deal

learning a good
of mercantile

it will
I work

lectures,therefore

furnishes

Biisch

works
means
a

secluded

and

dear

friend,that

than

at

it is

and

botany, both

addition, I have
I have

this kind

action.

well

as

I shall
As

for

am

begun

well

the

the

Indian

into

go

table

such

the Bentincks

sense

of

while

Germany

prepare
In

of his

of

As

"

and

still

^not the

yet

for

conformity with

the

the

after

trait,we

may

in the
notice

citizens

praiseworthy

selves
separated them-

the

pleasuresof

triumph
on

with

it

in

The

common

this

centuiy,

astonishment, try,

moment.'

commenced

the art of
means

zeal

that

convinced

at

with

Gottingeo,

painting with

excited

in

study of philology.
the

the

pride of birth

the

as

never

purse-proud circles here,

decisive

Pliny'swork upon
and by this
fellow-students,
interest

the

of

times,
meal-

at

circles,with

when

will
look

but

sphere

meeting

Schimmelmanns.

practicehe

read

unwonted

life of

extended

caste, have

of the

long

postpone

cause
Swedish, be-

eight months,

or

all

in

logy
geo-

books!!

doing.

so

means

time

^a

"

with

card-playingis universal,I

neighbours

will

rings

admit, my

to

and

more

people here,

haut"ur

"

western

our

Himiboldt

an

the

surpassed by
as

for

certainlyvery conspicuous. Much

complained of on the Bhine, I am

are

is far

for

I visit

supper

bell that

the

Danish

seven

here

system

societybefore

be

may

for

sigh

into distinct classes.

in

room

studying from

am

opportunity
to

small

these

of

occupied

are

learn

to

off.

nobles, for

of

supportable
begin

of

of

collection
use

compelled

hours

of which

society,which

very

as

fashion

be

unlimited
use

be

mathematics

on

practicableto study at Hambnig

leisure

convenient

may

after that

less

no

My

Gottingen.

will

you

supper,

regular

travel, while

of

interruptionsave

no

stodj

I find there

complete

the

undisturbed

the

garden, with

for dinner

In

add

books

very

to

the

few

to me;

authorities
a

If

science.

further

you

value

great

with

in the Twiy

industriouslyby myadf.

more

various

Beimarus

natural

on

of

but

am

well

as

I like

and

attend

view.

Everything

me,

history,and

with

me

physics,and

useful.
all the

philology and

on

to

in

of Commerce

Biisch.

new

libraryis

Ebeling'sextensive
works

was

have

School

the

with

be

pm-pose

from

knowledge

I think

because

and

here

personalintercourse

from

as

the

accomplishing

am

HUMBOLDT.

YON

which

As

he

some

Hamburg
a

teristic
charac-

prosecuted

COLLEGE

Ma

natural

the Elbe

in

Even

old age

of the time

he

of

cherished

he

the

This

Sieveking.

of

woman

he had

excellence

great

work

by Lessing ;

entitled

her

father

branches
resorted

of

natural

Claudius Voss, the

of

Holstein, and

well

It

Stolbergs from

peculiarpleasurefrom
beck,noted for the extensive
for

writes to
in

Jacobi:

"

widely different

and

Assessor

in which

; his

note

was

thor
day as the auFragmente,* edited

writings upon

animals,

and

various

distinguishedsociety

that

the

wife,

Humboldt

with

met

neighbouring province

acquaintancemust have afforded

of the gardens at Flottbeing owner
collection

of

plants.

rare

correspondence with

Forster

time.

On

September 26, 1790,

Forster

*The

Humboldts

capacityhe

Court

Supreme
is

are

both

prospering,but"

elder is Counsellor

The

ways.

the

to

ship
relation-

active

an

up

considerable

important

whose

Yoght,

kept

of the

for his

most

there

was

him

Humboldt

The

science.

some

filled

his

in

of

instinct

at

of the

one

superior education,

known

the

assembling
was

of

Wolfenbiittler

'

the

house.

to her

and

an

men

celebrated

was

lightningconductors,

in

learned

and
political

granddaughter of Beimarus,
of

the

measure

lections
brightestrecol-

wealthy merchant

of the place;
distinguishedmen
highestoffices in the renate, and stood
various

the

circle of friends

most

with

on

Hamburg, especiallyof

in

spent

enjoyed with

he

the house

and

out

waves.

in advanced

intercourse

investigationby going

in order to observe

stormy weather,

of the

motion

for scientific

taste

99

LIFE.

serving

his

of

of Judicature

probation.

Legation,
Berlin,

at

When

his time

has

expiredhe will receive an appointment at Halberstadt, and

will then probably
Biisch
brother is with
His younger
marry.
in Hamburg, gaining a practical
acquaintancewith commercial
officeroutine

; he

eminent

of

of whose

men

goes

Hamburg,

praiseshe

time to time
and writes

to

about

is

has

and

quite full

deal among

visited

; he makes

flower

which

gather mosses,

amusing

great

letters full

of

the

Christian

various

Stolberg,

too
expeditions

from

during the winter,

livelywit, good nature,

and

of feeling.'
delicacy

These

letters

were' afterwards

Forster'sexecutors

between

the

returned
years

by him destroyed.
B

1830

to

and

Humboldt

1840, and

by
were

TOO

ALEXANDER

of this

other

letters

upon

Humboldt's

Mvnister

I venture

Sir,
"

fruits of
I

do

aspire to

before

these

have

it

me,

still very

am

my

country

to

of the

sentiments

honour

the

length

You

not

are

to you,

exchange

we

the

know
are

you

you
*

"

with

angry

between
wrote

but

you

nothing

and

kind

your

do

country, and

of your

ture,
ven-

indulgence.

know,

know
render

merit

to

style

at

some

Excellency.
esteem, I have

Wegener*

once

to

more

dear

me

Hamburg

September 23,

you,

my

nay,

William
It is indeed
that

the

thermometer

of

very

friend

anger

long

is impossible
since

frequency with

which

friendship. You

our

attachment

my

friend,how

"

dear

1790.

greatlyI

to

am

yourself,

indebted

to

possiblyestrangeus.

can

safelyreceived

tell you

Willdenow,

the

forbearance.

little I

sincerityof

dear

probably expected me
T^ut I must

no

and
my

you

distinguished qualities

to catch

deepest respect and

well know

letters is

aware,

and

notice

me,

and

you

warmth

I trust

lines

few

hand

upon

"

At

bold

spiritof

my

To

Basalts, "cJ*).

"c.'

remain,

to

the first-

hope through greater industry to

period the fevourable

With

with

some

upon

what

yet

myself eventuallyuseful
future

myself

young,

thoroughly, and

by

Excellency will

your

the
ranking myself among
for though I have had grand

of

noble

of

at Berliru

presentingyou

yet requiresa

throw

therefore,to
I

glory

characterised

been

ever

in

the

Men

masters.

logical
chrono-

in

September 10, 1790.

that

(" Observations

geologistsof

models

Hamburg

myself

taking

am

studies

my

not

learned

of

libertyI

the

pardon

flatter

to

which

by

given

HemUz

Von

"

light

comment.

no

ExceUency the

His

be

here

many

some

circumstances

the

may

remain

throw

to

serve

upon

They

need

order, as they
To

and

surrounded.

then

was

which

period

studies

HUMBOLDT.

there yet
regretted,

this loss is to be

Greatly as

he

VON

you

to write

that
were

with
the

my

letter

oftener
the

from

while

exceptionof
only person to

London.
was

my
whom

in

You

England,

family

own

wrote

102

ALEXANDER

severely,bat

suffered
with

Forster, yet

here

even

; and

reason

often

which

me

yet

somewhat

improved

I find it difficult to spare

within

HUMBOLDT.

VON

such

I continue

me,

journey

my

closelyoccupied that

so

There

myself.

carries

during
is

an

the

fear,over

impetuosity is always

impulse

eager

bounds
to

necessary

of

ensure

success.
^

it

I send
favour

created

paradoxes which
the book

has

have

gladlyproclaim

Par

academy.

his

to

the

in

criticism

doubt

way

engaged

upon

it I

laid aside

by

serious

account

of

fulsome

that

int^rSt

I!

'

dailyattended
and
illness,

he

never

affection

another

length

at
rejoices

heart

My

work,

desultoryletter

This
at

more

the

five

and

Let

mere

gratified
by

to-day.

of you.

School

'Hombuig:
*

Sir,
"

I trust

venturing

to

will

you

address

with
the

an

The

enquiry.

strong

desire

to

will,I hope, appear

*

It is

now

geology. My

in

motive

Commerce^
the

With

years

enthusiasm

for

to

me

will

write

you

soon.

brotherly

Humboldt.'

which

am

education

since
the

December

the

bold

so

sufficient

nearly two

from

libertyI

having

by

twice

"c.,

being

complete my
to you

of

without

personal acquaintance,and

was

Freiberg.

pardon

you

while

MS.

thought

at

pointed
disap-

that

encouraged

hear

Wemei'

the

entirelywithout

To

feel

you

it

me

gratefulesteem, I am,

therefore

lectures,and

suffice for

must

vulgar

learning resort

If

I wrote

the

saw

such

remember

pray

that

time.

the

certain

praise of

would

much

was

book,

my

by

of such

men

who

philologicalassistance, for though Heyne

imdertake

though

originatedthrough Biisch,

declining,and

with

you,

in

"Gottinger Anzeigen."

in any

to

flattered

am

it

world

the

to

on

article

little I

no

is entirelyphilological

Hamburger Correspondent."You

^^

is rather

institution

whose

An

I shall esteem

interest

sensation

the

how

half,which

of small

some

appeared in

trumpeting.

first

it contains.

easilyimagine

may

the

the basalts.

on

will be

remainder

already

book

my

will read

if you

; the

it has

herewith

you

iS, 1790.

taking

am

pleasureof
as

to trouble

in

your
you

actuated, namely,

under

auspices,
justification.

I commenced
science

has

your

the
been

study

of

recently

COLLEGE

increased

by

tbe

among

sadly

which

but

and

have

knowledge

these
a

sake

hitherto

am

this

disposal

of
insufficiency

for

great

great deal

at

for

80

libertyto
short

"5ould be

to

greatlyobliged
reply. I should
of Mines,
my

you
'

upon

bold

so

at

six

as

to

as

seek

in

more

Pray accept

for

if you
have
the

or

behalf, had

in this

entering
well

at

on

of

aware

valuable

your

my

official
the

complete

however,

to

instructions,

deprived entirely of

be

zeal

and

energy

so

wanting, to apply

the will is not

I not
direct

the

Easter, and

enquire
the

in
me

as

learn

to

ventured

the

could

receive

I and

lines

to think

that

to

should
at

once

write

might

way.

assurance

of my

highest esteem,

me

whether

Rosenstiel, Chief
Karsten,

servant

my

or

town.

few

after shall

Freiberg.

at

of Mines,

requested Herr
Assessor, Herr

study

if you

School

send

weeks

few

whether

and

lodgings

would

of

course

months,

accoEunodated

should have

""n

enter

term

months

six

on

in six months.

even

therefore make

but

I shall endeavour,

much

so

here, for the

routine

too

sities,
univer-

at two

than

hope, as

attended

passing through

privilegeof

^I leave this Institution

be

^before

"

cumstances
cir-

length

At

already

Commerce

still have

for

subject with

the

to

pupils,but

business

of

mining.

the

advantage.

an

1791

Freiberg,

to

impracticable.

of

my

superficial

go

politicaleconomy

period, rather

limited

myself
a

with

myself

content

in

to

I have

School

months

six

mineralogy,

your

unfortunately,only

of instruction

course

it

shall

I
of

I am,

employment.

of

overcome.

institution
summer

desire

I have

time

somewhat

time

my

of nature

present
on

is of

shire,
DerbyGeorge

subject as

close student

number

knowledge

on

ardent

an

at the

now

the

"

and

jurisprudence and
I

the

in

friend

your

to the

up

rendered

been

have

district

information

the

have

acquiring

leaving

of

felt

long
among

of

of

been

though

myself

obstacles

and

always

disconnected

I have

course

many

as

ings
wander-

delightfulbut

my

Peak

with

books

that

is very

character.

the

botanical

and

Crermany,

company

great variety

enrol

in

read

conscious

am

acquired

and

made

I have

allow,

of

journey through

Forster.

Gottingen, my

at

mountains

hurried

too

would

residence

my

103

LIFE.

"o.

I
be
in

sellor
Counto

you

address

104

ALEXANDER

The

followingis

28, 1791, from

I had

been

written

to

in

have

formed

be better

may
be

for

bed

surface

the

bable,
altogether impro-

is not

Riegelsdorfthere

at

Pray

Forster

assure

frequentlyrepeated his experiment

in the
"

call to mind

plants,we

the

between
dear

friend.

If, in

of

composed

be

can

is

something

evolved

Yet

bone?

at

am

from

has

the

is

tained
con-

tetradynamia
in beef

of

the

affinity

question,my

which, though really

phosphoric acid,

with

designatedxmcrystallised

loss to know

in

comprehenrive

some

"

impregnated

lime

another

with

tion
connec-

observed

also to be

see

Werner

that which

earth

to

of animal

limestone,

of lime.

in the

alkali

I meet

could

Where

phosphate

vegetable life.

and

constitutes

animal

of the

albumen

of

fact that

potatoes is

begin

the formation

on

the

volatile

in

shall

^we

"

animal

treatise

and

cereals,and

luminosityseen
salmon

and

esteem, and

heartfelt

of my

phosphorescence of potatoes with great success.

with Fourcroy'sdiscoveiyof the existence
many

could

and

animal,

an

being. Perhaps you

is it likelyto
classification;

thing

below

phalanges

hmnan
its

The

which

ing
limestone, considerablycontorted, contain-

of

I have

that

of

paw

any

Such

thirtyfathoms

fossil fish.
tell him

otter

extensive

an

of

able to determine

species of

Riegelsdorf.

at

since

letter.

petrifiedchild's hand,

it is the

part

have

ago, and

already lengthy epistle"

to this

beds

that

"

finishingmy

called

slate

the

alreadygiven:

weeks

three

add

been

has

clearlyenough

never

is

going

am

of what

found

show

far about

thus

been

Januaiy

of

Sommering

to

have

extracts

illness from

drawing
was

letter

the

prevented by

To-day

from

which

HUMBOLDT.

VON

how

calcareous

the

taken

slight nourishment

by

infant.'

an

There
Dr.

still extant

are

Grirtaner, whose

The

subjectof

standing with
while

at

his way
the

the

Berlin

at
to

acquaintance
of these

letters is

letter Humboldt
end
with

of
his

Freiberg,where

'

Magazin

it had

been

[An old

name

of

to

excellent

fiir Botanik

spend
'

ammonia.]

;'

to leave

was

night
fort-

brother,

arranged that

simmier.
^

in London*

that he

April,and proposed
and

to

impleasant mistmder-

an

mentions

mother

this date

about
made

Humboldt

Usteri, the editor of the

in another

Hamburg

pass

one

letters written

some

he

on

should

COLLEGE

To

the
*

historian

Wattenbach

of

letters

about

boldt
acted

this time.

his

as

inmate

of

several

of

the

some

warm

of

house.

his

that

at

the

friendlyrelationshipshe
Hamburg.

at

refers, while

The

weeks

few

June

11,

in

given

spent

in

chemical

his

acquiring a

to

preparation for

in

Humboldt

his

his

to

the

panions.
com-

his

pursuit of

Hermb-

with

attention

chiefly

was

School

the

then,

April till

of

acquaintance with

visit

that

even

end

to

nature

youthful

experimenting
his

'

livelywit

must

in

intimate
his

served
pre-

with

backgroimd

the

Berlin, from

but
laboratory,
more

the

societyof

in

evince

long

maintained

Humboldt

in the

study,botany, and

"vourite
stadt

when

Humboldt

in

of

names

they

an

was

unpretending good

which

occupied by

were

the

Biischy^

to

the

lication
pubHum*

Humboldt,

full of the

are

throughout keeps

conscious

from

related

was

which

They

overwhelming superiorityof
been

father

period, and

livelyrecollection

the

owe

letters contain

and

is manifested

have

his

by

gentleman

These

friends

Forster

which

received

secretary,and, together with

his

companions
"which

Heidelberg we

at

This

105

LIFE.

logy
mineraMines

of

at

TVeiberg.
As

of

matter

the

sought

permissionof

Works,

in

the

for

Department

the

than

more
coiirtesy

the minister

Regulation

followingterms

Humboldt
necessity,

of

Heinitz, Head

Von

of the

Mining

*
"

in which

held,

the

combined

with

character
the

received

my

small

work

ancients

and

the

basalts

before

you

have

enter

remarkable
upon

the

of the

some

of

my

The

fixed

country

an

Department

at Berlin.

Rhine, leads
boldness

which

with
the

of

nature

sphere

such

when

age

of

in

basalts
to

me

you

of

hope

venturing

powers

but

cannot

labour, and

limited

vol. xvi.
Jahrbiiclier/
originalis presenredamong

PreuBsiache

"

kindness

to

the
that

lay

of my futurepublic life.

attained

now

upon

service

sketch

mation
inspiredin me by the estiyour Excellencyis universally

of

Excellency will forgive my

your

May 14, 179L

confidence

^The unbounded

"

Smelting

and

'Berlin:

*Sir,

of the

as

wish

devote
I possess.

to

to

the
The

pp. 139-148.
the

papers

of the

Koynl Mining

106

ALEXANDER

msh

complete

to

from

your

under

your

taste

of

those

has

for

State
could

wealth

beneficent

plans,by

and

science

the
the

been
and

have

studies

My

of

In

Hamburg.
acquire
months

in

be

School

about

my
the

towards

therefore, humbly
as

see

may

you

reports in

your

future

at

mind
in

career

to

of

request

fit,to grant

department, and
in

the

with

th^

to finance

which

has

the

through Crermany,
of my

as

and

the

spend

to

I arrange

life before
this

machinery

It would,

Freiberg.

of

sojournat

education, and

anxious

am

six

ever,
how-

something
further

taking
I

design ;

venture,

Excellency to disposeof

access

to

alterable
un-

political
economy.

mining

your
me

how

shown

pursuitof

could

accomplishment

appointment

some

with

Mines

relief to my

great

opening up

has

scientific

my

operations,I

of

Excellency

in

but

England, as well

complete

to

its various

the

at

definite

order

your

at Frankfort-on-the-Oder

travels

practical
acquaintance

employed

me

my

and

Netherlands, Holland,

steps

of

time

some

which

the

residence

Crottingen,and

at

of

directed
principally

my

and

mines

accomplishment

sound

political
economy,

object of

main

been

hitherto

strong

in the

accordance

principlesof philosophy and

*

the

with

wealth,

in

employed,

decided

the

only succeeded

not

of national

best

be

you

ments
depart-

various

hope
flattering

myself with

mission
com-

express

from

only

not

the

from

more

sources

new

in the

operations coxmected

series of years

long

the

to

and

grand

an

and
geologicalinvestigations,

to associate

able

being

labour

charge, arises

still

works, but

by securing

Excellency to

I feel in all the

interest
salt

education

mj

for

possess

HUMBOLDT.

VON

on

permit

return

my
at

me

administration

the

hold

to

once

the

of

to

and

mines

2)meltingworks.
*

with

I remain,
*

Your

the

profoundestrespect,

Excellency'smost

obedient
*A.

In little
Humboldt

received

couched

in

Herr

von

he

the

fortnightafter

reply on

the

this

Humboldt,

proposes

to

of the
and

on

VON

Humboldt.'

date, Alexander

of the
thirty-first

terms:
following flattering

of consideration

out

by

than

more

servant,

"

acquire during

of the
his

his

month
lency,
Excel-

already possessed

attainments

account

*That

same

von

additional

ledge
know-

stay at Freiberg,as

^^^^^E
as

in

*J"ttUa"oned
to d".

^A^ ?**immediately
upon

'^'"S^
next

^'o-inZf^''y
'-port. 7Z

^^"

con^J

^^

'

UPE.

SS'^*'

4t

^^nted

thet *'"'" of

.t"-^

to

s^-

','"^

*"
witTf

""

o"ier that he

^^'*""' i"

the

mode

4^

""*

may

"hall also

o/ xr.

be

r jn

^Pont

H^eiT AT

sere^.!
^
^e""nann^jT

^v

v"'"*"

l^t

'^'^^Idt Da""*""
through Dres"heerfal i. ^^^^
days
in the
of
family
*i,

^i-^t*'*^C^' ^PPJ^

^'^"-'I""ri-"
IxaC^/^ *"P08^
the
r"*^ that I hav!f
I?Tl,
^t^Wect^^"*"y ^n^e i-^ which
"P^ """ fe*"'"
I

"^.^,.^render ^ ^^"
Of y,;;^
it "?**"^"

'^ne

^'^

Proflfered

y^^ ^*
pvur^t
.^'^ 8""tifyfa;.*^^"on.' p,^/^*'^" be the de^-r.
1^
^""^ ".e J^ spectacle to o"5 "^^^"^ he continues
o"e

*".

"""

Of

best and

"

must

on

^th

^^

""Joj^ent

^^

*bis

^^^^'^^'^
8?""efe^^-

objectnear

to me

""ceof7^"jVed
at
^0

one

^t2 the
"^

d^j.

approach

in the

aS

ite

^*

inL^^^"

t^^^^^ byHeinitz Freib^^

*5-,^7^
regarded
at

-"

hixn
^^

""

^"""**"' of

las

that

knowledgeof

scS
m?

J"

**"

108

ALEXANDER

and

the

authority of

higher than

never

Under
had

gained

Linnaeus
that

was

his banner
decisive

tion of the

strength of
through

into the

in which

it

and

seems

the

quences

the
he

'Werner,'
later,

the

'

he

in

^Essai

of

Lagerimg

the

had

ings
teach-

extensiTe

aspects.

thirty years

attention

which

must

occurringin

He

Werner,

into

le

German

climate, a

in

paratively
com-

quarter of

any

several

in which

awaken

are

the

true

mind

in the

just conceptions concerning

those

Thus
to

gisement des
by Leonhard:

Gebirj^rten

which

"cts

like
suffice,

may

geology.

even

of

miles

to
philosophers,

of

of the

crust

square

be

^itmight almost

"

vicissitudes

many

examined

geologicalformations

earth's

tie

also what

himself

never

presage

As

few

exhibited,

observer

truths

der

had

the

of

ancient

g^ognostiquesur

translated

iiber die

he

and

are

the

of

the

observed, but

be

to

to reveal.

extent

experienced

conclusions

widest

of the later discoveries

formations

fundamental

gifted

geology, recognised with

of

regionshe

; in

globe,a region even

an

his

his

Humboldt,*

pointsto

was

instances

some

small

the

salient

only what

of latitude

of

in her

science

which

through

conse^

is revealed
of

genius

under

till

him,

ultimate

its weakness

ban

passing

science,a phase

their

native

the

this time

new

he

theories

the

at

The

primitive,transition, and secondaryrocks.

to know

of

the format

districts*

other

observingthe separate formations

independent

microcosm

the

laid

the

hereafter

distinct

to

to break

geology was

the

to follow

Thus

of the

anticipatedsome

said that

volcanic

authority,supported

was

in

von

not

essential

theoiy

from

unusual

Alexander

several classes of

was

Geology

Nature

father

out

aqueous

be inferred

contemplated

surprisingacuteness

pointed

the

of

in

theory before

had

writes

be directed in

of geology.

of his

adduced

may

necessary

master

had

be

means

no

insufficient

of
travels

could

discovered.

pupil was

science

was

Erzgebirge,completely set aside

of the

principlesof

truth

the

contending for

those

weight

science

phase by

in

botany

concerningthe history of

The

his influence

introduced

of

upheaval of mountains, although the strongest

the

of its truth

evidence

science

upholders

strife

earth's crust-

theory of

Werner

of

the

by personalexamination
the

the

in

victoryover

in the incessant

agency

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in beiden

he

which

roches
'

of

most

dans

had

the

early

arrived

les deux

spheres/
hemi-

GeognostischerYersuch

Erdhalften

'

C1823). p. 67.

110

ALEXANDEE

indulge in

the

extravagant

passionatesentimentalityof

with

ready

ever

of his

that

asserted

the

in

felt

Humboldt
than

to

Freiberg

"

subjectsat

iron, besides

problems
lectured
the

on

in

existinglaws

applied to

as

in 1794

With

so

able

as

attain
are

by

arrival.
the

residence

certainlyof
I

mines,
^

the

of

out

first instance

in the

to these

had

tion
instruc-

subjects,gave
Kohler

lectiured

father

Freiesleben,the
instruction

of

on

in

to

in

his

practicalsur\'eyfirst

friend

at

Dresden

upon

I attend

from

seven

lectures,and

the students

at

"

'I

quaintance
ac-

am

I shall

I wished

to

which
laboiurs,

character,immediately

spend nearlyevery morning

among

my

alone.

scientific purposes

I entered

multifarious

intimate

of this science, Humboldt

Freiberg,although

various

in the afternoon

of Humboldt's

Lampadius.

branches

here.

formed
[A society

smelting

working

the

of

art

lectureshipin chemistry was

follows

accomplish the
a

the

on

especially
mining operations,
succeeded
in 1784
been
by his

tuition

the

livingvery happily here

be able to

the various

to write

various

college trainii]ig

opportunitiesfor acquiring an

many

by

coimtry relatingto mining, IQotzsch

mines.

under

with
was

the

applied mathematics.

of

art

for

boldt
Hum-

of

in addition

essaying,while
youthful friend, gave

the

added

classes

in the

by

as

at

of his life.

lectures

Charpentier,who

of the

well

as

in

studied

to him

minerals,geology,and

machinery employed, had

and

Freiesleben
he

latest years

gave

particularbranches

pure

as

tion,
direc-

confirmation

ample
1799,

Werner

him

this

young

whom

embraced

conducting

mining.

on

on

ing

to the

this time

pupil Lempe, who,

the

up

classification of

mining, the
of

and

sketched.

thus

be

may

1792

letters written

occasional

to

under

receives

in

thoughts

series of letters addressed

the years

between

The

that

statement

connected

and

long

of his

instructors

ercised
ex-

sympathy in the
be confidently
may

It

indebted

more

of the

any

studies.

moulding

now

none

over

inseparable companion,

enthusiastic

mining

have

Epigoni

influence

an

racter,
cha-

Hainbund,'

friends, however,
his

and

of the
cold

we

became

advice

branches

various

which

permanent

Freiesleben, who

young

devotion

all these

and

decided

so

on

Of

comprehension.

its enthusiastic

from

correspondence which,

recalls

no

HUMBOIJ)T.

VON

upon

till twelve
of

an

Gottingen.]

my
in

evening

COLLEGE

I go

kindness,

and

of

house

Werner

admitted
with

Freiberg

in

the

excitement

the

Various

his interest
hours.

leisure

he

chemistry,
the

French

and

BerthoUet

It

the

on

world

lower

His

small

the

of

ray

allied

to

the

Sennebier

and

organisms,
on

the

The
firom

and

of

given

in

the

works

of

that

his

these

not

most

be

miner's

is

vegetationof
ever

excluded.
Colour

researches

could

his

conceived

Green

the

of

he

the

to

on

at

by

name

scientific works.

lightof day

result

alreadybeen

fossils,during

passages,

could

be

in

visited

of
his

by

illuminated

by

lantern,is closely

of Bonnet, Priestley,
Ingenhouss,
investigations
the influence of sunlight on
vegetable
upon
was

preparation for

yet tinged

light,was

time
to

as

arise

Flora

his

very

from

with

comprehensive

variotis

when

wholly

shades

of

extraordinaryfact, was
the

work

Fribergensis.*

subterranea

vegetation,even

that

phenomenon

by Humboldt

his

then

had

of

reviews

attention

the

physiology of plants,

at that

who

himself

made

unproductive light of

meagre,

was

Munich,

Observations

sunshine, and

during

enjoyed the sympathetic

study

his

cited
stronglyex-

on

study of

he

garden,'which

subterraneous

single

had

Vegetation,'the

Subterraneous
"

of

which

and

natures

Moreau, Fourcroy, Lavoisier,

subterranean

from

Experiments

de

the

turning

plan laid

the

ardent

carried

the

of heat, and
in

of his
around

mines

also

nature

were

to

Baader

vast

of

idea

happy

that

and

which

pursuit in

in the

wanderings
the

different

himself

engaged

the

not

Flora

'

circuit

and

official instruction

nature

mining,
His

wide

young

As

no

of

Freiesleben, impelled by

time,

himself

was

explorations.

Freiberg,and

while

was

of

the

at this

of Franz

in

years

treatise

in

chemists, Guyton
"

devoted

according to

with

subterranean

devoted

companionship
three

he took

kindled

studies

other

he

art

labyrinthsof

company

often

dangers of

the

by

testifies to

extensive

in

so

of whom

practicaldetails.

its

expeditionswhich

"

the

of

study

also in

but

by Werner,

down

the

to

Fribergensis

wanderings

both

at the

Mend.'

dear

my

much

me

with

met

intercourse, Humboldt

'

subterranea

shows

have

to you,

Gharpentier,with

and

science

indebted

am

enthusiasm

as

receptionI

cordial

familiar

to

true

only

for the

Gharpentier I

Under

calls it. Werner

Forster

hunting, as

moss

111.

LIFE.

disengagement

excluded

green,

garded
re-

explained

of oxygen,

in

112

ALEXANDER

luminous

which

the

gases

exerts

love

unassuming

the

influence.

of truth

and

them,
^

enim

sed

Humboldt

'

1792

excuses,

everlasting

to have

excuse

miles

700

that
foot

on

Mansfeld, "c.
o'clock
the

into

yourself to
much

I have

so

my

to be

of

it

the

and

from

Pray

no

take

and

Metzer

occasion

here, I

have

the mines

that

all
my

you,

the
tressed
dis-

quite

affectionate
I

situated

am

other

that

friends

during

travelled

as

life.
not

on

the

nearly

mention

in

have

with

whole

very

be
of

now.

You

have

is

been

I fbUow

passionately;

the

monotony

insupportable.

will be

wherever

loss to the
you

never

ill,
poor fellow!

heartilysorry

was

in

serious

any

information, and

I do

so

suffered

happy.

followed

are

been

never

laid up

in

condition

been

misfortime, but

of Embden

be

has

amount

of others

six lectures

health

enjoyed must

Maclean.

to

then
I

transit, which

as

many

six till twelve

My

the

myself 1

from

in the

sentence.

as
facility

commiseration

Pepin

am

immense

Everlastinglyabout

heard

and

not

making

and

all my
mind

^you will

"

I have

much

Illness in itself is

of

all

Nevertheless

with

for

how

in

occupied

are

my

although

acquired an

worked

been

"

which
profession

letter

did

now

of

kind

and

bear

dailyin

am

pronounce

consequence,
illness.

Spinoza :

Freiberg,

indeed

only knew

will

fatiguing)

in

be

rei naturam,

some

am

your

Hiilsenbeck

afternoon

occupied

time.

answered

hours

an

not

by carriagethrough Bohemia, Thmingia,

^that I

"

is very

crowded

of

have

and

(nearlytwo

snow

to write

heartily tired

am

If you

me.

months

and

you

so

explicarisolet,

left

willinglyfind

14, but if you

siure

am

should

sooner

letter of November

nine

of

nullius

he

then

concerning

words

natura

I find time

of want

excuse

not

would

might

with

:"

But

Wattenbach*

here, I

even

offered

neglected

shortlybefore

letters which

few

begin with
dear

had

imaginandi, nee

written

February 18,

If the

was

fieu^tseduced

rationes, quibus

omnes

Wattenbach,

dated

he

indicare.'
imaginationisconstitutionem
thus alludes to his literary
occupations in

tantum

to

often

too

tantmnmodo

esse

which

the

basis of noxious

requests,however,

explanation he

the

quotes

Yidemus

modes

the

with

He

by

honourably characterised,that
confounded

HUMBOLDT.

constitutingthe

matter

powerful

VON

go

for

you.

of the
The

life

death

Academy.
that

Von

Heinitz,Chief

Director

COLLEGE

LEFE.

of

may

Mines,

113

possiblysend his son to

Biiscb. I hear a whisper of it occasionally,
but I doubt if it
to pass; however, pray speak of it whenever
ever
comes
you can.
Madame
will be delightedat the mere
thought of such a thing.
I was
of Giseke
and
intenselyamused
by what you told me
Flottbeck.
think

Please

I must

still

idea how
slightest

Arendt,and
I

in

he

for
intensely,

himself to

is

means

of

the

your attention, and

love

every

way

You

must

send

their

have

the

money

to

heavy.

so

that

man

he

forces

worthy
me

am

so

line from

Switzerland
for shame

an

me

letter,asking me
ashamed
have

exertions

own

but

owing

never

taken

been

my

of

say I

to

on

and

Judicature,nothing

Please

explainall this

him.

to

me

of

and

he

of

of

his affairs.

make

my

peace

indebted

am

in the Court

heard

such

I shall writ" to Hiilsenbeck

hours.

cannot

think

must

Klein

I would

think

you

least of all to

^friends to whom

"

been

frirther has

neither

to anyone,
disobliging
are

what

of

tionate
and affecexceedinglywarm-heart"d
to do him
a trifling
service; and I am
ever,
answered
him by a word.
Steps,howbehalf of Herr Christ. Mund, partlyby
partlythrough my brother's influence ;

to Hiilsenbeck

that

sure

part

Hiilsenbeck,I

the dilatoriness of Coimsellor

to

am

for

I don't know

to him.

wrote

As

fault,
I have

In what

for six months.

Speckter now?

is

write

me, for he

Forster

plete
com-

for the future ; you

deeply all this will interest me.

By my own
off
from
all
completelycut
correspondencethat

not had

of

present engaging

know how
I

separate histories.

studies at

prospectsyou

not

as

in

with

the
yourself,

is

cold-hearted

him

of Losh

here

letter.

so

consider

has become

something

me

no

some

Berlin, where

from

the postage from

all the academicians

list of

both

BothUngk's

by

I have

also to send

it to you
as

in Amsterdam.
but

money,

I have

week,

appear;

What

esteem.

some

you

delighted with

was

Tell

owe

much.

I will remit

be

erpect to

ask Crill for his address

friends
for

at

once

so

as

be

with

really
both

you

many

able
agree-

my

arrival

on

at Berlin.
*

I have

now

the enclosed

small

pamphlet

flattery
persuade him
will know
VOL.

I.

how

favour
to

to

ask.

Will

Brodhagen, and
it in

to review

one

kindlygive

by help

of

of the papers

in the least

to do this mthout

you

little
You

compromising me

114

ALEXANDER

or

blow

To

dignity.

my

trade, therefore

Brodhagen might
the

the
'

Hoffmann,

avail himself

who

since

think

of the
else

going
For

the Motion

*2.

On

the Double

Diss, de

Experiments

to press

QrerfCs

of the

'

Do

So

much

joined Herr

Kohler

in

omit

discovered

all either

Gardamine

of the

der

PhysikJ^
of Subterraneous

of Heat

Humboldt's

Buch,

von

who

science; Esmark,

"

Both

Experiments
are

the

on

essays

my

Nos

in

Mineralogy
Eio,

Christiania

Spaniard, whom

in Mexico

as

Humboldt's

by
February

teacher

on

celebration

one
poeticaleff'usions,

Latin

tongue.

afterwards

in the

which

died

Andrada,

departure from

formal

26,

he

in

the

he

German

Humboldt.'

high

1840

Professor

as

twelve

met

pold
Leo-

positionin

Portuguese ;

and

of

Del
later

years

Mineria.

School

given

occasion

position
Decom-

natamus

poma

so

in

Colegio de
the

the

on

Theory

be mentioned

may

subsequentlyattained
who

"

new.

observed

Dane,

Bodies^

Formuls6.

fellow-students

tation.
Vege-

in various

'

Among

Pratensis.

Fribergensibus.

to read

and

printers.
actually

''Armalm:'

some

on

the

among

of the PamassiaPalustris"

Powers

Salt."

of Common
'

of

much

Colour

CreWa

case

Evaporation,"and

of

advent

der Botanikr

Green

Conducting

in any

not

by

the

"

according to Maier's

calculated

has

Jov/mal

"

the

'For
Table

Prolification

upon

importance.

opportunity aSbrded

of the Filaments

For

thor's
au-

an

magazine.

plantissubterraneis

some

of

part

journal by

January

the ^^Armalen

3.

of

following articles being

On

is

to be

to the

Kving latelyvery

been

trumpet

of the

I have

reviews

of the

printed or

'

I hold

own

management

Only

'

HUMBOLDT.

one's

impulse latelygiven

new

Herr

VON

of Mines

him
was

and

by

was

his

friends

addressed
the

ised
signal-

other

in
in

on

two

the

COLLEGE

In

spiritof gratefulremembrance

of his life in

period
jubilee

of his

heartiest

and

together

with

behind

garden

the

with

from

and

which

shadows

his

In

institution

exercised

He

therein

that

and

grasp

methodising

part
been

had

he

that

the

to

held

the

devoted

had

art
practical

the

office of

Fichtelgebirge;
associated

with

administration,
the

America
kindness
^

of

rest

'

; and

Stance

extraord.

1847, " Foccadon

Waldheim/ p. 7.

f"$vr.

powerfulan

even

he

officials in the mines

imp^r.des

in the

youth were

at

period of
and
the
in

Freiberg,
Werner's

onlyupon

Portuguese
encouraging

Saxony, and

Naturalistes de Moscou

jubildsemi-s^culaiie

having

he felt indebted

Mines

to

works, in

Mines

influence not

owed

which
vour
endea-

of

of his

Spanish

upon

much

de la Soci^t^
du

brilliant

portant
im-

an

exclusively

proud

which
of

which

rightposition;

the Franconian

School

his

years

felt

he

for

direction

to their

several

under

comprehensive

to elevate

and

boldt
Hum-

of his life.

his constant

was

advantages,for

how
finally,

of the various

it

happiestrecollections

but

'

was

genius

for the

of

of the

course

to the

and

; that

institution,the

Europe,

world

whole

culture

so

the

the

Superintendentof

exercised

brother

my

commemoration

of Werner's

had, especiallyduring the

which

from
from

indebted

mining

all those

received

you

he
obligations

energies for

his
of

both

misunderstood,

that the

excellent

that

to

often

so

where

Paris, where

powerfulinfluence

of Werner

name

at

the

his efforts ; that

given to
times

the

upon

power

the

mind

to

September 25, 1850,

on

of

was

of his mental

to honour

modem

he

among
and

I
preciousand affecting

sense

sojourn there

be

still recall

reminiscences

birth,

my

privileged,

was

talents

residence

festival in

his

states

to offer you

your

pupil,and

Freiberg and

at

attainingthe

on

me

you

of esteem,

most

deep

of

Fischer,

den
Freiberg,the sojournat Dres-

at

your

the

at

his

Can

are

me

Werner's

of

expresses
the

to

address

centenary
to

was

These

are

friend

Freiesleben,to

Haften, the

von

Cuvier?

Allow

"

greatness

gratifyingmarks

many

'

Mend

church

the

Humboldt

von

character.

Seinhard

Caroline
so

departed

your

to his

for I
congratulations,

recognise the
of

axniabiUty

alludes to this

congratulatinghim

fervent

our

Humboldt

addressed

of Doctor

degree
most

first to

the

letter he

1847, when

Februarys,

on

U5

LIFE.

de S. Exc. M.

to

da 22

Fischer

de

116
the

organic life
darkest and

the

the
diluted

delicate

week

of himself:
You

studies

for

the

his

and

since

they

the

me,

only

the
have

am

June

the

of the

cause

all

only
searches.
re-

character

Dresden,

at

23, he

thus

for

value

my

speaks

forgive on
of my

the

to be

followingsketch

friend

in my

of reason,

imagination

trebled.

the

fully
power-

only bewildered

am

that

I
patience
im-

an

and

youth

Though

in

"

interest

judgments,

earlyeducation.

character

friendshipof
Forster, and

been

of my

sition
dispo-

lay claim.

affectionate
has

eyes

appear

of

to

the

me

an

observation,nor

is in

needing

me

account

dictates

the

my

departure from

in

I venture
for

to

frankness

mutual

inconsiderate

suggestions of

still

our

procured

now

by

of

gained

I wish

as

and

to which

have

escaped your own

completely unfinished

gulating
re-

seeds

of

ingenuous

Neumann

heart

of

confidence

have

Jbis

of

comprehensive

Neumann,

excellencies

must

influenced

The

friend

dear

Warmth

peculiarcircumstances

me

laws

darkness, were

and

Freiberg,on

my

hasty and

you

Tjy the

The

followingextracts.

his

to
at

heart, their

frank

in

even

movement

later, more

terest
in-

conditions

discover

Palustris,the

to

; his

the

mines.

intense

most

which
qualities

Jacobi

know

seen

friends.

It is these

your

yet

"

my
are

attention

acid,^ the

Humboldt's

addressed

have

before

his

of the

Pamassia

in the

after his arrival

physics,nor

ascertain

the

mineralogy

to

alreadysought to

muriatic

green

letter

to

to

plants,the rapid germination

of

strikinglyportrayed in
In

neither

nor

more

recesses

of the

nobilityof

The

much

deepest

oxydated

preparatory

botany

he had

which

filaments

But

exclusivelydevoted

growth

production of

in

co-work^

Freiberg brought

at

close.

to

excited

been

had

to

neither
he

chemistry,had

and
fellow-pupil

studies

his

of Humboldt

mining,

to

nor

of

completion

collegelife

is

his

Freiesleben.

The

in

HUMBOLDT.

companionshipof

instructive

Karl

of

VON

ALE3CA^^)ER

word,

of your

yet is,and

how

it cannot

wife, how

much

there

developed.'

of Humboldt's

character

at the

time

of

Freiberg is given by Freiesleben,afterwards

[In the language of

modem

chemistry,a

weak

eolutian of chloiine.]

118

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

CHAPTER

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

Afifiessor

of Mines

"

in.

Administmtioii

Offidal

of

^Animus

Official

"

ment
Employ-

importantScientific Schemes

only a Stepping-stoneto more

in Franconia
Commission
^Appointmentas Superintendentof Mines
' Flora
^Visit to Berlin
of Commission
Extension
to January 1793
Fribergensis' ^Experimentson Sensitive Organisms" Commenoemeot
of
conia
FranCondition
of Official Employment in Franconia, May 1793
I^ctical
Scientific
for Miners
^Free Schools
Undertakings
Commissioa
labours
Appointment as Counsellor of Mines, 1794
Mollendorf
Prussia
under
S
ervice
in Southern
^Repeated
^Diplomatic
of the
Director
Silesian or
Offers to become
Westphalian Minea
in Switzerland,1795--Retum
and
Salt Works
and
^Refusal" Tour
well-directed
Industry ^Dangerous Experiments ^Visit to Berlin
Proposals for further Official
Diplomatic Mission to Moreau, 1796
"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

Service

Though
of

residence

the

Mines

from

^Death of his Mother.

"

14, 1791,

period suflSced
the
at

Freiberg

29th
the

of the

promise

'Alexander

on

account

was

February 26, and

made

by Heinitz, was

upon
of the

Humboldt

and

in the

him,

valuable

possessedby

him

general routine

of

by

in

from

issued

voto

ctim

of the

mathematics,
arts

business.'

of

tive
in the Administraan

appointment

document,

theoretical

and

physics,natural

was

of

Berlin,appointing

official

mining
It

the

on

rescript,in fulfilment

Smelting Works,'

words

of

his fellow-students

days afterwards,

knowledge, both

chemistry, technology,the
the

three

Assessor

of Mines

Mining Department

him

ministerial

month,

von

in the

given

same

Department
conferred

f"te

this limited

even

then
acquire every qualification

to

employment

farewell

State.

him

School

at the

beyond eight months,

February 26, 1792, yet

to

to enable

for official

necessary

Humboldt

Alexandei^von

Freiberg scarcelyextended

at

June

of

and

further

'

on

tical,
prac-

history,

smelting, and
enacted

that

OEnCIAL

l)efore

attached

being

Humboldt

von

of the

service, such
the

he

received

and

the

will

in the

very

boards

the

of which

various
the

those

lime

quarries
mode

days.

sheer

by

the officials was

among

prevailedto

drudgery

valuable

so-called

of

idleness

mulated
accu-

information,

of their

capriceor pervertednotions

the

ployed
em-

processes

practicesand

official

subalterns

amount

vast

Scientific education

quite

the

superiors.
exception,

den.
participationin literarywork was as good as forbiddent,
Hippel, subsequentlyholding the positionof Presi-

dared
office who

whether

in furtherance

administration,the inseparableevils

of

The

extent.

accordingto

Von

dence,
correspon-

bureaucracy,red-tapeism,and

large

any

the

works.

glance at

regulation

internal

conducting

inspectthe

to

prevalentin

various

and

of

reports, "c.,

peat

take

now

arisingfrom

to the

smelting establishments, in

of administration
In the

of

up

himself
mode

conunission

kilns, and

We

the

Assessor

specialdepartment, the

any

devote
as

drawing

in

to

should

119

EMPLOYMENT.

under

write

not

had

given

his

signature. A

own

conditional

affirmative
with

pursuitscomported

scientific

to

the

question,

official

an

for

candidate

position?

had his papers, which

in themselves
excellent,returned to
were
him by the presiding examiner, with the significantremark,
that

that

of

opinions

his subalterns

occasion,when

his

but when

they

copy of their

and

with

give it

the
in

me

scientificstagnation.

I^resident
von

Schon

himselfup

the

to

These and

th^twere

manuscript !
fallen

1808

year

number

of

observation

of

Burgrave
had

From

Stein

Leben

von

read

on

I
most

state

of

read

nothing
officials

able

literary and
from

Briinneck,
a

what
some-

even

knew

He

and

the
in

MS.

Pertz/ vol. vL

the
Stein

line of Goethe.

evils,equallygreat, had

in expense,

on

printed

communication
von

Kunth.*

privateletter.

a
8

not

other

required,in comfort,
*

with

stopped them

The

into

According to

to the

him

know

'

that

;
greatest cordiality

minister
'You

was

congratulatehim

the

present

remark:

alike

had

statesmen

escaped the

to

Stein

Hagen,

von

to

with

the
congratulations,

harshly
in print
;

about

were

Count

came

them

received

birthday,he

inadmissible.

were

minister

to relate of the

accustomed
.one

nature

p. 76.

not

sacrifices

health,before

120

ALEXA10)ER

official

conscientious

occupying

board,

whether

administrative

service

of

than

more

obtain

could

or

exertion, in

How

the

occupation for
'

Since

the

ridicule

system

*If

could

obtain

not

that

about

official

I would

When

rather

to the

be

imreasonableness

it is remembered

practicalexperienceduring
condition

of

eagerness

displayed by

himself

official

an

from

the first

the

of

service

be ascribed

all

science.

To

his

department
formed

corruption so
boards.
the

most

be

tarily
volun-

State

as

the

that

devote

to
a

after

deplorable

conceived

service

merely

obliged

self-interest.'

the

interpretedas

triguer,
in-

an

thus

Humboldt

The

him

wish

to enter

State

of the

was

stepping-stoneto

this

be traced

an

of

continued
the

Heinitz, the
men

the

as

service

and

as

of

the

of

this

his time.

in which

most

Humboldt

happy exception

administration

of

well

disregard,of

employment.

public

minister

of persons

judgments

to say ironical

preferments,

honourable

rife in

excellent

his fearless

not
indifference,

flatteringproposalsfor
entered

be

von

career.

public recognitionsand

The

well

may

becoming

Humboldt
of

"

countiy,

my

half of this

youth:

positionof independence may

the highest of his
exceptionalpreferment over

this may

things,and

and

year

not

regarded by

his

to
superiors,

and

must

be

von

service

Alexander

ordinary official

upon

William

the

life,it

public life

to

still a

of prejudiceand

that

office in

resigned his

than

merchant

thus

President,

hypocrite,or

alchemist, a

the

such

sadness

first

without

employment

Bosicrucian, a visionary,an
to submit

with

(1793), when

time

the

since

of unheard-of

state

for serving
requisitequalifications

the

I, with

into

cil
coun-

Struensee, "c.,

Vincke, afterwards

things.Von

himself

expresses

sunk

not

affluence

edicts, and

Gome,

ministerial

depravity. In acknowledging

of

do

or

exchanging^ their

in the

as

men

constant

position of

WoUner's

of official life had

corruptionand
condition

such

of

thaleis,

in

artisans

offer of

post

salary of 1,500

their

600

spent

and

the

lucrative

most

publicationof

maladministration
whole

forty years

regards

as

rise,after

salaryof

tradesmen

many

independence, would

and

thirty or

he, ^who,

said

years, to

provincial

judicial,could

dependent position,even

1,800 thalers.

know,'

position on

or

twenty

after

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of

all other

department, was
The

to

the

official
one

principaltraits

of
of

his estimable

character

121

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

genuine religiousfeeling,an

were

nest,
ear-

the purest affections,

to cultivate
persevering endeavour
to everything
absence
of all selfnseeking,
a
an
susceptibility
and gentleness.
kindness
and inexhaustible
noble
and
beautiful,
He

of

selected

G-ovemment

he

Mountains
the

to

the

task

of

Such

Humboldt,

The

before

he
ability,

The

the

School

of

Prussian

mines

upon

dignity in

the

for

and

Alexander

when

von

official
State

lay

of

his.

proof

any

to

ebb.

low

very

in the

highest expectationsand

love of travel

found

his

the Prussian

tracingthe
It

here

closed.

It

is still

...

here ; it

must

Daemoir

on

other

be
the

decided

quite

me

with

conspiringto

was
post-office

course

their

mode

produced

Uterary efforts,have
meet

encomiums.
my

mails

the

how
of
of
a

It

wishes, and

few

for

I arrived

already
remain

long
a

earlyas

"

Saturdays,and

uncertain

of

the

as

these

means

As

Berlin

sooner,

in the

and

best

the

from

thered
ga-

preserved in

and

Tuesdays

now

salt works

niiidsterhas loaded
were

to write

me

evening that

Monday

on

on

still

official life.

his

in

; and

Freiesleben

to Freiesleben

wrote

best be

fellow-students,

recent

archives,furnish

events

in science

his interest

legal documents

some

impossible for

Saxonyonly leave
late

and

of

execution

gratification,
may

correspondencewith

of

course

2, 1792, he
was

whereby

constant

Bavarian

and

in the

Humboldt

his letters to his friends

letters,
together with

March

to him

entrusted

from
especially

^y

in

entered

waiting

the

with

when

himself

at

twenty-two,

enjoyment experiencedby

from

80

time

and

1766,

devoted

had
of the

to honour

path

received

the commissions

'

of

in

manner.
flattering

most

and

he

Harz

the

in

foimded

public service

him, and, without

was

later

he

he

at that

of the
age

Saxony,

condition

were

state

the

at

employment.
open

the

which

the

was

ever

appointments

works

mining

1777

since

improviug

smelting works,

of

Elector

Freiberg, and

at

the

brought

flourishingcondition,

of the

employ

Mines

had

he

which

in the service of the Brunswick-Hanoverian

While

to bestow.

for the

in the subject

acknowledged

he

with

care

capable men

and

only worthy

which

with
the

subordinates, and

his

in

took

he

livelyinterest

readiness

for the

education,

merit

had

the

distinguishedfor

was

days. My

management,

and

sensation.

The

as

seems

yet

if everything

regard the

122

ALEXANDER

-whole

"dered

'I

"

felt
I

received

quite ashamed

of

have, however,

xmfair

to make

troop

of cadets

I have

in this

and

this

week,

long

and

in

thence?

once

assessor

former
ore

this

gain

to

I have

in

our

old

to be

and

the

be

study is

mj^](

board

firom

suitable

more

for

remain

relieved

no

miralty.
of ad-

observe
I

that

life.

allowance

believe

speaking

me

is

is

him

be

great respect for

different
you.

as

did not

of

that
techni-

for

hates

who

having educated
Eheden

is

suffers much

in

consistent
He

instructive

an
man

very

now.

me

wholly free

quite

merely

How

must

to

position

This

knowledge

The

be

made

in

Karsten,

for

him

this

on

to

his

truly kind-hearted, and

his

great change

I had

I considered

that

reproach me

pleasantto

gave

accomplish
only in generalities

trifles

to

one

him

deal

these

in my

man

and

technicalities

foreman.

accurate

an

thought

and

fiheden

he

closely,that

; I told

that

the

and

Count

too

practicalminer.

towards

is

than

conunon

philosophy of

great

advantage.

to

hands,

upon

I mention

kind
particularly

has

Berlin

of mines

practical details

me

all scientific

when

to be

told

office next

not
certainly

first interview, that

least disconcert

manner

I shall

been

than

into

sworn

latfcer.

decide.

to

the

will have

minister

bom

score.

be

whole

the

on

health,

of

seems

Halle, Bothenburg, "c,

for establishments
";alities,

myself

It

m^t"
literary

claim

better

mind

trifle.

first to go to

certainlynot

";omment

such

heads
my

expresslybegged

to my

Mining

as

post.

the

over

board.

same

I shall have

little.

cense
in-

smelting departments.

I shall

board

everything depended

He

commission

my

had

one

I have

be left to the

the

no

to the

there, since

the

should

reor

the

to

water-power, certainlynot

likelytrue.

understand,

to

was

writes

pupils,"c., since

nor

department

Berlin, for

studied

in

at

introduced

"

are

offeringof

being elated by

for

steps

and

he

7,

and

mining

myself

administrative

an

me

March

no

me

is very

residence

for

incessant

openly expressedthis opinion here, but

that

^that is

"

olfactorynerves

the

taken

yield neither

-can

chess

at

game

The

yesterday

in the

voto

cum

I'

days later,on

few

Assessor

issue of

the

indifference.

immerited

Only
friend:

with

HUMBOLDT.

length insensitive,from

at
so

I should

thing as

say, almost

to

VON

from

assumption.

from

I do

much

not

his
see

letters
much

His
or

of

style
books.

him,

nor

OFFICIAL

indeed
^th

He

botany.

the value

of my

first to make

is the
flora

"

six weeks

About
19

'
"

official

shall

post

has

thus

five or

six

furnaces,and

for

communicate

only

travel

through

minister.

have

the

quiteuncertain

seeinga

mines, and

at

by way
"

present.

mountain

new

be

to

impossiblefor

There

once

me

of Erfurt

fatum
^irreparabile
Humboldt's

the

at

to

Porcelain manufactory,where

"

In

extensive

the

see

lines,of going
three

weeks.

smelting

be

soon

I must

Bayreuth

to

an

have

been

Margraviates. Eight

two

I may

that
first,

at

then,

general report to
! 1)or

go

quite delighted at

am

and

your

so

the

route

is

am

there

thought
kinds

different

many

the

is
Silesia,

to

neighbourhood.

My

merely

I shall remain

whether

of Mines

Saalfeld.

I'

the

where

prospect, which

furnish

and

in

of

It will be

obliged to

rigidlyprescribed

officialcommLssion

of the first

4, 1792

through Freiberg,for

to pass

and

June

on

will,however,

me

range,

more

do.'

to

of the

Overseer

altogether(and become

Westphalia.

to

structure
the geological
investigate

I shall do

What

"

Suitable

granted

coimtry

here

porcelain manufactory.

about

to

been

my

is still

received

mineralogicalconstitution

x^eeks

yet

I have

1!

commission

As

course

then

May

on

remain

not

Linum,

half-a-dozen

in

My

Zehdenick,

delighted

am

to you

by

for

friend

Eheinsberg, where

Fichtelgebirge,in

honoured

me

to prepare

night.

at

I do

have

to

to

miner

improvement.
the

then

are,

inspect the

to

occupations

that

his friend

to leave

am

deal

little to do.

I wUl
to

afterwards

commission

go

it all new,

me

same

Thuringia, and

to

again writes

peat-cuttingworks

of

thinks

He

the

to

great

certain,however,

first go

days

writes

but

me

practicalmining

He

and

engrossed

rightlyappreciate

stronglyurges

and

work

and

given

; it is

probably

with

and

still

am

me

Fribergensis."

later,he

well

keep

undecided

For

since

complete edition.'

more

Willdenow,

exceedingly remarkable,

and
a

but

of anyone

123

EMPLOYMENT.

he

included

visit of

to
inspection

greatlyinterested himself

the

Koyal

in the erection

then termed.
He
often
it was
or
as
steam-engine,
fire-engine/
wferred to this pre-ogygian activity.So latelyas October
12, 1857, he
ynatd to the proprietorof the extensive
porcelain factoryat Herend, near
*
in Hungary :
I recall with
Veszprim,
pleasurethat when I was twentytwo years of
appointed with Klaproth, the celebrated chemist,
age I was
on
technical business connected
with the Hoyal Porcelain
some
Manufactory
'

"

124

ALEXANDER

The
I

'

letter is dated

next
am

I must

Yet

solace

must

remembrance

Ask

have

we

where

rather

this

day

"c.

; I walked

spent

the

evening

New

shall

only

shall have

hints

to institute

as

of Gerabronn.

Humboldt,

at

armed

Bayreuth

23, 1792,

he
to

Hardenberg,
extensive
necessary

in

the

the

and

the

crowd

you

At

much

for

upon
I

present
which

we

morrow
To-

to-day.

with

with

information

oflBcial assistance

in

report
at

solid
for the

those
salt

of mineral

preliminary step,

on

inspectthe

to

his return

of their

Berlin,

often

who
the

in

and

course

communication

he had
and

commission,

Government
whom

Heinitz,

smelting works

undergoing

full

addressed

the

and

and
principalities,
a

Von

minister

resolved,as

with

which

quoted, was

above

porcelain manufactories

"VMiile

in the

this purpose

Pelican,

to
Principalities,

the

mines

Carlsbad, Heinitz

establishments
him

in

important improvements

some

well

send

o'clock

subjects about

Thus

one

running about,

things

with

the

instigationof

provinces,as
at

to

in

John,

much

letter to Freiesleben

of the various

waters

Iron

so

Franconian

to the

management
works

"

for Naila.'

at the

anxious

of

Mghtful

most

the

"

many

over

correspond

refers in the

imdertaken

with

did

till six

nunes

How

talk

to

out

Commission

Humboldt

was

like

happy

I been

the

in

morning

several

be better.

soon

I leave
The

in the

foot-sore

quite

am

throw
to

and

back,

visitingthe

I should

that

me

o'clock

the

expeditionwas

what

Unexpected Pleasure, the

will

that

but

in

the

Twilight.

four

night by

have

last

think

Only
and

welL

am

alas ! of those

My

scending
de-

enjoyed myself inmiensely,

have

bustle.

to Saalfeld

from

Joy,

the

Where

been.

not

and

scarcelykeep

can

of

and
yourself,

of

I have

constant

heat

hours

spent together...."

Saalfeld, Kuhnsdorf,
amid

late

these

lines to tell you

few

you

in

myself

affectionate
hours

write

about

going

writing reports, that

and

1792/

Grafenthal, July 11,

"

tired,dear Freiesleben,with

so

mines
up.

HUMBOLDT.

VON

chief

to

meet

condition.

bearing
and

conversed

For

date

the

July

minister,

of Humboldf

acquirements, famished
prosecution of

to

this

"

all

tour

of

inspection.
at

Berlin,and

the

clay.'

that

I have

even

made

experiments in

the

process

of

rolling

126

ALEXANDEB

dition

of

profoundest

Superintendent
have

won

the

sole

the

three

been
are

fulfilled.

now

shall

at Steben

high moimtains,
telgebirge,where

once,

and

quite intoxicated

am

to

see

this

you
the

during

myself,and
I

that

keenly.

has

not

been

asking

was

What

made

It is very
I did

However,
it

neighbourhood
in such

made

year

of

it, I

the

while

received

the

Franconian

only six

or

told

as

should

of
the

its
two

Heinitz

of

ministers,is

still

shown
more

on

again

ago

year
and

you

only
that

since
I

am

have

post.

againstit; but
living in yonr

that

I shall

learn

disturbed
he could

rejoicewith
that
of

by
only
the

me.'

Humboldt

Mines

bestowed

official life.

remarkable.

to

now

such

of

Bayreuth

the

not
can-

feel it

in

upon
But

rapid promotion, the

in

interruption.I think,

appointment

fact of this

accomplishment, as

will

feel

overexert

progress

Superintendent

after his entrance

mere

you

time

personallythat

me

suflFerno

still at

was

"

the

thought

assured

two, and

Principalities an

was

only a

Hardenberg

able

Freiesleben,

yield. Think how much

None
of our plana will be

Heinitz

be

not

to

me

appointment

months

Do

undertake

to

least

some

remonstrated

even

therefore,dear Freiesleben,that
was

I, dear

at

year

heavy.

it is

wonderful
me

and

journeysalreadyplanned
It

be

that

It is

What

me,

position1
for

me

seek

you

not

[Gesenk] meant,

impudent

upon

arrangement.

spare

Mines.

not

pressed

was

this

of

see

meet

care

will not

have

you

winze

the Fich-

probably not
may

the

among

of the

we

has

teresting,
peculiarly in-

happiness; indeed

this

by

me

what

Superintendent

work

knowledge

taught
you

hope

acknowledging
for

to

course

I shall

in

myself entirely

are

able

I shall take

mines

Freiesleben,

spring at Leipzig.

first the

without

too

but

health

indebted

am

joy.

in the

after the

conclude

in the

times

autumn,

my

dear

shall live

that

Goldkronach

devote

and

you

with

the

Arzberg,two villagesin

near

many

winter, or

about

anxious

and

mines,

of

geologicalformations

the

perhaps

henceforth

Duchies.

upon

wishes, my

my

and

I shall be

and

report

my

mineralogy.

and

practicalmining

to

Franconian

Wunsiedel,

All

me.

yesterdayappointed

was

practicalworking

of Naila,

to

two

by

of the

districts

committed

in the

renown

direction

HUMBOLDT.

that

secrecy,

of Mines

much

so

VON

transEtctions

the
him

able
remarkmanner

betwe^i

OFFICIAL

On

September

official communication

an

of the

Hardenberg, Grovemor
that

Assessor

years to the
round

office of

for

replyof Heinitz, granting his

request, is dated
the

with
should
Berlin
this

with

temporary appointment

make

of any

search

for

in

the

The

of

methods

worthy of

remark

at

among

to

On

the

400

the

to

to travel

other

he

might

proceeds to

works

weU

a"

at Crailsheim

would,

Bavaria

hia

March

occupied till
Silesia

and

be

not

positionbefore
be

and

concludes

Himiboldt

new

gest
sug-

Hmnboldt

to

He

at

the

work,

provinces,as

he would
in

in the

appointment

then
salt

on

handwriting.
of

draft of this

there

There

is

and

no

it could

not

served
pre-

words

some

allusion

to this

it i"

document,

appear

salaryattached
that

Superintendent

as

Humboldt,

to

rough

official papers,

selfsame

in

in the documents

but
office,
have

been

from
more

his
as

in

joyous strain, and

most

friend.'
in

for the
in

he writes very

day, September 6, 1792,

The

events

of

the

pours

future

company

considerations

; to work

with
come

the

present,and
side

by

assurances

with

fully

his whole

months

pass

is filled with

ful
delight-

most

side with

him, is all his

the

out

last two

magic mirror, his imagination

pleasingimpressionsof
plans

his

he

thalers.

before him
most

of

of his

it is certain

sources

the

communicated

once

amount

then

sent
con-

evaporation.

that

own

to Freiesleben

heart

of

the

Humboldt's

his

throughout

discoveries

He

that

found

that

of his

Bruchberg.

since

year,

official notification
was

than

duties

commission

of Mines

other

the

upon

approaching
and

the

alum

informing Hardenberg

completing

works

be

department

proprietyof committing

vitriol and

the

the

progress

salt-springsthroughout

able to enter
in the

and

introduced,

of

his connection

the

on

"

porcelain manufactory

letter by

district

accompanies

head

retain

few

Hardenberg's

to

He

geologicalphenomena.

inspectionof

the
.

he

Hardenberg

to

the

would

he

whom

hj

responsibility.The

concurrence

the

report periodicallyto
"

could

person

much

day.

same

in the

proviso,highly flatteringto Humboldt,

improvements

the

even

entire

for

appointed

Mines

of

suitable

more

positioninvolving so

be

might

Superintendent
no

addressed

was

to Heinitz, requestPrincipalities,
ing

Humboldt

von

Bayreuth, since

at Berlin

127

EMPLOYMENT.

desire.

this

friend,

Before

of tenderest

aU

friend-

128

ALEXANDER

VON

thankfulness

ship,and expressionsof deepest

instruction
to

me,

it

seems

happily conveyed.

so

if it bound

about

can

easilyimagine

me

in

the

had

Do

by yourself.

been

of

enjoyment

that

you

thought

all this;

within

owe

carried

would

thing
some-

vated
culti-

and

me

this. I

syllablein reply to

dictate,but
I

feelings,for

my

varietyof

is the

if I

as

you,

modesty

your

for the

sweet

planted

write

not

what

to

closer to

me

that

me

How

'

Freiesleben, that it is

dear
as

HUMBOLDT.

leave
them

rejoice in

inexpressibly.'
In

midst

the

bent
addition

to

mining

the

of the

all

records

the

damp

at

Goldkronach,

of

antimony,

extnemely
be

to

well

that

Humboldt
services

both
no

the

had

in

had

met

In

opposition to

nature,
while

in

the

commission

into

they

solicited
which

hitherto

official

plans

to undertake

his love

minister

Von

or

not

kept

entirelydue
apprehensive
I
injurious,

highly beneficial.'
grounds

wishes,

for

satisfaction.
from

recognition

but
of

found
was

to

of

tell you at

to

prove

he

employment

Heinitz

originallyplanned

is

were

might

the

delicacyseems

often

you

Do

I have

my

warmest

travel

seam

traces

upon

health

commissions

of

As

since 1421.

suspected.

and

ifiines

the

in

gold

come

been

my

in fact

with

glorious

region.

Freiesleben.

reality good
his

his

were

to

though

the

wild

some

I used

in

and

the

from

me

abandoned

summer,

consider,as

that

ministers.

been

enough

improvement

daily descents

my

His

me.

ments
docu-

myself acquainted witii

has

the

much

how

mining

to

eift-

since they
offi/do,

ex

upon

health, dear

my

mining occupations ;

convinced

am

not

throughout

leaving

to my

sent

in

reworking the prince'smine

to make

had

about

Freiberg,that

of

of that

come

fortunate

gallerywhich

feel anxious

have

we

anxious

am

for

plan

where

alreadybeen

old

an

know

chests

read

weather

this mine, which

past historyof
I have

I must

autumn

already devised

have

You

century

'In

apparent

soon

of official inspections. They will make

records

reading in

boldt's
duties,Hum-

new

busily engaged

am

three

sixteenth

the

was

mines.

had

Plassenburg,which

fortress of

of the

I have

this.

belonging to
contain

research

this,'he writes,

ancient

set upon

am

historical

for

of his

daily routine

encountered
the

on

was,

flattering

most

trary,
con-

gratification.Even

stiU

Franconia

at

Bayreuth,

was,

as

he

the

inti-

OFFICIAL

mated

his letter

in

include

for the

salt works

to the

to the

letters

to be

of

end

the district of

investigation.Hence
and
springs,

Freiesleben.

rise

one

October

of

I feel

at Vienna

or

and

five weeks

or

the

the

director

writes

salt

The

never

seen

Eeal

aspect.

new

pile. The
lay my hand

if I could

the

in the

of the
on

whether

back

would

2:

dear

six

or

only

*I arrived

"

accomplished an
of

mountains
I visited

Alps.

instructive

all

of five

course

November

on

have

the

Austrian

works.

day,

some

Notwithstandingthe heavy

where

visit to

the
days investigating

works,

from

at the furthest.'

fatigue,I

most

firstauthority
of salt

is

visit the

if I had

together

Hallein,Berchtesgaden,"c., districts
spenttwelve

hidden

to

Leipzigand

of October.

21st

considerable

paid

as

as

here

expeditionfrom

Berchtesgadenand
I

weather

another, pileupon

them

see

interestingtour through

and

ought

I go to Vienna.

wears

me

to reach

be able

on

above

lie before

Vienna, Humboldt

From

The

"

might easilyaccomplishit during a vacation

four days you could join me
at Bayreuth,

whole

The

than

You

three

requirefour

8D0W

Beichenhall,

to

go

4, 1792

and

snow

from

must

should

days.

with

indebted

writes

dull

more

from

We

them.

we

October

is sublime.

here

Appenzeller(?)Alps

and

again

are

Salzburg,on

before, everything here

In

we

thus

covered

16th

the

about

Alpinemoimtains

tour.

the

Hallein, Berchtesgaden,and Passau, whence

to

on

country about

upon

and

extended

Humboldt

well, but

very

detestable,
everything is

mountain

Upper Silesia,

exceedingly interestingregion.

in this

somewhere

to

as

rock-salt mines

January 1793,

Freiesleben.

to

moreover

am

and

officialjourneys,which

of these

Traunstein,in
*.

Austria,Gralizia

in

extended

evaporation.

details
1792

far

so

Bavaria, Salzburg, the

investigatingthe

of

purpose

processes of

June

Hardenberg,

to

expeditions through Upper

Crovemment

For

129

EMPLOYMENT.

salt

regard

Salzburg and

Kessenberg (?),

rock-salt

abounds,
I

Eeichenhall, where

springswith
him

ingly
exceed-

as

subjectsconnected with
practicalor theoretic.

Von

Claiss,

undoubtedly the
the
He

management
possesses

an

acquaintancewith physicsand mathematics, and has

he worked
much
with
spent seven
years in England, where
Franklin,he has also been for a long time in France; he is tlie
cfxtensive

VOL.

I.

130

ALEXANDER

salt works

owner

of

some

works

in

Winterthur,

salt works

found

considered

he

that

light,and

clearer

I have

autumn.

and

of

methods

On

the
that

are

have

an

essay

Hethod

of

valleyextending from
in the

isolated

and

Suabia

in

Hartz

be

south-west
rocks
Even

that

The
dated
'

rest

the

treatise

printed and

last of

the

that

the

few

was

three

of the

time

were

Eiesengebirge.
in the

might

at

midst
least

method

1793:

opportunityof writingto

the

of

foUow

round

Uie

is from

tive
primi-

the

surface.'

of Ger*

boring for brine, had

preservedof

journeyis

this

"

and
two

and

in

'

Breslau,

Kupferberg
days

in

far into the

principalmines,
you.

springs maj

salt-streams

Humboldt,

cold

of extreme

to
possible

unfortunatelylost.

longer than

visit the

flow

springs

salt

it is
salt

among

Franconia

in

salt streams

of the

Waldenburg

Never

Eisenach

Osterode

all the

l^a

frequentlyexpressed regret

letters still

weeks,' writes
at

connected

brine

ide"

ThurisgiK

and

throughout Germany

course

the

on

leading

between

that

ginated
It ori-

Bayienth,

from

are

and

all the

these

Freiesleben

I ixaii

this map.

The

Forest

projectabove

these

chart,shoiriB|;

my

thirtymiles

gypsum,

Buchwald, January 14,

Brine."

that

Clais,

from

manuscriptsvf^

report

my

north-east, and

the

showing

map,

been

never

to

to

land, which

the

wherever

and

many,

publicationtillthe

the

by followingwhich

mile,

in later years

this

subjectia a

given direction,-that

map,

after
of

upper

one

the

mile

general slope
the

the

springsof Grermany.

to

for

Moimtains,

lie in

lines upon
found

see

complete

Thuringian

flows in the

Germany

draw

.been written

Franconia, Suabia,

twenty

of the

mountains

the

has

position of strata,that they

main

one

that

anything about

Boring
of

accord

deal of information

appended

to tellme

own

now

to

I hftw

conversation

of FrankUn's

some

to you

mountains

the

all the salt

mentioned

I have

best

postpone

gained a great

between

from
"

to

mean

heating ; I also wish

connection

think

salt.

got possessionof

have

the

of

moniiiig

questions"om

his

the

of allthe

direction

whose

of

wrote

add
sulphuric

some

the

with

anyone

treatise

my

manufacture

the

upon

He

instructive.

so

pliedhim

scarcelyknow

of

besides

has

and

Savoy

in

and

in Bavaria.

till nighty and

HUMBOLDT.

VON

At Breslau

I foimd
I

and

among

the
the

ling
place,travel-

thati
tiight,
no

possible

stayedthree weeb

OFFICIAL

Coiint Sheden.

with

I wrote

out

If

ever

report

my

131

EMPLOYMENT.

salt works

the

on

industrious,I

was

of

occupied twenty sheets, and

trated

on

I have
I

been

engaged

more

usual

and

I illiis-

of

royal paper.
drawing this year.

with

practiseit unremittingly,especiallyplan drawing,which

present positionI

my

engaged in
Bheden.
the

via

find of

researches

some

here

came

in

Schneekoppe

Teda

the

among

sleigh,and

in

that

manner

it is

Academy,

degreeof Doctor from

however,is empowered
facultyin-

of

any

Empire,for

has

to

Universities
of

that

who

seems

Esto

his election

igitur,ex

Caesareae Naturae
virtute
coi Te

Tua

merito,

The

Bumame

and

quoque

Curiosorum

decus

have

to

Ttmietis

fortune

name,
ranked

bears

extant

and

among

the nature

prophetically

delay to

arrange

following address

et

Esto

Academise
macte

augmentum,
nostri

consuetudine

Ordinis,

cognomen

Te hodie

primum

reference to the Pythagorean

flattering
who
by Plato in one of his dialogues,
the first citizens of Locri;was
invested

town, and

the soul of the world

was

the author

(vsplV^x^c

of

work

KOfffiov sal

still

ipvatiag),

of the Academy,
the year 1855, the President
of
the
this
renewed
The
honorarymemorial.
homage
Esenbeck,

Sixty"-two
years later,in
Ton

superato,'

described

highestoffices of the

Nees

noster

collegam amicissinmm

-with the
on

present

may
vili

of that
philosopher

by birth

he

"

nunc

TimoBus Locrensisyquo
salutamus.'

German

the

adscribo,ex antiqua nostra

nimc

industria, et accipe,in signum

et

the

Schreber,therefore,

proposed member, proceeded without

for Humboldt's
The
20.
receptionon Jime
*

be

president,
sittingof the

examine

of the

presentedat

shall

earlyperiod(1793),the future achievements

at this

beheld,even

time,

one

the

The

candidate
'

at

By

throughout

any

Science,

him.

no

time

at any

summon

associate

Natural

Universities.

for

president

was

him

previouslyreceived

not

of the

examination

the

and

the

who

one

that

required

conferringupon him,
Doctor's degree by imperialauthority;Von

the

foot of

go with

elected

peculiarlyflatteringto

was

for membership
eligible

them,

Count

Berlin.'

to

laws of the

to

with
at the

to-morrow

in

just now

am

mountains
his estate

yesterday from
a

great importance.

was
Daring his stay at Breslau, Humboldt
of the Leopold-CharlesImperial Academy of

which

twentyK)ne largesheets
than

there.

so

Traunstein

Beichenhall, which

by drawings

was

132

ALEXANDER

He

remained

at Berlin

official labours
in

chemical

animals.

He

writes
follows:

as

remained

last

the

"

'Flora

BerUn

Since
at

to

Jime

no

one

Wattenbach,

"

the

I have

travelled

I visited

been

Berlin, where

at

length of

works.

Man

himself

more

'

My

that

old

among

of life is

it has been

interested

in the

Your
has

far removed

so

sensation

April I

Germany

discoveries

paper,

"

visit

to

Sur

you
le

me

leave

he
.

made

Principede

not

"

politicalcareer,

created

have

does

"

to follow your

I have

find

to

Girtaner:

to

your

have

rock-salt

glad

ever

he writes

; but

men

the

friends,for

from

they

zealouslysupported by

been

In

social intercourse.'

February 12,

of Southern

whole

familiar

scarcelypossiblefor

notwithstanding the
the

long-announced

wandering being,yet

days later,on

course

Suabia, Bavaria, the Tyrol,Vienna, Moravia,

easilyforgetthe pleasuresof
Three

I intend

appointed Superintendent
Principalities.During

in the Franconian

is indeed

once

time.

been

have

Silesia, returning through Poland

and

nearly 3,000

any

Fichtelgebirge,as

summer

Hermb-

Februarys,

on

"

Mines

in

plantsand

upon

place for

fortnightI have

of the

pied
occu-

and
Fribergensis,'

remaining quietly till April,while I see my

work
Flora Fribergensis through the press.
for the

much

in
investigations

some

upon

besides Ids

April,and,

salt-works,was

the

the

of

absorptivepropertiesof sponge.^

from
*

end

galvanic experiments
the

laboratoryon

miles, and
For

and

also entered

Humboldt

1793,

with

publicationof

the

HUMBOLDT.

till the

connected

various

stadt's

VON

throughout

been
in

successes,

profoundly

chemical

siology.
phy-

which
I'lrritabilite,"

of such

abilityas

Som-

mering, Scherer,Planck, and Herz, aflforded me an opportunity

of becoming
acquainted with the antiphlogisticsystem, or
I at once
truths.
commenced
rather,with the antiphlogistic
making
myself

experiments,and
to

the

utmost

for the
to

last two

years

study everything

have
that

exerted

bore

the

such tokens of respect is shown

placedby Humboldt
by some
upon
addressed
in
from
June
letter
to
1805
a
expressions
Boupland
Home,
10,
:
*
If you wish it,1 can
procure your admission into the Arcadian Academy.
It will cost you fortyfrancs,and they will assignyou a Greek name
and
a
in
Asia
Greece
Minor.
the
or
of
cottage
They have given me
name
Megasthenes of Ephesus,and a pieceof land close to the Temple of Diana/
etc.'vol. i. p. 170.)
(De la Roquette^' Humboldt, Correspondance;
^
chem. plant' Fischer's German
'Aphorism, ex doctr. phyeiol.
tion;
translavalue

"

p. 109.

134

ALEXANDER

the

Anspach-Bayreuth, in
the

previous

the

the

country by
of

(Jovemor

Principalities.About
the

added
While

Poland.

introduced

the

into

he aroused
ki the

Hardenberg,

Prussians

only two

introduction

when

he had

of the

occasion

grounds

upon

of

Humboldt

von

period

of

through

the

had

On

June

spent

of

of
been

hours

three

faster than

the

every
there

now

letter should

expected with

voL

'Au8

only remains

Vamhagen's

i p. 204.

the

time

sellor
Coun-

by Tomesi,
a

good-natured man,
to

then

Master

time

letter

travelling
of the

to Freiesleben:

have

ridden

prince'smine

my

arrangement

attained

this

to

Wiirzburg,

writes

show
my

organisationis nearly complete ;

open,

Up

same

at this

were

who, according

of

Hanlein,

Hotel

Asylum.*

mines.

in

Alexander

afterwards

was

the

exclusively

made

presided over

position,and

Lunatic

the

officials from

last two

; the

State.

at the

habitants,
the in-

Subseqyently,

Langermann,

Schuckmann,

student

the

from

justice,

always observed

coadjutorswith

As

10, 1793, Humboldt

surprised if
on

for his

of the

jiistcome

and

made, admitted

he

always

were

of Mines, who

district,
was

Governor

and

to bestow

feelingsof

Prussian

Altenstein

with

Court

Tieck,

Ludwig

had

government.

uames

Ministers

Upper

quite unfit

but

the

and,

Mining Department
of the

iras

in
judiciouscircumspection,

of

selections

Nagler, and

assessors,

which

tary
post, his private secre-

Albrecht, and

personalmerit.

position of

the

official

form

new

stand

Schuckmann,

Count

partitionof

the

order

bitterest

to introduce

provinces,the

older

of

appointments

the most

strictest forbearance, and

the

the

to any

his librarian

Koch, and

of the

time

Silesia,to

instead

to

2, 1791,

same

placeshe

the

in

country only confusion, dishonesty,and

self-interest,
by which

at first

of

distributed

personal favourites,and,

among

December

provinces acquired by

Hoym

had

occupation

the

G-ovemor

nominated

who

Brunswick

of

the

on

Prussians, appointed, on

was

after

soon

service

margraviate, was,

the

Hoym

von

1791, Hardenberg,

year

the
relinquifihed

year

tittatof

enter

HUMBOLDT.

VON

made
the

Nachlaas.

nine

therefore

signs of

miles, and
do

not

fillingup
von

be

get

preliminary

office of administration

for the

Briefe

*I have

confusion.

operations. The
the

"

is

miners'

relief fund, and

of

various

the

appoint*

Ghomisso, Gneisenan,""'

I have

ments.

works

new

the

by

my

position

The

of

vein
I

Steben,
from

in

am

the

in

and

four

days
of

think

have

in my

pretty well
In

least

of these

classes among

the

valuable

education

in

artisans,were
for while

miners.

that the

most

orders of

the

you

the

in

the

is

benevolent

his

of

improvement
instruction
for

at

found

of adults.

for

means^
to

this

the

better
and

period ;

in the

time

all

for the

diffusinga

Humboldt

came

who

lazyoflBcials.'

official duties, and

first

mines

of the men,

classes, especiallyworkmen

own

am

eight legs,which

and

yet

to

midst

labour,

improvement

Naila, he complained

the lower
appalling ignorance prevailedamong
full of prejudice in regard
miners, that they were
and

choke-damp

to

Freies-

everything is making

for the

originatedby

he

When

assure

daily

am

present day

lower

sacrifice of his

can

employments,

also

useless

spending quietly at

many

researches,he

scientific

the

at

of the

fact

inspect

to

only in providing means

not

but

in this

this,dear

confidence

so

closelyoccupied with

of various
even

the

towards

efforts of the

among

arms

various

miners,

education of the young,

The

four

activelydirected

spiritwas

been

the

positionamong

midst

the

vating.'
ener-

only

prove

from

o'clock,and

I possess

at

mines

quite alone

will

; but

have

satis"ctoryprogress.
I must

procedure.

of the

ridden

gather

Naila

till ten

of

mode

my

work

I will not

days. My objectwas

will

near

shown

the

of Mines.

atmosphere

humour

district

half-past four

of

apparentlyit

bad

confidence

reallydoing

am

*I have

five

you

the

"

in

afraid

last

The

not.

miles
ore,

am

leben, that

details

any

you

mine,

occupation, otherwise

Superintendent

continues:

146

great heat,
rubbish.

he

19

; I

of erecting

purpose

Sibald's

at

enjoy my

me

unbearable, and

is

July

new

of

not

the

universal

The

strange enough

give

to

lieat

On

is

foreman,

attempt

prince'smine,

makes

miners

me

the

at

days, for

some

(for coal),"c.

Langendorf

of

here

been

135

EMPLOYMEKT.

OFFICIAL

the

search

for

ore,

and

quite

were

therefore
He
minerals.
recognise the commonest
appealing for official authority, a free
established,without
in the village of Steben, during the winter
school for miners
ittiable to

of

1793,

named

and

committed

Sporl,whose

it to

the

salaryhe paid

charge
out

of

of his

a
own

young

foreman

purse.

This

136

ALEXANDER

the

was

keen

of

act

of every

and

endeared
himself:

upon

Steben

Humboldt

that

in

Steben

*
"

I almost

feeling,that
in
especially
constant

the

were

me

upon

the

lights of

It

report

schools

ever

till March
the

to

which

he

While
of the

interests.

given

had

of his
continued:
be

services,but

your

Excellency

Such

men

upon

your

as

young
him

alone

Sievert

is due

the

Humboldt

than

from

Wettin

impulse

for

which

wants

the

dinate
subor-

quent
subse-

21, 1795.

May

of money

in

it.

It would

have

Another

Arzberg
the

mines

the

as

of

winter.

greater

claim

request

which

more.

from

humbly

very

cognition
re-

gift and

the

during

much
to

both

material

from

deserve

beg

sum

I have.
me

wards
after-

pecimiary motives,

Barrisch

interests

Tnining

and

of their

declined

of

this

and

free

intellectual

sum

nothing to

distribute

Bimbaum

to make

of

I would

consideration

I also venture

the

consideration

charge

no

results.

good

Heinitz, dated

free

to

the

transmitted

followingpassage

done

see

ocean

Wimsiedel,

at

present

to the

in

never

the

the

unmindful

Von

him

sent

quite

am

the

side

upon

upon

means

minister

laying myself open

which

in

*So far I have

"

with

care

no

I could

Humboldt

foot

his unselfish

proof of

letter to the
minister

by

kept

was

aliQost immediately

on

years

much

so

was

officials is

The

set

was

stay there,

my
1

make

'

Heinitz

Von

for many

miners, he

equal !

established

had

expending

this

13, 1794, that

school

maintained

were

On

its

me

minister

similar

to

of

many

Spitzberg shining through

at

emotion.

seem

ence
influ-

would

it

1793,

tension, that

nervous

cottages

of

winter

pressed
ex-

completelyto

so

again. During

and

without

not

was

it

see

such

the

mist

place would

to

thus

projected so

impression

come
be-

have

powerful an

myself

the

dread

lesscma

the

should

so

there

abandoned

autunm

of

state

evening

there

both

excited

after life he

exercised

thought, I

of

greatest plans,I

my

has

evening

night.

that

mode

my

o'clock at

understood

to

and

great, that

so

of

houis

The

afternoon

had

who

one

but the interest

became

to eleven

up

of

education.

to the

Saturday ;

pupils soon

easilybe

may
so

and

Wednesday

continued
It

of

at first restricted

were

in teacher

value

the

perception of

instruction

were

and
philanthropist,

true

HUMBOLDT.

VON

have

foreman.
have

moned
sum-

To

received;

OFFICIAL

he has

done

much

; no

than

more

conld

one

do

I have.

He

has

I know

more.

mineralogicalresearch,and
with

137

EMPLOYMENT.

at the

no

practicaldetail.

one

time

same

He

has

efficient in

so

quainted
thoroughly ac-

so

good knowledge

geometry, is a good draughtsman, and has had

experience in smelting and in the carpentry of
how
Your
Excellency is aware
liadlyoff we

the

the

abandon

trouble
In

idea

on

the

he
....

has

my

honoured

Saxony

promised

he

left,and

humble

very

Swedish

botanist

naming

in

acknowledging
author

the

Vahl

F.

Fribergensis

"

would

obliged to

am

the

warmest

peals
ap-

learned

worth.

its

letter,'to
"has

vied

men

an

serve

liant
bril-

The

him

by sending
work

with

met

Elector
enormous

as

afforded

public

me.'

youthful

The

author

magnificent species of an
laurifoliaHumholdtia, in honorem

laurel,the
'

to

petition.'

had

distinguishedthe

honour

his

eximii

not

....

Fribergensis

gold medal,' accompanied by a

testimony of the pleasure your

nici

him

frequentlypresented

Flora

in

other

each

Indian

beg

to

flatteringreception; princes and

and

of

Veltheim

for

of others.

Meanwhile

with

he

manner

behalf

Herr

alas ! he

Excellency with

your

similar

to

altogether

could, but

he

what

do

written

mines.
here

are

....

I had

of

considerable

'

pensions.

gible)
ille-

(....(?)

East

bota-

'

A.

Humboldt,

-tokens

by

of

auctoris

Florae
prsestantissimse

homage which,

is well

as

known,

were

subsequently endlesslyrepeated.^
passed the

Thus

and
friend

at

he

which
'

Upon

rapidly.
^

on

year

1793, occupied in multifarious

January 20, 1794,

Freiberg, after
the

foimd

whole

the
At

complaints

some

as

writes

the

mining
I have

of Humboldt's

works
Herr

works
been

are

are
more

out

of

the

to

mines, in the followingstrain

Goldkronach

Critical notices

Humboldt

takings,
under-

now

to

his

state

in

"

progressing

successful

placehere, but

than

it ia

Mayer on two occasions read a

historyto state that
the Berlin Academy of Sciences.
before
Flora
Fribergensis
paper upon
thus
of the author of the
he
of his discourse,
At the commencement
spealrs
* Well
both preliminary
versed in the necessary
and acces-work :
studies,
of erudition,
he has far oufstripped,
with
a largeamount
saiyi and furnished
the
of all our
achievements
in
his
first
men
a literary
steps
even
career,
by
of science.'
etc.,1794 et 1795,'pp.
Q Histoire de TAcad. roy. des Sciences,
11-26.)
mere

matter

of

the

"

'

138f

ALEXANDER

had

dared

ever

I have

century, recentlydiscovered,which
the

have
greatestassiduity,

predecessorsin
"dled

for want

of this

14,000 florins

gold ore,

while

and

with

year,

at

ore

have

the

been

labour

show

made

of

commission

that

hundredweight

kreutzers,while
be

this

Hammsdorf

of

from

100

is

Berlin
of

gold

They employ

five

have

men,

twenty

value

of

with

commenced

improving,
gallery,which
again yieldfrom

enough

of this

As

attack

means

treatifieby

which

am

onlyto
that

rapidlyas

latter furnish

the

188.

produce

mine,

kept

as

many

to the

alum

and

This

is

in

jointly,
con-

certainlyan

Steben

At

we

and
florins,

ore,

the

as

in iron

are

28,000

elaborate

very

Steben.

at

in time

An

to

of

strain

ours

year

copper

working

of it to

workings,whereas

miners.

is

an

opus

day, together with

and

William

this

one

this

vitriol

350

plank-nails
; it

some

copper-mine

of

three

friend,that

of

the

case

grey

gold

have

at

Frederick-William

of

estimate

whole

the

busy

me

the

cost,

in ,which everythingis included,

20,000 florins,

to

to the

mines

300,000 florins.

only

value

progressingas

results

of

out

speak

only in

preparations for

amounting

you

in

copper,

the

I made

summer.

send

the

Our

amount

return

gallery,the

down

But

in
163,000 florins,

to the

length

in

and,

cobalt,tin, antimony,

ample

dear

six Inen

work.

at

forty men

or

one

last year

scarcely worth

iron-stone, while

of

tons

is

reported the

The

in
of

tons

Hardenberg

see, my

is

tons of

150

alone

125

You

of Naila

expenditureof

mine

men,

all

have

experiments that
readilyamalgamate. The

ore

I have

year

mines

An

this

assured

declining.

112

to

these

various

Some

it will

boaster.

district

The

you.

'

florins.

twenty-four kreutzers.

becoming quite

rightclue. My

only nine

of

that

mining
a

from

sixteentfa

studyingwith

scarcelyproduced

procured

barely 700

of

cost

have

has

years

the

been

of information.

source

eight

in

the

given me

superintendence of

the

of

documents

The

hope.

to

HUMBOLDT.

VON

The
I

new

am

can

100

to

historyof
copper

sure

also

operatwm

that

be made
150

tons

which

the

most

workings
with

the

are

'I must
recent
where
every-

Frederickwill

navigable,they
of pure

But

copper.

*
boasting.'

of

of

Ileinitz

intermittent

fever,caught by

exposure

comparison,it will be well here to give a

the mineral productsof the Prussian
on

passage

to the

from
'

States,

Ah-

OFPICIAL

tlie

of

damp

of

country

the

three

weeks*

*You

-will

farther,

myself

'

how

subjects
*'

risks?

is too

once;

the

on

elaborate

engaged

for

I have

yet

as

Elsewhere."

and

to

me

title.

no

idea

descriptionsof
arranged flora, are

entire

for the

of

nature

short

therefore

feet in
form

of

strata ;

beds of
the
it

with the
You

is

bringing

stratified

relative
alum

in

appear,
accuracy
are

^umdlungiiber

aware

almond

it
as

quite

I take

is

the

I should
that

lines,after
is

the

hurried
for

the

shall

published.
trouble
were

However

work

to

the

recentlysix

some

the

dip

Bohemian

You

of

manner

to

it in

state

everywhere

and

quite

well-

much

The

and

the

I found

"

granite

if it
am

"

impossible

as

is new,

stone.
it

gical
Geolo-

good geologicaldescription.

before

Grermany

accurate
sufficiently

not

Franconian

of

age

Eesults

always contain

granite; compass-observationsas

manuscript
may

diameter;

works

Boulders.

Grranite

"

for

only what

of half-a-dozen

aphorisms

followingnotes:

such

flora

remark

which,

before

renders

complete

it

is this

mineralogicalgeography.

for

in

also

am

vehicles

which

journeys

my

give

to

me

of

purposes

Muscles,"

with

unimportant information,

Travels

subject

many

districts,
accompanied

merely

personal observations

world

perhaps call

of my

any

deeply,

geology,

on

the

of

and

in detail.

I may

Eesults

"

My

work

on

most

me

Nerves

it you

give

exposing

usual, on

as

interests
the

writes

engaged

and,

Excitabilityof

Observations,'*or

my

I am,

its

activity.

without

am

wild

during

firiend,'he

here

if I

the

zealous

his

dear

duty

which

that

important

an

upon

however,
of

but

with

ask

You

allowed

not

my

present. Yes,

at

Experiments

me,

fulfil my

can

such

at

scold

in

frequent journeys

interfere

to

doubtless

literarywork

in

Fichtelgebirge,was

duration

yet

to

and

mines,

139

EMPLOYMENT.

oldest
of

the

syenite;
certainlysee

rhapsodical

out

every

entry

monograph.

mad

des Minerabeichs

enough
in

den

to be

engaged

koDigl.preussischen
speaksof the margraviates
*
of Anspach and Bayreuth :
Formerlymines were worked here successfully,
l)othfor gold and copper.
The
because it
mines, however, were
deserted,
the direct sale of the
was thought a greater profitcould be obtained from
timher. In those days there existed in the two
margraviatesthirteen
weeks
campaign of thirty-nine
furnaces,where in one
3^042 tons
smelting
of excellent pig-ironwere
produced.'
die

Froducte

Staaten ' (Berlin,1786),where

"

in p. 110

he

thus

140

besides

have

occupied upon

carrying

am

leisure
about

the

labours

1794,

*in

leaving

am

kronach

at Naila

the

whirl

attend

to

the
'

26th

of

is

there

from

receive
dear

my

and

salt

go

objectof

works,

and

my

the

here

return

to

Westphalia

shores

for this

he

along the

left bank

of the

latelycome
back
numerous

to

into

notice

from

and

its salt

Eothenburg, and

or

I shall

everything,

just settingoflf

am

and

resign

I know
the

was

travelled

Vistula,to

Nieszawa, Bacionzek, Woliszewo,

Berlin, with

Polish

the

Superintendent. My

as

commission
purpose

organising;

400),and after
likelybe appointed

Russia, Siberia,and
new

at

Baltic

of the

again

to

I tell you

to you.

undisturbed

this

I have

(here

heart

all I have

and

of Mines

Thorn, in the province recentlyannexed

and

with

I shall most

in

being in

this

not

3,000 thalers.

open

remain

plans

The

Is

of March,

at Wunsiedel

and

March,

prospering.

are

months

to

to

but

years, and

two

13th

the

to

March.

thalers

either

2,000

Karl,

mountains,
former

few

commission

on

of

Gold-

at

was

as

me,

February, at Kaulsdorf

of

Counsellor

be

to

of Mines,

Director

months.

April 2,

on

without

on

quite distracted

mines, however,

of science,

official duties.

mining, banking, manufacturing,

salaryprobably of 1,500
remaining

26th

of

light.

branches

go

February

of

31st

head

My

promoted

am

to the

to the

to the

"

....

15th

the

26th

three

to

I have

as

Neither

to Freiesleben

writes

for

26th

the

from
from

from

17th

the

in various

everything

works

the
the

from

Jena

and

for

arranging

ancients.

published

winter.'

the

also

have

will all be

neglected his

moment

of the

weaving

saw

ever

extremely busy,'he

been

have

for

never

the

hope they

works, however,

Notwithstanding these
Humboldt

tiiat I

engravings.

lichens.

new

probablyduring

time,

same

steel

by

simultaneously,just

that

inclination,so

or

last-named

the

works

these

on

tell you

suggestion,a magnificent

several

history of

the

well

as

folio,illustrated

discovered

been

I may

at Schreber's

in

Subterranea,"

Flora

"

therefore

at once,

bring out,

to

going

am

books

three

up3n

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

to

the

not

my

postin

whither.'

of
investigation

through Colberg,
Southern

Prussia,

districts of

Slonsk,

Ciechoczinek, which

springs,thence

had

westwards

Bayreuth, through Lenczic, Inowraclaw, Strzelno, where

saltpetre works

existed, Gnesen,

Posen,

Crlogau,

142

VON

ALEXANDEB

Germany,
veins

that

systematicallyon
In

received

he

of

salt works

Silesia

in

removal

the

such

In

Humboldt.

he

contemplating

am

I intend

and

State.

few

submitting

for

preparing myself

the

that

expedition

an

knowledge

of

anxious

devote

to

design ;

the

had

so

the

plan
I have

for

the

to

once

conviction

exceedingly

therefore

be

improve

on

me,

think

to

possible.
of

account

pecuniary position,it
an

appointment

immediately.

almost
most

my

used

to

accept

to

me

been

decline

to
respectfully

Silesia,which

your

Under

would
I

which
such

the

Excellency

has

at

annual

yet

be

should

of

done

it would

income,

to

indefensible

in

have

Director
me

I
of

to

resign

must

b^

Mines

honour

the

earlier

an

as

circumstances,

post

gradually

in consequence

Grateful

small

my

of this

execution

exertions, will feel the effects of age

than

conviction

increasingour

am

has

of

practical

deep

the

formed

expedition by

of

period

of file,

respectfully

had

physical frame,

my

hj

with

of

upon

me

fying
grati-

mode

forcing itself
premature

that

at

sad

by

declined

my

physical science, I

the

as

in

honour

the

As

energies

my

and

Steindorf, FichtelgeWrge,

highly important

and

geology

more

is

However

official connection

any

mines.

among

accept

vacant

nevertheless

was

scientific

employment
such

to

"

Excellency

your

Berlin.

to

from

from

Hei-

from

become

to

complete change

ago

years

to

of

greatly diverafied,

JMines, smelting works,

it

writes:

withdraw

to

kind

communication

Bheden

von

February 27, 1795,

on

Uie

employ myself

to

so

post likelysoon

reply,dated

his

and

of

proposalmight be,

described

flattering
inducements,

many

"

Count

of

Western

of

mineralogical work,

Director

of

appointment

winter

arduous

so

nitz, solicitinghim, with

the

and

mines

next

February 3, 1795,

on

whole

the

Germany.'

of labours

midst

the

intend

extensive

an

geologicalaspect

several

descended

have

detail,so

in

of

geologicaldistribution

the

accuracy

HUMBOLDT.

in

to offer

me.'
.

this

Notwithstanding
almost

pressing terms
every

means

determination,

but

refusal,the

proposal

rwiewed

was

April 7, 1795, by Heinitz,

on

in

his

with

no

power

to

induce

better result.

him

to

who

change

in
ployed
em-

his

occurred.

But

have

to

been

and
flattering
most

Humboldt,

and

the service

of

the

order

State, in

leben

I think

that

now

I shall

six yesurs

miner

of

leaving
travel

in

foreign

to Freies-

time

this
"

ance
ordinary acquaint-

travellingfor five

after

either

public service, in
I

see

expect

fame

my

time,) I

that

by

for

his

than

the

greatly increased

have

to

charm

no

plans:

Whether
enter

again

his

Saxony, Austria, Eussia, or Spain, (you

a

proposalswduld

extensive

more

possess

practicalmining.

with
or

particularsof

additional

gives

mission
per-

might accomplish

letter about

of science,

he

that

long-cherishedplans of undertaking
the furtherance

with

unalterable

remained

resolution

May

on

opportunity

as

such

alluring as

to

Upper Court

the

they yet possessed

men,

his

of

foreign travels

his various

prosecute

to

appointed

was

retaining his salary,and

offer of

the

with

Mines,

of

anxious

most

was

Counsellor

Actual

oflSce of

the

to

1, 1795,

who

Hardenberg,

services, Humboldt

valuable

his

retain

of

solicitation

the

At

143

E3d[PL0YMENT.

OFFICIAL

cannot

as

now

determine.
At

present,

October
in

November

or

sake

be

Karl, is

but
either

take

to

as

have

the

Salzburgand
which

You

you.

with

me

I will

The

prove

must, if you

and

try to give

you

companion

an

at

that

mine

time

to

an

at

disposal;

whom

to

repent going.
4n

was

officer

Lieutenant
in

garrisoned

at

the

element

obstacle

make

descriptionof

include

is to

which

you

wishes

Your

introduce

to

land
Switzer-

my

insurmountable

an

accurate

referred

Haften,of Westphalia,

^giment,

to

in

all expense

shall not

please,consent
of

friend

wish

the

wishes,

to

from

me.

Tyrol,

for

expedition

only

thalers

you

Sweden

heartfelt

you

till

winter

Sweden
an

not

me,

the

not

for

"

through Switzerland,

will, I trust,

start

to

tour

to

accompany

and

commands,

as

me

the

of my

1,000
to

you

pass

go

relieve

shall

to

causa

with

you

journey,

In

1796

One

danger.

no

depend absolutelyupon

"

of

spring

particularlyto

Sweden.

to

shall be to
"

wish

would

there

dear

my

Switzerland,

visiting Lapland, botanices

of

which

in

Norway.

the

July (1795)

from

spend

to

are

in

in

Crerntany,and

"and

plans

my

one
a

are

in

to

trio

stranger.

him.'
.

Beinhard

Grevenitz

Bayreuth

von

Lifantry
he

was

144

ALEXANDER

of

man

young
with

noble

winning

accorded
him

residing with
In

from

my'

in

following lines,torn
contained
to

the

the

gratitude therefore,

my

"

appreciate

to

circumstances

part,

my

life,

of

hand,

bably
pro-

attachment, which,

an

of Kuntii

statement

Humboldt

and

cording
ac-

the

of

sister

cherished
which, though faithfully

and
was

years,

discreet

some

circumstantial

between

Haften,

of ten

upwards

and

existed

Von

by

away

confession

distinct

botanist,

his friend

consummated

never

by

the union

ardentlydesired.

so

This

into

glimpse
is

; it is here

fresh

gleam

of

the

referred

travel,the necessityfor being

for

science, all
comforts

On
had

Such

ties.

the

was

shrine

to the

evinced

itself in

is

looking

possiblewe

[you].
blame

I could

on

give
Let

you.

formality,though
'

and
.

place of Sie.

no

cannot

the

conquerable
un-

to

devotion

sacrifice

the

of

happiness of

sweet

made

affections

of the

affectionate

the
in

astonishment

satisfactory
reason,
at

once

thereby

confidential Du

his friend

expression: Haften,

addressing each

on

disposition

apostrophe to

off"with

therefore

us
we

so

him

the

readiness

of continual

the

Humboldt's

still go

can

and

nature

years' adventurous

ruthless

shoulder,asks

my

character

placed by

unreserved

enthusiastic

an

over

his

sacrifice

Freiesleben,he suddenly broke

who

state

of the

of science.

occasion, when

one

not

many

the

him

stationaryhome,

Humboldt

by

from

exacted

of

domestic

residence, and

of

change

in

of his

shedding

but
sensibilities,

of

course

of

means

was

ordinary human
for

desire

as

boldt
of Hum-

deepest secrets

humanity

true

Humboldt

man.

of

of the

one

the

subjectivelife

inner

merely

to

light upon

reach

of

exposure

of this remarkable

beyond

of the

part

reckless

no

heart

the

"

praise.

learnt

'

whole

writing

....

The

is

taking

social

in

moment

his

science.

friendship,often

roof, and

same

of him

says

pursuit of

intimate

most

the

education, gifted

the

to

expressionsin

conduct

his

great

for

he

conclusion,

him
of

under

full of enthusiastic

pages

devoted
his

him

finished

and

manners

character,and

Humboldt

HUMBOLDT.

VON

other

more

[thou]ever

as

it

SU

laid the

this

pieceof

so

renounce

become

how

like

thers
bro-

after took

OFFICIAL

145

EMPLOYMENT.
"

Haften

Von

Humboldt
the

succeeded

the

route

they were

Verona

and

Milan,

the

between

Swiss

and

I am,

myself ;

for

be

not

shall

I meet

In

you

results

the

the

of

official

Humboldt
the

period, David
1795:^

"

all

"

but

of his

had

has

municates
com-

terms

unmistakable

for himself

follows

as

been

by

his

comprehensive plans he
With

acquaintance.

Alexander

while

expressedin

foreigntravel,had spread

wrote

; and

independent position,

earned

of the

rumour

Veit

report

successor,

with

yet

Schwarz-

of his determination.

nature

for extensive

travel

extensive

all circles of his

among

when

and

detailed

scientific labours

full consciousness

labours,and

laid

had

he furnishes

respectfuldevotion,

which

Heinitz,dated

necessityof appointinga

plans for

fame

The

Von

official and

his

unalterable

the

and

obligationto

some

remaining is,where

minister

to the

his

of the

evidence

under

aware,

than

for Haften

more

of my scientific aims
neglectsome
disposalduring the first part of the

his

of the

most

Tyrolese,Italian,

rather

him

reminding

are

you

Schafifhausen,
the connection

observe

planned

May 29, 1795,

of

Haften's

'

enbach-am-Walde,
of

is

tour

to

on

of the

ranges

only questionnow

long letter

This

entirelyat

The

journey.

mountain

as

and

journey being to

I would

him, therefore
than

Alps.

on

Switzerland

into

various

Venice, where

to

thence through Vicenza

fortnight,
by way of the Lago Maggiore and the

and

the

objectof

main

Treviso

spend

to

of St. Crothard

Pass
the

to

repeatingthe invitation to join

finallyarranged through Munich,

was

and

Innsbruck, Halle,
account

and

absence,

of

to Freiesleben

wrote

party:

obtaining leave

in

reference

Eahel

to

appointed

wide

far and

on

to this

June

Counsellor

15,

of

the

Upper Court of Mines ; he has erected works at Bayreuth at an

traordinary
extremely small cost,and has carried them on with such an exand
amount
of ability
honesty of purpose that the
mines

yieldas

now

fourteen

much

while

years,

management

in

he

has

leave
^

at any

Vambagen,

time

'Galerie

put

He

; next

von

Charakteren

p. 51.
VOL.

I.

the

whole

he
aus

under

be conducted

may

receives

summer

they formerly

as

year

that the works

ordinary mining engineer.

can

one

no

and
salary,

did

such

in
mirable
ad-

by

any

therefore

spends in Switzerland,
RaheFs

Umgang,'

vol. L

146

ALEXANDER

and

the

in

Lapland
and

Hungary,

started

Humboldt

length

thus

writes

and

ask

to

had

to-day for Venice, by

the

Venetian
of

mainly

Alps

read
I

both

am

ardent

you

and

in the

child 1
hold

are

and

Swiss

this

object.

dear

also

am

mountains,

have

in the

that I must

reference

to

....

Greece, he continues
wild
in

and

snow,

Solmino,
in the open

stay

districts of the

at

the

*
"

Venice,

healthy
all,and

sunny

With
whence

object

here

refer you

to my

to my

of my

several

great varietyof

Italian

these

among

journal
"

tian
Vene-

I write
on

between

contrast

was

it

strata.'

through Hungaiy

days ago

to

plants,therefore

knee

and
the

deep

Bolzano

and

breezes, fig-treesflourish

yet greater delighthe

he

the

:"

reference

published work

strikingthe
two

of

such

and

with

plains of Italy around

by

Trieste

betweeii

projectedtour

How

from

is made

with

met

Tyrol,where

where, fanned
air!'

you

main

collection

Tyrol

"

After

friend,

(oiiontes
euganei),Lombaidian,

making

conscientiously and

most

up

how

Fichtelgebirge,

to Freiesleben

Alps. Every arrangement

I

and

poor

embrace

to

connection

Tyrolese,Venetian

specimens,both

new

hope

joy that

strong and

Karl, that the

investigatethe

busy enough.

am

writes

my

aware,

of the

ranges

boy

of

becoming:

in

your

wild

the

withal

fulfilment

mother;

allowing

near

so

arms.'

Humboldt

28

is to

journey

I shall

winter

in my

son

devoted

regions of

July

You

for

lies

^you

"

you

joy.

your

experience

noble-hearted

to whom

world

realise the

can

sympathy

the

truly in

letter is

descriptiofn.

who

one

azMl

Humbold't's

intense
in the

one

most

must

subterranean

Next
.

your

On

wife

being a

participatein

to

no

The

of this

what

completely I

thank
sufl"ciently

buried

in

is

you

How

dear

your

with

son,

Vicenza

it reveals

no
yourself,

as

rejoicewith

wishes.

father,she

can

There

strongly attached

so

your

you,' he writes,

"

by

^'I leave

baptism:

interests'

'

of

birth

Switzerland.'

and

to 'human

yoiu: letters.

heart.

my

reference

tell

cannot

Milan

to

at the

friend azid

dear

Tyrol, thence

of the

way

the

announce

godfather

July 17, 179^

on

his

congratulatorycharacter, and

feelingswith
'

to

in

discoYerj.^

scientific

Willdenow,

to

travel

to

their tour

upon

written

to stand

him

intends

prosecutionof

in

at

companion,' who

HFMBOLDT.

he

followingsummer

or

They

VON

proceeded

on

describes

long

August 9, through

OFFICIAL

Padua
and

and

the

Milan,

plainsof Lombardy

so

to reach

as

his friend

Freiesleben

Krone,

Schaffhausen.

at

From

leave

his

continued
the Jura
of their
of

his
and

travels,which
November,

notable

of

time

constitution
natural

when

history,

the

intercourse

reference

that within

the

his

escape
short

space

foot, the

and

even

now

which
and

Airolo, I

the

on

Humboldt

his

good
is

inclined

Even his night'srepose

was

than

of hours.'

On

limited

number

the homeward

the

which
Congress,
his motive
sitting,
to meet

with
Herr

narrates

by

never

was

Lang,

the world

which

so

Count Goerz, the

^

From

an

seven

And

eight

or

ing
surroundfar

as

Altdorf

the

as

the

over

our

time

an

"

zeal

art

in

for science

from

boyhood

to

occupation.

to extend

over

more

visited Eastatt, where

journey,Humboldt
then
was
excitinguniversal attention, was
being not so much to see the diplomatistsas

Faujas, the
von

of

of

point

any

instructive

allowed

never

physical

attention.

His

or

same

congratulatemyself

led him

useful

some

of

master.

industry have
in

moment

from
to

made

we

certainlya

unexampled

employ every

use

the

Bern, descending

am

the

mountains

Valleyof Chamouni, passing afterwards

to

menced
com-

benefit.

to

atmosphere, or
to

Schaffhausen, Zurich,
St. Gothard

thus

At

mountains.

any

allowed

was

visited,chieflyon

we

ning
begin-

Luc, Pictet,Saussure, and

the

of

earth, the

the

I remember

weeks

to the,

20

and
gratification

subject having

of

course

journeys,'relates Freiesleben,* 'he

between
the
observingthe connection

stratification

other

no

tion
expira-

all these

chieflyoccupied in
the

the

on

; in the

September

of mutual

Hotel

Freiesleben,through

Switzerland

De

at the

Bajrreuth,Humboldt

to

with

science, and

source

visited

month

Hafken,

von

lasted from

they

men

'Throughout
flora and

Herr

absence, returned

of

September 1, and join

on

of that

journey, in company
the Alps of Savoy and

proved
was

20th

Schaflfhausen,whence

of

other

the

Vicenza, Verona, Parma,

to

Switzerland

on

147

EMPLOYMENT.

French

mineralogist. Certainly,'
*

the satirical

diplomatistof

bly
assem-

boldt
reorganised,certainlyHumat sea
as
was
panic-strickenby any storm
was

Prussian

to be

that

Plenipotentiaryat

earlier life of Alexander

3rd Ser. vol. i. p. 71 (Leipzig,

1828).
L

von

Humboldt

the
in

Peace
'

Con-

Zeitgenossen/

148

at the

standing
hour

behind

his

dress,fresh

from

Count

however

of the

shoulders

On

tour

and

among

and

amid

in

ball

grand

of his friend

of

minister

fortnightto Anspach
It

about

was

the

In

the

Some
be

that

one

gathered

Humboldt

his

rom

writes

to

under

the

of

Strata

the
wish

the

of much

to the

wider
the

which
and

On

the

the

Formation

bearing
or

Hitter

von

on

and

chain

of

to

to

the

the

connected

from

is to

of the

tion
Disposifurnish

from
I

have

strata

Savoy

west, the

in another.
no
nor

range,

something

moimtains

the

am

Light-house

with

in all the

Lang, ^ Memoiren/

^
"

Crust

mountain

foot,although

north

to the

Ojc6w

of

direction,and

one

to

may
these

which

intend

from

declivityof
that

in character,

work

follows

regard

dip

are

laboured

one

of the

Chalons

and

material, but

from

in

Freiberg as

stratifications

and
significance,

declivityare

of

distressingnews

first-named

the

Segeberg (?)in

direction

traversed

Schuckmann.

von

great geologicalwork

great European

I have

physiology.

on

Masses."

the

and

of ita

waste

"

Ardennes

that

to show

reference
to

of

Forest

other

at

Mountain

to Warsaw

for

him

widely diflFerent

with
Europe, especially
in

the

from

occupations,he

works

Werner

generaldescriptionof
at Genoa

the

marriage

took

unpublished letters;

title

in Central

Earth

he received

some

the latter

him

in upon

Herr

subjectof

working uninterruptedlyat
appear

him,

the

on

kinds,'which

multifarious

the

particularson

beset

old castle

with

geology, the

on

spring of

till the

that

poured

elaborate

two

resumrf

Humboldt

illness of his mother.

of these

unremittingly on

there

of all

incurable

midst

the

'

at the

shrug

Steben, Lauensteiii,

at

distractions

in company

this time

painfuland

The

philosoplier.**'*

"

Wunsiedel,

near

him

work

of

travelling

pleasingcharacter,(among

Haften),

flood

1795,

mountains

various

given by

Von

and

of Baden.

mountains

November,

the

annoying, some
a

the

whole

guest, a

boots

whispered apology,

Arzberg
the

haste, in

diplomatic

assembly completely aufait by

the

occupations

the

among

^the invited

"

with

among

the

home

an

heated

time,

his return

1796, and

was

wlule

entrance

Humboldt

von

put

Goldkronach,

the

table,by

Herr

dignitariesof

his

HUMBOLDT.

{ReichafriedenspacificatioT^

gress

of

VON

ALEXANDER

to

the

direction

bearing and

vol. i. p. 329.

prising
com-

Tyrol
3

"

dip

150

ALEXANDER

In June,

1795,

to

Humboldt

here

you

the

trapeziusand

upon

my

stomach.

made

with
so

and

the

the

skull

could

and

the

only

and

I then

felt

spinous

lymphatic

irritation

in

three

the

nerve

acrid

so

back.

the

The

red

colourless

metals.

the

of

hours

like that

On

his return
in

and

of

He

when
thus

back

notes

them

with

at Pavia

for

same

by
Volta
and

them

and
on

'
"

to my

He

is

so

for

the
of

many

gauntlet*'

Humboldt

tuted
insti-

experiments,

of whom

he had

Como.

an

hour.

experimented
The

eager about it,that he

in London.'
Banks
portionsto

book.

translations of certain

of

series,in consequence

Dr. Schallem

fullythree-quartersof

to

nerves

excoriation

the

his former

Scarpa, both

Lake

not

amoimt

looked

Switzerland,

down

ran

action

similar

running

the

sores,

nature

the

back

been

and

still filled

and

the

bad
it

redness

additional

an

pain,

was

the

by
a

the

was

of

case

caused

produce

repetitionof

conductor,

strikinga

also

had

who

Italy and

from

describes

the

placeswhere

tact
con-

quantity by

some

in the

too

served
ob-

inch, and

considerable
in

an

as

left shoulder

being washed,

December, 1795,

interviews

visited

with

half

by

me

in

wound

of

were

immediate

served

as

my

sufficed to

man

supplemented

of his

on

back

right shoulder

of

wa's

base
Contact

my

excoriation

in that

After

parts.

it

watery discharge,and

inflammation

pain and

flat

considerably,
to the

my
in

not

produced

wound

The

minutes

Four

gave

colour, and,

produce

strongly excited

be

It

phenomenon

repeated.

to be

with

to

as

tively
respec-

contact

vertebrae.

upon

wound

Hitherto

humour

to

single throbbings which

was

contact, my

serous

swelled

of the

four

or

nothing.

of

was

cut, and

upwards

processes

principallyaffected.

one

blisters

lay meanwhile

were

muscle

zinc, but separated from

the

silver

was

blisters

trapezius

when

the

some

the

communicated

produced
hop;

with

the

muscles

clearlyseparate. Frogs placed

to

my

the

quivering was

silver

with

deltoid

only

can

silver,I experienced a sharp pain, which

that

severe

was

and

zinc

'I

"

crown-piece,and covering

When

various

periodicals.

appliedtwo

experiment.

one

in

as

to Blumenbach:

writes

back, each of the size of

my

well

other

Grren's,Crell's,Millings,and

in

describe

HUMBOLDT.

Mons, Fourcroy, Loder, "c., as

Pictet, Van
treatises

VON

upon

painful prohas

alreadysent

of

cess

the

galvanizing

wound

it

copiously ;
inflamed

back

.my

in

blood-red

bathed

we

wounds

the
much

producing

the

extracted

an

as

to

pain

It is not
this work

scientific labours

facts which

hands,

and

cavity left

nerve

It is well
gases,

known

besides

the

working
danger.

in

details

the

well,however,

in the

engaged

his

of other

variety

science.

the insidious diseases

labours become

of

to which

prey,

such

some

and
With

be adduced

fire-damp and

his
this

of the

noxious

injuriousinfluences,render

that

the

fraught
sudden

whole, less destructive

the

on

here

investigation.

employment

an

of

of Humboldt's

to mention

pursuit of

existence

It is found, however,

explosionsare,

process

personalheroism

in scientific

the

mines

the

in the

systematic arrangement

chapter on

to illustrate

that

the

on

upon

unsuccessful,since

was

intention,therefore, the followingproof may

he

incontrover-

repeated

to carry

attempt

with

in this

serve

which

however

violent.

devotion
self-sacrificing

zeal with

sity
inten-

alarmed, and

without

way

also in the

irritated

; it will be

may

places,

size and

thus

was

similar

; the

accordance

enter

to

in

were

the

too

in

experiment

mind.'

tooth

beniunb

became

The

seconds

the excoriated

milk,

out

down.

ran

I became

luke-warm

own

in the

wounds

jaw by
far

to my

and

few

it

manifestlyin

so

poured

in

as

to cleanse

doctor

with

experiments

various

so

the

eflFect.

tiblyconfirmed
Many

both

colour, and

streamers

water

they instantly increased

of colour, that

himnour

serous

in

silver had

of zinc and

means

the

rapidlydeepened

incautiously applied cold

when

by

when

scarcely commenced,

151

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

the

miners

and

in their
disease

extreme

murderous

to human

asthma,

as

with

life than

undergroimd
of the

of the glands, palsy, and

skin
induration
jaundice,
to enlarge the boundaries
Delightedas was Humboldt

bone,

diseases.
of scientific

of his discoveries, he experienced a

knowledge by means
stilldeeper gratification
in devising methods
for the preservation
*

health

of life and

Equippedwith
Humboldt
science,

all the

made,

chemical
8elf-6acrifice,'
in

mines,and

an

among

apparatus
'

at the

new

then

class of men.'
at

the

cost of months

analysesof

investigatedthe

^ODjthus originatinga

industrious

causes

system

the

various
of their

command

of exertion

of
and

gases to be foimd

peculiarlocalisa-

of subterranean

meteorology.

152

ALEXANDEB

led to the

labours

These
of four

VON

invention

of different

lamps

HUMBOLDT.

of

kind

of

suitable

construction

and
respirator,
for

employment

in various, circumstances.
The
and

to prevent the inhalingof injuriousgases^

was
respirator
structed
consupply the miner with good air ; the lamps were

to

bum

to

in the

ignitingthe

without

later invention, and

They

gas.

themselves

The

experiments,however,
unfrequently connected
works

alum
the

following extract:

Himiboldt,

if immersed

as
one

of the

the

ring-lamp

remained

whether

which

without

obtain
lantern.

I stood

as

continued

to

ground,

the

bum
in

order

the

at last sank

I had

just before
of

and

quantity of

summoned
he

pulled me

Humboldt

brightly his
too

senses,

the
and

of

the

Herr

lamp

would

for human

placed

back

from

continue
life.

it upon
lowest

the

in

hydrogen

by
I had

his
to

the

Fortunately

Bauer,

the

feet

gas

exhausted,

man
fore-

the

Killingerhastened

seeing the lamp

learned,

ring-lamp

my

lamp.
of

my

sulphur^

I became

attendance

quickly

thus

noxious

wood,

carburetted

near

at

burnt

first. I

at

not

eight fathoms,

or

of

The

could

instant

an

six

traces

in the fresher air of the mine.

regainingmy

of

allowing

alone.
I

its behaviour

insensible

the mine, and

assistance

were

for

of consciousness.

down

shutting
of

in

that

gas

rotten

observe

to

suddenly deprived me
and

the

air.

upper

screen

went

acid

brightly as

as

pletely
com-

possibleto extinguish

with

pure,'
im-

so

lightas

left for the purpose

carbonic

with

in

found

was

purest

in the

screen.

surrounded

of air, when

stratum

the

with

be

opening

been

strewed

ground

and

it would
an

cross-cut

in the

as

light,nor ignite paper even

I penetratedto the distance

over

had

removing

loaded

so

was

bright

as

at the

occurred

arm-lamp, though usually

while
only with diflBculty,

effectual,burned

most

off the passage

access

The

were

personal risk,

extinguishevery

to

respirator.

13, 1796, will be

air in the

as

flame, I crept through

the

air

in water.

to ascertain

order

'The

"

the miners^

by

considerable

October

Davy's

of

inventions

experiment,which

on

fire-damp

of the

testingthese

with

such

one

Bemeck,

at

relates

In

of

instance

an

of

use

extent

some

for

of

the forerunners

were

also to

availed

and

kind

frequentlymade

were

who

not

inflammable

most

to my
soon

vived
re-

on
gratification,

still burning.'
own

bum

experience,
in

gases

how

which

illness of Frau

The

Berlin

to

in

Humboldt

passed

depression,as
entry

an

'

she

is

suffers

I do

March

measure

therefore

I shall
On

laid

him

to

for

aside

to

resume

his

and
received

gold Fredericks
diplomatic

in

on

connected

out, caused

attack

of influenza

permitted

recovery

tors,
respira-

gases,

results of which

the

of

sum

in

he

three

July

which

war

long interruptionto

and

April 16, he

appointment

with

case

alleviation.

on

publisherin Berlin, the

his

her

summer.'

severe

his

poor

autumn,

the

subterranean

the

my

the

Freiesleben;

till the

galvanism (forthe

commission

broken

of

of any

reached

with

when
sheet*),

per

he

scarcelyhad

Decker,

from

weeks

labours

experiments

reach

survive

can

date, where

breast,and

Bayreuth through

at

several

nettle-rash

this

von

mental

great

condition

the

sons

depositedin

was

in the

cancer

Bayreuth, which

and

of

journalof

his will

her

Alexander

state

'The

beyond

remain

his return

his

26,

possibleshe

it

both

he writes to
distressing,'

from
fearfully

think

not

in

Justice.*

only hopeless,but

is not

was

beyond

six weeks

on

of

sommoned

February, 1796.

gather from

that

Court

of

there

may

occurs

Municipal
mother

we

Humboldt

von

middle

the

153

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

on

had

his

a
cently
re-

scientific

undertakings.
unexpected

The
French

under

and

from

the

where

Hohenlohe,

of

'

of
proprietor

give here
'

for his
cost of

of
particulars

printing
time

Gotz

when

on

the

von

pay

would

an

edition of his works

fiftyflorins
undertake

for the
the

Aug. Pottbast,Gescltichte

and

der

Ober-Hofbtichdi-uekereiy
p. 203,

the

some

the

Prince

distinguished

pub-

was

that

at

was

time

the

be

It may

sums

Himburg

had

vols.

to
vofi

222.)

had

'

in

the

common

for the

paid
celebrity;Mylius

not

attained

Stella/and

the

shared

Merck

and

had

Familie
note

'

interesting
paid to authors at this period.
Fables,and Lessingabsolutely
nothing
by

in four

he

who

in

Tagebucher.'

Nervenfaser

Rottmann.

publicationof

work,

'

und

Decker,

name

paper
'
Berlin offered twenty thalers for
cofiee service of Berlin china from
Berlin

of the

v.

and
Berlichingen/

Goethe's

of the

by

caused

Duke,

territoryof

brother

Goethe

Bambelm.'

von
'

at

the

in vol.

of

son-in-law

the business carried

some

Minna

the

Wurtemberg

emigrant legion in 1791, might

an

received thirtyflorins for his

QeUert

flightof

liber die g^reizteMufikel-

Versuche

by Rottmann,

Hsbed

of

fear that

is to be found

This notification
The

'

the

Duchy

Mirabeau,

raised

had

statesman,

to

Moreau,

in Prussia

alarm

of the

invasion

Goethd

even

received

tea

of

and

for

permissionto reprintin
too, was' obligedto
Schiller,
Robbers,' since no publisher

start

Decker

it at
utid

his

own

ihrer

cost.

KonigL

(Dr.
Gek,

154

ALEXANDER

suffer

revenge

It

army.

HUMBOLDT.

VON

the hands

at
plunder and injustice

that

hoped^ however,

was

it would

be

enclosure
as

well

within

Prussian
of

that

as

the

to make

the

himself

the

in

preservedof
He

events.

thus

'

become

am

should

of

person

Franconia

d'Oeringen,who

expected every

is

counsellors
of

of

French.

the

much

in

Therefore

leisure.
A

with

noble

the

tonique ; VhoTn/me
wanted
hear

to

negotiate

with

will

if there

thing
General

now

to

Moreau

provincesand

the

should
be

not

done

very

means

We

which

is to

territoryof

we

send
the

Our
The

the
can
some

so

very

much
little
words.

troublesome
Ordre

that

teu-

Next

we

will not

popes

holy

the

negotiating

the

we

father

should

brings

plete.
happiness is com-

proceeding is perfectly
until
make

the

we

find it,

some.

tr^^habile

neutralityof

Hohenlohe

so

remedy

three

game
but

arms

moves,

Mergentheim.

people.

follow

the

of

been

was

well I the

wise

the

no

I have

that

have

them.

be any

to insist upon

the

person

of Eichstadt

Very

the

all

see

everything in

at

pope

negotiate with
By

fully
fear-

given at

and

absolutelynecessary

somebody.
are

not

was

of

false

negotiate with

to

hois

it is

These

natural.
and

de

But

the French.
We

wished

negotiatewith

reason.

at

be in

been

one

many

Being

wondered

Prince

is to oppose

annoyance,

poche parole.

we

have

if I

and

soon

counter-orders

city of Nuremberg,

Then

business.

to Baion

the

to

been

so

tell you

I must

intenditore

buon

to be

and

I shall

Alas!

seen

of affairs.

turn

of persons

"

domo

talk

and

to my

it is not

consequence,

orders

many

complete

1 my

no

have

adds

This

time.

but

Never

stupidity,so

same

but

Ansbac

sdU

moment,

position of complete independence.

deceived.
I expected to have

hj

letters

few

great importance,

by being appointed major

end

Guided

Ingelfinden,July 17,

from

coadjutorin

his

the

sketches

valuable

sion
commis-

greatlydistinguished

he

task, and

of his

writes

Schuckmann,

von

unexpectedly the

purpose,

contain

an

neutrality,

its

diplomaticarrangements.

execution

this date

territoryas

make

to

Bade,

of

respected W
principalities,

received

simplicityof

his accustomed

threatened

Franconian

necessary

of the

since the peace

and

domain,

Humboldt

invaders, and

the

the

possibleto protect

invading

consideration

in

which^had existed
friendlyrelationships

of the

The
to

person
Franconian

being respected.

This

tria^habile person
it would

be

But

this

is

Herr

reuth
because

he

French
them

is

fond

with

Madame

of

proposing

the

I to refuse

August

returned

direct

is in

thought, that

it is

; and

still at

the

Karl.

detachment

The

in Suabia.

much

I have

sight

successful

their

watch

to

the

into

'

hope

return

by

the

to

interior

of

so

was

in

few

they call
weeks

The

Berlin.

General

to

are

should
will

pleased with

enemies

be

has

in

habit

days marching
tions
negotia-

business,and

excited
hand

other

have

any

within

it is

me

choly
melan-

from

away

; it is

the

many
all Ger-

to hear

peace

of

pleasure to

will not

often

much

so

and

creeping

set

of

enough

soon

make

to

Saxons

"The
of ours,

their
I

were

able

money.
to

are

at

me

at

since

is that
of them

any

liberty.

Saxons

The

he

march

do, gratifiedme

are

has

his

brave

very

taken

ever

The

to

only crime

set them

peace."

I may

greatlyrespected

are

frequentlysaid

Hardenberg's behaviour,

we

that

so
liberty,

at

Saxony

have
certainly

bread, forage,and

the little that

who

many

adoptingthe Imperialpolicy. Had

Elector

to

head-quarters

of this

country, and

Moreau

no

prisoners,
we

the

transactingsome

treatyof

troops

soldiers ;

they

writes

ache.

heart

French.

them with

and

W.,

earth

on

for twelve

the

of the

Schorndorf:

the

how

necessityas

Germans

head-quartersat
of

Sieur

nature

conclusion

homes,

the

discussingwhat
one's

Hohenlohe

engaged

my

been

of hussars,

to leave

now

been

both

feelingof self-gratulation.On

make

portrait of

consultingme,

to

army

I have

its importance for the welfare

French

the

Ingelfinden,he

French

quite as

about

the

opposition to

dear

occasion

As

:"

from

write to you,
with

Without

of Hohenlohe.

of the Prince
that

W.,

presented

the

objectingto

king

Sieur

on

I have

have

Prince

caught.

was

before

matter

voluere.

Bay-

from

me

will)with

of

25,000.

character.

high

fancy

'

Freiesleben
*

of

non

notion

fortnight later,while

with

of

arms

at first to send

(if you

or

Thus

me.

they placed

his

imfortunate

the

the

brought

and

But, sic Dii

de H.

had

wished

energy

but

hundred,

pictures,he*might perhaps

of

some

conceived
of

of

man

I have

Hardenberg

von

of

if he

point

foolish notion

are

the

to

more

the brain

have

may

155

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

hope
much

provided

through, and
exceedingly.

156

ALEXANDEB

know

You

with

love

dearly I

how
I will

much.

FON

however

weary

to which

owe

patience,dear

your

observations

two

are

country,

your

not

there

politics,
yet

HUMBOLDT.

which

ao

Karl,

anxious

am

to make.

recentlyhad

I have

'

cultivation

French,
I
a

feelingand

of

to which

of

guard

their

of

the

remarked,

"But

insufferably
dirty,
a

hear

such

remark
to

expression

wished
the

spiritof

constitution

present

republic is

The

of

in

Bonaparte

Italy,

These

comprehensive plan."
Wilhelm

with

Meister,

reflecting
upon
'

General

the

Desaix

of the

add,

one

like

Cromwell,

His

attractive

of
to

latelyread

in

the

regardto

the

most

but

possesses

his

the

safety-lamp,
National

du

remarkable

larger share

his

him

of

There
which

as

mind

acide
these

mur

paper

race.

and,

has

good
is

He

oxygdne

sur

on

may
head

nature.

of

touch

him

is

had

well

vague

cated
communi-

invention

of mine

without

Institute,"probably by Dolomieu,

the Institute
gaz

German

same

renders

exterior.

rough

visible

adopt

He

met.

of

to

human

in the

ever

about

idea

progress

show

antiphlogistic
chemistry,and
"

before

the

puppet

militarytalent.

notwithstanding

my

mind

men

melancholy

Since Humboldt

the relative

of

one

the

seem

despise

general

of

are
a

of

amiable

and

I'influence

sur

is

the

rejoicesat

saw

never

most

acquainted with
notion

who

other

really

republic ought

you

The

calling forth

people

elevation

exploitstestifyto

gentleness

because

"

but

Rhine

the

on

army

Alight

republicans. They
without

to

be

must
"

would

men

!^

and

age

one

where

these

dStail,

en

alluded

never

enthusiasm.

old

the

of

soldier?*

that

was

as

Soldiers

"

years

and

German

us

will grant,

you

humanity

Racine,

from

make

to

of

to

Imperialists,who

soldier

Ijpa

notion

no

from

quotation

an

possess

the
a

be

this

not

people have

Those

man.

citizen ; to

No,

"

"

the

attained.

ever

soldiers ? "

good

scarcelytwenty

was

high
by

allotted

sentries

citizen,that,nevertheless,they are
who

has

crueltyof
I

prisoners.

replied the youth,

nation

common

the

upon

the

expressionexhibited

European

of the

one

honour

killed

often

mode

other

no

speaking to

was

opportunity of admiring

an

**

who

Experience

la fibre

animale."

change has been effected in

of the French
state of culture
and German
especially
soldiers,
the feelings
of humanity displayedby both nations I
wrote

words,what

158

ALEXANDEE

I feel that

friends,for
even

small

think

to

but

The

others, the

more

morality.

The

here

miserable

the

have

in which
In

is

alone

midst

the

of these

his mother,

which

'I had

been

by surprise;
so

for

day

one

took

She

She

expired without

that

this is not
for

woimded,

have

we

who

; but

of

imremitting

her

Willdenow
my

poor
was

The

Jena,

'
"

to be

where
as

Alexander

On

25, 1796.

You

heart

usual,onlj

will be

of

deeply

very

less to

or

at the

also

length

friend,

dear

my

Humboldt

ground

mere

me

last she

the

unmoved

at

of

ordinarilysevere.

strangers more

has

taken

not

than

know,

my

death

19, 1796.

at

worse

than

remained

release

the

been

one

sight

wrote

to

grantedto

humanity,

her

cease
de-

desired.'

William

von

early as

June

von

have

that

day

sufierings!'^

happy

mother.

which

always been

intelligencecould

Schiller
*

by

could

another

only one

extenare

the

It has

this event.

struggle.

principles

those

November

on

sufferingsmore

event

an

Berlin

I felt comforted
was

her

were

whj

of love

out

intelligenceof

the

place at

have

and E

But

too.

from

want of

show

engrossingoccupations and

prepared for

rather

deviate

to

in a

upon

Kr.

friend,who

an

'

received

little.

sufiered

should

dear

my

induced

agree

Humboldt
projects,

long

you,

of

institutions

If others
I

why

that

for I think

six children

or

them.

reason

been

both

we

between

Grovemment

ninety florins.

to

seventy

upon

five

in this

me

the

valuable

most

of

friendshipof a

head-master

the

am

laws of

the

behind

expense,

in which

with

starve

no

an

conduct

obey

disposalof

stamp;

which

moral

the

leave

vanitr

of my

men

the

abused

shall

such

poor

from

this

I urge

me

money

principle,that
to

merit

of the

to

salaryof

divide

should

having

one

"

^is allowed

"

of not

called

school

important

will

be

for

ourselves

we

funds, too, at the

must

coimtry

influence

to

quite inadequate to

are

State

only

The

country.

seek

merit

the

independent positionin

the

we

forego readih

to

besides

I have

something

strictlymust

is the

minister

do

enough

and

income,

occupy
more

rich

not

am

princesmight

preferto

placed.

additional

that

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Humboldt

not

have

Humboldt
wrote
to

been
at

to

unexpected
that

Groethe

under
Freiesleben,

time
that

either at

resided,for
Humboldt's

date,Bavreuth, Nov.

mother

dying, and

was

continued
As

detention
noble

that

the

trait in

be mentioned

that

be

unredeemably

secured

of which

for the

to be

was

interest

applied

the

from

capitalof
thalers

500

and

which

exact

an

above

death

plans

were

school,

in

the

purchase

accoimt

was

for

he

of the

valuable
year:
*

the

excess

tuity
perpe-

family grave
of

interest

for

amount

formation

of

tional
addi-

an

of this third

to be

capital

of

expended

alterations

suitable

rendered.

is still in

for

books,

necessary

The

on

the

in

the

all of

tion
administravested

existence,was

turning-point in

filial duty which

accomplishment
this event, the

by

Bacon,

ample

he

means

renounced

himself

the

on

hitherto

bound

ties that

placed

him

to

within

his

visitingthe

for

service of the State that

science.

December

of the laboiu-s he had

life of

of his extensive

Humboldt

by

the

had

of many

were

exclusivelyto

last letters written

review

from

Bayreuth
It

20, 1796.

gives

accomplished during that

"

Notwithstanding

diplomatic
with

and

were

be

was

to Willdenow

addressed

was

to the

devote

might
One

tower

gratifyinghis long-cherishedwish
Like

tropics.

applied in

province.

severed, and

reach

to

which

the

cancelled

were

to

Falkenberg, the

to be

interest

in

obligationsof

barrier

home

The

the

The

formed

the

to

mentioned

of his mother

Humboldt.

of

it

thalers

500

apart

deducting-the necessary

of

consistoryof

The

Humboldt,

capital to 1,000 thalers, the

this

thalers.

of this endowment,
in the

his

applied to increasingthe salary of the

Falkenberg, while the accumulated
savings of

1,000 thalers

building,

of

cause

to be

at

improvement

was

church

to accumulate

500

was

school-master
the

after

which,
again

the

von

estate

cent,

the

set

provision that

raise

to

the

upon
per

Frau

of

will she

,by her

preservationof

repairs,was
of

character

four

at

Falkenberg, with

at

probably

was

at Berlin.

may

interest

159

EMPLOYMENT.

OFFICIAL

the

yet been

mission

great work
chemical
results of

in

the
the

serious
French
months

accomplish some

to

physicalscience, on

process
some

to

during

aimy
able

the

of

interruptioncaused
general,and
of

July

good

work

muscular

and

my

detention

August, I

this

have

summer.

and
excitability

life,is nearlycompleted.

4,000 experiments, besides

my

by

much

It

My
the

contains

the

relatingto

the

160

ALEXANDER

of

physiology

the

of

some

the

acid

morils'

which

upon

light ^

and

fat

the

animal

into

discovered

principle,

phosphorus

have

work

of

mine

physiques
by

in

published

This

'

this

been

have

been

not

grows

less

industrious.

plan

of
I

things

all is
*

is

Should

'

in

I consider

made.'

Alexander

"

[MorcheUa

It

was

never

to

spend

it

which

this

then

an

energy

von

the

eactdenta, a

kind

published.

delicate
to

made

chemical

Frekdehen,

of edible

and

mushroom.]

the

aU

above

finally, when
West

good
have

for

England,

for

the

plan,

circumstances

most

Humboldt

for

My

ments;
instru-

Italy,

and

hurry,

this

and

Paris
year,

ship

accomplish

with

be

English

fortunate

to

another

godson

me.

various
in

visit

preparations

my

more

"

certainly

with

with

though

little

India

to

or

to

in

plants.

my

continue

year

being

in

live to

not

shall

remain

to

sail

to

commenced

position

and

avoid

to

mean

him

provide myself

so,

like

should

take
I

of

I have

that

and

several

made

people,

see

volcanoes,

studying

complete,

have

or

year

my

where

fixed.

I have

buted
contri-

Institute,

that

Pray

"Lettres

papers

Willdenow,

other

than

I may

that

absolutely

another

purpose

scribe

gas,

oxydfe.

of

respiration

of

Geneva,

at

society.

dear

kinds

new

National

the

to

my

you,

of

is

collection

the

on

less

quickly,

up

journey
for

simimer

of that

convince

may

time

to

printed

biglily

ezpeiiments

phosphore

be

is

it

Memoirs

the

experiments

is to

time

de

recently

some

here;

two

on

azoture

Pictet;*'*

from

me

and

French

in
M.

acid

which

nitric

of

upon

obtained

been

mation
transfor-

application

based

for

ready

me

nitrogen

with

eudiometer

carbonic

oxygenised
A

as

by

instnmient

an

satisfactory measurements
with

publishing

by

have

barometer

of

description

new

treatises

experiments

of

intend

winter

the

...

chemical

press

In

plants.

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Indies.

shall
use

at

of

placed

experiment

I have

least
the
me^

ever

ironiAR

AND

161

JENA,

CHAPTER

IV.

WEIMAR

AND

JENA.

and
Jena
Goethe as a Natural Philosopher
Sodety in Weimar
Early Recognitionof Humboldt's Genius
Oppositionto his Views and
Recantation
Contrasts
Humboldt's
subsequent
Opinion of Goethe
Harmonies
and
afforded by the two
Characters
Schiller's Medical

State of

"

"

"

"

"

"

Studies

Humboldt

"

Rhodes

and

Counsel

Frequent

Visits to Weimar

OuB

narrative

von

Humboldt

Jena*

the

If

Karl

and

we

has

August
Jena

and

The

"

"

Love

of

in an
^Inscription

first introduced

the

to

of

importance to devote a chapter to

scarcelyfeel that an apology is due to our

shall

least not
A

him

phase had passed ov6r

new

he

of Wieland;

arrival

1772, by
anxious

and

claim

who

to those

Anna

the Duchess

the

commit

to

Constantine,

published work,

the

that brilliant

the
been

the
'

the

subject,

readers

court

of Weimar

summoned

of

since
the

to

court

task.

Spiegel,'
Wieland

With
which

constellation

Karl

sons,

who

one

G-oldener

"

at

fellow-coimtryman.

of her two

care

to

men

Amelia, who, earlyleft a widow,

education

to

well fitted for such

had

as

and

eminent

be of sufficient
we

genius,

Weimar

at

"

Alexander

men

distinguishedcircle of literati
deem
his relationships
with these

sophy
Philo-

Nature

Album.

when

time

Friendly

"

the New

and

of

Schiller's

"

Formula

Duke's

alreadyanticipatedthe

was

of

^Humboldt

"

^The Genius

"

Mediation

"

Reconciliation

"

Humboldt

"

forming

Avowal

'Horen'

Jud^nnent Edmer's
Empiricism and Love

Humboldt's

"

the

to

Schiller^s Harsh

"

Idealism

Contributor

his

by
had

shown
the

rose

rendered

the
in
was

August
recently
himself

first star of

Weimar

so

illus-"

trious.
The
inach
'

young

for their

["The
lessons

VOL.

princesgrew

I.

Golden
which

physicalas
Mirror, or

the

up

to man's

for their

Kings

estate, distinguishedas
mental

of Scheschian.'
should

the rulers of mankind

M

endowments,
A

series of

derive from

and

tant
imporhistory.]

162
Karl

August

Jacobi

If Heaven

excellent

the
few

all

parts of

of

Karl

world.'

sciences

welcome

were

Muses

Knebel,

classical

highest stage
inquiry

Jena.

of

who,

since

In

Jena,

the

wide

exercisingso

power

and

and

minds

in

had

in almost

the

all

mode

the

and

that

Jena

the

nating
ema-

all hearts

Berlin

of

men

in intellectual

tion
isola-

whereby

bridge

to

afforded

was

and

one

years,

tual
intellec-

of

animated

striking contrast
there

later

in

eminent

prince

alone

Berlin, when

height

existed

ever

stood

Even

time

The

lived

the

at

Germany,

influence

an

The

statesman,

history

in

historystood

had

Schiller,

of

ascribed.

attained
at

of life at Weimar.

and

of

past century.

her

chair

scientific

neighbouring

genius

thought

Jena.

periodsof

the

to

Weimar

nor

and

chilling separation.

poet

of

activity,which
Weimar

to

to its

in

the

in

the

important

social intercourse

; no

the

and

of

Herder

at Weimar

interest

awakened

to be

of the

possessedthe charm,

never

fresh

occupied

mainly

last decade

friend

Bethlehem

it,'writes

cultivated

being

was

revolution

is

visit

and

1784.

position of influence

this

during

the

court

arts

every

'

reception.

undoubtedly

had

1789,

from

is

of the

court, and

the

"

men

development,
It

University,that

at

wise

branch

every

cordial

simultaneously

was

town

poetry

of

of

September 11,

on

While

of

deserted, the

is not

Judah

from

1775, began the halcyon days of

guests

certain

was

the

at

to

shall Id

we

being visited

of

arrival

Goethe's

With

Votaries

celebrity.

surrounded,

worthy

to

princeand

young

our

is

here

in November

August

Weimar's

he

little court

the

life to

whom

by

of Wieland

prophetic words

the

only grant

friends

have

years

of the

fulfilled

soon

HUMBOLDT.

von

ALE:^AND"B

by

scholar, the

the

existence,

common

mutually stimulating to intellectual activity. And the result

of this activitywas
tender
hot-house
no
plant,fostered only in
princely

circles ; it

scholar, the
of

gifted
one

could
science
the

no

at

garret

and

flourished
of

the

family.

longer

at

formalities

would
of

the

Weimar

women.

intellectual

Jena

in

When

Weimar
be

fired

universitylife

to

by

her
fresh

exercised

in the

and

poetry,

accustomed

impulse

the

boudoir

Jena

with

too

of

study

thoughtful poet, and

cultivated

soar

equally

tuted
consti-

wing,

weary

heights,
; and

when

contracting

an

WEIMAB

influence
under
It

was

acquaintance of

the

Charlotte

sisters

where

and

acquaintance

poet

Caroline

and

close

of Frau

words

the

intimacy

intimate

the

Wolzogen,

von

existed

that

This

further

Humboldt

von

those

sided,
re-

Lengefeld,
of

which

then

was

friend

upon

the

visitor.

von

of William

following year,

of the

weekly

Charlotte

the union

where

Lengefeld

boldt
Hum-

von

friendship,which

into

Dacheroden,

von

in July
Bisters,
to use

at Weimar

Weimar,

at

von

almost

was

ripened

soon

February 20, 1790,

with

Caroline

and

the

Schiller

by Schiller's marriage with

cemented
on

full freedom

genial auspices of poetry and the arts.

that William
of 1789
during the winter

the

made
two

163

JENA.

spiritfound

the

Jena,

at

AND

the

two

commenced,
of

happy days

between

the

two

were

succeeded

by

years

von

Humboldt,

in

the

newly-married

couplesat Jena.'
bright days

Those

William

when

took up his residence

service of

the

order that

he

might

his aesthetic

nature

clothed

were

highestproblems
In consequence

Alexander
at

von

of life and

but

recentlyentered, in

pursuits.

middle

stimulates

mind,

^the

souls

the

elevated

the most

of

deepest

and

reached

flightwas

With

between

place

Speculationsof

fresh

daily some

ful
gracein

the

art.

of the

position held by his brother at Jena,

Humboldt,
already Superintendent of Mines,

shall doubtless

into

the

been
von

intimate
attracted

William,

to

brother's

his
so

Goethe

Himiboldt.

excused

be

circle of

if

here

we

phases in the development

have
operated largelyin the

must

spring of 1794,

to scientific

language of

to Alexander

well-known
which

had

occupied

other.'

Schiller had

As

felt drawn
We

in

admitted

once

friends.

himself

Mind
the

one

character, and

was

devote

Goethe.

poets enkindle

he

which

on

criticism, he

Schiller and

equal happiness,

Jena, having resignedhis positionin the

at

State,

of

of

revert

to certain

Goethe's

creation

genius,

of this bond

of union.
In Goethe

there

had

been

Nature, accompanied by
of her

phenomena
had

and

manifested

expressionin

his poems

earlydeveloped an

strong bent

towards

the

study of her laws.

itself in early youth,
the

in such
X

lines
2

as

the

intense

of

investigation

This
and

love

istic
character-

often

following:

"

found

164

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

VON

tinted
Boyhood's pleasurese'en were
the longing felt within,
With
To enquire of Nature's
secrets,
And

Even
traces

her

in his earliest
of his love

his residence

for the

lectures

on

attended

even

settlement
the

cultivation of land

time

to the

had

been

relates
the

in

passion.
a

the

later

years,

too

results

high, no

labyrinth

pre-eminent

devoted

absorbed in I

of my

himself

studies.

of my

early conceived

were
investigations

not

zeal

his

deep, no

too
.

influence

in

the

To

say

To

paint what

for

mineralogy

Bohemia

they

too

passage

and

exerted

over

*no

joy my

heart

me

Natur

Literarische Zustande

im

und

Schaffen

Carlsbad
his

strong

fatigable
inde-

no

were

inquiring

filled,

leht'

vol.
Zeitgenossen/

lifeto

contracted,

thrilled,

then

always

mountain

Freudig war vor vielen Jahren

Eifrig80 der Geist bestrebt,
Zu erforechen,
zu
erfahren,
Wie

rapture through

attained by

mind.
what

in

have,'he

through quiet, persevering,and

In
mine

deep meaning

great portion

intricate.'

too

fashiouable

and

Goethe

scientific

his

science, for which

labour.'
was

found

in cabinets.'

on

but
inspiration,

mere

ladies

court

to \

the

Ilmenau,

at

project

the

value

The

mines

Merck,

of

Everyone,'says Bottiger,* was

'

high
of

study

at the same

since

the favourite

become

arranged them

very

the

vote
de-

forests,to

almost

And,

after his

employment, in

influence

the

anatomy.

reworking

for

mineralogy, even

botany, while

of

patients,and

Soon

of

management

p^^ j

at Lobensteini

of his

his official

by

directed,by

mineralogy had

stones, and

the

comparative

Weimar.

study at

and

was

started

of

science

led

was

during

attended i

He

midwifery.

upon

science

his attention

osteology and

set

he

present

was

and
marked

sciences.

bedsides

the

at

course

at Weimar

himself

anatomy,

given

evinced

be found

to

are

of nature,

he

natural

the

and

chemistry

there

contemplation

of

study

clinical instruction
he

poetic effusions

in 1770,
Strasbiirg,

at

ference

to win.^

confidence

for the

i. p. 22.

166

ALEXANDER

if I should

gratefullyacknowledged

be

wish

my

sketch, if
to

me

the

in Goethe's

labours

the

relatingto
of their

to be

Humboldts

two

particularly

galvanism,in

and

investigationsin anatomy

tific
scien-

their

to

more

studies, and

other

activelyparticipated, The

he

view

proved so memorable

alludes

writings,he

to any

their

mentions
which

than

complish
ac-

past century.'

of the

remarks

point of

own

my

able tx)

be

ever

epoch which

that

history,of

various

with

met

furnishingfrom

of

last decade

the

"

In

not

HUMBOLDT.

VON

followingentry

in

occurs

the

'

Bayreuth

the

waa

almost

interest

these

his
investigations

in

of remark
the

lecturingupon
branch

important
from

yet

the

by

medical
used

Meyer,
hear, in

of

strange

anatomical
1795
the

By

adds

advent

of

the

end

of the

creative

art of

they

in the

communicating

and

and

is

through

highly

"

the

constitute

the

branch

then

muscles

And

quite neglected
with

the

friend

our

to

deepest snow

exemplifiedby

the

most

rate
accu-

"

consistency and

some

to record

took

Von

Hmnboldt

back

great

to the

of conversation
ideas

upon
As

on

I could

the

paper,

nature.

pursuit

not

refrain

comparative anatomy
views

appeared
completeness,I was

my

of

measure

in

and

at

once

the

from

study of

interest

Jena,

at

entirelydiverted

was

brought

course

them

year,

both

my

brothers

two

systematic arrangement.

requested

these

not

three, in company

morning

poetry, and

at this time

of science, and

its

frame

was

empty lecture-room, this portion of physical

he further

the

from

It is

preparations.'

towards

Just

of

to wade

We

Loder

lent to

knowledge,

animal

bones

this

infatuation

manifested

who

Counsellor
the

the

lucidlyexplained

structure

In

between

thoughts exclusively
of

for do

anatomy,

from

practicalassistance.

Court

the

students.

almost

an

and

advice

"

Hiunboldt

Jena,

at

von

our

branch

ligaments of

connection

necessary

also

every

that

1794

year

of Alexander

brother,

keen

worthy

the

signal for turning

elder

His

science.

to

Tageshefte'for

long-expectedarrival

The

und

Jahres-

to

and

display

urgently

acceding

to

this

the
Jacobi
proposition,I proceeded to dictate to Max
ground-plan of a system of comparative osteology. In thus tifying
grathe wishes of my friends,I gained for mj^elf a platfonn
upon

which

to

erect

new

theories.

The

influence

exerted

bj

WEIMAR

Alexander
His

Humboldt

von

; I was

of

Bayreuth

Jena

at

presence

outline

incited

the

the

same

the

two

scheme

my

had

words

scheme

*
"

^
"

of

use

private collection.
The

of

the

afforded

geological disquisitions.Experiments

scribing
de-

almost

scientific
for

for

own

my

the

upon

view

of

as

at

every

motive

well

as

Mountains

with

life then

philosophic and

in

quest
re-

imbued.'

was

"

there, and

had

I had

last it

at

thoughts

intellectual

system

anatomical

by Groethe,when

to

1795

out

Hartz

the

of

drawings

drew

in

able
consider-

that

the

mind

were

from

Dioscuri,

occasioned

writing

Museum,

the

which

of insects

my

alluded

discussed

was

systematic

more

subject of

in

brothers

osteological
type

spirit. My

prodigality of

the

Humboldt

The

for

and

in

closelyoccupied,

was

to reside

impatience,

again

almost

as

heart, soul,and

are

found.

derived

time

at

interest.'

alludes

pressinglyforward,

down

set
"

of nature

aspect

of

been

Himiboldt, who,
the

brought

being

1797

in

that

at

path, came

my

Himiboldts

brothers

should

whole

my

The

the

amount

that

he

the

to record

great

yet

as

in this way

perseveringlyand
some

of

was

tomy
ana-

his residence

During

him

separately.

comparative

Osteology,'Groethe

with

brother

letters have

time

of

study

anatomy.

My

Jena.

at

be dealt

his elder

stimulus

illuminated

produced

Jena

to the

1795

year

so

which

of

to the

brothers

time

and

of these

appendix

often

the

correspondence with

my

till in the

him

by

167

JENA.

requiresto

promoted

Unfortunately, none
In

AND

phoses
metamor-

many

by

Krause

in

galvanism

years.
rise to

gave

stituted
in-

were

by Humboldt.'
In

letter

after

visit

'

to

from

; his

its winter

visit my

time

has

had

the

that

When,
the
the

admiration

however,

theory
earth,

of

volcanic

Goethe,

agency

who

effect of

and

till the

Humboldt

Weimar:

usefullyand

been

"

ably
agreefrom

arousing

attainments

continued

who

at

writes,

of
important significance

character

appreciated by Groethe,
increasing

the

Goethe

science.'

for natural

Humboldt's

von

ever

has

taste

evident

It is thus

Humboldt

von

presence

sleep my

April 26, 1797,

Alexander

During Humboldt's
spent

of

Schiller

to

ander
Alex-

early

was

him

regard

with

an

close of life.
himself

avowed
in the

formation

still remained

an

of

convert

the

adherent

crust

of

to

of
the

168

ALEXANDER

theory,could

aqueous
if to

that

prove

restrain

not

even

induced

be

of

modem

abandon

to

had

science

establishment

in all her

It

the

that

both

have

be

admitted

assumed,

And

yet

none

thee

saw

length beneath

And

thus

the

theory,as

Groethe's

that

he

of life.'

moisture
life

my

in

The

doctrine, and

to believe

his

that

It
a

in the

the

'

they

with

sah euch

doch

Ihr

the

Endlich
Und

es

Kurze

aqueous

separating the
by

spent

several

years

of

them

even

the
with

problems

je aus

dem

Feuer

Feuer

unsolved.'

gehoren,
eutstehu.'

Freude.

sie wieder ins alte Wasser

henmter,
zog man
loscht dch nun
bald dieser entziindete Streit.'

of

Wemer^s

Feuer.

solltet dem

the

stratified

after I had

163.

"

could

he

formed

coincided

left many

theory.

slowly

connection

formed

kein Mensch

that

intervals

was

travellingin

regard to

I have

to hold

of the aqueous

volcanic

to the

organised

SckSpfimg durch

basaltische Saulen

Arme
Und

*
"

sealed.

healed.'

ever

only when

long

mutual

continued

161.

fate fast

Mineralogical Observations

convert

views

says

their

advocate

was

so

was

views

that

moulded,

enfolded.^

is for

avowed

an

became

He

studying

formations.

reason

Alexander

fire thus

by

were

flames

primeval catastrophes everything

'

to

Fire.

enkindled

Werner's

taught

the

Rhine.'

nature

to hold

theory, which

and

Boas

earlier writers,

reference

primeval is

from

seen

of the

whole

scarcelyfail

His

Short-lived Pleasures.

wa"

be

hy

said,ye

by

Humboldt

World

New

the

"Tis

long

Basalts

some

on

phant
trium-

agency.

instant, as

an

any

Creation

so

may

for

bear

floods

the

strife

At that time

of volcanic

could

researches
the

through

conformity with

in

ever

163.
At

always

"

of basalt !

columns

the

As

expressionsof Mephistopheles.

some

161.
Poor

obsolete

theory

following epigrams

Humboldt

von

in

vent

cannot, however,

Saupe

the

is not

aspects,Groethe

views, which

these

rendered

of

indignationfound

of anger.

manifestation

genius of the. highest order

permitted to comprehend Nature

never

HUMBOLDT.

VON

good

WEIMAB

the

In
second

between

controversy
of

part

the

Neptunists

Mephistopheles, in

theory which

the

bent

the

makes

She
And

'tis not

Force,
the

continues

Faust

And

Nature

When

Set rock

hills with

The

fourth

that

friend

no

kept

daily existence

own

could

his

disturb

act

the

steep

habitual

demoniac

depths with

"

steep.
moulded.

downward

of former

charnel-houses

Bursts
And

earth

Till all is

Sie bildet
Und

'

AIb
Da
Der
Und
Die
Mit
Da

die Natur

risen

from

mountains

creations

from

helVs

"

remotest

riven, rocks

topsy-turvy

Grossen

are

sent

floor.

rent,

ist

es

nicht Gewalt'

eich in sich selbst

sie rein den

Erdball

Gipfelsich,der
Fels

shrank

He

Fele

gegrimdet,
abgeriindet,

Schluchten

sich erfreut

und

Berg an Berg gereiht,

bequem hinabgebildet,
sanftem
Zug sie in das Thai gemildetr
sich zu erfreuen
und wachst's,und um
griint's
an

Hiigeldann

Bedarf

sie nicht der tollen Strudeleien.'

in

even

his

everything that

regelndjeglicheGestalt

selbst im

hat

is

ranges,

devil's moor.

ebon

forth

the

whereby

and

him

from

equilibrium.

Basalt, that

distance

power,

"

to

wild commotions,
a

being founded,
globe she rounded,
gorges deep,

mighty plutonic forces having

idea of the

the awful

at

act

scale.^

fourth

mountain

of

favour.

fail,

never

gently from their feet the vales unfolded

They green and grow ; with joy therein she
Bequiring no insane, convulsive changes.'
was

Faust

act, of the

second

Till

Goethe

con-

the

outlines

easy

the

mistakable
gives un-

disposed to

mighty

her

and
and

of the
was

in the

perfectthen

rock,

to

on

strain

summits

of the

rules

even

old

and

time,

says in the

by

in herself

and

Complete
Glad

form

each

the

in

discoiurse between

the

Thales

forward

own

mind

own

Anaxagoras

Vulcanists, symbolising

beginning

of his

Thus, speaking of Nature,

and

of his

evidence, especiallyin
and

and

brings

scientific movement

thereby the

169

JENA.

Thales

Goethe

Faust,'

between

trover^

AN.D

from

the

the lowest
seem

but

170

ALEXANDER

Thus

would

The

In

still

from

round

wherefore,

"

air to darkness

and

in

round,
whirled

fires were

found

We

Mephistopheles

manner

Lord

the

us

Eternal

inert.

so

cules
thus ridi-

"

Banned
Where

now

theory of upheaval :

God

When

formed

were

diabolic

more

HUMBOLDT.

geologistsassert,

rocks

volcanic

the

VON

ourselves

deep

and

in Earth's

"

central,

fierce,intensest

much

too

I also know

hot

glow.

entrail,

illuminated,

uneasilysituated.
Devils
The
a
coughing, sneezing,
without
cessation
At every vent
wheezing
Hell
and
acids
With
dilated,
sulphur-stench

Yet

crowded

and

all set up

And
That
Thick

such

enormous

Earth's

very

soon

as

it was,

thence

was

gas

level,far

extended.

and

heaved,

was

created.
rended

split,and

it
thing is plain,no theories o'ercome
is summit.
'What
formerly was bottom, now
Hereon
they base the law there's no disputing,
the topmost footing.'
To give the undermost
The

Humboldt

of the

fullyaware

was

'

Basalt;der

schwarze

Fels, G^stein
Zerspaltet

Omega
Und

muss

war'

so

denn

Geognostischauf
*

'

Als
Una
Da
Ein
Wir

Gott

"

Luft

der

aus

Herr

der

ewig

Feuer

fanden

die liebe Welt

'

den

1
Kopf gestellt

^ich weiss

auch

wohl

gluhend,

sich

warum

"

bannte,

und

um

flammend

Erden,

werden

in tiefste Tiefen

centralisch

wo

verses

hervor,
und

Alpha

zum

these

Teufelsmoor,
bricht

tiefster HoUe

Aus

reference

um,

durchbrannte,

bei allzu

grosser Hellung
gedrangter,unbequemer Stellung.
Teufel fingensammtlich
zu
an
husten^
una

In sehr
Die
Von

oben

Die

HoUe

Das

gab

Sodaas

und

ein Gas

gar

bald

haben

Was

ehmals

Sie
Das

von

der

und

Saure

Grund

griindenauch

ging ins Ungeheure^

Lander
flache Kruste,

zerkrachend

wir's

Unterste

Schwefelstank

I das

So dick filewar,
Nun

auszupusten

unten

von

schwoll

an

war,
hierauf

ina Oberste

bersten

musste.

anoiem Zipfel:

einem

ist

nun

Gipfel.
Lehren,

die rechten
zu

kehren.'

bore

AND

WEIMAE

and

himself,

to

in

of the

Kobell, author

bad

had

he

Urzeit,"

turned
case

into

him
be

may

1'

'

such

and

numibers

gain

to

extreme,

and

is then

included

younger

theory
modem
forced

when,
of the

school of

And

osity.
impetu-

bold

in

thinkers.'

1817,

to view

only

not

which

to

theNeptunic
favour

increased

was

of

Humboldt

von

they

painfullyaflFected by

the

of the

upheavals,volcanic

extensive

was

from

belief

with

Till it in turn
Pluto's

For
To

so

Alexander

abhorrence

to

manage

reckless

Freiberg began
'

of

selves
for them-

these

of

as

order

unanimous

of Werner

curse

fires,

obliged

were

the

modem

from
thrones
kings are now
subverted.
be
must
disconcerted,
granite
gneiss,the child,is father held

So

to the

as

*The

theory gets pushed

with
the

almost

new

dress up

; the

'

in science.
As

And

of

other titanic occurrences,

He

that

also the older adherents

explanationssuch
recourse.'

be written

able, clever, and

theories, his

volcanic

revolutions

death

generation but

floods,and
to have

the

on

flame.

adherents, and

forwards

spoken

these

among

fire and

thinkers

and

for the

upheaval

the

in

Faust."

"

probabilities
; they

mere

is carried

of

of

investigators.'
Undoubtedly

scientific

And

bold

literarypower

...

was

it must

followers

them

It

theory

lumber-room

of

theory out

sheer
an

modem

of

part

"Die

(Humboldt)

second

in the

Able, clever,and

around

gather

him

volcano, vomiting

racket

of his poem,

canto

avenge

pleases,but

von

eruptive theory,since

second

received

Herr

to

thanks
Urzeit,' he especially

to the

to

to the

it

as

this execrable
creation

had

aversion

Goethe's

Die

of the

ventured
he

treatment

January 24, 1857,

'

poem

jubilant conclusion

the

of

adherence

for his avowed

him

letter

171

JENA.

at

upturn

last,in

discontented
'

Wie
Wird

Und
Auch
Denn

Dem

is downward

trident

felled ;

threatens

all beneath

the

soon

moon.^

he
spiritof proud resignation,

feelingsof

an

old

man

who

die

Konige Terletzt,
auch abgesetzt
;
Gneis,der Sohn, ist nun Papa
dessen Untergang ist nah ;

man

der Granit

Pluto's

Gabel

Urgrund

drohet

Revolution.'

schon

sees

gave

vent

the

well-

172

ALEXANDER

arranged classification of
accustomed

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ideas

he

to which

ruthlesslyupset by

the younger

Werner

his back

The

noble

scarce

When

all his life

been

had

generation:

had

"

tamed.

rudely is o'erthrown.

Neptane's kiDgdom
Thoagh all to Hephasstos obedience hare learned,
I cannot
yieldhim homage
rest ;
My faith can only on conclusions
diverse views
Before me
have passed,
many
Each
hated
than the last,
one
by me more
:

New

Deities and

Doubtless
these

Alexander

destroyers of
Miiller*

relates

Humboldt's

he,

has

aesthetics

Groethe

criticised

with

of

amount

is

them

to

incense

'
"

these

feel

pleases,but

much,

in

quite insupportable.'

is

with

Humboldt

von

In

perseverance.
he

as

sound

much

I shall not

an

and

hesitate

equal

the other
to expose

already secretlypreparing several

posterity shall

sensible

one

know
who

man

there lived

that
could

see

through

absurdities.'

to

wrote

strain

absurd

am

at least

Time, however,
He

and

too

obloquy.

century

and

If Alexander

me

said
friend,'

Our

subsequently,in 1828,

epigrams against them

in this

think

Von

bitterness

some
'

zeal and

of

untrue

chancellor

possessedonly of

is

among

the titanic

were

in 1824.

amount

may

pique : *

Plutonists

volcanoes

genius, he

everyone

Buch

von

The

expressed himself

He

Leopold

Neptime.

upon

reckoned

is to be

of

considerable

what

science

that

true

no

he and

realm

lecture

and

sense

the

Humboldt

von

deities,for

new

Idols.

'
"

Vamhagen

The

'

modified

somewhat

Wenn
Ich

man

der

Ich weiss
SchoD

es
nur

edle Wemer

den

following

the

mineralogy)

Kiicken,

Reich.
poseidaonische

das

alle sich
kann

in

(geology,geography, and

wendet

Zerstort

vehemence.

angry

July 8, 1829,

on

sciences

Kaum

this

Hephastos bucken,
sogleich,
der Folge zu schatzen :

von

nicht
in

hab' ich manches

Credo

verpaast,

'Mir sind sie alle gleichverhasst,

Neue
'

Gotter

Burckhardt, ' Goethe's

(Stuttgart,
1870),p.

und

Qotzen.'

Unterhaltaiigenmit

66.

"

Ibid. p. 124.

Paulus,* Geisterrevue/
p.

390.

dem

Kaazler

'

von

Sillier

174

ALEXANDER

VON

propositionsof

the

reason

though

it take

see

the

world

are

all facts

of science

and

boldness.

has

entwined

initiated

in the

of

garb

effect

they

the

grasp

trary, I appear

thus

been

I have

suitable

and

friendlyintercourse.

the

facts of

altogetheropposed
I

could

incorporated

value

of which

Of
to

his

it will

owe

its

there

are

faithful

that

to

glad

his

minds

should

travels I

passage:

"

seventeenth

of

is

In

*The

the

most

centuries

'

is

"

Die

his method

whom

of viewing
them

upon

is

observed
that what

knowledge,

of

to

the

expressionstestifying

many

surprising gifts.
Journal:

her

in

of

worthy

force

foreign

in

and
hear

to

once,

und

remarkable

* Leben
Schlesier,

'"

of local

the

^*That

"

is able

who

homage

In

colouring,

surrounding accessories,
everything

Maximen

unreserved

of

astonishment,

all the

for

were

1, 1831

reasoning

writes

most

be, if only
'

hours

stores

also

alone

delineation

our

views, Goethe

preservation.'

graphicallyto reproduce with

and

God

logicallyapprehended by hiiDj

vast

Ottilie

of nature

con*

may

system, yet I have

Humboldt's

Afl"nities'*

investigator

of

with

is

his

appreciationof

'Elective

mode

unmixed

among

earlier date

an

several

cerebral

receive

myself

not

that

'

brother, for

your

although

his

interest, not

warm

and

For

my

the

on

December

on

to

epithet,for

to

boldest

imagine

to

them,

To

Selah

us.

Humboldt,

geology and

aversai

our

arch-heretic,wherein

greatlyindebted

find

with

brought thereby

von

can

no

of

many

appreciationof Alexander's

to William

wrote

fuller

yet

powerful;

confirm

and

not

aid
skilfully

paradox, when

obstinate

an

as

is
strengtii

incomprehensible.

graciouslymaintain
With

is

investigatorsare

can

weakne^j

where

fragilebeauty.

such

of

energeticallypropounded,
scientific

clearlyenough

see

prodigi^
greatestskiB]

the

with

them

use

onlj

Jlot

of his

in consequence

to

oi

conqueror

orator.

greatest

strength,while

the

so

how

mighty

our

it necessaiy

is

But

itself round

decked

And

his mind

he knows
The

repeat :

understand

cannot

day.

every

perhaps the

is

present to

but

memory,

"

place

everything?

understand

to, be

highest

HITMBOLDT.

the

of

themselves

Wilhelm

Humboldt

Ton

recount

'

Seflexionen

men

occurs

sixteenth

schools

of

Humboldt's.'

voL
Wahlverwandtachaften/

How

un"miliar.

iL

chap.viL

the

and

learning,

WEIMAE

just

Humboldt

88

with

is in
'

Knebel

AKD

our

time.'

own

Humboldt

Eckermann
of

state

him

morning

have

him

in

He

home

from

his stores

fountain,

whence

in the
It

preserved
any

studies

Weimar

of

his

first

Genius
whose

'

der

'

fresh

without

subject broached,
resembles

all

will remain

have

lived

in

treasures

us

upon
He

He

I have

living

comers

here

a
a

through

few

years

the

feet

Goethe

botany

boldt
Hum-

with

optics,although,

or

eagerly engaged

part

"om

Goethe

estimated

his

dedicating

to

Geographical Distribution
Nature

these

upon

book

crowned

the

Knebel/

Goethe

him
of

highly
his

as

work,

trated
Plants, illus-

dedication
and
laurel

with

inscribed
to

very

Tropical Eegions,'' forming

in

in America;

Apollo

as

unless

poet'spapers

discussed

design by Thorwaldsen,

lies

mit

in

the

among

never

been

indicating that

Gesprache
Ideen

his

of

Poetry

"

hereafter

that

of his Travels

after

altogether inexplicable

1790.

on

Briefv^ecbflel mit

December
*

showers

shall

and

had

year

View

part

of

he

is evident

Plants,'thus

'

that

researches

own

the

upon

illustrated

"

Humboldt

with

with

be

streams, jrieldingto

discovered

stated,

Thoughts

at

be

at

botanist,

the

the

knowledge.

many

remarkable

since

That

be

refreshingdraught.

may

before

of

Though

struck
to

hours

some

time.'

clue

as

flow

already feel

is very

some

to meet

is I

said

in

acquaintance with existing

may

it, and

in

profusion

days, and

and

for

me

he

be

G-oethe

advanced

he

as

with

may

Whatever

at

and

copia,
cornu-

of genius which
too, a versatility

possesses,

quite

quickening

rich

found

always

am

He

company.

equalled.

seen
seems

occasion

one

has been

of information

extent

sciences.

he

on

long, I

so

dence
Correspon-

as

extraordinaryman

an

for

in his

amazement

never

what

known

rival

having

Humboldt

von

the

prodigality.'

joyous excitement, exclaiming

^Alexander

this

relates

In

is described

distributinghis giftswith
'

175

JENA.

^The

poetry

page

represents

was

the

unveiling Isis,

Metamorphoses

we

are

also

of

indebted

vol. i. p. 243.

in den letzten

Jahren

seines Lebens/

Monday,

26, 1826.
zu

einer

Tropenlander.'

Geographie der Pflanzen,nebst

einem

Naturgemalde

176

ALEXANDER

the 'dedication in

by

remarks

and

work,'

friendshipfor
of

it

the text,

sent

work, 'Thoughts

It

book

The

world

By

Nature's

Humboldt

classed

Illustration

in

this

of

symbolic

'

its existence

also

'

This

eeparateform

in

grief,

for relief;

of

in their
the

force

fair

Goethe

constant

only

not

student

of

distinguished

optics and

with

nature

those

characterised

St.-Pierre,as

frequentlyquoted

folio,and has

become

printhas

Ideen

in my

me

Tageshefte.'
print first appeared in 1813, with
of ' Geographische Ephemeriden ;

waldsen^s

"

his

osteology.
Forster,

of

table
by inimi-

^Aphorisms

very

pages

of

it

also been

scarce.

einer

schien

Ermanne
Die
Nach

Das

the

in
letterpress,
was
subsequentlypublished
reproduced in Paris. Thor-

some
'

Physiognomik der Gewachse.'

An
Trauertagen
Gelangte zu mir Dein herrlich Heft,
zu

Es

on

und

Jahres-

vol. zli.

joy
source,
banish
pleasureis
thy despair.^

de

he

the

ledged
acknow-

wife, and

itself in blossoms

eternal

descriptionsof

truth, and

Growth,'*

of

followingverses

in labour

seek

to thee

Bemardin

copy of

power

successful

6, 1816,

of his

to cheer

laws,

let such

his

BufFon, and

bel(mging to

hour

recognised in

botanist, but

the

still wreathes

were

Then

'

eagerlyinto

said,

June

death

by

arrived

I should

These

'

he

as

Physiognomy

the

12

with

urged

That

the

darkest

In. sorrow's

increasing

this fresh token

dedicated

Groethe, on

to

from

June

gifton

Your

in

by

drew,

whom,

to

on

in affliction

was

the

He

himself

important

ever

illustration

the

as

and

himself

threw

and
picture,'

friend

the

Humboldt

When

poet

and

work,

this

be ascribed.'

to

his

incited

conventional

'

landscape' to
was

author, and

yet completed, he

not

was

early

he
flattering,'

so

the

of

study

the

gratifyingof

so

^out

highly honoured

felt

of

that

noble

the

sympathy

manner

HUMBOLDT.

Goethe'

of nature.

unveiling

the

for

VON

Welt

zu
sagen :
dich zu frohlichem

in alien Zonen

Geschaft

griintund

ewigen beweglichenGesetzen
wusstest

Erheitre

so

du

ja sonst

zu

durch

mich

dein

bluht
:

schatzen,
schwer bedrang^ Gemiith

I*

WEIMAR

Physical Sciences.'
culminates
in

chapter
"

Where

imbued

with

fervour

in

the

the
Italy,'*
"

Poems
unravel

an

*'

"

of the
of

the

love

Sorrows

of

of

Werther,** the
Plants," and

of

the

by which, in the primitiveages of

united
physicalscience, and poetry, were
home,

land

the

the

of

"Miscellaneous

kindred

the

minds

*'

to

the

renew

world, philosophy,

his

which

And

yet

remarkable

the

who

men,

air beneath

myrtles bloom

Where

held

by feelings of

each
very

characterised
natural

phenomena,

for
susceptibility

Who

has

tively
attrac-

so

imagination

found

viewed

the

with

that

and

love

laurels

sky,
high

"

tower

of nature

in such

other

southern

* "

these
distinguishing

high esteem,

was

inspired

Goethe
was
opposite character.
eminently
preand
all
by an inborn love of nature
subjectivecomprehension and a keen

impression produced by the forces of

of all objectiveexact investigation,
enemy

the

nature, while, as the

he

in

Reminiscences

where
Soft blows

two

the

deeply
equal

are

universe,"and

bond

that

works

"

eloquentlyincited

so

great poet

concludes

displayed with

nature

profound mysteries of

portrayed

he

poeticart, whose

intense

has

which

poetic descriptionof nature.

imaginative South who might not

Metamorphoses

Who

of the

the

on

great master

our

us

envy

with

passage

Cosmos'*

is the nation

admiration

genuine

fine

the

in
*

His

177

JENA.

AND

matical

guild.' It

impulse

towards

abhorrence

utmost

later

only in

was

the

'

physico-mathe-

life that

scientific investigation,and

he

then

felt
he

any

plished
accom-

of isolated
important results,not merely by means
discoveries,but by developing a comprehensive view of nature
He
attained
that insight into
of observation.
and
method
action of
led to the perception of the reciprocal
which
nature
and

cause

effect,by

which

he

The

'

an

was

'

VOL.

I.

early

Ein

iL p. 76.
sanftor Wmd

Die

Mjrte

vol.
Eosmofl,'

part to

of Humboldt's

characteristic

contrary,

the

great, from

to the

rise from

to

the

the whole.

mode

blauen EQmmel

vom

hoch
N

the

universal,from

of

thought, on

overpowering impulse

and

stillund

enabled

specialto

the

individual to the type, from

the small

was

der Lorbeer

weht,
stehtP

'

the

towards

178

He

objectivescientific knowledge.
observe

empirics who
rejectingall
realm

the

bold

and

all

have

his

'

scrutiny,''with

to

Travels

in

he

Groethe

and

America,'

nature, is

of

descriptioDS

many

passages in

isolated

from

facts of

bare

the

from

no

sentimental

no

rise from

Aspects of Nature,'

'

would

which

reason,

highly poetic representation

the

from

evident
in

to

exclusivelyto

sympathy,

could

That, however, he

observation

cold

tender

imagination, no

interest.'

keen

shamelessly exposed

nature

of

power

themselves

according to Schiller's severe

was,

criticism, the impersonation of

and who,
fiacts,

but

nothing

hypotheses,confine

scrupulous

of those

one

was

collate

experience. He

of

HUMBOLDT.

YON

ALEXANDER

Cosmos.'

Both
natural

and

the

constitution

medical

credit,for

his

boldness

by

studies
sideration

had

he

of the

eighteen

years

of

of

degree

in 1780

ever

he
the

retained

was

and

Animal

roof with
in his
This

the

to bis

distinguishedmore
pursuit of

the

in

little

but

and

in

to the

con*

physiology.

When

only

as

and

upon

subject for

in

defended

thesis

his

Gottling,professorof chemistry,and

of

nection
Con-

of Man.'
of natural

residence

living under

of

prospect

study

up

for his

the

Nature

in the

taking

'On

theme

contending

Intellectual

sympathetic interest

gratifiedat

in

by preference

Physiology,' and

philosophy and physics,and

Jena,

medicine.

much

is not

been

himself

selected

wrote

between

is known

problems
he

age,

tion
atten-

tastes,yet during his earlyprofessional

devoted

severest

Philosophy

The

natural

the

of

encouragement

no

nature

Schiller, many

study

Although

with

nection
con-

of Schiller's achievements

have

success.

met

his

of
gratification

He

by

than

of

for from

the

to

little that
to

intimate

unity

with

looked

be

poet

prp.cticeseems

Schiller

medicine

'

the

the

art, and

all, the

of

branches

universe.

is,however, but little known

There

the

intercourse

might

all

with

common

of the

Humboldt's

reviewing

interest
points of mutual
early bestowed
by

the

in

sciences, and, above

the

displayedin
In

held

philosophy ; they
of

familiar

were

the

at

same

him
assisting

experiments.
taste

for

strengthened by
Humboldt,

who

medical
his
was

science

personal
often

his

must

have

intercourse

guest

for

been

with

revived

Alexander

days together.

and
von

In

the

WEDiAB

prefece
During

with

the

to

of his

a
gave
Freiesleben

the

and

also

while

Alexander

and

the

the

follows

How

can

pursued

niy
when

and

"

the

can

preserved;

invited

Humboldt's
it is dated
and

Mollendorf,

von

honoured

Never

is

as

August 6, 1794.

friend,for

my

delay

has my

value
sufficiently

I then

am

while

movements

am

well

I shall devote
the

Just

engaged
obligedfor

presentunsettled

now

my

Jena.

command

silence,as

myself, to
even

at

hither, where

'.

been

has

chance,

in a manner
literarycourse
I could hardly suppose
I

my

How

by duty and
of visitingyou

long

fortunate

be

on

I
Hardenberg, to whom
inclination,prevented me

Von

minister

under

of the first to

Quarters,FLorsbeim

letter !

rapidityof

The

career

Goethe

when

house,

isolated

so

had

attracted

the distinction

notice ?

of your
"

often

periodical Die Horen,*

philosopherwhose assistance

myself,my

that

attention.

any

and

vanity,and that of a
so
highly flattered as by your invitation to
ideas.
dissemination
of philosophical
I have

unobtrusive

and

substances

new

General

Cantonment

your

in the

assist you
hitherto

By

request

excuse

been

kind,

noble

muscles

the

"

replying to

in

was

in

one

his

to

head-quartersof
'

interestingconverse
zoological
preparations*

was

poet.

Schiller's

to

from

Schiller^s

engaged

contribute

sought by

answer

circle at

Humboldt

von

which

upon

delightfulevenings spent

many

indeed, the only natural

was,

was

to

discussingtheir

Schiller to

by

refers

Humboldt^

two

anatomy

medical

discourse.'

our

intellectual

the

amid

to

experiments

produced on
chemically different

with

by contact
turn
specific

nerves

"

frequentlyconversed

Schiller

effect

the

on

the

and

youth,

engaged

then

remarks:

the
physiological
subjectswhile recalling

upon

studies

Nature,* Humboldt

of

Aspects

179

JENA.

long sojournat Jena,

my

me

AND

of
as

the
the

state.

now,

travellingwith
at

am

present bound

both

gratifyingmy

wish

firom

ill*fortune

my

diplomacy

in

to

"

the

most

part

energies to
accomplishment of
my

directed.
X

soon

to

the
which

me

Pray

of connection

hope

has
an

to follow

field-marshal.

want

the

all

army

ascribe

regain my

me

untried
the

in this

great

led

my

letter,to
freedom,

task

I have

my

efforts

set
are

180

ALEXANDER

have

Never

excluded

from

omnibus

be

to

of

of

the

whereby
long

which

that

there

is

there

something

to be

even

descriptionsof

whose

feelings,and

aimed

were

imdoubtedly possesseda

wider

naturalist

himself

who

existence
in

universal

The

nature.

of

thousand

various

of

emotions

the

varied

be

observed

aspects

surface
and

joy

of the

flesh

imparts

geography
general
a

by

soft

portion

of

the

imprinted

their

on

in the

the

of

plants and

their

is

upon

the

vegetation

over

for

the

beauty, just

the

by
to

contrast

; the

or

the
of

face

world
forms

of the
hitherto

of

as

the

historyand

representation

the

oldest

mind

livinggarment

skeleton

historical

the

of rock

mass

in

of

of the

causes

; the

the

to the

distribution

produced

and

as

developed

now

the

the

to

earth's condition

higher grades
migrations,

problem

globe ;

tree

modem

the

of the

eartli,
vestigated
unin-

vegetation

as

coal, peat, "c.);

stony sepulchres (fossils,

transformations
habitation

the

gradations,the

general historyof
search

; the

of art,

of
registration

mere

inmiovable

aesthetic

love

than

vegetablekingdom

outline

of

distribution

of

Pliny,

and

the

to

which

it is clothed

plants, or

of

form,

plant

sorrow

of

which

the

of the

dead

the

between

life

of

form

apparently inorganicstem
vegetable

of

of different

the

over

with

harmony

primeval
forms

forms

these

contents

with

feel

attained, that

for Aristotle

of view

range

law

worthy

you

be

to

cultivation

the

at

the

furnish

addressed

were

only to

and

But

men.

regained ;

nature

tinues
historycon-

objectsof science,

true

something higher yet

is

the

as

plantsand animals,

of

fiul to

example,

subjectof speculationto thoughtful

me

dart,

long

distinctions
the

be

to

not

is directed

attention

with

for

botany,

So

natural

physiognomy

is confounded

must

om/nia*^
and

the

anticipated.

vetustia novitatem

of characteristic

study

be

investigationis

sucb

any

wliich,from

results may

studying botany

formi, the

of classification
so

natures

followed, in

varieties

the

et

high by

so

in

yours,

ardua

Res

plan.

your

method

by

are

scientific

find that

naturam

present

they

as

employed, great

powers

delighted to

am

raised

expectations been

my

literary undertaking
intellectual

.HUMBOLDT,

VON

Plixiii Hist.

of

both

graduallyfittingit

life ; the
in

groups

sect
Nat.,prsdf.

15.

for

characteristics of
and

individual

182

ALEXANDEB

Grermany

man

in

even

excels

letter from

November

he

Account

that

of

and

year

life in the
What

form

of

an

^the

"

enigma through

every

to discover

the

will be

lished
pub-

title of

'

alchemists

dream

and

philosophicproblems

work,

on

labelled

"

Ad.

care

Catalecta

contribution

subject,but

the

upon

chemistry

of

Life ?
resounded

as

mysterious

of the world's

sought by
From

the

the

varied

most

restless desire

of life and

in the

middle

of modem

silence,the Enormon,^

ancients,

youthfulgod
his

fingerto
of Van

Archeus

them

the theories

ages, and

his

to

mankind

of

of the

The

ritualist
spi-

means

contemplate

times.

the

histoiyand

philosophers,materialists

in

power

quent
subse-

various

containing

botanical

any

closed

the

under

Hiunboldt's

Grreeks,pointing mysteriouslywith

of

at

1,and Vienna, January 15,

181

of the

similar

letters

some

his "ther

and

Earth's

the

From

this

has

conditions

the

were

Historical

an

over

imagination originatedthe symbolic poetry

of the

Suggestions

'^

Plants, or

succeeding century

in all ages

secret

at

results

box

Principleof

fact of life.

explain the

am

allegory.

and
investigators
have

The

small

not, however,

perplexing question

Scientific

science.

Vegetation

der Welt.'

Physik

very

was

that

physiologicaltreatise

is Life

This

'

was

of

preparationsfor

'

Horen

1797,

he

time

that JEIumboldt left at Dresden

the

in

Fichtelgebi^e,

history

of

few

world's

Geology."
22,

appears

consisted

in

with

(Dresden,November

Phytologica,'and
*

of

Komer

manuscripts
to the

mi-

the

the

Geography

Theodore

Komer,

that

at

under

gradual Spread

passed between

1812), it

he

Helmstadt

at

of botanical

years,

in its connection

date

that

upon

twenty

of the

Surface

learn

we

History and

future

perhaps

as
^gifted

"

in the

Goldkronach,

portion of
entirelyneglected.
'

hitherto

in about
for

power

Pfaff

to

this branch

on

writes,

been

in intellectual

from

12, 1794,

busilyengaged
has

science, and

of

department

Hmnboldt

later,dated

work,'

HUMBOLDT.

is.'

months

this

his brother

doubtedly
From

in

VON

lips

Hehnont,

poeticsymbols, similar philosophicimpersonations

existingindependently

Wolff, '

Th.

vol. iv. pp. 206, 220.

^
[The ancient name

Komer'fi

in

Gesammelte

physiologyfor

of

matter,

Werke

the

aura

'

to

which

it

is

(Berlin,G. Mertens),

or
vitalis,

vital

principle.]

WEIMAR

but

extraneous,

AND

which

yet by

it is

each

succeeded

These

phantoms

newer

chemistry developed by

Volta
to

In

the

take

had

this

up

be

to

governed.

Proteus-like, till

discoveries

the

enquiry and

the

Galvani

of

seemed

of

the

But

and

point

to

and

stimulated

and

Jena,

'

of

the

the

adorn

or

truths

affinity

the

deeply

spiritof Plato,
of Weimar

of science

symbolise

*Horen,'

in the

and

sonify
perHe

entitled

paper
"

of Ehodes.'

Genius

bodies.

still left unsolved.

had

the

to

to

that

as

was

poetic circles

the

science

contribute

to

life

of chemical

of the

He

Chemical

the

early years

incited

was

which

Principleof Life,

The

of the

charm

poetry,'he

problems
led

thus

these

in

delightedto

who

elegant garb

bond

poeticimaginativepower
by

from

first

view.^

point of

taking place in organic

of Himiboldt
the

the

was

principle of

the

combination

free

with

the

dissolves

which

mind

imbued

was

Plants,'* defined

power

prevents

chemist's

1793, in his 'Aphorisms

'

inner

genius, Humboldt

question from

early as

as

and

other

to the

his

of

early vigour

Physiology
*

direction

supposed

solution.

to

fresh

gave

183

JENA.

artists,to give an outline of the

picturesby imknown
story, are supposed to form the subjectof a variety of criticism
of them
Hall of Arts at Syracuse. In one
of
the
in
a group
Two

maidens

and

youths

while

embrace,

above

of Bhodes

Genius
was

thought,

and

holding

command

to

that

high

passionate gestures

allegoricalfigure,called

"

butterflyon

the

flaming torch, seeming by

from

Genius

same

head

it

shoulder,

gestiireof

approach. The other

the butterfly,
without
with

nearer

hung down,

below

fling themselves

to

the

as
originally,

pictures coming

island

them

warn

picture represents the

torch extinguishedand
maidens

an

appears

^from the

"

from

on

seeking with

are

into

while

the

youths

other's

each

expressionof rapturous gratification.

of the critics regard the Genius
While
some

arms

and
with

every

love forbidding
spiritual

of

Bois-Beymond,

Du

'

the

indulgence of

XJntersuchungeniiber

die

as

the

expression

sensual

thierische

pleasure,

Elektricitat/

Tol. i. p. 76.
'

"

Aphorbmen

"

'

Die

1866

No.

aus

der chemisclien

Lebenakraft,oder
46.

der

Physiologieder

rhodifiche Qenius/

Pflanzen.'
See

Ule, ' Die Natur/

184

VON

ALEXAOT)EB

recogniseit

others
The

the

as

HUMBOLDT.

of Beason

symbol

alone

hoary-headed philosopher Epicharmus

of Life

pictures the image

to the

the

teaching of

Humboldt

following strain

the

commanding

glance of

the

principle of

Life

follow

their

his

unmindful

This

is the

affinities assert

they

follow

death

their

wildly their

is to

them

with

terrestrial

elements

rule.

upliftedblazing

his

the

them

to

head

their fetters,

from

day of

The

united

are

chemical

their

in

assimilation.

day, they

joyfiiUy

maidens

and

the

of

is annihilated

Life

Loosed

for

With

other.

has
picture,the butterfly

youths

impulse

eagerlyto

rights,constrains

The

bridal

each

principleof

ancient

pression
ex-

his shoulder,

strive

extinguished,and

of Death.

other, the

them

feet

with

mingle

second

The

down.

image

each

clasp

is

the

in

the

in

Rhodes,

of

his

at

Nature's

of

torch

bowed

is

elements

There, in the

law.

disappeared,the
youth

pupils

is

recognise the symbol of

of organic
every
germ

we

animates

threatens

Grenius

authority the
obey

Genius

his eye,

instincts,and

own

torch, and,

in the

it

as

terrestrial

The

philosophy,and

of

youthfulstrength,the butterflyupon

of his

being.

school

the

in

sees

Death, accordiDg

of

image

instructing his

as

Here,

"

the

Pythagorean

represented by

and

Desire^

governing

chemical

in

Tiffinity.'
Through

the

to his

natural

the

philosopher to
of the

but

Rhodes,

in

the

But

the

yield

to

germ

of its

destruction

own

the

solution

problems,
however,

are

philosopher.
must

give place to

This
and

on

this

found

the

in

of Humboldt's

not

Would
the

of

solved

December
"

*I

14
have

the

discovered

year
a

itself,since
Such

science.

the

the

by

tural
na-

poet

mere

science.

in the

same

to

The

science.

succeed,

investigatorof

lecture-

compelled

poet, but

the

by

at

art

time.

was

in

of

the

within

problem

Humboldt

of

halls

pure

contained

was

the

with

Orphean poem

own

deep symbolism

from

homage

physiology and

of

poeticalefiusion appeared

Freiesleben:

origin of

searching investigationsof

attempted

it

its

was

pression
ex-

gave

accordance

in

poet

to be

not

schools

with

essay

narrative

The

class-books

the

medical

of the

The

the

time.

explanation is

its

rooms

thoughts.

own

scientific views
and

Humboldt

philosopher Epicharmus,

new

Horen'

in June

Humboldt

definition

1795,

wrote

of

to

the

WEIMAR

principle

of life which

think

it, and
These

he

1796,
These
of

the

are

that

the

he

la

and

Mons

of

individual

which

well-known

is

laws

the

of

physicsand

the

fact that

of

forces

the

physiology and

of

longerview

no

the

perhaps only

the

complication of phenomena

in the

to

of

case

atmosphere, in

the

in

forces.

organic life

of

as

action

joint

chemistry lies mainly, as

are

it

that

material

their

and

phenomena

simultaneously at work

upon
much

principleof life,as

meteorological
changes

the

predicting

actual

substances

of tracing back
difficulty

laws

the

completely shaken.

power

the

After

'

"

"

le

Sur

made

he

'

Muscles

December

work, ^Experiments

and

belief in any

In

entitled

1797

in

soon

very

of life.

processes

Vitalite,'and

of

February 9,

expect

treatise

former

independent

"

physiology.'

new

study

an

of the

continued

been

called,has

The

friend

Nerves

old definitions.'

the

upset

in his celebrated

statement

chemistry, my
is

de

great store by

; I set

strength. On

in

same

to Van

sent

Excitabilityof the

thought

to

gordian knot

the

chimique

following

to the

principlesof my

year

Precede

able

be

rapidlygained

to cut

185

JENA.

wholly irrefutable

now

again

wrote

be able

to

I shall

views

new

is

AND

the multitude

and

of

conditions

necessary

activity.'
Subsequently, however,
bodies

those

according

organic

the

external

the

to

of

so

conditions.

be

ever

Thus

nature.
comjnon

the

as

made

dream

to the

'BriefwecIiBel
*

und

their

law

in mutual

is

only in

operationas

this

definition

may

question.'^

province ascribed

become

in

law, therefore,

; the

Whether

science

expressionhas

separation,
change

hidden

and

symbolic myths

Bois-Beymond
the

bodies

those

alteration

any

organism

efforts of

Du

forcible

'I call

"

commingled

particlesare

some

particlesare
is another

of

the

jade,'as

juugenErounde

an

the whole.

to

available

before
The

without
is

this view:

and
affinity,

upon

of
particles

circumscribed, till in

the

chemical

There

all the

end

an

the

vanished

long
and

means

of

which

combination

controllingall
force

laws

also renounced

particlesof which,

form

their

inorganic in

he

to

poetic allegories

solve

the

principleof
terms

present state

it

"

problems
life

became

of science

"

of

^to that

ingly
increasthe

very

distasteful.

Geaprache Alexander
(Berlin,
1861),p. 86.

von

Humboldt's

mit

einem

186

the

In

memorial

eloquent
Schiller.
zenith

It

On

the

tures

have

the

We

have

in

writes

emotions.'

imable,

the

at the

time

of its appearance.

In

The

narrative
natural

had

and

its

contains

perusal is

which

sufficient

in

his

correspondent Charlotte

precise explanation of

the

than

the

It

entire

much

was

written

than

it

Carlsbad

Words

path

in

entitled

Should

"

Bohemia,
The

"

of

not

omit

deep meaning, and,

written.

And

first I

certainlydoes
of fixed

'

This

is to

not

an

eine

letter has
was

as

or

say

the
He

exist.

time

nervous

"

written

among

Humboldt's

to

by
for
a

more

any

object

The

which

it

who

semi-

by

was

Gustar
then at

was
"

cross

your

in the last number

It

of fihodes."
me,

such

; but

another

letter
is

well

is very

Humboldt

fluid,which

papers.

"

Horen

Freundin,'voL ii. p. 89.

of
been printed; a transcript
never

found

by

in such

Grenius

it is

even

to
subject,

written

paper

the

second
has

the

awaken

to

'

in

truths

it appears

tell you

I may

air,vital force,and

Briefe

Vamhagen

now

that

"

to read

Principle of Life,

is full of

the

of

numbers

graoefallj

physiologicalidea.

Eahel,*

to

say

praisewere

27, 1795,

any

do

the

serious

warmer

June

on

is to clothe

now

Brinckmann

of

custom

to

of

development

the

more

poetic garb.'
von

is the

essay

mystery

is

the

the enquiries of
satisfy

of

in n^oialsis

himself

was

interest

rarely

is

calculated

Humboldt*

striking

little essay

The

No. 6,

1796,

for instruction

von

not

for

science

manner,

William

else

or

good critiqueupon

platitudes.

pleasantlywritten,

representedto

were

any

in

subject

with

variety of conjeo-

'

'

meaning

the

Literaturzeitung

ingenious a

so

'

with

met

"

considered

be

not

Horen

susceptibleof

as

written

usually loaded
tender

the

to

AUgemeine

allegory upon

and

of the

latest edition

in the

allegorycould

the

not

none

Schlegel

expressed

'

favour

Syracusan pictures themselves

the

Jenaische

A. W.

with

contribution

^at least

"

at the

when

him,

to

mystical and

been.

work

bore

Nature.'

as

as

induced

-an

as

republish this youthful production, vhidi

whole, however,

remained

remains

Humboldt

which

feeling that

regarded

successful

Rhodes'

of

affection

the

this

was

had

Aspects of

as

of

Genius

the

'

of his fame, to

Schiller
*

time

mean

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANBEK

to

Herz

by

man

full

quiteenon^

it communicated

bj

WEIMAR

to take

one's

away

the
breath, esctinguish

all one's

and shatter
Schiller's

in

in which

to

says

he

by Beichardt
and Woltmann

of

extolled

is all the

more

contained

in
of

since

few

words:

in the

censured.'

It

into

remark

this

expression

criticism
is

that

of

his

Schiller

had

humoiur

with

tone

in

when

away
tone

that

less to be

stupiditywas

Humboldt

terpiece
mas-

colleague,'and

long passed

von

was

only

concerning this just criticism

of Alexander

opinion

This

epigrammatic

since

the

greatly

are

essay

said

flesh

the

exasperated him,

But

Humboldt

Beichardt's

excited

of Fichte

interesting;Vossen's

by

be

may

same

^lances
to

"

dulged
in-

fifth paper,

Humboldt's

had

composition,and

rubbish.''

remarkable,

him

it thoroughly

Bhodes
such

composition.'

which caused

gave his

of

he

'

Horen

essays

The

most
"

other

these

hurled

he

being the

as

few

Epigrams,'

where

of

given.

'

in

of the

The

models

are

the

review

of license.

them

some

expressed himself
which

reading

represented as

along with

somewhat

was

subject of

Genius

"

the

on

been

described

the

of Bhodes'

journal, Deutschland,'

from

all,is

and

poems

has

are

copious extracts
worst

frightfulamount

altogether,

'

only incidentallyexpressed

Goethe

in his

Genius

'

vital force

learning I

such

"

of the

was

letter

he

in

nerves

judgment

imfaivourable,and
words

187

JENA.

AND

he

of much

greater severity.

During

the

visit

the

summer

the

following terms

of

admiration

by

the

his

temperament

of

this Schiller

hear that you

Humboldt.
'

there

'

Briefwechsel
'

Beichardt,

he

the

such

Humboldt
devotes

is

iu

July 17,

in

himself

greater
of

often

Dresden

excites

is the

degree
as

to

Schiller,on

William

some

be

to

many

points of sympathy.'

your

zwischen

Deutschland

Schiller und
'

in

greatly attached
1797

:"

intercourse

pre-eminently formed

his

noticed

I have

much

able,
agree-

and
irritability

become

so

his

of

repose

have

August 6,

my

to

more

repliedon

is

von

and

is

Humboldts
to

which

nature

enjoyed
He

wrote

companion

Alexander

whom

two

Alexander

great activity.

William,with
To

good
for

*
"

zeal with
As

bitternessabout
men

the

Korner

1797,

Bcientificstudies.
from

paid by

'

with

was

glad

to

(William)

for conversation.

Goethe/
(Berlin,1796),toI

to

vol. ii. p. 4.

i. pp. 8, 9.

He

188

ALEXAin)EB

takes

HUMBOLDT.

VON

F^ases

dormant

every

idea,

subjectunder diiscuanon,

in the

interest
keen, intelligent

from

exacts

carefiil

everyone

of viewj

precisionof expression,guards against one-sidedness

shows

and
clear

his

by

the

to

those

to

him

it is almost

his

intellectual

consideration

intent

doubt

no

in this

me

to form

spark of

pure

strange

it may

I have

he

to

seems

would

all the

comprehend
words

standard.

He

and
seems

for the

circumscribed
is therefore

for

in

all nature,

His
which

point

smallest

he

with

in

in

to me,

objecthe

has

his scientific
is needed

phenomena

in view, and
He

labours, for
for

as

possess

has

opinion, in

my

in

the
the

I
effrontery

an
are

conception, as

short,to

understanding.

able,
unfathom-

as

employs his formulas,which

always narrow

keen, cold

hensible,
always incompre-

reverenced
and

an

frequently
a

universal

organismbt

is besides

much

too

imagination,and

no

the

the

howevff

intellect veiy

of

is that
is

very

facultymost

susceptibility

same

contemplation of
grandest of

her

Nature

laws.

These

in

Alex-

words^ as well as those in italics in the followingpage,

in the publishedcorrespondenceof Schiller and
omitted
Eomer, a^
here given for the firsttime as they stand in the original
manuscript
'

that he

of material

poverty

in him

discover

things ; and,

handles.

be in every

deficient,in

temperament

her

As to
...

Tnavnrspring

is the

to

wealth

show

to

me

have

should

only mere

of

well, however,

judgment
satisfactory

any

able

shamelesslyexpose'dto scrutiny;

necessary

him

subject

restlessly

too

opinion.

in outward

subject he

the

to

been

not

with

appear,

and

too dense

to the

and

trivial^restless vanity

objectiveinterest

which

cannot

deficient in

often

Iboo active

which

originalitj,

no

of hinLself

know

upon

thing
some-

; I

of cM his dctions}

reason

is too

You

able

been

not

in science.

disastrous

He

once

sympathise with

restless

possesses,

is at

has

by

fear,however, notwithstandinghis great talents

he will never
accomplish anything truly
activity,

of him

great

seizes and

he

material

; for he

powers

conclusions.

I have

Alexander,
and

meaniDg

in action

set

yield him

combine.

; he

certain

on

shall

unpretending surrender

passiveand

and

which

only analyse and

can

be

indispensableto

without

exercise

under

which

with

aptitude

the

is
thoughts expressed. Agreeable as this quality
who
have
rich store of thought to conmiunicate,
a

from

he

remarkable

effort to render

every

the

weighs

to

appreciation of

v"
sn

190

ALEXANDER

enter

upon

defence

any
word

nearly every

of

involuntarilyled

this

and
severity,

of their mental

from

seek

constitution

"

after

took

natural

new

its rise

Schelling,Hegel,
racterised
of

of natural
that

in

of natural
and

taint of
In

1806
'

pathetic
sym-

principleupon
shortly
bf

zealously advocated

was

dia-

philosopherswere
susceptibility
depth of feeling,

of

power

out

of

is intuitive

science, where
be

place in

the laws

investigationof

the

perception,and
than

the

indulgence

in the

in all their

of nature

comprehended

province
precisian

interpretedwithout

and

subjectivefeeling.

Schiller's criticism

accusations

founded, which

dangerous and mischievous

purity must

and

These

power,

imagination is

fancy more

ment.
develop-

imagination. And by this veiy

strated
philosophy has it been convincinglydemon-

and

nature, that nowhere

of

and

SteflFens.

and

knowledgment
ac-

essential to the

as

in fieustthe

were

"

Jena,

an

dissimilarity

of intellectual

mode

philosophy was

intellectual

by

temperament,

school

in the

to be found

us

facultyof imagination

feeling for nature

the

is in fiict

poet

investigator. But one

grounded explanationof

better

and

the

investigator

which

the

scientific

to

seems

tf
particulariy

more

qualitiesregarded by Schiller

The
scientific

Humboldt,

in the

to

it

of

censure

of merit
is

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of

we

see

similar nature.

He

the

reflection

thus

wrote

to

of his

Pictet

own

on

pecu-

Janxiarj^

:"

1 have

been
I

reproachedin

matter

in which

I think

you

will be able to

at onoe"
am
justifyme.
many
botany,astronomy, comparative anatomy, "c. My replyis,how can a mas
be
and
prohibitedfrom desiringto know
comprehend eTerything that
himP
surrounds
time oa
It is impossibleto be writing at the same
chemistryand astronomy, but it is quitepossibleto cany on at the same
sorption
time accurate
observations
of lunar distances
and
experiments on the abTo
of gas.
a
a
traveller,
varietyof knowledge is indispensable.
Let the small treatises which
I have written
various subjects
be appealed
on
1 have not
shown
to in proof whether
myself well acquaintedwith those
and
for
instance
in
whether
memoir
with Gay-Lussac,and
(as
subjects,
my
work
the
thd result of four years'experiments)I have not
nerves
my
upon
had
in
folio
vdng the same
object. And, in order to obtun
perseverance
views
and recognise
the bond unitingthe various phenomena
comprehensive
bond to which
the
of Nature
a
^it is first necessary to
we
name
give
become
acquainted with the individual parts before we can unite them
under the same
organically
pointof view.
My constant travels have greatly
contributed
to expand my
interest in a varietyof subjects.'(*Le Glob^
Joum.
g6ogr.de la Soc. de Geneve/ 1868,vol vii. pp. 8, 177.)

often

accused

of

engaging in too

studies

"

"

"

WEIMAE

iar

of

feelings and

the

sonl

That

beholds

And

what

But

is not

by

jator. These

expressionwhence
of

studyof
to

be

animated

by

The

most

And
the

he

of

views

*
"

be

is to

which

natural

and
the

in
certainly

in his
emotion
a

'

is

naive
fail to

Er
Und

we

Er

Und

beauty,

heavenly crear

would

be
a

superfluities.

was

in

the

satisfaction

sentimentale
wonder

our

Greeks
are

of nature.

of

that

the

alles
una

called

piece of

but

forth

by

no

the

Nature

armour.

in der

behorchte

Gotter

das reine

sich,die

G()tter uraltestem

der

Rath

Dinge geheimsteSaat'

so

to

ancient

evinces

the

little

sentimental

accustomed
The

At

in

Dichtung,'

more

invest

Greek

is

stantial
circum-

felt
heart-

descriptionof
seems

Gemuth^
ewige/spiegelt
;
gesehD,-was auf Erden geschieht^
die Zukunft
Tersiegelt
;

gahen die
die Welt

saaa

number

Greeks.

the

by

excite

modems

the features

hat

the

seems

and

all

complete

und

the

among

shield,or

Wo

by

nature

feeling is given

this

descriptionof nature,

Ihm

than

everythingto

removes

ment
judg-

readily

more

nature

these

found

his

highest degree accurate, truthful,and

than

garment,

mind

of grace

reduces

held

nature

It cannot

interest with

his

process,

away

to realise

Ueber

found

scenes

scares

to

Schiller's

in

verses

investi-

Griechenlands.'

Gbtter

close of his treatise

he remarks

scientific

idealism

former

and

mysteries of

explanation of

an

restrictions,and

failed himself

idealistic

trace

world,

the

of

tone

beings,full

pointed expression

yet

only

the

By

contrary

the

establishes

entitled

poem

the

poetic

creative

the

on

disenchants
fcions,

law,

to the

foimd

His

science.

while science

easy

imaginativecontemplation of

severe

and

means

may

Humboldt.

affected by the

to fathom

poet
so

convened,
unscreened.'

of Nature

characteristic

we

in council

when

means

the

so

be to the

no

of

giftedwith light,
its clearness
lies imaged ;
mirror
whatever
has transpired,
was

the secrets

by

characteristic

thought

"

gods

any

are

which

in

poems

the

it may

as

of

in the ftitore lies bnried

witnessed

easy

lature, it

in this

sat with

And

in

191

JENA.

:
singsin dithyrambic inspiration

gods

world

He

He

the

by

the

mode
he

loet,concerning whom
His

AND

more

192

ALEXANDEB

to interest

awaken

his

form

of

the

the

rudiments

everything beautiful
principallyfor
the

mind

that

apparent

the

of

of

which

with

great

or

hear

He

overflow

must

to the

and

ears,

with

of

morali^,

poet

satisfied

is not

the

lawB

the

or

still remains

with

abstract

the

adopting

lating
philosophy,in questions re-

beauty,

affections.

to

eyes,

; his heart

noblest

sadness

sweet

when

even

thought, characteristic

to

with

and

fervour

same

fiuls to

; she

sense

inspired.'

are

It is thus

his moral

understanding than

in him

modems

we

HUMBOLDT.

VON

merely

think

to

feelingsof

object

an

to

see

witii tiie

purest and

the

character.

The

enthusiastic

apparent

in the

character

followinglines
Afl with

Schiller's love

of
:

nature

"

lover's

fervency
statue clasped.
Pygmalion once
Till o'er the marble's icy coldness
The
warmth
of feelingspread a glow
So in the heat of youthfol ardour
a

of

Nature
Till

thine

childlike

before

that

of the

worthy

are

thyself,and

in

thine
the

own

two

feeling
"ce.'

before

to

thee

to

*
"

divinity may
number

iminviting skeleton
'

Wie

profound peacefulness,

simplicity; linger,then,
Receive

infinite

This
to

creature

flehendem

passage
the
and

Stein

with-

them

perfectionswith

from

the

shows

union
that

poetic mind
every

Verlangen
Pygmalion
umschloss,
kalte Wangen
Bib in des Marmors
Empfindung gliihendsich ergoss ;
So schlangich mich mit liebesarmen
Um
die Natur, mit Jugendluat,
Bis sie zu athmen, zu erwannen
Begann an meiner Dichterbnut'
den

of

in her

her

appear

einst mit

contemplation

the

humanity.

spring.'
of every

step

enjoy
and

combine

must

wilt

If thou

for they
feelingsshe inspires,

the

exalted

most

prerogative of immortality,that
and

circle

cherish

strive

of

in her

beauty, innocence,
image,

embrace,

also his exhortation

artificial

Nature, she will appear

her

reflected

seen

feelingdictated

of

out

in my

responsivelook

Was
This

held

was

work

as

of
portion
prothe

of art

WEIMAS

Mathematics

its cell without

constructs

and

adapted

best

dictates
leaves

rule and

flowed

of

guild

'

sin is not

And

that

the

poet

place in

touch

is

grasp

is

you
you

don't

reckon, think

What

you

don't

weigh, it

What

you

don't

coin,you're

ballast in order

that

'

facts
he

you,

has

von

Sie meinen,

Rechnen, das sei

well ihre Wissenschaft

So sei keiner

von

erkenn' ich den

ihnen

thrown

were

wings

of

exact,

gelehxtenHerm

ihr nicht

steht euch
tastet,

Was

ihr nicht

Was

ihr nicht

fasst,das fehlt each ganz und

rechnet,glaubtihr,sei nicht

Was

ihr nicht

Was

ihr nicht miinzt,das meint

meilenfem

kein

;
gar ;
wahr

Gewicht

;
;

ihr,geltenicht'

ideal

aside

as

cherub, fly

Siinden,
Erfinden,

Was

pass.*

vertrackt.'

wagt, hat fur euch

an
subjectivity,

the

alien

it will not

sure

with

weight,alas

no

experience

den

are

can't be true

boundless

might,

sonl of science,

JDas ist eine

Und

Daran

of

for truth

pass

lyingleaguesafar
wholly lost to you

What

the

physico-

forsooth,

lord you

dorft

in which

whole

the

"

don't

within

yon

existed

study,

'

Faust

What

there

of

present defiance.^

the learned

In Schiller

has

which

not

the

'

and

measure

branch

came

one,

is the

know

What

of

and

"

theory may

By that, I

'

reason,

modem

differ you

all who

in another

I.

which

terms

since exactness

To

so

that

admission, valued

own

other

any

that

in these

deem

To

VOL.

his

art, inveighed against

Yonr

world,

than

accomplish

his

niathematical

And

view,

the metre

the

highly

more

it could

province

bee

tion,
propor-

with

laws

theory of
imconsciously.

number

him

from

mathematics
because

in

the

discover

Goethe, who, according to

Even

or

consonant

it has

the

demonstrate

to

most

purpose

to
philologist

it to the

by

number

mathematician
is that

the

to

of

As

loftyinspirationthe smoothly-flowingverse,

in

to form

often

selected

it has

the form

poetic mind.

knowledge

it to the

leaves

and

to

uncongenial

are

19S

JENA.

AlH)

194

ALEXANDER

towards
ideal.

Thus

it
he

surrounded,

which

light in

that

HUMBOLDT*

VON

that, amid

was

the

with

met

never

actual

the

in the

merged

\i^s

realities

hj

anything that

which

he

accorded

vis
pletely
com-

his ideaL

with

truth impedes free thought^

IinX)erioiis
Deprives the mind of liheriy,
Destroys whate'er's hy "ncy wrought^
And
rends the veil of poetry.^

subjectivedispositionof mind,

This

of Kant's

the influence

history,and
'

ourselves
is but

have

in

been

If in the
rclue to his

his

on

the

explanationof

been

have

pursuits.

the

with

am

and

Die

working

chemical

Umlagert
Sie "turzt

die

to

of

aside

reposed

185).
thus

wrote

Weimar

^
"

Jena, entirelyamong
old

devote

zeiieifist.'

and

tomy.
ana-

student-life,for
to

for

myself

gebundenen Geist,
Schbpfung der Gedanken,
Flor

set

hitherto

mit ihren Schranken

Dichtung schoner

Jena

at

Fibres

the

experiments
my

Grenius of Rhodes,'

pp. 184,

at

gation,
investi-

fauct that

exclusivelyrestricted
intend

Wirklichkeit
den

Der

the

immediate

completely

in the

to

found

the

industriously
preparingmyself

Indies, and

West

been

he

1st of March

in which

have

lay in

confidence

actually returned

is limited
As

the

the

of

image.'

April 18, 1797, Humboldt

flyingvisit to Groethe at

occupied

have

sphere
the

on

during

and

given

soul

the

Excitabilityof

which

self
her-

specialand

(see above
investigations

livingsince

books,

vital force

time,

to Freiesleben

to

in

clothes

mirror

we

have

we

of scientific

had

the

upon

considerablyweakening

in his scientific

my

also

been

which

own

mind

to have

Muscles,'

and

this

our

method

'Experiments

About

sight of

previously Humboldt

Nerves

my

the

kiss the

we

impressions

she
in

grace

strange severity. This

the

thus

inner

of Humboldt's

appears

this

weeks

few

which

in

grace

of Schiller's

constitution
censure

for

The

magnanimity

our

mental

as

that with

surprisedby

there
cause

her.

only

"

delightsus by

reflection of the

the

beholder, and
we

"

and

invested

hy

philosophy,regardedeverything ^nature,

physicalenjoyment

only charms

Nature

greatly intensified

my
a

there

own

voyage

prin-

YTEDiAB

AND

cipallyto living organisms, I

attention

to

from
anatomical
hours

anatomy.

am

devote

employ on
the

Muscles,'of

two

sheets,is

to appear

the

alreadyin

the

which

press.

chemical

practicalart

originatorof

the
In the

work

new

the

second

and

taUic

greatstress

be

^It would
work

my

the attentive

or

which

to

me,

this want

of

in mathematics

by

few
the

substances

usuallyfall

able to

possessing
power
homogeneous

the

in

in

to set up

metals

by

Hh

come
be-

chemistry.'

different

me-

to

devise

of

"cts.

similar

bars

of

as

gold

(humida).

The

gold, for
and

sitions
propomeans

where

the

He

cordingly
ac-

substances

carbonaceous

phlogisticprocess by

by

afforded

variety of

try by

It

method

arrangement.'

and

"

perusal of

convenience

to

me

chainlike

two

"

array

'

tables,to gain

an

The

laid

remarks

galvanic apparatus

PP, heterogeneous metals, such

moist conductors

foun-

thus

careful

the

represent

all metallic

is

ployment
by the emalgebraicformulae,

most

of

be remedied.

changes

denoted

and

the

by

signs,led
analytical

to express

I may

signs or formulae,and

complete

so

being

lay the

produced by

therefore, important

might

conviction

of vital

of

examination

of

citing
ex-

upon

to, Humboldt,

manner

impossible,either

comprehensive view
seemed

of

use

Jena

at

of liquids. He
interposition

the

this

upon

the

is

increasingor

on

that

that

"

combinations

and

conductors

healing,and
alluded

after

various

volume

experiments

means,

science

new

above

of letters

expressedthe

of

Excitabilityof

The
diminishingthe powers of susceptibility.
time
spreadingthat these experiments may some
dation of

seven

leisure

my

gratifiedby finding many

am

by

energy

the

six to

volume, consistingof thirty-

engaged in successfully
prosecutingmy
vital

of

on

Easter, while

at

remainder

first

struction
private inday to making

spend dailyfrom

great physiologicalwork

of

course

hours

two

that
so
preparations,
this subject. The

upon

mainly directingmy

now

receivinga

am

and

Loder,

195

JENA.

the

letter P,

instance

"

by

zinc, by Pp, and

formula

PpP
denotes,therefore, that
carbon is in combination
^

'

Venuche

iiber die

or
heterogeneous metal
piece
with two homogeneous metals ;
a

Muskelgereizte
o2

und

Nervenfaser/vol.

L p. 90.

of

196

ALEXANDEE

HUMBOLDT.

VON

PpPp
shows

that

alternate

metallic

four

links of

endless

an

chain

indicates

by

that

chain

these

of

the

adds

commencement

alternate

signs

and

with

xmom

and

"^

to

muscular

of the

distinguishbetween

to

-^-,

which

by

"

discontinuance

or

action,and, further,the signs

the

connection

in

placed

are

nerve

heterogeneous.

is

he

HP

Pp

substances

moist

of which

one

formulsB

the

express

points

which

in

metals, only
To

two

PH

Nerv.

the

form

substances

carbonaceous

or

positiveand negative phenomena.

It is

which

exceedingly probable
proved

offensive

so

emotion,' the

'heartfelt

that

it

the

to

moral

these

was

mind

of

the time

when

he had

just at

him

himself:
while
hastily,'

*I
the

on

impatient of

been

could

There
method

for

memory

than
also

boldt
side

arranging
such

their

adduced

be

in

been

facts

and
of

system

judge

too

well hate

might

devised

further

any

in

the

graphic representationof

and

magnetic

conditions

now

lines
the

of

universal

of

were

remark

made

be

instance

and

Fauna,

in

may

and

thermometric, barometric,

universal

of

algebra side hf

of

Flora

tk

upon

geology Hran-

additional

practicalutility,an
boundary

them

impressing

formulae,and

fortunate

more

symbolic language

And, need

the

came

*
sloppinessof feeling.'

have

the

sweet

cerning
confessing con-

Humboldt

hand

which

that

pictorialconfigurationsthat

the

of

hardly

comprehension.
favour

such

employed

with

other

been

admit

willing to

am

fervour,'the

'

Schiller,and

sadness,'characterisingthe
before

the
interest,'

sentimental

sense,'the

formula'

very

use

in school-

even

books.
the

Upon

value

severely empiric

manner,

occupied,Humboldt

then

and

'

Schiller's
'

necessity

of

studying

especiallyfrom
often

'

which
mind

have

been

is visible which

the

the most

in

Palleake,in
on

in a

stand-pointhe

expressed himself

judgment of Humboldt,' remarks

mainly grounded upon his work

Schiller/was
the
startlingconclusion : in
judges not a spark of the great
the compilerof ** Cosmos." '

the

science

his' life o(

muscles

assured

'"

addftf

by competeii

has rendered

immortii

198

If

turn

we

scientific

shall find

accordance

Humboldt

1796

Now,

:^*

and
a

few

in

I shall

for which

seriousness
shall appear

be

to

you

this

my

knowledge

that

some

into the defence

the

you

are

the

learned

Pray do

occasion

more
"

not

true-hearted

good, and
remarks

produce

which

is directed

would

be to others

Humboldt's
*
"

For

much,
the
dear
are

your
but

to

the

you

well

come

to

in

versation
con-

as

subjectof

your

perhaps have

may

judgments, to which
have

you

excited among

increasing from day to day.

to the fects which
as
particulars

is

communication, which

this

may

is dictated by

bitterness

of

feeling*

irritation ; for blame

no

acuteness

could
In

you

do

no

these

of this charactfir,
of your

penetration,

subjectof envy.'

replyis

dated

beautiful

and

from

Bayreuth,February 26,1797:

accurate

experiments I

brotherlycounsel

impression I produce upon

Karl, with the tenderest

quiteright,and

since it has

as
letters,

erroneous

only againstthe

for your

duty ;

abrupt,but which
yourself;the knowledge

in

lead

quietmodest

and

rather

you

might

the envy

make

to

me

interest

can

some

further

any

to

perhaps seem

to

coveries,
of your dis-

speaking

astically
vivacitywhile entering enthusibut paradoxicalhypotheses"
acute

exposed from
feelingthat

seek

prompted

have

of

soon

as

distinguished.I know I
delicacyin presuming to make

^in which

"

have read

you

penned

ever

scientific circles,upon

expressedyourselfwith
given

as

reserve

of your

some

physiologicaldiscoveries

have

"

I feel it to be

in

mite

be

to

in

wanting

request,yet

in

cautious

used

soon

I have

to paper

you

in certain

you

destroyas

that

let it be with

dence,
strictest confi-

to
generosityof feeling,

forget that

them

23,

December

on

in the

venture

character.

pointedmann^

more

Marienburg

your

must

you

committed

I have

on

brother^s

his

still

friend,I

dependence

which

and

in

from

dear

my

which

words

them,
as

Humboldt

letter to

in

more

are

that

failingsin

chief

expressed himself

Freiesleben

views

'vanity and a love of

early pointed out by William von

been

the

as

subjecthis

in p. 47

already seen

have

this

on

racter,
chapersonal

his

upon

Humboldt's

of

generaltestimony.

with

approbation' had

in

that

judgment

remarks

his

to
investigations

we

We

Schiller's

from

now

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

your

counsel

yon

concerning myselfand

others,I

regard of

thank

my

shall not

would

repay

thankful
be lost.'

you, my

heart. You

WEIMAB

Humboldt,

in fact, was

free from

vanity.

expression

that his

acknowledges
afterwards
dated

written

know,'

the

he writes

to

pressed

so

with

work,

here.

and

with

this is not

the

this

could

industrious,

objectof
his

of

botany

the

direct

Surely this

and

always
his labours,
for,as
expressions there
was

the

the

often

his

importance

prospectus of his American

and

so

health

will thus

of literature
"

'

Le

when

but

his

travels

Everyone

"

mical
che-

has

been

giving
trade.'

word

carte

subjectedto
a

man

whose

hypotheses.'
an

But

He

of

account

blow

in all such
'Nos

when

de

on

poma

informing
called

the

restaurateur,'

^^Ithink,therefore,the charlatanry

be combined
voL

with

(seep. 114),Ho

been

experimenting

labours.
a

devoted

was

nature.

of brilliant

concluding
of

sion
occa-

always

gracefrdirony.

most

Globe/

work.

new

have

of life of

author's

an

to Pictet:

jokinglyremarked

some

surprised,

Fourcroy'scensure,

lately been

to Wattenbach

is part of
lies

To

geology.

the number

he wrote

be

not

earlyyouth

My

pleasure,however, in

trumpet

friends of

been

the scheme

out

unceasingly occupied

am

to increase

took

do

contemplation of

that

*
"

the mode

without

never

Humboldt,

value.'

own

is not

natamus

Schiller's

much

to carry

that

my

'

labours.'

my

which

own

in

making experiments,

mephitic exhalations,in

He

with

so

commencing

have

onlyobjectis

industry

have

therefore

risk.

letter

variouslyoccupied,as

so

order

evidence

assert

knows

me

without

to, he replied:

study
with

in

busy idleness,this

my

begin

to

me

conclusion.

exist

experiments.

one's

Schuckmann,

his

of

friend,

hearing of my

sole

alreadyalluded

some

repeatedly

time*

leads

is also abundant

served,

about

He

its accordance

same

to

fsict is I cannot

occupied

the

am

always

are

the

from

assiduityin
planned for myself ;

that I have

to

Schiller with

Von

to

speaks

inmiense

with

There

not

tion,
reallyquite busy with acquiringinformaarranging what I have alreadyacquired. I must

...

The

'

author

an

notice

about

bringing anything

if you

as

14, 1797, he

perpetual activitywhich

work

to

was

minister, his coadjutorin Franconia, and

criticism

am

letter

that he

highly flattered.'

vanitywas

interestingto

You

himself

aware

his

begins

vanity

Jena, May

manner

his

He

quite

199

JENA*

AND

with

viL p. 162.

*
Even
utility.'

20O

in his

youth

Humboldt

ordinarysense

of the

himself

he

word"

Where

later years
of

He

Humboldt

to

where

only

as

which

he

friendshipexistingbetween

the

high

for the

cherished

of

man

interruptedby

never

notice

the

at

Komer

and

the

betrayed through
The
Humboldt's

September 1804,

of

productive

Let

of her
us

scientific

consider

from
had

the

been

the

upon

Berlin

of the

such

Wolzogen,

von

the

by

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severe

Kant.

between

litions.'
ebulof

rumour

Academy

in

would

step

instigated
cherish

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till

Humboldt

von

of

philosophy

The

the

that
its

exercise

all
aim

of

and

science

not

was

only

of
to

reason,

truth
test

for
must

the

sophy
philo-

then
not

side

perception

separation now

philosophy was

of pure

of

Engel,

and

thought

fundamental

knowledge
was

liberal school

Mendelssohn

rules

object of Kant's

knowledge by

the

by Humboldt,
school

modem

in the

philosophy and

The

assumed

attitude

popular by

so

with

experience;

frequently

Schiller,likewise

to

hasty

term

Jena.

rendered

was

to

himself

was

letters of Alexander

towards
investigator,

Humboldt

inculcatad

valued

used

anticipatethat

advantage

the

He

his

Schiller

feeling,'momentary

President

once

under

greatest treasures.

now

emanating

side

at

him, liie

feimily,were

brought

led Komer,

Caroline
sister-in-law,

latest hour
one

to

as

ever

misunderstanding, not

was

he

of

feelingthat

same

of

press.

excitement

appointment

Schiller's

for the

of this nature, into which

judgments

life

long

Schiller's

Schiller,

correspondence between

the

preparing

was

his

during

judgment

severe

that

time

of

death

to

1804.

August 3,

on

towards

von

paid

homage

to the

veil
slightest

the

Schiller's

when

even

Alexander

genius so earlyseparatedfrom

manifested

he

interest
firiendly

America,

them

Among

of

universal

Humboldt

which

horror.

censure

them

early expressions

of his

many

his

the

see

The

by

word

the

subjectupon

feelingof

from

return

esteem

to

classed

be

lived
his

on

referred

almost

doubt,

Humboldt.

as

in the

vain

vain, and

appears

of the

importance

Schiller

opinion with

must, without

her

he

to be

engaged.
In

be

reallygreat

vanity, he employs

to

the

HUMBOLDT.

too

was

confesses

to indicate

means

is

VON

ALEXANDER

nised
recog-

ledged.
acknow-

to

increase

its chief
be
accuracy

proposition
learnt
by
of

our

WEIMAB

knowledge, and
who

Fichte,
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method

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of

process

and

was

Jena.*

In

the

ascribed

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nature

but

only

are

of

most

to her

have been

called

either

must

nature,

or

be

and

primeval form,

that

transcendental

that

show

nature

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is

an

derived

philosophy,which

necessarilyassume

must

with

the

first

To

is to

this alone

all nature

efforts

in

science

of

nature

reflect

in

her

her

mature
im-

nomena,
phe-

character
of

highest aim

reveals

which
aim

for the

all

of

an

undertakes

"

first

herself

is within

intelligenceis
from

Nature

thus

of

herself,

perfect reflection

which

the

in

shines

most

that

one

reality an

unconscious

and

into

products

to

is

only fulfilled

Beason,

scheme

unconscious

and

Idealism

new

of

versity
Uni-

complete theory of

has

last

the

upon

nevertheless

consciousness.
to

of

study

bear

there

her

his

of Mind.

inanimate,

originallyidentical

or
intelligence

the

professorat

resolve

to

power

unsuccessful

reproducing herself in
Man, or in other terms
reverts

the

bring theory to

to

The

intelligence. Nature

time

preciselywith

tendency

therefore, yet
intelligence,

through

tion
opposithe

agree

to that

inanimate

which

intuitive

direct

no

of Transcendental

necessary

Nature

her

the

representation of

principlesof

the

had

nature, though

to

System

of nature.

intelligence.The

compelled

1794

experience.

endeavour

the

which

in

Schelling became

study of

the

views

by physiology through

*The

"

be

stood

tained.
ob-

was

from

opposed to

was

found

at

of

philosophy:

phenomena

would

been

his

outline

an

be

he

as

it

Jena

at

atheistical

contrary, his

facts of
that

rise from
is to

the

in 1798
of

gave

has

arrived

since

the brain

much

the

on

thought

conclusions

natural

chair
professor's

contemplating nature,

science;

to

he

1798,

in

whence

sources

controversy concerning his

his retirement

It

investigate the
occupied

201

JENA.

AND

us

to
"

philosophy

derived

from

then
intelligence,
the

propositionas

latter

the

task,

ground

of

its philosophy.'

'

was
published in 1797.
Philosophieder Natur
* Die
It was
1798
in
eine
succeeded
Weltseele,
by
Hypothese der hohem
the 'Erster
Entwurf
there followed
eines Systems der
in 1799
'Physik;'
in
1800
and
the 'System des transcendentalen
IdealKaturphiloBophie/

His

ismtts.'

Ideen

zu

einer

202

ALEXANDER

transcendental

The
did

much

and

trainingthe

idealism

scientific

between

to

of

and

theory

Union

is

Every

searcher

science

Humboldt's
still in

too, Schelling wrote

1805

to

Humboldt

to

address

side.'

every

; thus,

assistance

in Januaiy

Wiirzbuig

""
*

venture

have

philosophy, since

has

philosophy, which

assured

been

has

taken

been

opposition

against

it

that

is

the

their

conducting

None

ideas.
have

as

their

judgment

against

of the

yet fullygrasped

certain

afiect

the

it.

upon

as

dice
strongest prejuhas

been

investigatorswere

the

of

guidance

sophical
philo-

scientific investigators of Germany

this
At

points,perhaps
theory

firstbeen

has

ment
rejectingits employ-

and

imder

experiments

tion
excep-

always"

is

philosophy

individual

when

time

very

It
the

Natural

entertained.

there

new.

misrepresented, and

represented as despising experiment,

at

where

sion,
posses-

Great

attention.

Germany,

school of

new

ancient

her

upon

your

everything

to

then

misunderstood,

it in

to

this

that

laid hold

again

subject of natural

the

on

you

nature, has already excited

not

on

mutual

from

....

much

secure,

America, philosophyand

positionto expect

to the

Philosophers^

truth

from

return

The

tageous
advan-

even

invocation

would

you

of that age,

thought.

seemed

Tramscendental

divide, seeking

must

close

Schiller's

forth

if tmth

For

premature.

were

philosopliy

natural

ne^

experiment

called

and

progress,

after

this

investigatorto

and
Sciemtific
Investigators

Even

HUMBOLDT.

restrictingthe rough empiricism

towards

dissensions

VON

philosophy
most

have

they

just grounds;

on

giving forth

before

this could

but

it lies upon

whole, since

doubts

raised

deeper

foundation.
'

If

the

ancients, and

'

"

Aua

ihr im

possessedof

sei zwiscben
Suchen

with

genius, early imbued

Naturforscherund

Feindschaft
Wenn

"

of your

man

eucb

ScbeUing'sLeben.

eucb

depth

and

of
spirit

the

variety of infor-

Transcendentalphilosophen.
!

Noch

kommt

tremit, wird
In Briefen

'

erst

das Biindniss
die Wahrheit

(Leipzig,1870), voL

zu

friihe.

erkannt*
ii. pp. 47-^

AND

WEIMAB

including,were

ination
of

range

modem

merely to
but

the

history

knowledge

how

greatly would

and

experience

predecessor,

further

this

in

the

put

this

important

so

fate

its

might

soon

whole

confined

not

universalitywould

of such

proof, how

is

its immediate

past century,

genius

the

to

the

to

^ifa

"

and

whose

science,

also

theory

new

thing possible, the

present generation and

extends

world's

such

203

JENA.

be

cided,
de-

development

the

of

thought I
'

Reason

and

opposed,
will not

fail to

theoryand
Your

has

the boundaries

acquainted
to

in

only

will

experience, you
value because

they

of reason.'

You

during

repliedin
doubtless

adopt

of

last few

the

in the

works

letter

gator,
investi-

prudential

reserve,

confirmed

are

as

deem

dated

them

of
the

by
less
tion
sanc-

Paris, February

from

heard

have

study

years,

without

kept

than

Herr

W.

being

of
interpretations
herself.

produced

impetuous

in

nature

No

science

times.

I
as

the

absent

how

become
than

to

regard
one

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from

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the

object

more

to

my

for six

possible

was

produced

their

of their

happiest

which

nature, my

effects

revolution

ring
occur-

Europe

with

attached

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have

pursuit of

prejudicethan

more

in the

revolution

the deleterious

who, through
physicists,

by literarydisputes,have

been

closelyoccupied
free from

more

beautiful

truth, could
such

to

and

have

in

sciences

and

great

you

What,

After

books,

been

is

attention
those

of

life is devoted?

has

all that

years.

my

whole

nature

scientific

through philosophy

philosophy which

completely roused

to most

account

received

If,

"

will
to

am

system

mind

this

on

already

present theory.

of

your

be

must

you

the

exercise

philosophy.

new

daringly overstepped

empirical

an

between

desirous I
new

of

you

:"

have

"

"

the

so

age

views

into

not

Humboldt

this

points of

of

ideas

such

that

many

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have, with

admitted

conviction

siurprising
agreement

bold

the

apparently

most

empirical

an

character

your

1, 1805

in

firm

than

more

prescribedto physics,that

with

you

To

the

notice

be

never

therefore

experiment

mind

true

have

can

former

study

"

which

you

have

events

of

these

204

ALEXANDER

violent

of

better

everythingcould
we
*

Do

everythingelse
with

act

let it distress you

contrary, she

to

soil their

hands

out

in

millers
that

any

not

are

we

where

given you,

the

their

necessary

link

excellent

my

no

the

creations

thought.'
the

educed

from

1807

Humboldt

the

tlie

it

as

more

scheme

the

than

considered
of

as

your

because
analysis,

efficient
For

machinery

than

this mathematics

hasty unphilosophical

in

have

thus

explanation. Though
external

her

depth

wanting.

is

plication
ap-

and

aspect, there

than

myself

fulness

of

for

human

year

his sentiments

system, I

of

possessedof greater admiration,

one

In

be

friend, a candid

habituallycontemplating nature
is

cannot

devise ?

rather

On

their heads, rather

more

could

never

discoveries.

regard

decry mathematical

to

but

blame,

to

who

men

chemistry in

mathematician

of

should

fundamental

to

for "esh

foundation

able to construct

are

cause

discoveries, like

empiricalscience.

of

its

philosophy. Ought
our

that these

pursuit,this
certainlynot that

fault, and

higher primeval

discoveryback

new

class

work

convenient

lays the

arise

of

origin

well-beingof the world,

poison. Philosophy can

advance

every

thus

there

your

like

to the

traces

and
principles,
Should

for the

people

hindrance

prove

the

discoveries.

meant

some

for this

traced,and

to your

however

not

attained, to which

be

to

was

be

indebted

are

the

eruption,I

and

higher

action and
that
theory of chemical
have
always suspected that something

between

Wavering

HUMBOLDT.

VON

'
"

Not

thus

gave

public expression

wholly unacquainted

with

to

Schelling^s

far from

am

believingthat the pure study of natural

injuriousto empiricalinvestigation,or that

philosophycan

be

the

philosopher should necessarily be

loudlycomplained than I
physicistshave more
the

investigatorand
Few

opposed.
advanced

employed;

against the terms

distinctlyexpressed their disbelief
of the

and

so-called

advocate
the

on

*
*

of the theories

nature
against the unsatisfactory

have

a
one

hand, and

Versuche

422 ; voL

Who
while

system which,

Preface to the
*

elements.*

ii.pp.

Ideen

iiber die

d4,40.

on

the

in

has

the

more

have

so

specificdifferences
reason,

undermining

other

few

hitherto

far removed

therefore,to

the atomic
from

theory
the

one-

einer

Geograpbieder Pflanzen/ p. 5.
und
gereizteMuekelNervenfaser/voL

pp.

367,

206

rendered

that
accessible,

so

teachingsand

most
are

this must

length effect

at

the

thirst after

By

its

are

mysterious

and

take

influence

cure

in those

be

method

or

path
The

love

August

and

follow

r^[ular

supernatural;

ordinary,

so

daily to

pray

mj

of doctrine

form

always kept

be

to

after all

investigationanimating

One

his

year

similar

instance

of their

of

Humboldt

from

to escape

him

the

'

stormy

the

through

1808

Nature

Aspects of

immeasurable

across

most

ignorant mortals

poor

other

every

originatedin

momentous

who, glad

the

in that

obtrusive
un-

Earl

alike

and

temperament

sympathy

these

on

suffice.

well known,

to

scientific

of mind.

incomprehensible

to truth.*

leads

Humboldt

subjectswill
the

that

of

constitution

In

preservedfrom

observation, and

of

that

conclusive

so

of the

by showing them that the extraordinaryis

the inexplicableso easy of explanation.
good genius to

The

is subdued.

extraordinarymanifestations,

of

mystery

maybe

truth

place in

the

find

now

may

means

unreal

of the

to

persons

of science

seen

entirelywithout

order, and

who

the

of nature

phenomena

love

demonstrations

light

their

by

the

that

easilyattained

so

indolent

even

its votaries.

to become

inducement

HX7HB0LDT.

VON

AL"XAin)"B

of

waves

glades

dense

plainsand

those

'

to

the

over

dedicated,

of

as

is

oppressedspirits
life,'are

willing

primeval forests,

rugged heights

of the

Andes.
In

need

equal

found

this peace

court

chaplain,once

the

replied:

"

in the

When

year

faith in

deception,my

plants,and
never

deceived

Humboldt
and
in

flowers

made
me

was,

indeed

me

man

with

Disgusted

nature.

the

country

our

sustained

only thing that

so

me

was

overwhelmed

was

mankind,

In my

despair the

inextinguishablelove
I turned

the

to

companions, and

the

study

of
of

flowers hare

'

in

fact,earlyhonoured

to

such

1797, Scherer

fortune,
with mis-

falsehood, treason, and

much

my

dear Eohr.

explanation,
my

destroyed.

was

my

Sohr, the

at
prince his astonishment
the prince
displayedon the subject,

he

around

saw

When

the

expressedto

1806

August sought and

study of botany.

easilygive you

can

and

refiige,Karl

in the

of mind

knowledge

extensive
'

such

of

was

degree that

summoned

by

the

upon

to Weimar

his

dence,
prince'sconfition
recommendaas

Counsellor

VnsmAH

of

and

Mines,

extensive
At

Humboldt

Weimar

Karl

that
JBerlin

in almost

herein

or

to have

me

benevolent

Humboldt

to the

constantlywith

him.

that

foreboding

this

prostration,was

him

drank
and

fell

then

and

the

"

of

lunar

atmosphere, the

of

internal

heat

desultory manner
the

the

of

pietism,and

politicaltendency
"

to

fency that they

who

princes,and so
honour*
They

win

have

for

repeatedlyduring
^

existed

Eckermaim,

As for
and

of recovery
his

death, I

at Potsdam.

his

to

sat

He

consort,

questions on

comet's

very
many

He

arise
will

touched

He

this

and

conversation,and

Gesprache/ vol. iiL

the

sion
suppres-

middle
was

p. 258.

claimed,
ex-

of

favour

places of

favour

into

our

the

fellows,"he

and

fanaticism

the

decorations

poetry

the

in

bemoaned

thereby gain

of the

stars,

primeval world,

then

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themselves

double

temperature,

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absolutism

nucleus, the

of the

the

'

ness
clear-

mysterious

in the

earth.

themselves

insinuated

professedpredilectionfor

and

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upon

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thought.

of

anxiety

cheerful,but

colours

connection

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intellect

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write

religioussubjects.

on

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dozed

spots

organic life having

and

great

he

with

of

transparency
solar

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this

physics,astronomy, meteorology,

the

of

of

in

Miiller,^* he

complete physical

was

plied me

of

EveQ

life that

alone

He

tification
gra-

of his

hope

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up

upon

evidence

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hours

to

improvement

before

day

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court

clearer

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doze.
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the

alarming symptom.

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problems

influence

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into

at

saw

such

between

several

In the intervals

geology

spread

with

very

end.

for

again

unsolved

existence

mutual

Humboldt,

with

friends

slept alternately,
got

exhausted.
of

his

the sofa

on

and

the

mind

of

never

to my

to vibrate

anticipationof

with

activity of mind,

to my

himself, he seemed
the

with

days

perception,accompanied

of

days

last few

remarked

I often

here.

guest

chancellor

animated,

the

during

more

prince'svisits

source

tenderlyand earnestlyon

people, than

spent

passed his last

prince more

occupied more

his

the

during

companionship

constant

welcome

the

therefore

was

August

Berlin,'writes

-wishes
and

It

acquire a

to

chemistiy.

companion

Berlin.

England

to

always

was

his chosen

of

court

sent

of technical

knowledge

prince, and
the

afterwards

207

JEKA.

AND

by

ages."
often

He
very

208

ALEXANDER

his

restless,
apologisingfor
in

kind

and

On

his

on

buildings connected

horses,

on

Weimar
of his

whole

the

of her

Study
in his

of

the

Laws,'

at the

the

by
and

the

memory

amid

the

has

Germany,

to

ordinary limits.'

he

felt attracted

by

and
The

autograph
*

Humboldt
of

laying the
Karl

Schiller,and
are

in

so
our

which

the

the

von

August,

and

Wieland,

country,

the

speak

of

with

to the

Among

of

to which

Alexander
the

the statues

father,
grand-

of Goethe,
:

^
"

all that is great and

with
I

to

ceremony

to his

following passage

Fow

tM

periodof
ca/arvot think of
the

you.^

livingties

was

to

monument

circl^eof intellectual

Germany

attendingthe

membrances
resoul-stirring

Karl

Duke

proudly, thai

the

crease
rapidin-

to the

University

unveiling of
the

beyond

life extended

feelingsof gratitude.'

of the

so

for my

bright spot in my

intvmately associated

so

names

classic literature

as

of the

Grand

contains

will suflSce to show

Humboldt

under

prevented from

heartfelt

engaging i/n this festivalwithout

This

which

agreeable and

stone

purpose

the fiee

letter of the

foundation

the

play an important part in

was

connected
i/nseparably

these

glory,for

August 7, 1857, invitinghim

on

Jena, which

*
"

rule of

most

most

Even

the

and

celebration, in 1858, of the Jubilee

he

and the

Nature

regrettedthat, owing

bodily weakness,

of

of

Varietyof

the

practicalanatomy

recollections

He

On

himself:

remained

ever

the crowded

of

study

of Chimborazo.'

intellectual

her

princes continues
of

Cosmos,'

he thus expresses

height of

societyof

scientific

the

Ascents

two

dnruag

gratefuland elevating

most

proposed expeditionto America,

thought

for reaiiBg

by Humboldt,

Contemplation

On

preparing myself by

beneficent

To^mu

establishment

before

read

earlychapters of

eighty-ninthyear

I visited

he

1836

afforded

Enjoyment

the

masifBst

was

Gfxaditz,near

at

associated

ever

were

In

of the

one

with

long life,with

reminiscences.
Jena

home

death

14, 1828, in the seventy-first

year of his age.

June

and

approach of

near

journey

in the

Jena

nearly

it is

Humboldt,

see,

'

prince died

The

by remarkii^,

inattention

You

^^

followingday the

the

HUMBOLDT.

apparent

friendlytone

me."

with

over

VON

that bound
heroes

by

founded.

the papers left by Alexander

von

Humboldt.

Alexander
whom

the

AND

WEDIAE

209

JENA.

"

In

of the

one

Poet's

the

1849

^As

of

Alexander

in

luxuriant

man

the intellectual

there

recorded

brilliant

his

sions
impres-

through the phases of

tual
development, so the intellec-

by

and

restricted

passes

through

turns

similar

alternations.

will be directed

whom

giantsupon

of that

memory

of

"

life passes

growth

life of

Humboldt

von

nature

the

Prussia,to

followingwords

in the

called

palace at Weimar,

crated
preserved a magnificentalbum, conseby the Princess
Augusta, now
Empress

Crermany and Queen

epoch.

the

is

Chamber,

in

of

apartments

At

times

the admiration

in isolation,
at other
posteritystand as it were
they appear grouped together,mutually heighteningthe
of

times
ficent
bene-

eflTect of their influence.

'

The

of this simultaneous

and

lie almost

beyond

multitude

it is viewed

are

vault

isles of

of

either

Sporades in

undiscovered

as

the

like

else in

or

the

beautiful

the

simultaneous

be ascribed

and

combined

spectacleis afforded
been

generations have
such

securing by

an

of

appearance

earthly power,

to any

found in the imion

noble

glory scattered
sea,

it not

may

phenomenon visible
of brightestlustre

stars

isolated

the careless

^Though
cannot

the

to

is led in contemplation
thoughtful mind
which
the universe
the eternal plan on
is
it is controlled
lie
yet the laws by which

deduce

framed, though

to that

immeasurable

an

constellations,whence
to

in

chance, but

of

matter

heaven, where

shine

to

seen

investigation.By

regarded as closelyallied

rather be
in the

as

of

power

intelligence,
appears

of

outgrowth
reach

the

of intellectual

distribution

unequal

of this

cause

action

when

imbued

of

race

the

with

assemblage of

men

its

minds

master

cause

may

of hidden

be

yet

forces.

princes illustrious

for

elevatingthought

of

genius,not merely

of

glory of their court or the pleasuresof social life,but,

lating
through the inspiringinfluence of mutual association,of stimuthe

higher flightsof genius

to

minds
^

To

thus

gathered in

the memory

elevation and
of
powers
VOL.

of
I.

tender

of

the

distinguished

concert.

of such

extension

each

influence

an

free

of the

sentiment, and

language (one

of the
P

range
the

directed
of

towards

thought, the

enlargement

of

the
pression
ex-

the

products of intelligenceupon

210

VON

ALEXANDER

which

and

age,

colouring

the

the

epoch

artistic

in

And
ehinea

the

in

character

this

brilliant

dovhle

glory.

of
life

of

epoch

people,

feeling),

They

decorations

intellectual

of

individual

of

dedicated*

thoughtfully
with

the

iiDprinted

is

HUMBOLDT.

the

the

G-erman

name

these

walls,

surrounding

of

wants

in

commemorate,
the

the

pages

an

are

confonoity
a

brilliant

people.'
of

Humboldt

aim

THWAETED

CHAPTER

THWARTED

211

PLANS.

V.

AND

PLANS,

THEIR

ULTIMATE

ACCOMPLISHMENT.

State of Proflaia
Paris

Journey to

"

^Madrid

Spain
"

For

1797

in

some

years

Marseilles

prior to

resultingfrom

had

been

the

the

the

faith

with

Poland

of
banks

been

rushed

the

selfishness

in

possessions acquired by

the

unworthy

most

the

of

Under

official

piety

home

the

and

of

Basle

Rhine^

and

the

while

of Bussia
the

of lawsuits

checked

expression of

of

tion
partithe

to

two, Prussia

rich

the

of church

property
tions
confisca-

the

wasted

provinces,were
Grovemment.

on

standing
Notwith-

State officials had

become

foreign administration, while a

tlie
had
completely demoralised

hypocrisy grew

means

out
with-

limits

the

of Franconia, and

of

the

acquired had

government,

of the

for

catastropheof Jena.
justice,
produced severity,in-

secularisation

Polish

political

Austria,and
thus

the

States

sold

theologicaldespotism, the poisonous

orthodoxy,by
the

the

of money

creatures

by the evils
ingloriouswars

army.

"

the

been

between

the
severityof discipline,

contaminated
succession

in

towards

Westphalia, the annexation

in the recentlyannexed

the

had

boundaries

the

Hedged

restraint

the

as

In

money

treaty

"r

as

perpetual need

the
and

in

country

brought

Vistula.

without

on

While

extended
had

of the

"

Humboldt,

von

climax.

either, the

lavishly spent. By
had

Salzburg
Wanderings in

"

of the Prussian

to England
subsidyalternately

keeping

^Vienna

"

Toulon

of Frau

death

misgovernment

against France,

sake of the

Dresden

"

Marseilles and

"

gradually approaching

coalition

France

Jena

^Vieit to

Corunna.

"

evils

been

"

and

rampant,
the

opinion
p

and

the

censorshipof

and

hunted

weeds
heads
the

down

of
of

press,
every

212

of

appearance

heresy.

beside
Struensee
the

The

of such

law

theory of

; the

and

men

of

lated
iso-

Hoym,

Goeme,

as

powerlessagain^

justicewas

officers

the

corrupt practicesof

work
great legislative

the

stood
Klein, Carmer, Cocceji,

"

administration

the

HUMBOLDT.

compilersof

law of Prussia

^the common

"

VON

ALEXANDER

the

Notwitli-

crown.

standing the principlesof justicerecognised by the State,the

of feudalism, the privilegesof the nobility,and the
burdens
of rank

distinctions
Such

condition

undisturbed.

remained
of

in

things produced

and in

manners

reached
its climax Ib
scepticism,which
of passion,in which
glorification
SchlegeFs Lucinde,' a mere

literature

frivolous

a
^

love

and

The

marriage

better

griefand

with

of

son

he

genius

court

life robs

and

their

fireedom.'

of

it somewhat

gave

sick

the

when

time

he

principlesof
and

that

at

deserved

carrying

in the

chamber
netic

passes

entrails

their

on

marble

from

the

time

be
appellation

the
^

those

of

of life and the

processes
with

imtiring eneigT

after the

After

short

deceptive quackeriesin
palace at

Potsdam

hands

women,

death

him

at

magnedsei^

with
*

In the

"

De

('Le

with

strong

so

'

Genius

aid of

the

ma^

his

he had

returned
in

to

Franconia,

brother, who

in sud

Humboldt

by

March

likewise

propensityfor roving,that

smnmoi

to wind

Bayreuth

and

had

been

he

we

fii

been
had

confi^

of Rhodes.'

Roquette, ' Humboldt, Correspondance,etc/

Globe^ Joum. g^ogr. etc.* p. 179.)
la

royalsick-

the

by kittens, and

stay at Berlin, whither

engagements

Jena

by

detain

to

of his mother

Humboldt
by family affairs,
his official

of

At the

'

health.'

in

healing

there, then, in Berlin

was

Berlin

calves.

of unborn

What
home

the

of their

lazar-house,' a hospitalin which

soundly than

practicalart

ment,'
the senti-

intellectual

selfHsacrifice,
quacks, charlatans, adepts, and

were

Even
well

Berlin of

expression to

most

investigatingthe

was

society in

open
the

even

Science

later of

sleep more

the

the ooiut-hred
mining official,

gave

"

that

fioyalAcademy

these

highest degree distastefoL

the

young

royal chamberlain

in

proceedings

viewed

Humboldt

been

the

"

synonymous.

community

To

long

1795

earlyas

of the

horror.

had

grade

every
As

part

regarded as

are

toL I p. 1^

214

ALEXANDER

twelve

than

hours

is almost

Goethe

grand epic
the

remarks

freshness

gaged

"

how

fullytreated

in

The

youth.

occupied on

his

weeks.

besides

latter will
that

whole

the

everything

study

while

in

birth

of her

prostratedby
household

of

laid aside.
'

been

still

they are

see

leave

Jena

with

circle of firi^ds?'
the
of

whole

fsunily

Dresden

and

exceedingly anxious
volcanoes, and

of

of William

he

and
so

left Jena
boldt,
Hum-

von

re-established

quite

Theodore,

And

tragic poets,

already have

wife

ague,
'

William

friend, you

way

would

Himiboldt

attack

an

busily

dear

was

of the

son,

succes-

proceed alone through Egypt

to

never

second
von

were

April 14,

had

be

the

accompany

travellers

the

in

see

-^schylus :

shall

phenomena

sojourn there

William

which,

Italy the

of

of

such

Himiboldt

von

health

whose
the

to

was

protractedillness

for the

with

again meet

my
I

to

is still

the

"

Agamemnon

him

already en*

brother

from

prospering.

plan

Probably

Asia.

choruses

"

is

spirit. Schiller

Italy, travelling by

to

after

intended

but

is

'Alexander

Vienna.

the

here

next

Haften

the

of

composition

life may

My

his

one

surprised to

common

published. Thus,

shall I

Humboldt's
and

of

of
be

soon

regret: where

be

is

proves

He

tragedy '''Wallenstein."

several

finished

has

It

entire

will

You

truly Homeric

At

just completed

written, and

simple story of

has

Dorothea."

has

work.

another

upon

Hermann

on

; he

und

of

set in.

"

masterpiece occupied only six

this

to

here

he

poems

had

decomposition

'^Hermann

poem

still in the

to

death

always

beautiful

most

be

"

after

close of his letter he

the

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in

added

January,

the

children

that

almost

always talking of

also

the

the

to

were

Schiller

yet,'writes

since

entire

Goethe

to

approaching

great journey.'
In

concluding the historyof

to Himiboldt's

la

epistolarytreatise

addressed
Vitalite,'

in

p.

197,

called

criticism, though

expressedby

Your

by

to Van

Sur

again

may

le Proc6de

Mons, which,

as

entirelyopposite character

an
a

"

criticism

physicistFourcroy
however

de

previously stated

of

the

allude

chimique

from

Schiller

the

period we

forth

correspondencenot
softened

this

to

which, after

severe

the
a

one

long

entirelyfree from

was
considerablv
asperity,
followingexplanationoffered by Fourcroy :

discoveries

"

in

galvanism

are

the

result

of

researches

THWAKTED

instituted
too

with

great

to

such

labours, which

your

alluded

in

that

highly
the

value

the

true

the

his

degree

holdt,

as

librarian

of

June

and

Doctor

of

his

in

Prussian

and
in

Prague,

the

gratefulterms
sojourn

This
Humboldt
here

in

the

which
the

his teacher

with

acquaintances
able
fi*om

to

expedition to
'

of

at

the

the

Haften

Hum-

von

friend

the

Alexander, who

Kohler,

in

'

was

of

curator

astronomical

Journal

of

Count

Adelung,

employed
'

taken

by Hadley,

of

and

geodesy and

contains

observations

and

whole

which

he

his

of

interest

the

highest

collection

at

Kohler

mentions

It

of Baron

Spanish

von

that
von

in

and

Backwitz,

he

was

wards
after-

sador
Forell, ambas-

furtherance

America.

AllgemeinegeographischeEphemeriden/

to

probably through

was

Dresden

Spanish court,

of

Baron

value

travels, since

subsequent

interest.
while

he

friend.^

possessionof

much

the

of

Salzburg

extensive

the

he made

secure

Saxony

the

Von

the

sextant

the

proved

preparation for

he studied

Dresden

in

your

Dresden, Pillnitz,Konigstein,Toplitz,

as

minerals

American

and

use

those

of

letters from

preserved

was

with

meanwhile,

Komer,

of his

in

at

word,

Humboldt

William

assistance

in

results

around

and

too

already so

congenial societyof

possessed of

figures,the
in and

in

you

with

Here

ambassador,

fifth volimie

The

assured

nature

is

while
distinguishedphilologist,

hypsometry.

on

rest

entire

the

in

with

meteorological instruments, and

carried

the

had,

the

into

Philosophical Museum,

of

Pray

which

calumniating

company

Medicine.

famiUarising himself, with

pages

of

find

we

intercourse

recently beqome

the

to

name

been

which

day,

confounding

or

Dresden,

introduced

was

and

mysteries, as,

your

latter of whom

Kessler, the

had

her

given

hypotheses.'

at

; the

through

Schiller,
von

of

established

Fischer

Mons.

thought

ardour,

your

beginning

and

have

to

inventors

dangerous

every

exerting

have

indefatigableinvestigatorsof

ever

efforts, damping

family

Van

citizen

therefore

not

pleasure

of

to have

me

highest esteem,

true

distinguished,

In

It could

interpretersof
whom
physicists,
among

as

give promise

physicsfor

in the

renewed

letter to

my

the

hold

with

contemplate

animal

opinion.

an

215

and

accuracy,

influence upon

an

expression

much

too

PLANS.

vol. ii.p. 267.

of

his

1^16

ALEXANDER

In

friend

his

to

Freiberg,we
this

of

fragment

letter written

the

see

thoughts,and

hopes, with

inanimate

his friend,

all

seeing them
them

upon

of those

interest

again

I have

from

another

at

that

be

feelingto

everywhere
world,

new

but

greeted;

so

old

the

to

other

remarks

leben
the

thoughts

visit

Humboldt

afforded

Schiller,and
War

An

they

inherited

from

with
It

Kunth.

to

the
as

sold

by

defraythe

von

expenses

by documentary
was

in

house

of

pleasant

gether
alto-

become

so

am

occasion

and

of

fiiend of

the

Komer,

Secretaryat

welcome

ever

Alexander

social

the

of

guest

Humboldt

von

distinguished"vour.
their

mother

by

in

It has
the
the

proper^
conducted

opportimity

prevalent
has

which
the

while

possession of

this

hitherto

possessionsof

in

the

during

fiEiithful fiiend

their
take

to

Bingenwalde,

evidence, that

of

transaction

"

care

Hmnboldt,

attention

division

the

was

of his travels.

the

of his

excitement.

and

misapprehension

of the

Alexander

was

this letter Freied-

refreshment

well, perhaps,

estate

one

met

have

the

joyous

occupying

their

be

the

correcting

regard

of

characteristic

may

habits, that

on

the

William

Dresden

at

them

upon

constant

business

important
residence

of

was

marks

with

this

for

of

tone

at the

he

houses

received

were

him

court, too, both

the

those

ago

the family circle of Neumann,

amid

; in both

At

by

greatly enjoyed

intercourse

with

it will be

and

Humboldt

experienced by

characterised

was

deprived

be

was

now

of

notwithstanding these gloomy anticipations

that

emotion

it

one

quite a stranger.'In commenting

now

years

sion,"
Ascen-

I shall look

associated

Five

mines.

while

by

absorbed

changed, so

stand

to

thought

thus

by joyous, friendlyfeces, and

turn

every

the

in

yet

of view, and

now

the

among

me

writ^

the

stage over

painfulfeelingthat

point

bright images

happy days spent

for

plans,

occu|aed.

then

was

at

pictme

of the various

mind

the

excepting even

deep

possess

the

objectssurrounding Freiberg,'he

without

his

which

to

of mind

of his tone

disclosure

the

life,in

visit

interestingfirom

more

Dresden

from

intended

an

reflection

complete

is all the

period,which

All the

Humboldt

by

Freiesleben, announcing

it affords of his inner

'

HUMBOLDT.

YON

been

with
presented
re-

family of Colomb,
America

been

in 1802, to

proved, however,

sixteenth

genwalde
century, Bin-

familyof Schonebeck,

THWAKTED

and

sold

was

Captain

to

Colomb,

it

by

into

passed

Major

von

Humboldt

'walde,

but

his remains

the

estate

tbalers,

Humboldt,

who

realise

property

In

addition

walde,

Alexander

and

ready

of

Tegel

at

property

91,475

thalers

June

this

groschen,

brother

still at

16, J797,

amounts

which

the

from

After

the

'
"

the

to

of

of

to

the

upon

investments
to the

the

sum

of

sum

in

his

property

my

85,375

will

yearly income

von

Bingen-

at

remarks

whole

sum

his

travels.

various

deducting

The

and

mortgage

upon

success,

estate

debts, he

some

Dresden

without

his inheritance

up

groschen.

William

hid extensive

from

of the

of Alexander

in favour

inherited

of

secret

in 1796, all claim

brought

payment

as

division

the

8,000 thalers,besides

in

journal, while

remained

preparationfor

which

money,

thalers

6,100

of

1793, for 72,000

mother

Hollwede

Humboldt

von

Falkenberg ;

On

45,000 thalers

to the

atSingen-

1803.

his

ander
Alex-

brothers.

two

to

early as

shortlyafter endeavoured,
in

the

interred

was

thalers

of their

von

of

von

husband,

removed

as

until

estate

Btep-brother Captain
this

heirs

relinqmshed by

was

and

afterwards

Elizabeth

second

father

1779,

family,in 1763,

widow,

of her

45,000

death

whose

the

in

his

sum

after the

mortgage

hands

were

by

the

upon

property
this

which

of

mortgage

died

sold

was

the

Humboldt,

von

that

representativeof

Hollwede, through

von

George

last

the

217

PLANS.

thalers

3,476

average

thalers.'^
This

sojourn

his sister-in-law

illness of

occasioned
an

prove

30,

'

when

Dresden, prolonged

in

agreeablejourney,'writes

Schiller

before

have

startingthey must

of

creased
in-

the

relapse of fever,
plans. ^ It is likely to

through

of all their

postponement

account

on

to

Goethe

on

alreadyexceeded

June
their

timet'

length they

At

July, 1797.

of

Goethe
It

at

was

and
the

The

July 30,
this

characters

Humboldts

'and

period

have

that

of William

sympathy

of their

[In Englifihmoney^

and
12,4501.,

his income

leave

to

the

Schiller, quoted in pp.

The
"

on

'

able

were

and

towards

Dresden

are

left you

the

gone,'Schiller

writes

their heartiest

greeting.'

correspondencebetween
187-189,

took

Alexander

von

Humboldt.

the

travellers

friends

reckoning the
to 506/:]

followed
thaler

end

at 2".

place

lid,

to

Korner

relative

to

in their

this amounted

to

218

ALEXANDER

VON

and

journey through Prague

found

they

much

to

the

and

amuse

William

in poring
philologist,

the

over

botany, availing himself

collection

of

at his

brunn, placed
and

letters

Some

and
Scbos-

at

kindness

the

study

herbarium

Grardens

Imperial

disposalthrough

written

humorous

some

the

the

engrossed in
valuable

the

of

treasures

Jaoquin

of

Schott,

der

Van

in

plants

rare

of

days with Bast,a

his

manuscript

became

fiist

during the

them

spent

AuBtria

capitalof

the

interest

Imperial Library,Alexander

of

In

Vienna.

part of their stay,for while

yoimg

HUMBOLDT.

Alexander

by

societyof

intellectual

the

descriptionsof

contaiB

time

this

at

Vienna.
Freiesleben

To

he

evidently the

is

solitude,for

") is
be

and

word

that

and

clothe

he

"

is

Not

only

former
of

Kkely

were

going

to

They know
I

was

to

specimen.

see
*

dear

My

"

my

Kamtnerstrasse.'
*

Keference

Gases/

which

about

writes me

cast

oflfhis

outer

garments,

may

thus to look

manage
he

present

sent

make

goes,

nor

here,

but

where I

not

and

"

me

to reyiae.

t^)
Jacquin,

at

vish

Vienna, my
No.

1224,

till October 4.

here

his work

is.

to
curiosity

here

from

grown

first floor of

manuscriptof

Freiesleben

advantage

young

the

even

reached

address

trees

also my

everything here

magnet,

"

with

use

seen

certainlyremain

to the
to

read

I have

the

Grases

I shall

been

Buch

Otherwise

old.

is here made
had

only

side ?

they

speaking of it,had

at

with you

I visited

my

much

acid.

Subterranean

Karl,

teresting
unin-

seem

says when

book

muriatic

whom

flat and

just as

journey here

(He

Schonbrunn

nothing

is

some.
weari-

somewhat

was

him.

new

twenty-fouryears

by

Italyto

neither

to meet

At

oxygenised

seed

He

Prague

vanism
in Gal-

willsooif

works

other

districts which

not

complete

in

wholly without

not

my

of Bohemia

ether."

in

is my

works.

from

capital:"

(" Experiments

Or did the

you

himself

be

and

date,but

no

living

am

book

of my

here

part

quite handsome.)
should

hard

very

romantic.

because

me

bears
Austrian

the

Vienna,

northern

those

beautiful

dull to

journey

southern

as
are

part

from

nearlycompleted,and

now

The

of

working

second

The

ready.

midst

am

The

success.

letter which

first addressed

the

in

'Though

writes, in

'

On

Subterranetf

^
Upon recelTing

THWARTED

Whether

there

is

now

It is most

and

brother

my

intends

anxiety.

visit Bome

either,

remain

to

shall

eighteen

at Zurich

of the

way

likely

most

Switzerland, either

Italyin April by

to

The

of

amount

some

visitingItaly.
in

commotion.

will not

He

winter

proceed

of

state

partly because

leaving Vienna,

anyone

all create

"

before
and

autumn

Geneva,

still uncertain,

is in

Paris.

to

France

in

the

shall

direct

go

months

children

probable that

will

pass

Italy itself

Haften's

winter,

Italy is

to

prohibition against

because

partly

but

hence

go

219

PLANS,

Tyrol.

thus

gain suflBcient leisure to complete several of

and
undertakings,and I shall hope during the autumn
(when I must, without
fail,revisit the St. Gothard)
valuable
^

material

Young
to

now

with

go

To

weeks

at

'

"

here

West

Loder,'

spent

the

friendship accorded

work

again into

winter

gain

to

determined

quite

We

thence

think

of

mencing
com-

TeneriflFe.

to

the

though

claims

Count

by

me

writes

Vienna.

at

Humboldt
possession;

his

is

and

Humboldt

Jena,

at

and

Schonbrunn,

new

my

atmosphere.

Indies.

glorious time

He

roubles.'

of 40,000

Professor

detail

arrived

the

to

me

the

upon

journey by Spain, and

income

an

book

has

Bothlingk

our

has

for my

or

passed several

of social life and

Sauzau(?) (a

writes

in

more

of

sort

I could

scarcelyrecognise
the thing is
more
my
matter.
worthy not only in arrangingthe old materials,but in adding new
It will now
make
task
for
book
of
be an
and
I
should
to
out
me
a
it,
easy
it to you if your assistance in its preparation
dedicate
not
were
so
certainly
determined
I
and
if
had
dedicate
to
not
to you my
widelyknown,
Geology,"
You

work.

taken

have

trouble

"

with

it than

"

much
'

'On

important

more

had

Loder
the

sent

to

the

Arzneikunde/

vol.

Humboldt's

letter.

for
in

your

few

Galvanism

of

'Journal

in

The

letter

pages,

Medical

longer

one

than

of his

this
*

begins:

"

to which

Hours

Practice/

fiir Chimrgie, Geburtshiilfe

441-71, and

i. pp.

for

pecuniaryacknowledgment

You

you

only

your

send

me

accorded

have

und

that

Hours

show
his, for th^y freg[uently

a
an

he

had

gerichtliche
occasion

of

ledgment
pecuniaryacknowhonourable place

of Herr
can

article

an

which

apparentlythe

was

is equal to
journal. Your, liberality

dances with
much

Humboldt

Employment

contributed

work.'

Cotta

carry

on

when
the

one

dance

signs of fatigue. Fifteen

I
thalersfifteen groschenfor those few pages 1 Well, this is the first money
and you, my
dear friend,
hare ever
have with
from a periodical;
received

unprecedentedgenerosityraised
in
enables
me
my gratitudewhich
this giftfrom you.'

this

for
to

yourselfan imperishablememorial
it a great pleasureto receive
esteem

220

ALEXANDER

prime minister, and

enjoy familiar

to

avail

myself of

acquainted with

better

freelyconfess

that

by

What

anyone.
what
of

flashes

I have

this

unmistakeable

the

at

(afterthe

well

night and
need

no

such

of
for

to

intervals
leisure

social

between

his

conversation

on

for

his

o'clock.

seven

activityto

collected

physiology or

natural

is

descriptionof

one

with

yei

he

is

about

his

to

couch,

patients,

correspondence

at

is certainly

who

alreadv

set

is therefore

Franck

onlv

during

; but

mind

and

science.
whom

is

o'clock
drives

is

he

you,

in

by

five till ten

engagements

numerous

and

he

There

with

intercourse

always

he

moments

from

of

FVanck

eminence

indefatigableindustry. It

of

enjoy

evening

is

would

visits from

conducts

such

vaunt

me

reclining on

receives

in the

before

morning

a
me

possible to

suffice

ladies,and

example

an

five,while

Tissot),he

in

my

flow

friend,

he

in

there

which

dear

till two

ment
treat-

outcry

great

till eleven

Up

attending

course

of

man

eleven

professionally.He

visits

again

till

three
of

as

too

ception,
pervivid

though

even

my

of

most

an

been

"

you,

habits.

hospital,from

manner

princes as

system

of
peculiarities

patients,from

his

has

case,

)" and

sthenical

particularlycharmed

in his domestic

simple

the
of

use

debility(from

old

Peter

raising such

her

I hare

powers

with

Franck

approved by
has

all the

engaged

of

the

to

been

What

is

to

deeply impressed

more

side

and

becoming

of

purpose

me

l^tfore

weeks

many

thought, what

by

treated

Jacquin,

(Johann

unlimited

the

evidence

certainlyhave

so

of

nothing,
has

milk), according

with

Of

seen

sister-in-law,and

that

been

hospital, which

Vienna, I have

Hufeland.

seldom

solidity side

genius

at

Franck

clearness

and

the

elder

the

drew

yet had

For

hospital,
merely for

!)

age

have

Franck

with

public institutions.

clinical

visited the

ordinary society,I

intercourse

the

of

only thirty-fouryears

circle of

wide

the

into

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in

the

these

ready

But

perhaps

for

this

will

you

an

personallyacquainted.
'

There

Professor

is still another

Porth,

who

I must

name

is without

exception the

in Vienna.

As

to visit him

Vv?ry frequently,in his

was

he

resides

the

near

[Sthenic^a term employed ia

then excitingmuch
attention

mention

Botanic
one

the Branonian
in

Germany.]

room,

to
most

you^

that

genial

Grardens, I
in which

was

he

system of medicioeL

of

rn"n

aUe
lives
wiiick

222

reach

to

the

The

of

with

by

the

is

quite a

and

appearance
in

gem

him,'

he

writes

has observed

looks

however,

he

to

if his

as

me

further

the

at the

would

glide round

shelves

the

the

against

interestingand amiable,
whom

shall

He

proceeding

intends

in the

winter
the

In

spend

*I

have

to

with

truly

and
of the
the

emperor

Gardens

to travel

pray

makes

Since

our

every

journey through
Buch

some

to pass

that
the

cracks

in

else

he

or

room,

the

stays

here

Salzburg, where

the
this

in

is to

for

start

he

Italy

cation:
followingcommuniis

able

the

indeed
secret),

to

secure

has
to

on

Van

estimable

der
racter,
cha-

is director

received

attach
my

most

of

person

of most

man,

I intend

good

permission from
myself to the expedition,
fortune.

We

must,

hare.'

Bonaparte'scampaign
closed

with

yotmg

congratulateme

however, first catch

After

Tyrol'

here, and
:

see

spectacles and

He

and

certainty,of being

excellent

to

me

possessinggreat botanical knowledge. He

Botanic

so

and

me,

advantageous travellingcompanion
Schott,

still

hedgehog, examining

great hopes (but

amounting

of
the

of

Ischl

to

weeks

of the

way

with

his

on

is valuable.

letter Humboldt

same

"

almost

by

few

been

is

that

fortnight before
to

had

seems

notwithstanding extremely
perfecttreasury of knowledge, firom

much

gain

see

generallysuccessfuL

corner

like

to

It

moon.

round

examination

farthest
room

the

his

in appearance,

journey

rule, put

in the

of

genial, and

most

care

him

not

walls.

and

the

on

were

heartilyglad

was

from

come

picture

true

man

I took

as

distinguishedgeologist

extreme

alone

visits

would,

glazed stove

had

been

entirelyabsorbed

become

with

him.

the

he

excellent

an

if he

having

'

years.

deal and

prejudicialto

first visit

the

is

as

friends,but

some

he

great

later

in

at Vienna.

letter to Freiesleben

remained

and

to

somewhat

Buch

von

in

of this

manners

its way,

even
peculiarities

Leopold

tained
enter-

Haften

with

Switzerland

Humboldt

descriptiongiven by

of

of

Basle,

project

tranquillityin Italy was

arrival

the

The

26.

to

going

of

restoration

interfered

November

by

Alexander

by
await

Paris

and

Schaffhausen, Zurich,

passing through Munich,

were

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

in

prospect
country,
winter

at

Italyhad,

of

for the

accomplishing

Humboldt

made

time,
a

pletely
com-

scientific

arrangements

Salzburg,in order

to institute

THWAETED

-with

him

meteorological observations

some

Eerchtesgaden.
October

remarkable

talent

and

zeal

by

out

set

both

had

their

men

there

of Steiermark

way

alike

were

for science

and

independence,

even

They

both

and

at

earlyin

1797.

These

and

223

PLANS.

devoted

themselves

earliest

efforts

their

they equallyenjoyed a position of

free to follow

were

distinguished for
the

bent

to the

had

of their
studies

same

works

produced

genius

in which

of

intrinsic

value.
Buch

in

expedition
auf

tungen
for

form

in his

complete

labours

hardly fail

conjointly ;

of

constituted

number

various
of

part

in

case

for

eudiometer
labours

again

not

these

labours,

with
of

variety

to Von

Gotha,

written

Humboldt

by

published in

of the

the

with

the
of

The

value

that

it would

favotirable

for observation

and

great

so

'

during

his

stay at

burg
Salz-

Observatoryat Seeberg, near

GreographischeEphemeriden.'

In

"

that

wish

should

with

me

yield to

to

started

on

awaiting

so

my

much

in

occupying myself
employ
1

12-inch

force
and

in

and

eloquence.

sextant

the

by Wright,

am

latitude
which

Ephemeriden/
AUgemeine geograpbische

is

it

pelled
com-

...

In the

graphical
geo-

urge

Salzburg,where

Italy.

determining

the

you

that

energy

reached

affairs of

the

to

places,and

of your

have

attention

some

certain

warmth

the

journey

change

pay

of

determination

air.

accurate

Aussee

general

experiments
the

place so

aud

1798, he writes :*

*You

am

of

on

determining

some

circimistance

the

eminently

so

Zach, director

were

January,

upon

besides

carried

experiments.'

letters

Some

by

to combine

observers

for

of

which

work,

Salzburg

various

purity

results

undertaking

an

places

enhanced

be easy

in Buch's

between

testing the

was

Some

of measurements

meteorological observations,and

preparations

his results in the

correspondence.

be the

to

this

during

GreognostischeBeobach-

also to be found

are

great

height

these

labours

own

pressed with

Humboldt,

widely extended

Humboldt's

the

of his

Beisen,'but

of his

could

results

n^rely recorded
important enterprises,

more

course

the

published

have
I

am

meantime

of this town.

unfortunately

vol. i. p. 367.

224

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

good work,

but

obBerving

beginning of April,

The

proximity

extremely heavy for use ; it does

with it is exceedinglylaborious.
of

the

till the

here

I remain

'

Alps,

the

excursions

winter, the complete solitude

prosecutionof

for the

frequentlymake

which

among

studies, and

my

the

free

conunand

can

of

use

withstanding
not-

the

cellent
ex-

libraryof Baron von Moll, all contribute to render mj

vestigations
Instay here very enjoyable. I intend shortlyto publish my
of 1798,'
the Atmosphere during the Winter
on
**

I think

which

be

only to

attained

of doors

out

both

carried

been

have

by

accuracy

myself,been

night,and could

and

day

chemical

has, like

who

one

with

on

air at all

the

test

living

hours.'

relates,further,that

He

the

of

height

level of their

Unfavourable

of

star

the

mining
and

the

had

February
latitude

of maps

the
investigating

atmosphere
tion, and

to this end

and

refers

of my
find

you

of

delicate

chemical
of

with
am

all the

; he

also

was

for the

engaged
the

carbonic

acid

well

of the amount

as

present

in

the

sphere.
atmo-

Berchtesgaden,April 17,^ he
'When
subjectsto these labours:

thus
you

"

work

is from

the

ordinary range

and

physiologicalobservations,I shall hope to

lenient judge. Do
not
however, that^,
suppose,

few

points,but

accuracy

capable.

magnetic needle,

changes occurring in

of the air, as

far removed' this

only a

in deto^

noting the phenomena of resfiai"

of the density,
a dailyregister

undertook

and

an

occultation

succeeded

of the

greater accuracy

trustingto this forbearance on

observations.
hasty or uncertain
mine

however

the

as

tuting
insti-

of

trigonometricalobservations

humidity

other

chemical
in

had

observation

well

as

of

refiraction.

upon

the

the

letter dated

among

reflect how

4,

the variation

some

electricity,
oxygen,
In

; he

28

for the purpose

temperature, and
of

prevented

the

above

intention

observations

December

on

instituted

construction
in

moon

determined
inches

expressed an

some

had

weather

on

and

mountain

had

2,972 feet 6

be

to

apartments,

that

upon

eclipseof

Geisberg

Buch

and

he

There

of which
is

no

one

part, I

your
No

these

I with

spot in

; I
am

my

shall

am

send

you

seeking to

anxious

heavy

the whole

Alli^emeinegeographiBcheEphemeiiden,'vol.

to

deter^

ascertain

12-inch
of the

any

sextant

southern

iL p. 165.

"

THWARTED

of

part

direction

of

latitude

free-thinker

bold

of

and

arts.'

He

had

in
the

for

besides

By

sextant

in

the

Lord

"

proposalfrom
expedition to

an

Bristol,Bishop

This

the

In

sails.

and

La

made

the

comfort

Egypt,
and

forth

with

equipped

some

every

well-known
ladies

two

pliance
ap-

traveller
be

to

were

Lichtenau.'

criticisms from

severe

for

truly princelike,

Countess

the

court

selected

party

(8yo.),vol. zzi. p. 867.

of invitation addressed to Bht, under

Countess

dear

in

Dennis

followingpassage

the

ocean

had

had

Goethe.

'

Werke

letter

the fine

and
Illyria,

he

Savary,the

years

bLshop called

eccentric

Sammtliche

of

say, in the

of

was

enjoyment

patron of

Bome

was

of

conspicuousplace in

coast

at

which

Hirt, and

Countess

the

the

amount

an

spent eight

included,

and

the

pleasure;in

enthusiastic

an

Strange to

securing

Humboldt,

had

who

oara

6'.

error

archaeologistHirt, subsequently

expeditionto Egypt,

this

5' to

received

than

Italy,where

Berlin.

"*otinsellor at

was

Greece

visited

spent many years

acquaintance of

See

in

are

Beichenhall.'

he held

year,

fashionable world, and

'

in

maps

him

of

votary

60,0002. a

of

income

an

the

had

other

no

by

obtained
satisfactorily

accompany

was

determined

who, notwithstandinghis high positionin the Church,

Deny,
a

to

This

Egypt.

Upper

have

1797, Humboldt

nobleman

English

an

the

Salzburg,Berchtesgaden,and

November

In

been

of from

amount

polar stars, I

of

observations

has

; therefore

the

to

which

of

place

observation

astronomical
every

the

Bavaria,

225

PLANS.

"

Dennis
in

her

'We

shall have

boat

M.

both

with
largespronari

two

M. le Professeur

and

Trieat,there

date

Hirt

are

author

Savary,the

to

accompany

of the

charming
will
be
with
in
I
mine.
intend
take
with
to
me
two
me
Egypt,
upon
ruins
the
and
the
for
three
of
but
also
not only
or
artists,
grand points view,
the journey
for the costumes, so that nothing shall be wanting to render
agreeable.
Hirt I will not this be an expedition
ledge
Dear
worthy of your profoundknowP
and your indefatigable
What
industry
splendiddrawings may we
from
I
artists
work
united
will not our
what
not
our
a
magnificent
expect
I
I
furnish
for
efforts
publication
1
the

letterR

"

'

In

similar

chdre

amie

et

Ipluscomplet
carried
*

Quant

n'Stre

him
aux

pas
la mienne.'
VOL.

so

strain

Lor^

Bristol raved

adorable Comtesse
tant

far

pour
as

to

Vkme

que

lead him

pour

le

'

"

Jamais

corps.'

to remark

femmes, il faut que vous

vous
vioiief
soyez voiUe,et

I*

in the letters he

de Lichtenau

with

passiezpour
alors votre

la

addressed
un

Indeed

voyage
his

play upon
mienne,

personne

est

to
ne

his
sera

gallantry

the words
et

que

plus sacrte

pour
que

226

ALEXANDER

however

It must
Hirt

to

had

and

been

be

given

early

as

November

on

had

become
the

join

altered

so

him

as

followingterms
noble
I have

"

only

Naples.

independence,and

I must

However,

at

have
I

been

of you

beg

much.

do

not

in the
the

of the

one

Pyrmont

live

to

at

peace

I preserve

my

leave hinoi at any

can

Besides, he
lost

have

pity to

spoke of

societyof

between

; I

of

highest degree.

expense

anything

might

the

easy

her to

Pictet

during

was

own

often

to

in the

is not

my

too

me

oppose

opportunity.

an

He

horseback
it

countess

fully aware

of him

that

on

risk

not

it would

genius, and

of

do

should

if he

time

I travel

as

character.
wrote

that

aware

was

But

him.

with

make

to

mean

William

of the

been

have

to

and

in the

longer possible for

is eccentric

him,

used

expeditions he
and

he

expedition

Frederick

might possiblythink

seen

once

that

King

no

lord,'and

You

'

was

BristoFs

objectionable
;

lord

it

the

circumstances

seems

Lord

old

mad

the

that

of

the invitaiioitf

join

to

1797, and

death

Humboldt

party.
*

March

as

16, 1797, the

of
peculiarities

the

Lichtenau

of the

time, in consequence

IL,

HTJMBOIJ)T.

expresslystated here, that

Countess

the

to

VON

something

in

the

to mention

is

man

lent
excel-

so

meteorology.
expedition to

anyone.'*
Although Humboldt's
towards

directed

tropics, he
him
in

of

reached,

proposal

imder

the

through Syria and

diligence to
full

proved
institute
in
and

this

value

between

the

and

Etna

to

those

Le

no

afforded

now

should

the

the

be

at

journey alone

to

which

such

tour

in the

him

of

monuments

of the

would

New

devoted
best

studies

"

himself

which

comparisons
antiquityof

World

to

be

he

Globe^Joum.

gA)gT.'voL

vii pp.

163, 186.

for

afterwards
led

was

the Old
found

with

him

prepare

Mexico.

were

accepted

he

pursue

the

leading a pait

so

He

that

expedition,he

studies

those

great

Egypt

civilisation.

to Alexandria

appreciationof

of

been

ever

Palestine.

of

prospect

played

condition

express

returning

libertyon

the

the

history of

and

opportunity

had

which

world's

Vesuvius
the

embrace

visitinga country

the

In

to

had

hopes

exploration of regions within

yet willing,since

was

be

longer to

scientific

cherished

most

to

World

in

Pera

THWARTED

The
-that

preparationsfor

journey were

Paris, in

for

Strasburg

order

that

take

and

instruments

good

soon

left

April 22, 1798, Humboldt

on

^^th

the

227

PLANS.

far

so

completed

Berchtesgadenby

he

of

way

might provide himself

leave

of his brother

and

his

family.
few

Freiesleben

travelled

to be

was

He

in

me

to go

was

by

writes

to

of

with

with

far

as

kitchen

in

Syene

as

to

meet

Nile.

the

yacht with

own

an

genius),who

invitation

an

He
armed

an

well-

and

Upper Egypt.

spring of 1799,

In the

throughout.

way

half

expeditionup

an

sail in his

free of expense

to return

were

we

Fortis, sent

and

August

cellar.

provided
I

in

and

"c., and
artists,sculptors,

with

crew,

with

in Grreece

start

to

thus

English nobleman,

(halfmad

year,

Naples and join him

at

liim
vms

60,000Z. a

of

old

Bristol,an

"

income

he

"

Lord

"

leaving Salzburg,

^
"

before

days

Such

Constantinopleand Vienna,

I promised to go with
proposition was not to be declined.
him, and had arranged to leave Paris by the end of Jime, in
It is
him
at Naples by the
Ist of August.
to meet
order

however, rumoured

now,

possessionof

take

to

be allowed

will

not

safe

for

out

to-morrow.

for

the

so

various

the

following
of
with

some

of
The

than

notice

"

hermit's

more
ever.

of my

have

In

Zach's

"

astronomical

part

of my

labours

was
Q

and

such

to

five in the

with

as

of the

gives

remain

deep

various

upon

tirement
re-

ments
experi-

successful

more

Ephemeriden

work,

measures
latitudes,trigonometrical

second

spent

industry

of

way

he

upon

I intended

solitude,engaged

devoted

from

cherished

excellent

an

engaged

where

now

plishing
accom-

disposal.'

then

Here,

of

be maintained

I have

trip,as

at my

was

hope

I set

scattered

plans are

it will be such

he

it will be

alone,setting out

go

the

have

labours

account

I shall

whether

If peace

Egypt.

Englishman

an

without

not

upon

now

months,

scarcely two

results

much

long, and

the time

employing
Of

Turkey,

and

I count

hope

the

nevertheless

going

are

Paris, whither

in

cherished

most

our

as

country, and

only learn

can

this visit to

France

Marseilles.

not

am

somehow
between

the

to enter
or

If so, Bristol

Egypt.

Thus

winds

the

to

to go

me

the French

everywhere that

"

you

will

see

the determination

Alpine ranges, "S:c.

completed in February, and

228

ALEXAin)ER

VON

for Moll's

comprised a geologicaltreatise
of

hardening

rocks,which

Introduction

chemical

"rill be finished

make

several

the

to

it

additions

in

remained

while

this
of

purpose

during

and

aspect.

I have

great

the

in this district my

mines

quite

mass

last letter from

addressed
'

than

eve

recall

plans

week

myself
been

have

I have

become

been

the

point

now

impossibleto

cross

; for in

of

am

visiting
has

been

the

the

in

East.

No

in

or
greatlyfacilitating

campaign

to believe

willing,however,
will ultimately be
hampered
lived

I had

dull

xmiformity, so

either

fear,spreaditself over
moral

will all be

of

in all my

wish

of

West

detrimental
the whole

positioncall for very

compelled to

submit

aspect that

in

; and

since

are

to

have

events

earlier
to moral

or

different
one

to

the

for

me

on

effect

object.
ing
transpir-

myself,

daily feel inclined

to

fortyye"urs later.

improvement, will,

earth, and nations

to the

now

science, but
I

to

me

propose

reach

rumours

the

fortunate
un-

preparations

my

will

this

for

unsafe

it has

thinking

entirelydefeatingmy

projectsthat

fortyyears

"

allow

twice

Indies, I

which

that

service

of

I have

therefore

am

sooner

Egypt,

either

follows:

brother,

my

an

expeditioncompleted, than

of

as

rims

sometimes

too

seas

winter

all sides

editor

is

busy solitude, though

in Paris

sunmier

the

remembrance.

Alps.

to the

the

join

such

assumed

rendered

to

and

startingfor Italy. Political

voyage

of

Jena,

at

that

intended

for this eastern

so

part-

April 19, 1798,

most

my

prosecute
pass the

of the

has

in

unsettled

have

war

am

for

entirelynew

practical
mining

to your

here

so

on

spending part

am

chemical

facts,and

dated

Paris

more

once

months

affairs,however,
of

have

obeerva-

of

new

to

intended,

an

counsellor

court

of startingfor

spent nearly five

my

assume

allgemeineLiteraturzeitung.'It

the

to

me

Salzburg is

Eichstadt,

to

Jenaer

On

'

for

love

able

reawakened.'

The

the

been

eudiometric

of

to

various

sojourn here.

working uninterruptedlyin arranging them

now

and

have

Salzburg. The

is beginning
investigations

; I

my

series

of these

collected

the

subterranean

on

paper

neighbourhood longer
completing

besides

manures,

at Paris

am

Berchtesgaden,Aussee,

tions at

on

The

experiments.

gases

Jahrbiicher,''
on

an
having printedoff separately,

am

Ingenhous'streatise

to

on

papers

HUMBOLDT.

forms
model

whose

physical

of government
"

Directory

230

ALEXANDEB

their due.

was

and

Humboldt's

talented

raUiement

all

whom

among

G-ermans

the

be

may

Burgsdorf, friends

had

they

loisin,Corai, St.-Croix,Du
artists David

the

and

known

'

the

at

met

whom

among

of

circle

expeditionto Egypt,
unusual

with
a

1798

'
"

160

Mechain,

Quenet, and
I

find

can

yet

proposal to join the expedition,but

well

cannot

be

destination

and
Paris
wrote

on

appointments
Conti, Samuel
^

of the

April 30,

is still

Vamhagen,

he

been

had

been

In

announced.

the
this

end

great

also

remains

April,

of

scientific

Nonet,

astronomers.

has

ducted
con-

if needful
received

as

he

with

us,

spared.'

greater detail,but

With

three

Burckhardt

eveiy

had

notwithstandinghis youth, and

three.

other

of the

editor

Paris, Bonaparte's

reach

appointed to

myself selected

I have

expedition.

equal uncertaintyas

undertaking,

1798

"

profound
have

in

been

'

The

made:

Burckhardt

expeditionabout
It is knovm

secret.
"

to the

von

BUdnissen

from

writes

which

that the

lately

following

BerthoUet, Dolomieu,

Benard, Beignaud, Gostas, Geoffrey, Le

'Galerie

object

aus

Rahel's

Umgaog/

Sail,
filond,
toL

p. 148.
'

EpHemeriden/
AUgemeine geographische

Bertuch,

"

Ibid. vol. i. p. 680.

Ibid. vol. i. p. 637.

as

pleasure

Humboldt

writes, towards

been

dis-.

most

distinguished men,

preparationsfor which
secresy, had been pubUcly
have

persons

and

brilliant

most

Millin,

von

coidd

Lalande

^Vil-

"

received

the

Zach,'

letter to Von

the

ever

and

eminent

eagerlyanticipated.
Before, however, Alexander

were

receptions,*held

whose

of Alexander

arrival

the

of

was

of

house

to this

entr^

he

the

Berlin,

de la Rochette,

addition

the

where

Magazin encyclop^ique,'at

septidi,he

In

von

this circle

society he frequented with

assembling

that

was

Paris,

The

guest.

and

To

Theil, Chardon

enjoyed

in

tinguished houses
welcome

Schick.

and

nobleman
William

and

Jena

at

Paris,

in

eccentric

Brinckmann

de

point

then

note

any
that

Forestier.^

Humboldt

circle

home

it,

following distinguishedFrenchmen

the

gathered

of

von

youthful poet Ludwig Tieck,

also

described

enumerated

Schlabrendorf, Gustav

Count

she

as

his amiable

by

house, presidedover

wife, became,
for

HUMBOLDT.

VON

voL

L p. 686.

THWABTED

231

FLAK8.

Quenet,

DeBgenettes,ThouiD, together with

Delille

as

M^echain

goes

SerthoUet,

Nouet

assistant.

as

engineers and

Prony

cadets

six

department

of

the

followingantiquarians :

Rozier.

has

Prony

others

that

without

limit

chief

in

which

the

of

included

are

^Denon, Jomard, Pouqueville,and

"

surrendered

to

as

ing'
survey-

polytechnique.

director

expedition, in

whom

twelve

"cole

the

surgeon,

with

famished

has

from

all his
been

required have

were

as

astronomer,

as

Bonaparte's physician,is

scientific
the

and

botanist,

Dubois

by

price,or

instruments, and

any

procured either by purchase

official demand.'

On

the

30th

Floreal

(May 19, 1798) the fleet weighed anchor from Toulon,

Bonaparte'scampaign in Egypt was openly declared.

and

Soon
the

after Humboldt's
of Lord

arrest

Bristol

in favour

of

in

Nile

the

expeditionup
agitation

arrival

to

renoimce

of

By
just

his

long

Melun

and

Lieursaint

Delambre

portion

of the

Barcelona

on

celestial

on

measured

meridian

15th

Prairial
between

line,and

Lalande

memorable
three

Melun

twelve

our

with

had

them

astronomical

excellent

friend

Delambre.

The

been

you

line which
Sea

to

of 250

including
at

the

with

great delight

this

morning,

for the
to

^a

present

measurements

Lieursaint

northern

distance

wcls

o'clock

the

"

the

North

the

of

Humboldt

communicate

historyof

days

'

and

to

and

decades

about

(June 3, 1798),

I hasten
in the

with

*At

"

line

surface, but

described

between

for the meridian

base

Mediterranean,

9^ 3^.

of

coast

Paris

at

measurements

meridian

earth's

the

concluding operations, and

VonZach:*

the

of the

on

arc

French
on

the shores

the

plans.

arrived

point of concluding

the

Dunkirk

disappointment,

had

determining the

world-fiEmious

from

as

for

was

extended

leagues

completing

was

Humboldt

frustrated

and

posed
pro-

the commencement

was

coincidence, Humboldt

Delambre

as

This

Egypt.

to

his

creatingan

French.

felt the

disappointedhopes

fortimate

line.

journey

series of

purpose

England againstthe
he

of

of

him

suspicionthat

on

for the

compelled therefore,keenly as

was

to

Milan,
was

reached

Paris, news

in

were

base
this

pleted
com-

of the

event,

the

great
so

portant
im-

geography. In company
Burckhardt,I spent two
weather, which

uninterruptedly "Eivourable

voL
Allgemeiiid
geographische
Ephemeriden,'

u.

p. 174,

during
for

the

232

ALEXANDER

of the base line has

measurement
few

last

the

celebrated

fifteen,is

of

in succession

twice

way

base

before

the

winter.

As

assist in

and

of the

some

with

time

will show

calculated

how
excite

to

to

the

measured

I intend

to

avail

gladly
on

my

provide

to

by

Lenoir.'

in

Paris

stimulate

and

five

this

at

transpiringwhich

were

interest

last

Perpignan

of science

state

of

intending

shall

at

stop

be

am

repeating circle

events

many

autumn,

observations.

the

hasty glance at

the

invitation

myself for this purpose

Even

in

Perpignan,

the

will

sixty is

course

completed

southern

of Delambre's

myself

have

time

and

his son,

his assistants for

with

the

Marseilles

from

embark

In the

where

and
triangles,

six

that

by

of

age

in which

voyage,

daring

Prony

...

will leave

will

M";hain

where

the

at

him.

to accompany

fortnight,Delambre

or

second

with

met

we

traveller,who

eagerlycontemplating a

youth

less beautiful

been

not

Lieursaint

At

days.

the
Bougainville,
still

HUMBOLDT.

VON

the

were

zeal

of

Humboldt.

Notwithstanding
and

noted

violent

overthrow

of the

bloody scenes

the

Academy

the

and

members,

Bochart

Gondorcet

popular fury, notwithstanding the

was

close of the

at the

yet

Lalande,

sciences.

1798, remarks:

writing to
love

'The

"

has

mathematical

this science

may

Lagrange,

or

heroes
the

influence upon
than

training.

they
Our

accomplish
knowledge.
*

'

like

mind
could

in

our

de

enables

objectin

the

attends

with

this

Bonaparte

study
Laplace and

is

them

to

yet

left

an

accomplish
without

good, and

diffusion

of

the

all who

achieved

ai'e

exact

daily on

like

there

the

result

though

Bonaparte,

schools

is

campaigns.

geometricians

the

January 26,

on

The

army.

to the

savans,' Paris

mathematics

last

foucauld,
Roche-

expression of

Zach

possibly have

Bonaparte

of its most

some

metropolis of

Von

in the

which

mathematical

their main

the

head, and

become

not

of

but

us

besoin

the

even

fell victims

sardonic

pas

century

unmistakably apparent

himself

more

in

only with

increase, not
was

n'avons

'Nous

judge,

lives of

ciple
prin-

Saron, Lavoisier, La

von

Malesherbes, Bailly,and

frantic

moral

reign of terror, when

powerlessto protect the

was

of every

this

successfully

of mathematical

great regularitythe

AUgemeine geogiaphiBoheEphemeriden/ vol.

L p. 346.

sit-

THWAETED

of

tings

National

the

'Bonaparte,'
his

me

which

the

sugfgested
of

and

instruments
Marseilles

about

writes
in

of

has

is

this

in the

the

of

Opera House,

Library.

is

and

midst

that

there

Montucla,

'

and

the

of

the

author

Delambre,

science

and

Haiiy
beliard,

at

'

Theory

of

Paris

in

Carolina

laboured

in

of these

branches.

precession of

and

earth

had

light
'

'

had

should

been

been

'

'

the

bom

Schiller

with

and

while

in

Ber-

Fourier,

Wiirtemberg,

gists
mineraloMont-

at

in
at

the

same

the Aca-

In theoretic
of the

astronomy,

more

discovered

and

elucidated

Allgemeine geographischeEphemeriden/

Ibid. vol. i. p. 862 ; also p. 227.

the

determined

line ; nutation
and

to the

theory of

voL

in

the

been

of

cause

; the

we

epoch

planetshad

ascertained

accurately

meridian

the

the

Clairaut;
been

at this

made

perturbationsof
and

testimony

proof be needed,

further

giant strides

equinoxes had

of the

measurement

the

D'Alembert

the

'

Astronomy

is of itself

names

; but

but to pass in review

by

Ana-

'

Stuttgart.

of science

motion

the

the

of

Mathematics

Guvier, who,
to

remarkable

Borda, Monge,

fellow-student

was

record

mere

established

of

the

at

Analytical Functions

of

History

belonging

time

Humboldt,

its various

the

applause

mathematicians

of

History

Brongniard, and

that

advancement

moon's

resting
inte-

very

universal

de St.-Hilaire,Larrey, Lalande,
thollet, Geofifroy

have

at

demeanour

powerful writer

The

Thulis

enjoy this pleasure

; among

and
'

of the

compiler

fields of

deniia

new

Burckhardt

imaffected

gathered

was

amiable

the

l3^ical Mechanics

as

some

something

of the

I also

sisting
library,con-

accomplished.'

distinguishedmen

great Lagrange,

year

influence

salarybe granted to

I often

greeted.

period

assemblage

other

of the

admirable

'There

"

his

use

Institute.'

National
At

he

to

recommended

modest

witnessing the

which

him

removal

been

this time:*

preserved by Bonaparte
with

Paulmy's

increase

member.'

a
*

the

and

all of which

"

of

is

April 20, 1798,* always calls

pupil of D'Agelet,who again

begged

volumes,
an

he

dangerously near

purchase

100,000

is

obtain

fire is

of

case

he

I have

mine.

Directory to

in

also

further, on

grandpapa, because

the

with

which

Institute, of

writes

pupil of

was

he

233

PLANS.

the

figureof

through

the

the aberration

by Bradley ;
i. p. 679.

234

ALEXANDER

DoUond

'

had

brought

to

while

Laplace

had

celeste.'

Mecanique

kept pace
had

the

with

received

of

and

from

worthy

brilliant

The

June

22

mode

various

follows

; I feel

'
"

less eager

important

institutinga

'

'

In

Le

the

Cuvier

had

With

science

introduced

tigations.
inves-

proved

Lavoisier

of

chemistiy.
tific
scien-

more

into

every

to

Pictet'

partment
de-

know

my

of

I have

about

tastes

and

science,I

work

given

love

my

with

the

to

on

of my

Paris,nor

lectures

some

just claim

have

wrote

of occupation.
in

Vauquelin

at the

National

reception that

has

was

he

to

has

service

variety

laid before

galvanism ;

upon
to

of

others

give help to

our

the National
Humboldt

Yon

commissioners,

experiments,

and

laboois.

in their

who

have

Institute
has
have
done

dered
ren-

been
much

work.'

Globe/
a

and

manifold

a
investigation,

tell you

not

midst

paper

essential

valuable

elec^

magnetism,

object of

Humboldt

I do

Halle,' writes Lalande,^

an

of

me.'*

accorded

Not

of every

improvement

to the

been

had

application of

science.

laboratory,and

been

of

physicalscience

Buffon.

opened

had

of motion

searching scrutiny of

the

and

process

; you

I live in the

Institute

the

joyous excitement,

as

and

phenomena

became

been

exact

more

of life here

his

the

invention

of treatment,

of

from

Linnseus

had

of natural
Full

while

scope,
tele-

admirable

his

laws

the

astronomy,

underwent

to

career

short,a

and

botany and zoologyJussieu

successors

method

the

galvanism
In

In

of

world

the

to

Mechanics

careful observers, and

most

given

astronomical

the

perfection

advance

apparatus.

and
tricity,

HUMBOLDT.

surprising impetus

mathematics
kind

VON

letter

Delambre,

dated

Lima,

November

25, 1802, Humboldt

plainsof the Apure, in the dense forests oi the

and tbe names
of
Orinoco,everywhere has your name
been
and
in reviewing the
associates
various
present before me;
your
of
I
with
the
often
reooUseat
pleasure
wandering life,
linger
my
passages
tion of years VI. and Vll.,which
I spent in the midst
of you all,
I
when
loaded
kindness
with
much
was
so
by Laplace, Fourcroy, Vauquelin,
Hall^, LiJande,Prony, and espeGuyton, Chaptal,Jussieu, Desfontaines,
cially
kind
and
by you, my
Mend, in the plainsof LieunainL*
generous

writes

'

"

In

vol. vii. p. 155.

to

and
Cassiquiari

(*Annales
*

'

du

the

desert

of the

Mus.

d'Hist

nat,

an

XII.'

vol. iL p.

Allgemeine geographischeEphemeriden,*voL

170.)
iL p. 172.

THWAKTBD

The
nitrous

and

gas

atmosphere
he had

delivered
the

they

made

at

disprove

to

lectured

of
possibility

lectures

the

also

criticism

with

gas

which

labours

fiiend

Gay-Lussac.'

that

from

It

that

In

of his

one

of

speaks

his

at Paris

The

in

round

the

urged
with

which

Paris

he had

the

accompany

magnetic

South

journeyto Egypt.
project,when

it

his

on

in

was

'his

intimate

from

America

chemist,

labours.'

These

published

and

subject:
"

have

never

alternate

the

been

of

him,

and

I became
all at

once

ventured

as

just

was

prove

absorbed

in

Allgemeine geographischeEphemeriden/
Gedachttiissrede

auf Alexander

Werke/

received

was

to

anticipate.

tod

then
that

He

occupied
an

dition
expe-

plans

for this extensive

arrived

than

at the

heroic

ii. p. 176.

Humboldt/
*

Pole.

useful

voL

vol. iii,p. 16 ;

me

voyage

more

Directory

'

Sammtliche

to

and

hopes

the South

reaching

might
the

*I

thus

projecting another

hope

Pole

Humboldt

Willdenow,

Arago's

severe

some

were
subjects,

these

was

yoimg

joint

the

it occurred
investigations,

the

to

to

Bougainville was

to

by

that

at

that

asserts

with

kindred

on

I could

manner

world, with

me

to

his return

their

letters

reception at

venerable

It

ration
satu-

in 1799.*

latest

to
disappointments

which

assisted

acquaintance

volume

separate

he

was

with sundry others

treatises,
in

when

first dated

time

the

concerning

occasion

only upon

was

made

subsequently adduced

Gay-Lussac, then just entering

Humboldt

the

observations

confidence.

gave

is in error*

these

and

of

the

statements

"

of

nature

analysis of

upon

were

with

afterwards

Ehrenberg

Humboldt

oxygen

the

on

exact

more

founded

received

part

were

of Lavoisier

statements

the

on

career.

that

works

everywhere

were

Humboldt

Salzburg,and they

of nitrous
time

by

were

235

PLAKS.

p. 18.

Gedachtniflsrede

auf

Gay-

Lussac.'
und
iiber
Zerlegung des Luftkreises
einigeandeie Gegenstande der Naturlehre.' Brunswick, 1799. The treatiseB
'
On the Disengagement of Heat
regarded as a GeognosticPhenomenon/
and
and
of Chlorine
On
the Influence
Oxygenated Muriatic Acid on the
Qermination
of Plants^ togetherwith
a
Descriptionof the Phenomena,'
considerable
attention.
excited
that
time
at
During his absence from
some
on
some
purelyscientific,
Burope,a collection of his treatises,
tical
pracunterirdischen
GasUeber
the
die
under
title,
published
mining, was
Termindem, "c.' (Brunswick,1790),
zu
arten und die Mittel ihren Nachtheil
*

^Versuche

iiber

die

chemische

'

to

which

prefacewas

affixed by William

yon

Humboldt*

236

ALEXANDER

determination

of

superseding the

by appointing Captain
I had

"

Vulcain,"

the

from

all matters

in

and

of

undertaking

my

remained

I declined

useful

work.^

The

acceded
of

to the

his son,

become

How

of

youth
well

were

of

prime

close intercourse
and

Patagonia, the
fourth

in

Madagascar,

What
these

hopes

been

the

apprehension of

the

reasons.

is well

who

spring of

action
the

Humboldt

Captain Baudia,
Vienna

the

on

botanist

Van

undertake

with

portionof

the

meet

with

indeed
who

occasion

der

Schott

his

own

globe,he

success.

in

the

of
to
means

of

the

should
Our

sea.

attainments,

first

meeting!
years in

Paraguay

fifth

Southern

the
the

on

and

Ocean,
of

coast

Africa,

fortnight all
grief that in one
I
A paltry 300,000 fi'ancs and
declaration

of

with

so

and

to

de

much

other

every

As, however, he
a'voyage,

the

convey

could

resolved to risk his fortunes with

In

interest,we

personal character
to

be

Neuf-

all in vain.

were

given
his being commissioned
extensive

said

Fran9oi8

me,

excited

are

war

great dissatiiffaction at

so

charge

Peru, Chili, Mexico,

be set in motion,

Brazil.

already

take

first year in

the

little confidencf) in the

had

I had

our

navigating

expedition had

had

despised

anxious

was

on

disposed towards

that could

of

mination
deter-

my

to live for several

spend

and

speedy

the

great physicalexertion.

other

year

shattered
a

of

then

to

in

men

idea

have

I would

dangers

personal influence

My

chateau,

and

intolerable

an

have

Paris, where

year

but

of considerable

at each

were

posal.
dis-

my

the

to

for sea, and

he

the

capable

second

third

California,the
the

We

instruments

preparations for

should

ready

chosen, men

Strangerstill that moment,

expedition.

opportunity for accomplishing

an

to

looked

the

of scientific

opposed

were

fifteen,whom

life,and

earnestly we

the

Bougainvillethat

accustomed

early

the

in

of

board

placed at

selection

and

ships were

request

companions

such

an

the

years'duration;

unshaken,

had

myself

of five

voyage

all

were

tion.
expedi-

I received

the necessary

vrith

friends

my

the

on

forming

the

in

connected

expedition. Many

embark

to

corvettes

asked

was

before

of this decision

collections,which

advice

My

of

command

equip myself with

to

national

the

to

three

of the

one

septuagenarianBougainville

Grovemment

the

empowered

was

Baudln

scarcelyheard
from

invitation

HUMBOLDT.

VON

court

the

of
of

young

hope to
and see
so
largea
him^ and hoped to
never

238

ALEXANDER

reached

October

on

travellers

of

it

restricted

was
'

Your

Prussian

to the

Excellency
the

from

memory

arrived,but

"

of such

list he

had

well

collection

in the

as

which

made

they

of

the

received, and

in this labour

Observatory,M. Thulis, formerly a

withstanding
November
lasted

which

10,
three

prisoners, did

time

iras

of the
he

of sea-weed,
and

mussels,

undertook

various

withstanding
observations, not-

of

the

by

merchant

excursion

an

The

days.

not

impress

had

instruments
the

director

at

Cairo, who

Arsenal, the collection

and

the

of the
not^

aSable

very

La

'

Hardie

keenly
which

excited

magnificent

the

guns,
the

by

made

note-book,

'

She

to

is

astir,and

all hands

swelled

with

around

me,

apartment,

joyous
but
the

when

on

deck
as

descended

See

visited

set

the
was

inner

line
most

vessel in

the

sail,'he remarks

in his

to

Marseilles,

The

whole

ship was

the

sails.

the

voyage

Appendix.

all

expedition round

witnessed
to

the

of

travellers
as

5,000

Crarden, the

ship

Boudeuse,'

working

of Baudin's

thought

of the

his celebrated

emotion
I

to the

in five hours.

to reach
were

Botanic

fleet of merchant-men

convoy

they hope

La

preparing to

now

its

great harbour,

next

interest

frigate

with

agreeably; they

of models, the

Bougainvillehad

world.

which

of 74

undertaken,

was

thronged

town,

roadsteads, where,

outer

Toulon

to

them

objects of interest, the

the

the

yet

plants to

was
unpleasing peculiarities

many

to

obliging.

On

'

of the

of crabs

assisted

were

to

not

heat

extreme

also

injury some

serious

entitled

were

several varieties

they

of Prenzlao,

intervening

astronomical

magnetic, meteorological,and

and

The

specimens

drawings

routine

frigatehad

collection

extensive

an

which

committed
faithfully

Swedish

along the coast, especiallyof

found

as

persons

hourly expected.

was

official

Sauvages

most

The

calendar.

weather, in making

of

consul, Herr

names

'

of

the

in

business, in

the travellers,notwithstandingthe

spent by

as

troublesome

the

27th.

the

occupied

was

only knowledge

the

Rhone,

of

evening

following morning

that

the

possessedby

the

on

passports,'a

evident

was

at Marseilles

the

of

examination

the

24, whence, proceeding down

arrived

whole

The

HUMBOLDT.

VON

the

My

heart

preparations

cabin,

spacious

completely

over-

THWAKTED

came

me.

the
could

bright vision.

almost

have

prospects.*
'where

trees,'Humboldt

November

on

Here
27

till the

detained

end

all these

direct

beset

to

; and

there

week,

strewed
of

the

Thus
or

French

the

shore

shipwrecked
the

to

pass,

all

hope

the

that

for

caravan

was

of

the

polluted by

vanished

to

of either

loss of

Humboldt,

Bagusa
of

grant

were

us

Agele

the

with

at the

Algiers had
of

ments
fragtime

same

interdicted

Egypt, through

presence

ports
pass-

harbour

lastingnearly a

Almost

as

to

seilles,
Mar-

which

quitted the

and

Mecca,

'Jaramus'
the

troubles

bark

vessels.

Dey

the

authorities

of the

Cette

tunity
oppor-

long-expected

from

tempest, which,

between

an

writes

vessel

municipal

Bagusan

the

for

that

daunted,'
hired

October

from

of the

quest

Barbary, refused

in

fearftil

arose

arrived

which

Christians.

the

reaching Egypt by

the

Levant

the

of

joining the French

expeditionby the land route to Cairo.'
of the spring,January, February,
Were, then, the best months
and

among

March,

to be

spent

the mask,

revealed

and

be

in

to

proceed

to

springfor Smyrna.
December

15, gave

Spanishbills

Corsica

of

The

only

Spain,
In

immoral

and

and

pursuance

commission

exchange

to

feasible

EUenberg,

to

the
a

feeling and

rich

they

as

seemed

arrangement

of this

aside

facilities for any

no

thence

for

consuls,

thrown

in

Sardinia,

treasures, offered

botanical

comprehensive plan.
be

of which, whether

both

tone

waiting at Marseilles,

of science, had

men

even

politically
dangerous?
might

in weary

societythe leading members

ofiBcials,
diplomatists,
or

to

Marseilles

to

Portugal,with

apparently warned

the

departure of
it had

of

coast

The

Tunis.

to

many

news

the

on

kept ready packed,

was

arrived

news

'Nothing

scarcelyhad

when

in

disappointments,I

however,
soon

off the

board.

on

us

Hydros,

hundreds

in vain

Everything

the

length

wrecked

everyone

take

of the

months,

watching

dailysearched

was

At

been

by

; I

me

shattered

my

returned

whole

for two

Africa.

sailingto

*Jaramu8.'

'

islands

Bonpland

of December,

and the horizon

had

of

hanging by

were

and

to seek

thought
the

plating
contem-

13.

they were
of

as

visit to

golden apples

window,

length they came

tears

short

the

in

minutes

At

shed

After

the

dwarf

full ten

for

lay

239

PLANS.

embark

in

the

plan, Humboldt,
purchase

merchant

of

with

some

whom

on

240

ALEXANDER

Fould

of Paris

afternoon
had

had

of the

advance

him

he

day

same

the

HUMBOLDT,

placed 40,000

received

been

VON

from

days previously not to

that it had only been
from
earlier

feeling of delicacy that he had not been

acquainted with this unpleasant information.
a

This, however,

journey
Humboldt

spent
of

and

in

allowed

not

was

Spain,and

to

Bonpland

plants,determining

abundant
latitude

the

of

made

245.)

p.

with

the

jected
pro-

December,
the

During

they arrived

where

found

February, they

the end

towards

(See

interfere

to

left Marseilles.

reaching Madrid,

in the

1798,

aix weeks

beg^inning

in

coUectiiig
occupation
and
longitudeof places, and
making various observations

height above the sea, besides

connected
with meteorology, geology,and

their

makes

boldt
and

slightallusion

but

whence

My journey

'

Willdenow

hither

by

way

of the

Perpignan,

passed

vrith John

Barcelona
lived at

mercantile
pea

the

Canigou

was

Valencia

feet

in

house

the

cacti

and

Hamburg,

the

of

La

who

is

now

In

Spain.

the

blossom, while

in

itself

reared

country

is like

the

present the

trees.

Valencia

In

the mouth

in extent
numerous

heaths

of

covered

in

velled
tra-

proceeded

Ghaptal,
with

and

whom

in

In

us.

and

in
had

extensive

an

the

Pyrenees
of

sununit

Catalonia

and

of

of

in

over

monastery.

forest of locust

orange
the

every

or

carob

The
trees

trees,the tops of which

of

manner

some

of

our

pear

be

bought for a peseta.

may
the Ebro, near
Balaguer,is a plainfortymiles
with dwarf palms (CT^mo^opd),pistachios,and

varieties
were

to

Montpellier

snow-capped

succession

{GeratoniasUiqud),olives,and
heads

writes

gardens enclosed by
aloes; date-palms forty and
fifly
a

appearance

separate into several

valleysof

above

just

taken.

are

Pyrenees,
In

partner

detail,

'and

; thence

Mancha.

(torch thistles)and
high, laden with fruit,tower

fields

At

Murcia

through Cette,

the

over

agreeable days with

Grill,an Englishman

most

some

and

table-land

high

the

across

Mediterranean

of the

cocwt

works

of

foot,'he

on

April 20, 1799,

on

to Valencia

Catalonia

letters,full

his

chieflymade

was

Montpellier, Narbonne,
across

this
to

Hmn-

magnetism.
journey in his

biographicalinterest

of

Aranjuez,

from

to

value

gives an increased
the followingextracts

this

the

ten

and

sum,

In

tliat instructions

informed

was

Foiild

smallest

to his credit.

francs

eight oranges

of the Erica,

blossom,

and

rose

even

cistus,and hollyrose*
in

the

wildest

The

regions we

THWABTED

the

gathered

jonquil and

the

{Phoenix dactylifera)
grows
of

Cambrils,
so

barrier.

As

decoration

of the

the

of

that

the

lies

is

foliage.

or

The

the

mountain

and

which
you

creatures

can

and

fields

over

in the

crops
and

with

rounded

of

year

once

the

coast

Catalonia

the

Holland.

In

weaving

never

or

country

no
ship-building,

greater perfectionthan

in

Castellon

is
of

de

la Plana

perfect desert.

a
a

2,000
VOL.

chain
to
I.

the

date-palms.
yourselves

of

the
with

of

towers

While
I

warm,

groves

canals,yield five
peas,

vegetation,and
beauty, one

discomforts
bread.

siu:-

willingly

of the

Even

inns,

close

of

The

moxmtains

3,000 feet above

one

culture
the

to be

seems

of land

yet sixty miles

interior
which
the

sea

is in

idle.
been

inland

when

all else

in
on,

brought

to

Valencia
the

reality the

remained

In

Nowhere

between

district

to

cultivated.

as
industry of the people is as remarkable
village some
occupation is going
eveiy

the

and

view

extensive

everywhere highly

Europe, perhaps,has

in

and
met

is

ancient

tre,
amphithea-

an

thousand

remarkable

where

of

fragrant orange

among

luxuriance

of such

Tarragona,

at

remains

of

stood

namely, rice,wheat, hemp,

"

travel

the

ruins

Valencia,

trees,

seen

over.

enormous

forest

all

of

carobs,

thermometer

the

the

and

brow

such

race

have

the

scarcelykeep

of
forgetsthe fiitigues
we

cap,

of Valencia

before

never

Diana,

which, irrigatedby

Amid

by

encase

for luxuriance

almost

were

nor

of

from

heated

course

cotton.

had

one

flowers

CuUera,

rise

walking

am

the town

Hercules, commanding

to

seen

poor

to

the

of conical

sort

Europe

Januaiy

temple

Cape

sea.

as

Murviedro,

of

of

descriptionof

no

its

tower

are

in

for

palms, pomegranates,

if

of

The

near

with

the

over

request

in Valencia

in which

these

feel

one

attempt

Sa^entum

impenetrable

an

in

much

neighbourhood
frequently

are

present

common

part

any

sight of

at 72".

shall

basin

In the middle

shade

in the

The

makes

mallows

to

as

date-palm

in
8iu7"as6ed

vegetation.
and

of the

blanched.

not

thirtystems

or

churches, it is

the

Spanish feather-grass{Stipa tenadasima), so

leaves,being exclude^ from the light,should

young

out

coxae

twenty

palm

common

luxuriantlyin

so

palm-leaves are

shoots

young

made

white

The

narcissus.

thickly together

grouped

the

that

241

PLANS.

country
summit

standing from
was
engulphed

242

ALEXANDER

Mediterranean.

in the

existence, but
and

of
sterility

the

cold, and

the

intend

instead

of

do,

to

friend,I

I have
JVIarseilles,

which

year

do

not

letter to Von

embracing
In

Longitude
Borda's

plan

similar

lent

to

reached

the

for

Humboldt

had

goes

the

months

eight
the

the

to

on

which
been

instruments,

two

the

been

circumstances

have

to have

from
He

the

then

ocean.'

Floreal,

detail,though

subjects.'
that

the

of the

Lenoir

by

possession of Nouet, who,

to

remark,

that

had

but

within

for the

Straits

of

for

his

prevented

constants

the

the
the

space

to

Nismes,

Montpellier, Marseilles, Perpignan, Gironne,

'

"

series of

details

results obtained

other

places;

meteorologicalobservations

with

AllgemeinegeographischeEphemeriden,*vol.

of

of
length

whole

of observation, and

and

fortunate
un-

results of

methods

Cambrils, Valencia, Madrid,

it

journeyto

Gibraltar

proceeds to give
magnetic

tion.
Bonaparte's expedi-

attached

of Suez.

on

that

needle, and

Isthmus

appends

of

Board

Paris

constructed

ascertained

the

own

my

23rd

by comparing
possible,

magnetic

Mediterranean,

dated

only

and

you,

less full of

not

compass

in

for

side of the

other

class of

amid

ever
Wher-

me.

begin collectingfor

registeringthe dip

remembered,

Africa, it would

vividly before

mentions

was

I left

since

wanderings, whether

Madrid,

from

him

line

collections

intend

Humboldt

instrument

will be

made

different

very

had

been

12, 1799), is

letter

this

you

hook

you

sea-shore,scarcelya day has

not

Zach,

(May

VII.

am

the

I have

till I have

herbarium
A

; for

for you

sent

sending

occupied on your behalf

just now
despatchingyou a
when
through,
you look them

along

have

you

been

have

be

in all
my

that

plains,or

over

passed in

which
descriptions,

write

less been

plants,and

convinced

will be

woods,

in the open

growing

seen

then

not

the

not

containing 400

you

have

gratification.I

for your

box

the climate

severity of

be

to

should

as

her

owes

letter.

If, dearest

and

rarelyto

beginning

am

"

never

'

But

air.

the

are

oranges

the

Spain

everywhere excepting alongthe

olive trees are
often injiured
by

soil

the

land

elevated

also is due

Madrid

Near

line.

coast

this

To

this

to

HUMBOLDT.

VON

the

of various
at PariSj

he

lona,
Barce-

further

determine

iv. p. 146.

243

PLANS.

THWARTED

ions of latitude and

longitude,
heightabove the sea level,"c.,
both in France and Spain.
"f various localities,
The letter then continues :
Although the country througli
oflFersnothing very favourable
for asvhich I am
tronomical
travelling
geography,yet I avail myselfof every opportunity
:hat presentsitself for takingobservations of the sun
and stars
)f the first magnitude. In the kingdom of Valencia I suffered
jreatlyfrom the hooting of the rabble, as at that time I
'

"

obtained

fciadnot

I have

labours.

such

while

meridian
sometimes

but

19th

Nivose
*

Barcelona

sorry

had

Mechain

18) to the

the

from

Pluviose

6th

allude

here
We
may
material assistance
not

been

observed.

to

house

in

him

as

of

From

had

commissioned

Kunth

letter of credit upon

and not through
direct,

be transmitted
Paris

shaken

banker,because

by
mentioned,had

caused

the

stantial
subthird

credit of the

publicfunds

him

from
a

"

position

nience
considerable inconve-

Kunth

at Marseilles.

upon

from

(January
occupied in an

a
earlyas possible

the state of the

Berlin house

Well

at

which, though it proved of

of his joumej; has yet
prosecution

in the

Paris houses

been

the

Nivose

was

not through any

house,especitdly

had

Golden

the

On

observations

some

the 29th

Humboldt

Madrid, to

of affairs which, as before

night,and
magnitude, which
of the

circumstance

Ilumholdt

generallyknown.

Barcelona to send

I took

(January 25)

to

pass the
I have

sun

instruments.

second

terrace

same

prosecute

artificial horizon.

figure in my
(January 8, 1799)

to

the

see

till the middle

of the

star

Government

grieved to
unpack my

daringto
obligedto wait

been

made

often

not

myself with

content

which

permission from

the

attemptedto get the business transacted by a

of certain Prussian official
documents
and
production

security. But
every satisfactory

instead

that the transaction

of the

letter of

came
credit,

the

could not be

of
completedtillthe validity
On
this
been
the security
had
the
house
of
known,
proved.
becoming
UendelsBohn and Friedlander immediatelyundertook,without any pledge
to
whatever,to remit any sum required
by Ilerr vou Humboldt
security
of Simon
of the first
e Marquis dlranda, of the firm
one
d'Arragora,
The marquis,who
in Madrid.
was
uses
past seventy, had personally
but he loaded Humboldt
with proofs
of kindness
tired from the business,
financial
d goodwill,
ordered the
arrangementsof his journeyin the kindt and most disinterested manner, without
demanding the slightest
security,
his bills of exchange. Humboldt
honoured
d afterwards
from
wrote
'The
1799:
of
is
the
adrid on
d'Imnda
most
one
Marquis
April 4,
ftnnoimcement

"

men
istinguished
0

everythingfor
193.)

in

Europe.

me.*

He

treats

(Blester,Neue
*

me

as

his son, and

Berliner

does

and

will

vol.
Mouatsscbrift,'

vi.

244

ALEXANDER

excursion

Monserrat'

to

the

the

1 60

to

the

in

the

as

ocean;

varied

from

aboat
I

that

was

we

of from

space

value

great

established

of that

day

series of observations

that

Duke

to the

of Infantado,

the

tants,
inhabiof tvo

amount

Madrid,

at

the

on

upon

as
even

commenced

was

the

points

journeyed

mention

may

120

completing

in

traveller

wild

the

in

Valencia, containing 80,000

as

the

cabins

and

over

journey from

the

during

ventas

the

best maps

in the

palace of

the

which

town

This

minutes.

At

by

other

places became

example,

an

such

positionof

of

These

Spain.

plains over

vast

Colbaton-

each

to

made

at isolated

miles, proved

of

and

some

only from

streets,surrounded

open

district,extending

square

make

to

Sirius,not

Mattorel

kept shouting

to Valencia

geography

and

moon,

observations

uninhabited

and

able

was

moon.'

the

astronomical

Barcelona

from

in

thirty spectators,who
The

the

also

I observed

worshipping

where

sun,

but

convent

Mattorel

the

of

observations

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Ventose

14th

(March 4).
concliision

The

followingwords
receive

there

is other

part

*
"

work

work

the

measurements,

is to say, from

the

of

the

the

shores
was

at

as

geographers
An

incident

liis rosary,

Ly

had

Humboldt

occurred

courageouslyrescued
in

letter to

his

description of Monserrat.
Werke/ vol. iii.p. 209.)
his

of

on

indeed

been

feet

of

brother,by
(Wilhelm

whom
von

poor

vations
obser-

metric
baro-

tician
mathemathe

sea,

but

connection

who, by

muleteer, is

it has

of

early

as

the

of the

Humboldt's

to

height

and

hermit

that

plateau

The

above

knowledge

upon

traveller

Monserrat, of
mule

these

estimated

based

1,903
no

from

Valencia

extended

an

Spain.

be

the

at

central

celebrated

time

direction

Through

calculations

to

barometric

Spanish Peninsula,

existence

had

of the

at that

that

that

attention.'

my

the

present.

in mind

bear

Mediterranean

in

from

Jorge Juan,

in

in Galicia.
the

at

you

obtaining,by

whole

the

of the

Atlantic

by Lalande,
Don

of

coast

in

elevation

elevation

observations

sectional

Humboldt,

Madrid,' says
1776

consisted

first revealed

considerable

send

can

astronomy demanding

to. north-west

south-^ast

is in the

Zach

letter to Von

indulgence,and

besides

of this

long

is all that

This

this little with

Pray
A

of this very

been

dint

of

described

inserted in
'

Gesammelte

246

ALEXANDER

tills minister

with
Never

all the

was

him

before

has

traveller,and

any

by

marks

such

Madrid

no

before

never

of confidence

itself aflforded

many

Hanke
of

accompanied

botanist, and

that

had

that

at

been

time

Flora

'

of

travellers,in the

the

interest

Mexican

delay

so

their

Old

captain of
embark

to

tail,which
a

fortunate

long
the

reception
^

and

were

to take

the

port, Don

though
vessel.

No
his

Prussian

trace

and
on

can

Lugo,

passage

not

He

in

the

court

year

Still

May.

took

they

boat

next

the

of

their

for Cuba.

board, and
discovered

for

of any

the

once

of

The
them

ship that

to

was

of

being
stay sufficiently

to visit Orotava
at

tinuing
con-

Corunna,

reputation

enjoined the captain to

preparationswere

had

Galicia, by. way

mail

fast sailer had

to

scarcely even

harbour

Pizarro,'the

for the travellers

be

the

to

impatient

too

wishes.'
of

and

the

Cervantes,

Raphael Clavijo,recommended

corvette

in the

at TenerifFe

Peak,

middle

Castile,Leon,

Villalpando,Astorga, and
they

'

past

hypsometric measurements,

journey through
where

of all my

of

of Natural

could

greatest

some

permission granted by
that

tions.
collec-

longer Bojoum

the

the

to

the

and

Humboldt,

in the

editor

open

the Museum

instructive

final realisation

Casimir

learned

including

preservedin

difficulties

herbaiiimi

their valuable

longer. During

any

with

capacity

Don

all threw

"

America,

left Madrid

travellers

The

in the

the

by Sesse, Mocino,

the

many

in the

believe

Pavon

had

extensive

Pourret,

writes
felt,'

we

of

journey

our

encountered
now

'

who

Europe

to

ment
acquire-

of the Botanic

Nee,

the most

however

But

ourselves

avail

from

been

had

been,

have

might

and

discovered

Madrid.

History at
to

products

of which

drawings

to

honoured

the

Bonpland inspectedwith

and

plants

Willdenow

obliging manner,

most

Humboldt

opportimitiesfor

Abbe

Peru,' Ruiz

granted

Government.'

Spanish

brought

the

Ortega, Proust, Hergen,

of the

the

with

character.'

foreignerbeen

expeditionof Malaspina

the

returned

had

been

Cavanilles, Director

correspondentof

has

ships
relation-

my

personal

unlimited

from

of useful information.

Gardens,

of

means

permission so

since

magnanimous

more

by

were

HXHiCBOLDT.

VON

and

commenced

safe

conveyance

expression

of interest

undertakingson the part of the chamberlain, Count

Envoy Extraordinaryat the Court of Madrid.

in

ascend

for

their

of

their

Humboldt

Ton

Rhodei

THWARTED

instruments.

numerous

horizon
winds

and

The

Ten

covered

was

the

mist,

penned

were

friends

Von

Moll

To

In

few

shall

hours
make

to

make

be

Willdenow

sailing

collections

of

instruments

analysis
main

I have
of

the

and

harmony

influence

plants

to

me

of

eve

once

more,

the

among

by

forces

five

In
sail

we

Trinidad

with
in

and

children

the

two

letters
Cuba.
and

'

Man

bear
must

you

ever

to

we

in

directed
to

nature,

creation

marking
re-

the

upon

Humboldt.'

A.

CoronDa

recall

my

Caracas,

meet

to

and

allow

to

else
health

La

to

your
to

membrance.
re-

whence

thence

whoever
in

1 799.

your

Canaries,

greetings

again

5,

Pizarro,'

regards

kind
and

myself
the

at

June

frigate

aflFectionate

and

may

the

be
of

Hermbstedt,

hope
ever

in

coast

my

Hermes,

Klaproths,
me.

I shall

Give

be

ever

shall

we

the

to

the

Willdenow.

friend,

days

form

not

of

inanimate

departure
dear

my

chemical

does

will

attention

kingdoms.

my

I shall

excellent

the

institute

this

the

Finistene.

fossils,and
with

1709.

5,

My

To

On

June

"

Cape

and

all

But
.

exerted

vegetable

Corunna

round

I intend

observations

me.

journey.

my

the

the
animal

with

atmosphere.

of

object
observing

to

astronomical

some

farewell

as

MoU.

....

hope

4, the

favourable

Humboldt

by

and

Von

shall

we

of

presage

June

on

departure.

letters

his

to

afterwards,

days

thick

for

signal

following

greetings

by

247

PLANS.

wife

Zollner,
member
re-

may
and

peace.

remembrance.

strive

after all that

ia

good

and

great

'

248

ALEXANDER

VON

HUMBOLDT.

RETROSPECT.

The

marked

most

native

either

genius has
of

two

characters

of eminent
elements

predominant

two

circumstances

fostered

which

impress

in the

outward

been

of these

action

to

the

and

genius

force

traced

be

always

may

features

From

repressed.

elements

is determined

great

will

man

^their

"

that

which

by

or

men

the

bined
com-

the

kind

produce

upon

and
his

century.
Alexander

life,aflFords
were

render

life attractive.

the

further

he
a

influenced

was

life

towards

organic and
which

into

the

the

whole,

unity

spread

the

The

ennoble

of

and

brilliant

ascribed

to the

is

nature

mutual

results he

which

his labours

to the method

assimilate

and
It

was

he

was

all former

these

superioritywhich

noble

much

so

the

out
throughregulating

discoveryof

of their

mathematical, analytic,or systematic,but

thought by

which

the

parts

bond
wov^

dependence observed throughout'

earlyachieved are not mainly to be

completenessof

observations,nor

were

investigation,

laws

maintained,

ment
attain-

by

not

of scientific

the

thropy.
philan-

still less

was

the

could

the

to

motive

his studies

led

all that

directed

pleasure.

nature, and

of

any

was

and

and

neither

or

he

of

investigation of

inorganic

The

his

than

powerful impulse earlyexperiencedand dominant

by

which

service

branch
particular

any

by

of mankind

the

to

pursuitof

in the

preferencefor

as

benefit

were

riches

at either

aimed

they

all that

comprised

acquisitionof honours,

the

nor
office,

endowments

higher value

energy

knowledge

endeavours

Humboldt's
of

of

extension

of his

force,the indefatigable
industry,

consecration

their

by

the

giftsto

these

devote

that

of yet

persevering,enthusiastic

the

them

But

moral

the

giftsappears

highestnatural

the

circumstances

to

of these

to

outward

in the first thirtyyears

even

in which

instance

an

united

could

and

Humboldt,

von

able

to

theories

with

in

rather

him

so

to the

all these

those

that

the accuracy

of

prosecution,whether

combine

endowments

developed

and

of his

own

inspiredthat

grasp of
methods
time.
sense

of

early a maturity,and

249

RETROSPECT.

enabled

him

with

the

close

be

said

the

in

calling

once

him

with

friendship

noblest

and
of

mind,

and

Alexander

poetic

enthusiasm.

Man

must

of

tellectual
in-

vation,
obser-

without

to

his

time

to

and

at

accompany

all

an

that

after

motto

all

less

capacity

for

the

exercise

around

is

that

and

to

bility
no-

true,

him,

an

courteous

motives.

inexhaustible

the

by

good

affability,

of

him

rendered

united
his

not

was

distinguished

unworthy

Humboldt

strive

drew

was

universal
all

in

service

every

heart,

Hence

and
he

he

possessed

enthusiasm,

sacrifice,

from

von

of

truth,

power,

He
to

industry

ever

mental

devotion

freedom

restless

work,

'

of

kindness

of

activity.

method

fellow-labourers

with

acknowledge

to

flood

new

newly-discovered
and

resembled

reciprocal

still

may

have

to

fountain

he

direction

any

no

genuine

pursue

even

best

to

manhood

every

excellence.

from

the

unalienable

to

gifted

moral

willingness

With

politics

path.

was

shrank

likened

everywhere

friends

amounting

he

manner,

in

art,

knowledge

in

any

his

he

as

endowed

which

equal

an

as

or

been

early

his

him

untrodden

the

Highly

for

upon

along

of

exciting

investigate

or

has

diffusing

and

impossible

was

science

universal

days

centre,

light,
It

in

men

of

streams

luminous

associate

to

life, Humboldt

of

forth

giving
more

student

life.

the

At

still

distinguished

most

social

or

when

an

for

capacity
ideal,

an

almost

"

is

good

and

great

'

IT.

y^EXANDER

HUMBOLDT

VON

IN

TRAVELS

AMERICA

BT

JULIUS

LOWENBERG.

AND

ASIA.

IT.

AIjEXANDER

HUMBOLDT

von

TRAVELS

IN

AMERICA

BT

JULIUS

LOWENBERG.

AND

ASIA.

IT.

AX.EXANDER

HUMBOLDT

VON

TRAVELS

IN

AMERICA

BT

JULIUS

LOWENBERG.

AlH)

ASIA.

IT.

AX.EXANDER

HUMBOLDT

VON

TRAVELS

IN

AMERICA

BT

JULIUS

LOWENBERG.

AND

ASIA.

260

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Truly a region as deeply interestingas

explorercould

any

desire

to visit.

Humboldt's

first

of the

letter,addressed

'

Puerto

'

'I

in

quite

am

length

African

on

bananas.

the

landed

at

Santa

Cruz

The

'

Morocco

of

coast

in ten

Grraciosa,and

by

days ;

the

to

was
man

young

Salcedo,

Francesco

board

on

attracted

who

I have

made
and

astronomy

of the

temperature
this

in

great

caught

near

the

ocean,

and

"c.

where

fished up from

depth

the

from

the

harbour

of

it

the

was

made

every

their

purity of

and

then

appearance,

anew

not

and,

air, the

read

the

by

Banks

kind

of

dagyza,
also

; we

plant,green
The

sea

was

Madeira

neared

we

the

southern

the

fucus.

in

splendidnights !

animal

rare

first discovered

As

the

magnificent ;

1 What

very

evening.

favoured

quite possibleto

was

of 50 fathoms

and

of these

nightswere

Centaur

that

larly
particu-

observations, especially

the

The

I felt

confiding manner

many

accompanied

some

throughout

us

day.
At Grraciosa

landed

we

to ascertain

and
frigatescruising oflF TeneriflFe,
we

none,

continued

sighting a

man

our

of

voyage,
How

war.

incomprehensible,for
six

we

Canary Islands, Don

inhabitants

vine-shaped leaves, but

phosphorescent
birds

it

agreeable;

moonlight,
of

specimen

spot

with

of June

in the

were

reached

we

us,

17 th

the

on
we

on

"

brilliant

the

We

'

chemistry

constellations.
Lupus

and

north-west, and

very

the

clear,tranquilatmosphere

sextant

the

at

and

palms

cocoa-nut

from

possessed the

livelyintelligence
peculiarto
in

19th

at TeneriflFe.

company

islands.

by

but few vessels to detain

meeting fortimatelywith

Teneriffe

of

finding myself

at

ecstacy
breeze

strong

"

20, 1799.

June

soil, surrounded
of

aid

By

of

state

foot of the Peak

the

Orotava,at

received

had

agreeableimpressionshe

dence
brother, gives evi-

his

to

an

hour

English frigatesappeared

occasion
reach

the

to

apprehend
West

Indies.

were

being

assured

English

any

there

were

fortunatelyarrivingwithout
we

contrived

after

harbour.

further

health

to

arrival

our

off the

anything
My

on

if there

is

from

do

so

no

fewer
We

them

is

even

quite
than

have

no

until

we

excellent, and

get

262

ALEXANDER

lie beds

which

upon
and

water

At

the

in the
of

name

stars,and

below.

as

beauty

desolation

with

of

climbed

We

the

from

veil

of

of

morning

The

cone.

rushed

wind

mist, isolated

and

obsidian

from

united

are

we

cloud
the

ship

upon

the

the

to the

edge

like

world

the

the

above

out

sudden
the

to

of the

noise

from

us

The

sea.

and' cloud

storm

this calm

; but

bright moonlight night

bright with

were

it stood

as

the

7,875

of

already on

rifts with

separated

cone

by

raged violentlyround

storm

through

known

were

heavens

spent

we

height

gentleradiance

The

up

crater

of stones

group

obliged to cling fast

were

while

thunder,

last

of the

at
Ingleses,"

in the

two

disturbed.

we

the

de los

shone

moon

The

crater.

At

the

be

to

summit,

the

be melted

to

conditions

two

in front

stream

Estancia

sea.

the

soon

was

the

air,among

open

towards

way

lava

La

"

the

feet above
our

appeared

streams

specimens where

foot of

the

night

the

lava

all the

escaping from

steam

{nece.

one
*

surface; I noticed

Fire

porphyry.

pumicenstone is evidentlyproduced

; I have

porphyry

obsidian

porphjrryand

the

Almost

The

basalt.

in

below

rage

point.

every

of

HTJ^TBOLDT.

VON

produced

change
darkness
veiy

pressive
im-

effect.

'Postscript. ^In the district of Orotava there

tree
{Dracoena draco) measuring forty-fivefeet

is

"

Four

girth

centuries

great

as

was

prospect

of

of

fatten

yet

am

pigs

here

upon

days

I should

scarcelyout
vines

of the

I could

these
fields,

years, these

thousand
the

the

it is now.*

as

these luxiuiant

see

in

leaving this place ;

settle here, and

but

ago,

and

of

weep

at the

quite happy
Could

to

you

laurel,th6 growth

these

roses!

The

roads

apricots.

CKianches,'the

Europe.

forests of

dragon

in circumference.

almost
be

They actually
are

lined with

camelias.
*

We

are

to

sail

on

the

26th

(June).'

inhabitants of the Canary Islands.]

aborigioal
This dragon-tree,
is fullydescribed by Humboldt
which
in the ' Aspeets
of Nature,'lost half the crown
The
during a hurricane in the year 1810.
lower
then supportedby masonry,
which
over
part of the hollow stem was
and
other
but
the
bignonias
creepingplants were
trained,
upper portion
became
broken
off in the storm of
by degrees so rotten that it was finally
January 2, 1868.
^

[The

name

of the

FEOM

Much

additional

therie

dated

after

Gumana,

already commenced

kindred

solution

in the

After

of

July

13, of the loftycoasts

16th

inst. the

ship

The

but

he

and

the

instead

of

vessel

was

South

America

run

Humboldt

making

for

the

and

anchored
wrote

to

The

into Teneriffe

run

with

to the

us

of

our

remaining
wonder-land

of

it

of the

fever
In

ship'scourse,

the

on

sickness,
sea-

thought

was

of

coast

the

face of the

day

America

the

Mexico,

north

of

coast

landed

he

worked

luxuriance

; we

^
"

enabled

we

on

continued
all the

We

intend

are

have

us

hard

observations.

Caracas, where

July 16, 17d9,

English, has

I have

voyage.

and
fertility

perous
pros-

board.

on

brother, which

dear

my

in the

months

some

of

at Cumana.

astronomical

especiallywith

way,

trulyin

all sides of

extraordinaryplants,electric eels,tigers,armadillos, apes,

us

parrots, besides

and
a

end

harbour
been

out
crew,

harbour

Cumana,' South

in the

the

on

contagious

of

sight,on

entirelyescaped

the

or

to his brother

good fortune,

same

Cuba

nearest

'

'

he

the

among

the

indeed

originaldirection

into

thus

in

broken

had

which

view

Trinidad, and

preserved from

sickness

change

to

only had

not

been

of this

consequence
advisable

had

character

typhoid

for

him,

to

one

and

other

in science.

in

came

had

throughout

voyage

the

grand problems

safelyanchored

was

Humboldt

perature,
currents, tem-

prosecuted with

Tobago

days

togetherwith

days Humboldt
of

that

the

upon
ocean,

of the

some

of nineteen

voyage

Cumana.

the

he

letter to Delaxne-

find

we

his researches

phosphorescenceof

in

(July 18, 1799),three

which

from

investigations,which

aiding

of

VII.

263

CABELLO.

PUERTO

is contained

Messidor,

at

and

TO

detail

30th

landing

bad

CORUNNA

very
*

handsome

Cumana,
is

one

numbers

and

of

genuine

Indians

"

half

wild

"

interestingrace.

on

account

of

the

of its

coolest

proximity to

and

most

the

Snowy

healthy places in

tains,
MounSouth

mostlywritten in the styleof a journal: the date

merely denotes when the letter was begun or finished.
^
was
early an important place
Cumana, first colonised in 1621
very
in the largechart of the Gulf
is
down
not
The
of trade.
however,
name,
Atlasi,
of Mexico
by Martin Snares ; it is also wanting in Arrowsmith's
Caracas
also
and
omitted.
which
La
in
in
are
Guayra
published 1804,
^

Humboldt's

letters

are

264

ALEXA2")ER

America, with
been

visited

climate

have

we

not

met

determination
the

in

the

to

Havana,

of

of

all

visitingCuba.
in

just

of this

old

An

it is

here, with
nice

very

the

help of
of two

services

here, but

of food
the

of

shape

buried

Quito
This

lies in

bay

foot of

rise in

the

form

the

Along

is

years

The

house
hired

have

obtained

and

nothing

is

lack

no

had

to be

in

is still half

town

are

made

children

washed

shell before

houses

the

up

them,

whom

that

to

of

Toulon,

thicklywooded
to

Saale

the

covered

entering one
employing as seats
the

serve

shore
the

the

live the

town

with

seven

all

have

de

go

the

naked;

leaves of

of

them,

the

stems

of coral that

they

purpose

(Rio

stand

nearlyall

men

On

on

the

cinchona

river

Jena,

at

is

of from

height

small

of the

and

mountains^

built of white

are

cane

of Cumana.

part

by plantations which

of bamboo

palm.

cocoa-nut

and

of

as

English gardens. Outside

of

huts

been

ture,
tempera-

There

considerable

banks

of

one

copper-colouredIndians, of

had

sphere
atmo-

many

We

cook.

amphitheatre

an

surrounded

appearance

mother

Uved

has

biscuit.

range

All the

8,000 feet.

monasteries

the

at this

is

spend

healthier

negress.

as

beautiful

as

of

Cumana), reminding

their

one

or

there

shall

twenty piastresa month,

flour,bread,

satin-wood.

and

who

unfortunatelythere

the

to

and

say

nities
opportu-

heat

We

and

to

Philippines,is keeping

the

negresses,

at

5,000

lack

the

days

ten

or

air.

open

navy,

destroyed,overthrew

was

situated

cooler

cruising

here,

not

October.

Caracas,

are

touch

our

ruins; for the great earthquake of 1797, by which

in

town

that

for

war

too, that

in

from

eight

shall

we

the

negroes

house

new

and

two

of

convoys

and

of the

commissary

of

even
quite possible,

nights in

at

of

animal

or

influenced

days'sail

two

voyage

the

in

one

charm

the

plant

mainly

hear

We

Paris, St. Domingo,

in

September

place;

sleepout

to

is

European

months, therefore,

these

been

private merchantmen,

at its worst

of

English ships
It

has

aspect (forsince yesterday

new

Cumana,

now

neighbourhood.
as

have
at

just

and

in

is still

comitiy

Besides

globe.

single specimen

to remain

news

nothing

with

that

by

'

nature

Europe), we

to

common

by

the

although it

; and

of the

interior

portionsof

surrounded

HUMBOLDT,

like that of Mexico

by Jacquin, the

of the least known

being

VON

had

of

each

found

the

cocoa-nut

plate,from

which

IltOM

they

eating fish.

were

go in and

to
so

well

out

the

TO

The

PUERTO

all open

plantationsare

in most

the

houses

here

doors

are

left

are

here

Indians

more

are

for everyone

inhabitants

the

of the

There

night.

265

CABELLO.

they please;

as

disposed that

through

open

CORUNNA

than

negroes.
What

to

sixtyfeet

bunches

in

height ; Pomdana

flowers

of

colour

foot

and

bananas,

You

entirely new.

when

by
is

ago,

years

We

high.

Mutis

had

imagine

how

I
"

the

here

tell

Cavanilles
as

good

What

number

vast

fortime

of smaller

escaped observation!

yet
birds

the colours

and

leaves

and

hand, all of which

are

completely unexplored
new

first

genus,

Icones," vol. iv.)only two

with

meet

to

the

stamens

specimen

inch

an

are

brilliant

of the fishes!

as

of the

plumage

crabs

the

even

"

the

of

long.

have

plants,therefore,must

How

red

wide-spreading tree, sixty feet

magnificentplant yesterday;

this

pyramidal

enormous

that

you

with

fifty

splendid bright

with

one's

(see

growing

of trees

large as

may

country is,

described

as

of

from

palms

pulcherrima^

high, and

host

flowers
sweetr-fimelling

this

Cocoa-nut

magnificent vegetation!

sky-blue

are

gold!

and

Hitherto

'

the

for

have

we

first three

always leaving
declares

whole

of the

luxuriance

lose his

far

marvellous

these

could

senses

of such

of which

is

by
*

that

Caracas

shall

month,

part

of the

the

mouth

Bonpland

ecstacywere

to

contemplation

of

the

shall be very

the

time,

same

so

that

and

happy here,

receivingwill

now

am

how

long

probably spend

best

when

were

overpowering sight
magnificent vegetation,the elegant

use

the
year
of

can

we

winter
sets

the

(Dragon'sMouth)

of

here

cheer

often

what

here, but

longer

time.

lies nearest
and

the

known

there

is

good

as

and

the

to

hottest

in, I shall probablyundertake

Bocca

safe road

I think

here

between

months

still

ceases,

Orinoco,
:

I shall remain

three

possibly,however,

the

make

yet know

not

"

the

of

we

inspiringinfluence.

their

I do

if this state

fools ;

couple of

nothing, as

exhilaratingand, at

so

of another.

thrillingthan

more

soothing. I feel sure that I

the agreeableimpressionsI
me

settle to

objectsindividuallyis

mass

like

about

object to lay hold

one

But

continue.

running

days we

should

he

been

and

We

must

us.

Next

and

laziest

journey to
del

Drago

all the

way.

266

sailed

We

past the

mouth

spectaclepresented by
4th

the

of

all its

July

You

"

of the

of
is

heat
I

no

you

/5th of June

we

there

rain, and

Grenada;

of
in

the

frozen.

quite

Thus,

we

voyage

the

upon

25th

the

the

; on

14th

15th

16th

from

see,

the

On

the

touched

the

the

anchored

on

east, with
the

Tobago
channel

South

of

at

sailing c^

between

through

we

you

we

were

passed

we

or

oflF the

at TeneriflFe

spent

July

mainland

the

the

of

sailed

we

from
of

morning

6th

78**

map*

17th

experienced strong gales

and

the

neighbourhood.

the

the

on

an

now

from

evening

on

5th

month

66** of

as

Corunna,

to

aoooont

on

at about

sailed

19th

me

usually stands

in this

from

for

inconvenience

no

my

Margarita
on

night

first time

nearly been

will follow

the

Brazil

of

coast

I felt

extreme

we

on

low

as

when

the

Grraciosa,from

leaving

was

means

hope

"

it

Cayenne,
by

feel

thermometer

higher ;

^not

I have

regions.

The

temperature.

coast

the

at

the

the

for

feel alarmed

not

tropics, and

the

"

On

waters.

Cross

Southern

need

of these

heat

within

82"

mighty

these

amazed

were

splendour.

Postscript.

river,and

of this

the

saw

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXA"T)ER

and
rating
sepa-

America,
the

in

and

harbour

of

July

to

Cumana.'
Humboldt's
November

first visit

full of detail

are

of

Zach:

on

them,

lasted

letters

here

introduce

to

commencing

with

the

morning, gives
token

on

the

intend

Carapana,
severe

interior
a

of

my

labours.

scientific

and

have

we

short

period

therefore

extracts

from

following letter

district

the

welcome

existence,
I

am

setting off

on

where
of

Paria,

only

four

to

Von

among

abounding

the
with

has

as

anchored

ago

in

Thence

mission

objects

of

the

the

to

of

of

my

Caripe

proceed

of the

interior,

eleven

were

shall

stations

sending

haste, as

some

mountains
there

of

here

account

some

to write

for the

earthquake.

which

September 1, 1799.

expedition

an

days

opportunity

well

as

compelled

startingto-morrow

shocks
of

of

eve

me

Camana

Cadiz,

Spanish brigantine from

am

this

16

"

this
you

during

written

from

variety of subjects,and

desirable

it

thought
some

His

28, 1799.

Cumana

to

and
very

to

the

Capuchins,

highest possible

CORUNNA

FROM

interest
and

above

and

the
'

of

all

^th

tribes

I have

the

scientific

the

to

been

now

much

Just

solely

the

gravity by

of

with

ingenious

experiments

by Troughton,
what

single set
when

within

two

three

must

of this

registeringthe
balances.

and

by

accomplished
taken

with

by

vertical
If

at least be admitted

taking

will

eventually

is

with

mirror
silvered

two-inch

sextant

as

imdertook

Hadle/s

sextant

it is

really

this little instrument.

it of

will

of
lead

Bamsden

besides

The

the

to

with

ship

snuff-box

seconds.

in

navigation.

to

my

of observations

or

hygrometric

Williams

conception,

I have

passing the prime

accidental,it

the

give

this

altitude

the

correct

accuracy

that

the

be

chance

of the
time

purely
happens

frequently.

very
^

be

high

ascertaining its specific

Jonathan

board

I call

which

the

ascribed

greater damp

attached

in

seconds.

20

be

to

excellent

eight-inch one

an

may

in

and

on

of

zone

due

is

the

DoUond's

great importance

to

drawings, and

cannot

occupied

and

happy

several

incredible

much

was

of

one

of

divided

of

ascertaining the

this

effect

that

thermometer

I have

for

number

refraction.

ocean

become

sextant.

several

in

doubt,

no

opinion

less

This

Franklin

it is

as

be

diminishes

the

suggested by

soundings

made

best

investigate the problem why

to

us.

of

voyage

means

I have

self
him-

of the

great

together

proved

enjoyment

experiments

Much,

am

of

with

with

globe

of the

the

in

am

should

heat.

for I

During

sun

has

who

quarter

new

and

America,

already collected

trying

light

the

to

temperature

in this

atmosphere.

than

conditions,

region

of months

of South

Firma

have

am

of

temperature

arc

couple

shell-fish

of the

now

refraction

idea

for

occupied

composition

friendly Indians

Garibs.

We

plants, insects, and

been

the

kind,

travellingcompanion, Bonpland,

possible health.

'

of human

indefatigableworker,

an

267

CABELLO.

"

^the Terra

"

PUERTO

investigator plants,mountains, rocks,

order

new

of the

globe
my

'

TO

systematicallykept
the

made

of the

weather

observations

places where

and

the

of the
we

an

astronomical

calmness

latitude

landed

of the
and

; I also

journal, and

permitted

ocean

longitude
observed

ever
when-

of the

the

ship

or

inclination

268

ALEXANDER

magnetic needle, which, by

the

of

be

instrument, may

found

results I obtained

the

The

'

No.

its excellence

I must

'

make

confess

does

seem

not

I wish

of the

it needs

that

surface

beautiful

colours

quite

clear and

the

splendour

the

constellations

for
rivals

in

at such

altitude

and

emotion
^

splendour

an

very

noticed

and
^

Oh

flow in the
Remember
how

treasures

here

is of

and

second

day

from

visible.

have

Crown,

an

are

in

but

what

their

own

the

South-

all

cuous
conspi-

Centaurus
I have

which

as

magnificent
Not

Altar,

me

almost

here

seen

expression of deep

of excitement.

surprisingphenomenon
arrival

of my

affectionatelyto

I think

most

of him

Tell

as

Mm

see

our

aroimd

that

the

interestingcharacter.

schist, basalt, gypsum,

risingwith

the

that

here

which

is the

ebb

atmosphere.

of nature
a

remarkable

stars,while

glow

remarkable

me

often

wring

into

me

the

even

to

air is

persuaded

am

Southern

Orion,

own

Venus

the

when

hemisphere

their

able

displays the

and

so

Triangle, the

sextant

equator

to be

southern

our

as

throw

Another

is nowhere

cease

soon

transparency

presents a largeand

She

brilliancyof

the

small

perfectlyblue.
the

be,

may

frequently been

even

of

will

You

exquisitebeauty

of the

rainbow,

south

Southern

of the

diameter,

the
Sagittarius,

the

Cross,

em

is

in

...

I have

here.

in

accuracy

oppressive it

of my

the

of the

peculiarcharm.

Venus

heavens

constellations

northern

with

patience to

amove

notion

any

moon

of

of the

con

idea

an

vernier

sky

latitudes, for

these

you

degrees

two

most

the

to you

of

sufficient

activity.

my

the
of

with

heat, however

convey

reallyplays the part

luminous

preserved

stock

one's work

to do

this

lens to read

remarkable

diminish

I could

has

; it

Berthoud's,

by travellers,and

of

use

"

"

of Louis

one

to Borda

observations

to

is

me

voyage*

you

rate.

nights here, or give

air ; by the light of

ofthe
with

known

heat, and

notice

with

the

new

I enclose

minutes.

20

during

Borda's

of

means

frequentlymade

astronomical

however

'

been

uniform

this extreme

it

I have

is well

its usual

to within

with

chronometer

27 ; it has

me

HUMBOLDT,

VON

considerable

and
force

friend
me

these

marvellous

geologicalformation
Mountains

gneiss. Sulphur
from

Blumenbach.

very small

and

of mica-

petroleum,

openings, throw

270

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

VON

"

would

only he
and

Do

it is calculated

for
four
if

wishes

letters

my

in this

appriseone's

to

I have
the

to

mail

friends

of any

give you

to

from

have

been

but

it has

arduous

the

undertaking, but

one

the

days

happily

very

central

mission

"

of Paria

visited

I hasten

was

of view

fraught

We

to

inhabits

are

spent

Caripe,the

at

celebrated

shadowed

described

about

cryptogamia ;

shell-fish

and

shell-fish.

various

and

Bamsden's

Guarapichi.
fifteen

future

600
have

we

have

map

of the

the

height

and

does

towards

bird^

"

dried

took

made

the

Berthoud's

the

latitude

observations

which

and
may

of the

there

in
are

of the

means

Cordilleras.

exceed

Avila,

By

The

elevation
moimtains

the

6,405

60

anatomv

chronometer

and

across

the

us,

longitude of
be of

use

at

construction

barometer,

loftiest

most

than

more

with

sextants

than

more

also collected

affording fixed points for

interior.

not

We

I determined

in

can

varieties, Including

new

I have

insects.

Troughton's

places

time

of

cave

by palms,

the comparative
drawings of plants,besides illustrating

than

by

glorious

some

of nocturnal

cave,

stay in this province we

our

unknown

beautiful

this

of

"c.

1,600 plants and

of

very

high Cordilleras

the

of thousands

resort

for

vain

just returned

; it

point

every

it

Spanish

it in

have

1790.

trust

length arrived, and

also visited the

We

to

that

looking for

Indians.

majesticentrance

the

During

some

found

Capuchin monastery

the

at

is the

pothos,ipomoea,
*

it is

species of Caprimulgus, goat-sucker. Nothing

new

equal

in

17,

venture

Gruanaguana,which

station.

which

Guacharo,

and

interior

Gruaraunos

and

Chaymas

at

We

highest interest.

Tumiriquiri,CocoUar,
the

every

lost ; therefore

November

intelligence. I

expeditioninto

an

with

We

additional

some

repetitions,

particular"ct

I did not

when

expected.
months,

Cumana

Cadiz

brigantine from

last two

the

of

will be

three

letter,for

re-opened my

was

full

are

out-of-the-wayregion, of

'

'

lai^er

frequently.'

it

repeat

to

necessary

that

with

I possess.

any

despatched to Europe,

letters

one

than

surprised if

be

not

obliged to provide himself

been

instruments

better
^

have

peak

feet.

more
some

of

measured

is limestone,

Farther

nearly 10,500

west,

feet in

FEOM

height,

which

Martha

and

me

from

observingthe
results

the

them

look

that I

burnt

of

*If

to

10** of

28th

of October.

of the

earth

My
those

does

and

on,

On

'

the

4th

earthquake

shade,

surprised to
magnetic

needle

earthquake
12th

the

on

From

two

without

notice

of November
o'clock

province of

the

been

have

At

the

the

level

sea

hottest

part

temperature keeps

from

82**.

75** to
a

climate

the

during

we

by

earthquake
the

succession

had

of

very

Early

in

thunderstorm
lasts

experienced a

we

the

shock

severe

amount

of

the

dip

of

I'l**.

was

of the
The

shghter shocks,

regulardisplayof

of

and

fireworks.

till five in the

intermission
of fire two

sprays

volcanic

by

371

displayof lightning,which

reduced

followed

was

instruments

is at its maximum,

by

of

depth

occurred.
damage, fortunately,

that
was

the

at

Here,

Observatoryat Paris, and

91" ; the
than

of the

temperature

during

even

the heat

serious

sun's rays

highestinterest.

standard.

of November

; no

The

sight.

"Subterranean

on

the

of the

National

that

Truly a

apply

limestone

of the

power

temperature

is succeeded

hours.

nine

for

that

seen

regular,rarelyvarying more
afternoon, when

and

white

injure the

last work

my

rise above

not

kindly

severely

so

days

the

from
to

was

for two

to the

problem

of the

the

in

quadrant ;
will

"

face

my

meteorological
to

bed

my

liable

into

glad

if you

On

of 124**.

latitude, the

according

comies

reflection

and

Bird's

prevent

them.

exposed

is

corrected

the

Santa

of

not

with

be

observations,

will have

you

sun

I should

correct

eyes

with

thermometer

eclipseof the

and

looked

is 66^

year,

did

The

compared

the

heat

temperature

of the

fathoms

unbearable

instrument

Meteorology,"
under

abnost

and

the

have

you

interior

those

obliged to keep

was

an

is heated

with

below,

these

distressingto

metal

Cordilleras

solar

remedies.

medicinal
is

271

CABELLO.

these

altitudes

through

making

In

I took

day

give

PUERTO

Quito.

oppressive and

same

TO

connect

The

the
I

CORUNNA

morning largefire-balls passed

the
sky, and kept discharging

across

degrees in

New

volcanoes, emitting

Andalusia
warm

diameter.
is covered

The

eastern

with

numerous

portion

of

small

water, sulphur,sulphurettedhydrogen,

petroleum.

and
'

am

to sail to-morrow

for La

Guayra, and

intend

remaining

272

ALEXANDER

Caracas

at

interior
and

till

of

the

Orinoco,

embark

January.

I shall return

Angostura, whence

"Etr as

as

here to

for Havana.'
the

During

trembling

Humboldt

waves.'

night

of meteors

since

The

accustomed

sailor to the

the

as

much

as

and

11

become

noted

so

staggering
by

witnessed

phenomenon

of November

remarks,

; he

phenomenon
becomes

man

ground

the

on

shower

the

the

amid

ship

of

rienced
expe-

invariably

exciting sensations

those

habit

Humboldt

mentioned

above

appalling natural

concerning it,that by
the

first time

this

produced by

earthquake

for the

of

penetrate into the

Apure, Rio Negro,

I shall

Thence

country, to investigatethe

"

to

HT7MB0LDT.

VON

12

was

the

in

the

annals

great
of

science.
November

On

coasting

vessel ;

while

botanicaKcoUections,

keep guard

inland
residence

As

it

the

had

rainy season

have

in

and

Humboldt's

persistentbad

kept

watch

of
the
on

These

January 1, spent
prospect

on

the

of

with

commenced

Caracas, the
feet,had
of the

Aragua

and

reward.
2.

of which,

before

After

Tui, rich

For

being

the

their

cocoa

Caracas

^vas

21, 1799,
plaints
com-

twenty-seven nights
able

the

observe

to

has

all in

been

through

the

night

Sina, ^notwithstanding
a

fatiguingjourney

self-sacrifice

This

this

on

casion
oc-

pedestrianexpedition

They

climbed

rising to

the

the

the

Silla de

height

examined

passingthrough

with

since

full of bitter

labour

our

ascended, and

been

has

November

from

"

undertaking

but

January

summit

mountain.

'

better
on

never

of

hours

no

foot of

at the

the

earthquake

stay at

prosecuted even

were

morrow

foot of nineteen
met

was

watches

the

journal is

but
eclipsesof Jupiter'ssatellites,
vain.'

which

of the

and

province

city

ship,

of four

voyage

the destructive

weather.

hopes

in

the

1812.

half

the

"

commenced,

months

two

February 7, 1800.
of the

we

overwhelmed

was

prolonged for
till

General

G-ovemor

melancholy notorietyfrom

which

capitalof

the

Caracas,

the

of

attained

by

of

city

whence

Ghiayra,the port

at La

21,

with

after

in

enriching his

of

remained

Humboldt

November

landed, on

he

days

Barcelona,

sake

the

instruments, and

the

over

New

at

for

Cumana

sail from

set

they separated

proceeded by land,

Sonpland
to

travellers

18, the

of

8,100

the structure

fruitful

plantations,
they

valleysof

visited

the

FROM

mountaiDs

of

Trinchera,

and

from

New

Los

its

Valencia

the

midst

yielding milk

to

harbour,' the

most

the

of

of

cow-tree,

so

they journeyed through

thence

mountain

wanderings.

of their

leaving Caracas,

of

range

Humboldt

wrote,

followinggratefulstrain

bruary
Fe-

on

Baron

to

von

"

I need

scarcelyassure

whom

whom

the

thanks

their

to the

West

while

exploringthe

forests

primeval
of my

thought
the

kind

first law

while

of

of

laws

washed

valleysof

has been

of

the

pedition
ex-

vast

ocean

Pacific,

Tumiriquiri,

before

ever

Nature,

results,
my

the

by

to

Guarapichi,or penetrating

should

the

Gratitude

me.

natmal

the

being, and

our

studying the

of the

the

friend

traversingthe

to

nor

from

accrue

may

continents

wild banks

for the

due

be

While

Indies.
the

reminded

am

privilegeof being here,

value, which

from

separating Europe

often

public will

of the

be

may

how

you

for the

indebted

am

whatever

is

lake

romantic

Forell

the

the

discovery

point

western

3, 1800, in the

the

over

before

Shortly

of

and

Higuerote,in
a
picturesque country abounding with glorious
Puerto
and magniiicent
Cabello, 'a wonderful
and

of

vegetation,

the

Mariare

springs of

shore

made

273

CABELLO.

hot

the

northern

they

PUERTO

TO

Tequos,

the

where

Valencia,
called

CORUKNA

philosopher,
tating
unhesi-

yield them

obedience.'
.

He

"

then

continues

'

"

The

farther

interior, in visitingthe mission

the

heartilywe

more

gone

on

to Havana.

been

so

near

immense

the

yet

to have

not

stopped

Caracas,

we

European
Indians

wild

VOL.

De
I.

la

have

been

Paria, the

very

Chaymas,

the

among

that

had

we

tantalisingto
of

wonders

the

not

have

Orinoco,

the

of Cordilleras

ward
stretchingfrom Quito eastmajestic vegetation
say nothing of the
graphicallyportrayed in his works, and

so

able

been

more

at Cumana.

should

of

coast

has

of Nature

wonders
mail

It would

chain

Jacquin

which

stations

congratulatedourselves

Carupana, to

to

of

the

pressed into

we

have

to

than
.

found

civilisation ; but
of the

to the

devote

days during which

the three
Had

we

ourselves

first landed

at

surrounded

in the Gulf

lagunes (Guaraunos

of

Havana

by

arco) are
et

the
or

evidences

Cariaco, where

del

Roquette,* Humboldt, Correspond,scientif.

T

of these

examination

the

within

litter/ vol. i. p. 80.

274

ALEXANDER

Nature

fifty miles.
the

tigers,
of

the

caoutchouc,

man

besides
the

present
birds
the

plumage.

the

tenderness

which

and

conversation,

loyalty

that

as

moral

the

that

find

it

if
I

longer
colonies

Europe

days

I have

After
their
their
of

the

short

departure
important
interior

their
with

living
more

have

am

the

good

recall

with

the

the

is

such

tained.
main-

mountains
a

for

delighted

took

with

pleasure

yet

notion

of

After
leave

of
The

lifetime.

to

them.

society, they

of

state

Prussia

from

of

purity

adequate

an

tnie

development

the

of

habitants
in-

which
It

the

by

perfectly

heard

fortune

in

part

the

more

them

ming-bird
humWe

for

the

in

you

tiny

by

hand

received

we

in

days

always

spent

to

convey

strictor,
con-

excited

coast, among

even

boa

take

to

with

were

never

to

been

if

shall

the

rare

...

evinced

other

perhaps

from

hospitality
four

and

been

had

here, the

am

the

on

pace

by

flower.

distinguished.

inhabitants

difficult

had

we

but
has

they

cordial

very

as

kept

the

only spending
us

not

miles

Guanaguana,

should

have

the

qualities

"

been

views,

hundred

ignorance

countries

often

grandeur,

the

been

bien)

ages

character

de

the

to

of

has

all

in

people they

enlightened

their

distant

has

nation

Spanish

{Jtombria

peopled

Spanish

admiration

my

these

with

is

down

chalice

the

on

branches

from

to

even

their

"

horse,

Campecby,

down

declares

any

guaiacum,

and

grow

air

Nature

itself

probity

and
of

of

of

already suflScientlyfamiliar

are

The

Every object

swallow

can

balancing

of

barrier.

of brilliant
power,

varieties,
of

show

the

as

Brazil

of

interlacement

impenetrable

an

such

trees,

Neither

sway.

monkeys,

the

even

other

of

the

by

nor

logwoods

the

number

coast, and

undisputed

valuable

most

and

vast

crocodiles,

the

fear

with

reigns

the

nor

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Spanish

the

live

to

and

interest

return

to

the

here.'
.

at

stay
towards

Puerto
the

expedition
of the

to

continent.

Cabello,

beginning
the

Orinoco

the
of
and

travellers

March,
the

to

took
pursue

investigation

EXPEDITION

TO

THE

CHAPTER

EXPEDITION

of

Outline

THE

I^etter to

"

Humboldt

von

Willdenow

Herbariums

"

Prosperity,

"

Faitbfulness

Bonpland'sAbilityand

"

Scene

ORINOCO.

to William

"

Leisure, and
Nocturnal

III.

TO

Expedition Letter
Objectsof Study

the

275

ORINOCO.

"

Arrangements

"

of Plants ; their
Shipwreck Profusion
*
difficult
Preservation
Hardships The Tropicsare my Element
Position of Independence Bonpland*sShare
and
Courteous
Reception

in

Deatb

of

case

Eraser's

"

"

'

"

"

"

"

The

subject of investigationwhich

next

for himself

down

of

Humboldt

tracingout

to settle the

in order

communication

of any

existence

the task

was

Orinoco,

the

of

of Berlin.

Work"Recollections

in the

the

vexed

between

water

question
this

laid

had

river

system
to

as

and

the
the

Amazon.
To

give

started
of

Cabello

crossed

and

at the close of

Valencia

New

southward

through
March

(from

Calabozo

14

Llanos

de Caracas

March

24)

the
to

month

lake of the

shore, they

and

San

to

travellers

the

to the

whence, after passingalong its southern

name,

turned

impoiiant expedition,the

Puerto

foot from

on

February, 1800,

same

of this

outline

an

by

of

way

Fernando

de

After a stay of
27.
Apure, which they reached about March
easterlydirection down
a couple of days they proceeded in an
of the slightnative boats called pirogues^
the river Apure, in one
so

the

construct-ed

Apure

they
purea

till its

where

far

they

Orinoco

Orinoco

San

as

far

as

April
the

followed

the

arrivingon

the

this

of its

course

confluence
At

23.

junction of

May

at

past the rapidsof

Fernando,
on

land.

over

the Orinoco

junction with

arrived

and

southward,
Tuamini,

as

easilycarried

to be

the

ascended
as

as

at
T

the

the

They followed
Cabruta, whence

Atures
of

and

the

May-

Atabapo,

point they

left the

the Atabapo,
tributary,
small

town

rivers

of San

Temi
Antonio

and
de

276

ALEXANDER

Before

Javita.

for the
of three

of which

couree

in

Eio

the

Leaving

Negro,

little above

direction
north-easterly

proving incontestablythat
Orinoco

the

they

followed

May 21,

on

On

From

of

when

they proceeded
Their

close this

travelled

of the

other

not

till

Emperan,
The

at

through

of the

the

letters

works,

the
reflecting

by

the

of the

their

return

Orinoco

as

fer

May

31

the

race

of

the

extinct

till

15

July 10,

Llanos

the

through

wild

bifurcation

of

under

more

governor
written
inferior

but

and

the

by

Of the

many

region,

the

solution

the

position

astronomical

rested
to

for

tion.
observa-

weeks, and

some

and

Cumana

reach

hospitableroof

of Don

Vincente

province.

Humboldt

detail,as

account

the

freshness

moment,
letters

this

during

of

possess

of the

Orinoco,

able

in matters

and

uninhabited
obtained

by

again

of that

they

warmth

impressions
writer.

on

of the

Humboldt

was

scientific interest,to the succinct

his

reached

of Duida.

June

from

Barcelona

the travellers

once

naturallyvery
in

thus

to which

they

the

the

important results,had

September

iind himself

river

between

point

which

7.

cod-

of this

course

commenced

accuratelydetermined

was

Barcelona

At

May

on

mountain

foot northward

arrival

miles

problem

which

the

burial-placeof

on

point

July 23 brought to
highly interestingjourney,during which
they had

1725

and, among

of

the

San

to

existed

descended

Angostura they remained

Barcelona.

the

was

Negro,

south

capitalof Gruiana, visitingon

Atondpe,

At

Aturs.

the

Rio

Carlos, at the

Esmeralda,

they

pirogue

southern

furthest

The

travellers

Esmeralda

Angostura,

Cavern

1800, the

23,

journey

joined the Orinoco,

it

opposite

land

reached

communication

was

situated

town

imtil

is notorious

to the

most

San

followed

Amazon.

Orinoco

the
a

May

journey.
as

the

and

This, the

and

the

still farther

latitude, was

Casiquiare,they

of the

fluence

2**North

travels,in

their

of

followed

they

which

portage, over

frontier of Brazil.

the

Carlos, on

Amazon,

it is infested.

which

this

the

Indians, brought the travellers

the

by

and

the

forms

which

Pimichin,

Orinoco

the

across

HUMBOLDT.

Monte

lay

serpents with

days

carried
the

them

between

watershed

VON

well

as

of his travels

inestimable
of individual

and

jouniey
in

general

published

advantageof
feelingexcited

vividlyportray the

belongingto

an*

this

mind

periodour

278

ALEXANDER

characteristic

manners

(juentlyexhibit
which

sophy

regarded
It

'

fifteenth

of other

facilities for

with

is

their

upon

the

for the

same

moment

more

than

solitude

and

of

than

I cannot

Among

Berlin

rough,

is

is

calves.
the

at tiie

and

scaroelj

when
Would

the

not

of

company

suet

Orinoco, he

the

the

Seeing

he

made

is

no

could

Kadowitz

chart

of the

cooler

to

food,
no

had

attackeii

was

greatest anxietv.

to

which

progress
him

were

we

towards

conveyed

to

covery
re-

tie

Farreras, eighteen mile?

valley at
efficient

more

you

the

have
collection

anxiety
hoped

of

Orinoco^ sketched

with

the

me

Felix

he

somewhat

a
cure

in

greater

this

tropical

of air.

never

the

Dr.

Guiana

at

thk

severelyfrom

more

caused
of

change

executed

much

effect

in

describe

hearts, v1k"

slaves to cruel abuse,

expedition to

arrival

our

friend

my

There

illness.

philosopbr

their

negroes,

many

(Angostura *),I

Orinoco,

elevation.

the

town

country-house

climate

of the

fever, which

was

the

the

so

greater

encountei

gloriesof freedom,
of their

suffered

On

unaccustomed.

from

with

beautiful

most

to

populous

more

I shall oftener

but

prefei*ableto

account

I did.

this

in

and

subjectingtheir

children

Bonpland

by vomiting
both

richer

forward

"

than

Probably

natioui

among

'

friend

excursion

phik-

true

I look

that

principlesin

of the

be

desert

detailed

My

are

infants, for sale like

philosophers^
continues

they

enthusiasm

vain

certainlymeet

of the

first

its

offer the

of

After

I shall

language

lips,deny

yet speak with

'

colonies.

lash in hand

while

in

regret

great

collectinginformation,

who, while

men

for

sought

leaving these peaceful regions

districts

principlesof

and

humanity

fre-

who

and

century,

civilised.

highly

therefore

is

of

the

sometimes

are

as

of

traits

HUMBOLDT.

VON

to

endured

during
again

meet

his

with

autographsin the Bojal Libmir

by Humboldt, which, thoogh xm

clearness, and

is

"

at

accompanied by tb
servations
ob:
My
attempt to employ graphicallythe astronomical
I made
the Orinoco
and
the Casiquiare. I made
the sketdi
on
Thome
del Angostura in June
at Santo
1800, while Bonpland was Ijin?
ill
of
I
fever.
a nervous
dangerously
give you the chart,as a proofthat 1
write with
can
occasionally
legibility.
remark

'

BerUn

'

"

great

first

1842.

Al.

Humboldt/

EXPEDITION

friend,

faithfiil,
courageous,

so

journey

evinced

he

resolution,

for

whole

by

time

among

whom

which

swarmed

Our

already

overboard

hearted

friend,

entreated
shore

with

We

fast

me

could

crocodiles
if

from

distant

perished

that

of

in

marvellous

and

books
'

as

You

in

the

gaps

the

sky.

himself

found

dark

night was

in

and

The

to

this

wild

gion,
re-

the

manner

are

so

of the

water.

our

shore

the

dense

and

Even
and

waves

too

is

so

tigers,

intertwined

The

strongest

twenty days

little

oftener

either

the

so

in

frequented

than

We

crisis

effected

and

only

in

once

perilous

little vessel

of

lost

few

our

feelingsof grateful happiness when,

went

of

St.

they

party

our

only

moon
as

shore, and, assembling for

on

none

who
to

of

number

pieces by

and

our

man
hu-

infalliblyhave

his way

river

no

the

fury of

in

torn

The

was

food.

the

monk

prayer

swim

oiu:

that

clouds

the

noble-

to

where

deliverance.

our

night approached,we

evening meal,

out

should

we

sails of

manner

imagine

may

mile,

momentous

most

portion of

Indians

emergency,

there

the

scarcelypasses

the

filled

wind

gust

1800.

my

truly appalling :

hardly make

canoe

this

At

months.

two

in

perish

trace

against

league.

Indian

an

even

shall

during

this

absolutely impenetrable.

be

of

for the distance

the

offered

and

to

or

shores

hand, could

in

axe

man,

country,

April 6,

in

forty miles,

been

or

these

to

as

of

crocodiles,

upon

'lianas

with

the

me

on

me

lying half

shore

hunger

woods

for the

by

than

more

the

the

from

Indians

shore, when

example,

fate

discerned

be

voracity of

the

the

serpents,

water, and

to

position was
us

gained

had

we

circle
our

Our

disappearance.
was

their

learn

to

of

the

his back.

within

being

full

destined, however,

not

where,

Orinoco

stood

alone

upon

were

the

of

showed

he

and

courage

during

tlie nature

swimming

to follow

me

on

us

who

of

from

only

attachment

the

Throughout

surrounded

not

from

two-thirds

was

active.

dangers,

generous

overtook

pirogue

and

tigers,crocodiles, and

with

which

storm

of

travelled, but

the

ORINCCO.

necessarily

were

variety

279

THE

astonishing proofs

many

we

we

forget

never

TO

shone
driven

were

formed
Francis

one

and

of
the

missing;

were

intervals

at

by
the

the

Holy

The

through

wind

party

our

across

addressed

Virgin.

The

280

ALEXANDER

rest

the

apprehension for
We

'

cataracts

great

accomplish in

to

but

was

of

state

The

morning

undertaken

In

from

love

of the

To

chase

than

dearest

My

suflfer the

not

may

from

to you

"

these

I will
make.

In

during
feel

from

which

the

is very

both

of

hope

Good

of

would
^

To

Bonpland

"

consist
which

avoid

this,we

case

of

^be

"

have

taken

retain

the

contain

new

or

rare

with

us,

and

piecemeal, through

the

respectedas

is infested.

just now

French

should

we

alive

return

round

the

from

Cape

grievous

expedition!

precaution
to the

of

present

making

time

they

1,400 specimens,many

species.
we

neutral

catastrophe,how

up

scripts
manu-

my

expeditionhappens at

results of the

entire

volumes, and

either

naturally

the

ocean

are

to

journey,

Philippinesand
such

nation,
desti-

their

globe, I

spared to

of plants;
descriptions

our

of two

we

In

addressed

I have

of this extensive

little

the

lines

request I have

to the

my

as

1601.

these

quite improbable,that

to the

to lose the

it be

are

whom

and

voyage

necessity.

preservation of

the

to

passport is

pirateswith

Hope.

copiesof

results

as

imlikely,indeed

us

for

tures.'
misadven-

reach

never

circumnavigate

to

had

February 21,

that

others

many

myself merely

neutral

lengthened

our

so

herbariums, especially
as

when

shipis by
It

confine

who
more

any

whether

uncertain

am

tropicalregions,and

exceedingly anxious

time

contemplating the

and
a

fate of

the

WUldenow.

As

friend,

from

danger

'Havana:
'

and

entirelyforgot our

we

night.
During

come

eggs,

much

so

This

the

nature.

had

who

of turtle

quest

them

with

intercourse

our

Caribs

journey fraught with

pleasure and

in

partook of
spirits

our

reigning throughout

family of

Orinoco

of the

mouth

met

we

justexperienced,

only through

beautiful, and

very

cheerfulness

and

the peace

was

had

we

lasted

mil"

yet nearly 700

overwhelming anxiety

an

depression,however,

followingday

the

What

as

the

(?) from

north

had

we

pirogue, which,

our

the

to

to pass, and

frail bark.

distant

days

had

we

gloomy

in

futuie.

still two

were

and

thought,filled with emotion,

all lost in

were

HUMBOLDT.

VON

The

of

script
originalmanu-

forwarding

vice-consul, to

transcript

Bonplantfs

EXPEDITION

brother
three

divisions,as

One

of

of

despatched
London
last

This

herbarium

cryptogamia, 1,600

the

unexplored parts
the

Eio

By

thus

the

risk of loss.
'

dividing our
idea

The

might

be desirable

I would

propose

only

account

of

to

of the

educated
their

be

would
man

such

"

relative

results.

in

Then,

to the

in

of

of

volumes

1.

"

3.

Chemical
and

genera

new

of Linnaeus
seen

work

more

which

and

of

interest

every

well-

Indian

races,

to

include

of

and
of

4.

the

not

Descriptionof
.

the

after
species,but descriptions

species alreadyknown,

than

other

will,I hope, contain

Anatomy

Researches

merely

obsei-vers
between

"

sphere;
Atmo-

Observations

Insects
.

Jupiter,

Chemistry

Results;

Botanical

The

ture,
agricul-

meteorological
struction
Geology and the Con-

Constitution

5.

of

system

Physics

Barometric

of all those

specimens

contain

general

Observations

speciesof Apes, Crocodiles, Birds,

of

reader, it

should

...

Bonpland,

journey

nations
Observations, Determi-

Longitude,

...

this

mountains,
:

Refraction.

animals.

spring.

separateparts.

of the

the

country,

...

with

our

in

Electricity,Pathology, Excitability.

of marine

last

one

any

attention

characteristics

heights

and

Experiments upon
Hygrometric

district

physico-moral point

2. Astronomical

the

the

greater variety of

topics

the

from

are

the trade of the colonies, descriptions

separate

Latitude

Experiments

have

the

as

of the Earth.
of

as

expeditionfrom
those

grasses

considerablydiminish

part, for instance,

towns, the aspect of the

data

new

first

language and customs,

of the

shall

observations

to command

sure

from
visited

to interest

publish my

already

Charleston.

of

investigationduring

my

us

oflF to-day

of which

we

that

been

contains,with

which

me

view, touching only upon

which

on

to

the

that

with

sending

am

Guiana,

we

possiblybe expected

could

an

and

treasures

under

come

species,most

Brazil

occurred

has

subjects has
than

of Parime
and

about

him), has

and

cases,

dififerent

Negro

variety.

Fraser, by way

is in two

and

between

John

into

belonging to Bonpland

with

third

the

sorted

of each

shall carry
one,

everything

Mr.

through

been

specimens

we

second

France, while

to

three

or

comparison ; a

281

plants have

herbariums

naturallyshare

(for

two

ORIKOCO.

THE

The

have

we

reduced

these

for purposes

to

Eochelle.

La

at

TO

in

junction
con-

tion
enumera-

the

tem
sys-

of which

department

5,000 and

we

of

6,000

282

ALEXANDER

varieties,for
and

vast

In

'

the

will

kindly

in

dear

my

edit

them

]My

brother

of my

plan.*

for

the

intend

to

Blumenbach.

And

friend, will undertake

under

has been

empowered

with

the

to
to

request that

to

and

papers,

Bonpland.

of

that

entrust

to

my

press;
commit

botanical

my

coupled

name

my

I have

now

Buch

or

consigned

will be

zoologicalmanuscripts

my

edit

will

Freiesleben

that

Chemistry

at Manilla,

us

Delambre

that

trust

geological notes

my

Physics and

editorshipof

you,

outline

observations, and

Schoerer, while
the

awaiting

death, I

my

prepare

observations

doubt

are

is the

of

event

astronomical

my

no

treasures

Such

Ceylon.

HTDIBOLDT.

VON

scripts
requisitemanu-

for this purpose.

I remain

'

of my

true

intend

not

that

to

as

return,

until

which

I have

Hamburg,
port,but
safer

live to

I not

address

not

only because

also because

for the

I have

safe under

his

important

services.

'

in

You

charge, for

perhaps

may

Walter's

"

liaving made

Flora

of
out

upon

fifth

goods

Orleans
the

Ohio

can

by

and

been

until

to

he

and

seeds

and

far

as

Thb

in
as

similar
"

month

render

Unaware

plan was

not

of

occurs

and
lection
col-

thence
the

he

1799
the

very

Ohio

by

to

water

of
diflBculty

to.

set

and

accessible,

Philadelphia

adhered

as

Labrador

to

now

be

some

name

In

nature

region

Pittsburg and

him

agent for the

an

from

cluded.
con-

is mentioned

cultivation.

for

Tennessee

Mississippi.
^

partly as

be

plants will

Eraser's

Mr.

it

deem

peace

the

able

to

neutral

not

joiumeys through

and

after

direct

ent^r

may

that

that

botanical

be sent

land

I have

remember

until

care,

can

you

Fraser

think

expedition of

through Kentucky
for

with
to

botanist

plants

Eraser's

that

sure

own

your

(1,600 specimens),

cases

Carolinensis," where

four

Canada, partly as

two

Spanish ship

reason

...

'

the

not

am

with

request
till my

work

the

appeared, or

to Mr.

to remain

cases

it

no

to

do

completed.

see

entrusted

to-day

only

I have

herbarium

publication has

this

the whole

you

expedition.

publicationof

the

incorporate my

unwilling to

was

this

in

singlespecimen.

not

should

devoting to

plants collected

retain

will

you

death,
'I

the

postponing

am

collection
my

of

share

of

promise

to my

New
down
enter-

EXPEDITION

the

ing
He

for Havana

suffered

by

once

for

him

travel

his

shipwreck, he

to

do

amiable

and

worthy
me

afraid

is

man

London,
in

him
I

'

bad

hope

where

I have

but

cases

find any

new

he

be

his

my

require,

permission

and

but

for

his

"

exceedinglypleased

father

that

the

the

language, and

is

the

youth
but

Mexico;

to

among

the

Spaniards,

hastening back

plants he

has

and

which

species
are,

whole

of

lected
col-

mentioned

names

for

asking

do

you

not

varieties, is because

from

dried

from

nature.

specimens

This

"

bo

as

you
to

esteem

in

so

"om

In

spoken
I intend

should

introduce

is well

known^

was

as

not

you

your

it

honour

an

even

be

so

admirable
to

work.

many,
well
we

of

include

to

into

drawings

never

over

specimens

have

My
of the

described
have

"

plaO;as

my

looking

remarkable

cannot

the

have

Fraser,

publish all,or

they

complete

return

my

sparingly,so
"

to

worthy
particularly

libertyto

varieties

I shall

by

you

at

years

to

you

and

(pray excuse

you

on

going

world.*

plants.

my

to

seem

course,

and

two

committed

unknown

the

Bonpland

treatise.

that

of

to

Spanish),that

I have

Baudin
the

round

last

the

publicationof

providing

"

California, I purpose

join Captain

to

French

attention, you

new

could

son

already mentioned

the

the two

reason

into

both

himself

and

during

to undertake

our

at

plishing.
accom-

descriptionof

for

German,

the

to

proposed expedition

think

them

enlisted

Cuba, which,

expedition

my

their

Mexico

my

nothing

of

"

of

state

him

he

up

in
great diflBculty

would

trust

with

visiting

Acapulco,
with

to

publish

to

that

of

misery

Kentucky.

After

found

man

in

received

island

of

in

friends, obtained

proposed

me

being unacquainted
to

have

accompany

young

the

plants.

picked

was

here

all else

of

days

occupation

of my

young

service.

should

would

aiTived

and

money

through

three

coast, he

and

sincerelybelieve

and

behalf.

influence

the

through

with

the

name

his

collection

enduring

Matanzas,

on

royal permission, Fraser

make

from

His

supplied him

house,

to

of

sympathy

my

and,

fortymiles

destitution.

complete

the

after

283

ORINOCO.

intending to

fishermen

some

THE

without

shipwreck,and,

sandbank

upon

colonies

Spanish

embarked

TO

accomplished.

made

284

ALEXANDER

think

make

to

yet

as

Caesalpinaof

journey

my

Europe

to

the

be

'

shall

the
in

fresh

able

to collect

to

Nees,

and

Henken

three-fifths
fruits

off

of

"

of

specimens

to

presented by

the

heads

the

'

among
alas !

But

plants I

called

forth

Jacquin.

of

our

destructive

almost

the

it almost
has

paper

great

occasioned

and

We

are

although

"

Eio

when

we
same

sent

we

spectacleis

they

as

of the

the

plants!

of

journey
a

with

their

rear

Negro

of

esses

fate which

luxuriance

the

South

the

and

American

of the

vegetation,

procure

leaves

destruction

of

more

daily discovering new

plants. Camphor,

our

open
sad

Sparmann, Banks, Swartz,

impossibleto

collection.
to

palms

which

of Kuiz, Pavon,

What

with

humidity

with

England

return

our

with.

met

yet acquainted

as

to tears

of

scarcely

were

existing species

of

meet

extreme

wholly matured,
third

orders

lamentations

renders

not

peopled

concerning

in

Madrid.

various

We

and

mile?
(jsic)

plants we

fact
was

; on

and

the

herbariums

of the

herbariums

climate, together
which

6,443

are

we

Our

The

travelled

the

France

grieve

in that

up

Orinoco

the

impenetrable forests

we

treasiu-ed

are

of the

of

truly wonderful

are

these

without

be

not

between

tenth

from

whole

the

this

description of

unknown

when

that

new

Should

impenetrable forests,and

with

suspect it

reason

of

I have

species hitherto

saw

The

plants

perfectlyconvinced

now

and

return

our

supposed

our

regionswill

lying

which

specimens

on

already described.

of

exceedinglyincredulous

was

of

that
of

that

six years

or

to

view.

country

abounding

apes

convinced

remote

store

through

district

am

Qpura

temptation

five

two-thirds

been

point of

of

tract

feel

in such

grow

with

is

the

of

as

every

the

during

representation

infinite

an

Amazon,
a

well

as

withstand

to

find that

scientific

wonderful

We

possess.

species have

What

occupy.

we

case,

in

to

Angostura^ (bark),which

researches

our

plants as they
value

venture

grasses, of Melastomae,

and

Cinchona,

resolved

may

and

genera

of

publish any

not
we

able

Auble.

quite

am

been

genera

palms

Cortex

and

differingfrom

genus,

'I

of

I have

do

we

new

many

collection

Pipers, MalpighisB
new

Bonpland,

of

help

how

to

as

immense

an

the

complete diagnoses,but

very

decide
have

that, with

HUMBOLDT.

\'0N

which
than

are
a

insects,

turpentine, tar,

286

ALEXANDER

Abundant

'

compensation
the

sight of

the
so

evidences

the

these

nations, while

cultuie

the

of

five

some

horrible
health

My

the

and

and

have

monks,

the

Christian

no

hut

I work

the

to

for

sun

head, and

in

up,

occasion
from

at

evfen

and
a

I left

since

of heat, cold, and

element, and

my

health

not

instance

before
at

in

through

producing
Indians

sunshine, which
On

fever.

the

first

return

my

rately
immode-

ate

with

in

those

Barcelona,

has

Atabapo,

here
in

from

always

climate

continuallysuffering from

are

laid

the

; on

upon

met

Nueva

where

most

aristocratic

public opinion
is

governed by
powerful talisman.
distinguishedby

the

of

exercises

men
no

could

desire.

influence,and

In

kind

favour

of the

The

been

King

report that
and

Queen

of

had

Spain,and

of

the

countries

where

despoticrule, the

the

where

and

for
was

only twice

was

long fast,I

my

health

my

lastingthree days

after

on

raging, as,

was

Cabello,
I

sleep;

putrid fever, my health kept surprisinglygood.

as
My receptionin the Spanish colonies is as flattering
vainest

as

exposed

covering

no

headache.

for

often

am

yellow fever
Puerto

had

we

second

the

ing
encounter-

flesh I !

capitalof Guiana,

Negro, when,
the

in

wet

effect of

the

the

bread, which

regions ;

of

previously

little time

with

hours,

of fever

Angostura,

Eio

the
of

being

placeswhere
Gruayra

but

observations
five

or

slightattacks

with

had

uninterrupted good

give myself

interrupted by

even

never

four

La

at

instance,

the

years.

astronomical

making

while

like

exception

decidedly improved

such

hard, and

very

agri-

parts south

without

human

repasts on

spiritshave

last two

the

during

of

throughout

went

we

I refer to those

"

entered

of

enjoyed

never

yet

gentle aspect with

Spain, notwithstanding the perpetualchanges

damp to which I am exposed. The tropicsare
I

And

knowledge

Orinoco, where, with

remains

about

still bear

civilisation.

Wherever

scarcely ever

we

"

'

mild

America

six Franciscan

or

penetrated
the

Peruvian

Otaheite, a

of

cataracts

who

study of

the

by

by

combine,
rightsof hospitality,

the

districts of South

wild

the

Indians

of cannibalism.

custom

savage

palms, and

possessingconsiderable

of

is afforded

annoyances

of

of

races

exercising

inhabitants

for these

of ancient

them

and

HUMBOLDT.

majesticforests

independent

many

the

VON

thing
every-

court

is

personally
had

received

philosopher been

natural

freedom.

less

expensive

the

rivers

my

employ,

mules

independence

my

pecuniary assistance from

should
happen to
in

English

an

of

it

by

in

auspices

me

as

Spanish people.
intimate

terms

with

spent

with

whom

the

Chaymas

almost

as

mother

tongue

grand
*I

and

with
this

to

the

character.
every

it

for
of

he

to

from

Under

the

intended

for
who
mean

no

been

years

society,from

has

strange and,

prejudice against

given

me

Capuchins

stations
I
as

have
I

am

among
become
with

my

opportunity

notwithstanding the tyranny

of the

the

living on

the

mission

Viceroy, and

culture, and

for

of the

priests,is making great

possesses

the

elements

of

reason

Jussieu, Desfontaines,
;

two

at their

to

congratulate myself

travellingcompanion, Bonpland.
industrious

to me,

seems

Spanish language

influence

the

the

intimacy

in intellectual

have

time

this nation,

observing that
strides

now

some

greatly

as

it is for

myself.

all classes

Indians,

familiar

Government

have

to

exertions, those
that

aware

much

different

be

to

appeared

safe return

Indias.

seem

extravagant

an

say,

permitted
de

papers
news-

destined

will be

you

for

smallest

the

amid

am

"

in

travellingby

am

and

on

"

has

plans widely

are

far

fourteen

if the German

"

which,

that

to these

Europeans have,

almost

might

"

life, I

do

you

I sacrifice

Northern

in

Consejo

succumb

been

day, and

every

"

with

the

I started

well

which

object for
We

with

should

as

me

I be

occupied

which

activity, and

be

plants.

accepting

for India

Should

was.

so

together

article which

an

it is stated

with

required

more

Spanish Government,

connected

anything

know

as

I shall

Europe,

'

translate

the Council

high positionin
amused

and

Government

concerning

paper

of the

commission

often

and

more

any

flatteringnature,

scrupulouslyavoided

I have

reason

for months

instruments

transport of

about

supposed, seeing that

Indians

interior

the

in

has

expeditionhas

been

have

twenty-four

while

for the

this

might

had

I value

than

Never

travel

to

the

reasons

all-powerful

and

new

favour.

my

permitted

these

For

much

in

hearts

all

minister, softened

287

ORINOCO.

Urquijo,the

Don

from

recommendations

THE

TO

EXPEDITION

and

He

Bichard, and

possesses much

is
is

upon

my

worthy discipleof

extremely active

and

tact, easily accommodating

288

ALEXANDER

himself

to

is very

and

men

taken

the

"

of

arrangement

are

joint productions,in

We

have

order

each

often

to arrive

'And

that

for you
Eio

Negro,

pine

wood

not

would

heads

their
1

Negro

South

tropicalregions of
called

be

green.

HordeuTa
for

when

with

excited

by

contrast

the

Atures

and

lived for

been

the

! and

Michaux

in

visiting
there

myself

more

to

when

at your

of

life in

What

as

they

the

Rio
the

in

"

truly

may

brought
the

than

was

How

Baudin

which

and

culties
diffi-

many

plishing
accom-

length in

South

joining Baudin

and

at

is

sometimes

the

prospect,

proceeding

Baudin

of

almost

wonderful
now

; then

Algiers;

have

ever

cataracts

disappointed in

How

I I

specie

imagination

the

dream.

of

yon

botany inspired

in

with

with

and

Ocean.

to

complete

after

Acapulco,
with

him

world.
I

fancy

safe

world

tropics

First

world

Captain

the

to

the

study

Panke

California, of

to fall in with

brought
once

and

Sometimes,

allow

the

like

seems

of events

round

of

{Cinchona alba) in

China

the

Pacific

Mexico

journey

my

the

overcome

concatenation

"

palms

determine

again indulging the hope

the

of Guiana

Forster, when

point of visitingEgypt

America

the

of

round

voyage

forests of the

forests

when

visit the

to

and

it all

"

that

of

passing

fortunate

after.

orders

time

that

with

house

long

so

life

How

ever

you

might

you

desire

Rehberge

have

on

that

travels

my

ties ?

country
"

the

to

remember

my

keener

busy

impenetrable

America

back

Tnurvaum,

me,

me

look

*When

to

in the

plant,in

same

tropicalpalms

various

the

among

equal part

impenetrable

these

the

certainlyonly

It is

the

intolerable

seem

spectacleis presented by
rear

domestic

seen

gloriesof

the

imder-

descriptions

an

the

is* your

friend, how

have

nor

the

taken

I have

descriptionof

admirably

is

assistance

trustworthyresult,

more

dear

you

has without

which

peacefulhappinessof

the

he

word,

cates,
plants,which, including dupli-

the

given

my

you,

amidst

at

good Spanish,and

very

12,000 specimens; but

to above

amount

in

intrepid

explorer. He

scientific

HUMBOLDT.

speaks

manners,

and

courageous

fitted for

VON

and

give
that

my
all

imagination
these

wanderings

happy termination,

side, in the

the

old familiar

room

and

reins, and
have
that

at the

been
I
comer

am

EXPEDITION

289

ORINOCO.

THE

TO

of

Friedrichstrasse,enjoying

the
affection,

ahnost

assumes

to hasten

tempted

forgetthat
that

picture

the

conclusion

great undertakings the

in

of inclination, should

of my

rule.

to

that

and

to
not

I cannot

shall

^e

I feel

journey,and

force of reason,

be allowed

conviction

entertaininga strong

mutual

our

a realitythat
startling

so

the

of

happiness

help

each

other

either

from

see

again.
*I

have

Jacquin or
When

yet received

not

Van

der Schott, in whom

will this

severed ?

fearful

Pray

and to your

war

remember

Hermbstedt,
Kunth,

whom

letter.

Tell

determination
vessel
another

valued

of

Bode,

my

Herz, "c.

old

dear

never

to

kiss

the

so

Best
seek

are

dear

wife

for me,

and

your

Bemember

also

me

With

remembrances
out

the

on

than

more

written

brother's

Your'

one

to

to

devoted

old

Herr

receiptof

this
my

letter to each
him

to-day by

affection,

^Alsxandeb

X.

bonds

that, consistentlywith

I have

'

YOL.

many

children

Hermes.

friend

entrust

sailing for Europe,

opportunity.

which

friends, Klaproth, Karsten, Zollner,

will doubtless

you

by

interest.

strong an

so

to
affectionately

me

mother-in-law, and

circle

our

I feel

cease,

pleasegive a specialgreetingto
to

communication

any

pupil,
Humboldt.'

290

ALEXANDER

VON

HUMBOUTT.

IV.

CHAPTER

VISIT

CUBA.

TO

New
Departure from Barcelona
Landing at Havana
News
of
from
Batabano
Baudin
^Voyage
Journey
Double
Commission.
^Fidalgo's
Danger Turbaco
"

"

November

On

Bay

by

no

30,

small

means

distressed

November

in

weather

by stormy
sudden

the

an

" "

breaking

of

out

alarming accident,
wrought

soon

for had

familiar

able

were

the

accuracy
After

to

do

positionof

weather, they

at

December

19.

The

dangers and

sojournat
were

the

Havana

guests of

entertained
Real
a

more

at the

accurate

by

all the

Count

the

astronomer

speedilybeen

at that

harbour

time
the

almost

as

in the

Jaruca
were

greater
promontories.

in

the

:
delightful

travellers

with

constant

of

experienced on

first efforts

fat,

vessel.

twenty-fivedays

more

and

of meat

ascertaining

the

evening

same

cliffs,
islands,and

of Count

of the

the

cargo

even

Orelly,while

houses

survey

in

reached

Humboldt's

Socorro.

assisted

of

discomforts
seem

creased
still further in-

Mediterranean, yet

certain

length

of the

was

service

good

protractedvoyage

Sea
the

navigatorsas

to

such

On

brought the

flames

the

nately
alter-

calms.

by

was

board

on

The

ship being

north-east

which

not

the destruction

Caribbean

the

Although

fire

got under, they would, amidst

have

the

the

bom

meat.

hindered

and

danger,

with

the

one,

squall from

little craft into considerable

by

vessel laden

favourable

Cuba

set sail for

Humboldt

1 800,

Barcelona

was

voyage

"

24,

of New

Cartagent"

to

"

"

for the

Plans

"

Havana

sea

made

in the town

bad
on

the

they

coimtry they were

and

the

Marques del

directed

harbour, in which

Eobredo, Commodore

he

was

to

making

zealouslj

Montes, and

VISIT

On

completion of

the

of the

part

faithful

the

Galiano,

latitude

the

returned

and

the title of

Humboldt

through

North

southward

by

district

to New

through

the

at

had

he

strike

Biscay

across

to

hope

to

reason

would

men

reached

never

follows

himself

in

subsequentlypublished
proceed

to

Cuba

from
and

Lakes,

return

interveningimfrequented
On

learning,however,
was
on
Captain Baudin

that

the

started

an

for
opportunity oflFered,

union

for

by

to

with

the

Baudin,
of the

way

Cape

objects

This

returned

sailinground

of Good

he

that

Pacific,

was

of

his

of

of Panama

to Baudin

of the

shores

other

many

isthmus

word

instead

so

the

the

cross

wrote

of

originalagreement

destination, and

Hope

to

Cape

; it is as

'
"

'

'^

He

the

that

on

its

Lima,

at

had

Horn,

Almirante,

country.

occupied

considerablypromote

him

meet

to

Humboldt

El

Mississippito Louisiana,

out

carry

journey. He therefore resolved

and
proceed to Guayaquil, and
letter

tained
ob-

and

expedition whenever

every

proposed

early

I'lle de Cuba,'

Mexico.*

and

in the

startingupon his long-projectedexpedition,and

sail by Cape Horn
to the coasts of Chili and Peru,

the

scientific

Ohio

Malaspina.

island,and

of the

Canadian

the

newspapers,

determined

once

joining

the

American

purposed to

he

politiquesur
to

of

to

was

work

the

Blanco,

Bio

originallyintended

way

he

he

Essai

America

whence

of

the

for

'

had

point

longitudeof
in

collecting materials

the

portion of

the interior
places
February to Havana,^ and

in

under

through

other

several

and

companion of the unfortunate

this undertaking,he travelled

1801

year

291

CUBA.

TO

When

Citizen,
"

West
Cartftgena,

I bade

farewell

you

Indies

April 12, 1801.

Helvetiusat

in theKue

Paris, with the prospect of sailingshortlyfor Africa and the East

Indies, I had

doubt,

through

fontaines, how
1

Oltmann's

From

our

of

meeting

your

command.

hopes

you

plans have

completely my

iiber die

again
You

friends, Citizens

mutual

'UntersucLungen

"c.' vol. i. p. 226

*

faint

expedition under

of the

one

but

and

have

Jussieu

been

Geographiedes

forming
no
heai'd,

and

Des-

changed.
Neuen

Briefe

letter to William

von

"

"

Continents,

; vol. ii. p. 1.
von

Humboldt,

dated

near
Contreras,

Ibngue,

September 21, 1801.

*

Alexander

von

Humboldt, "c.,an Varnhagen/

u

p. 228.

292

ALEXANDER

In

lias been
these

of you,

of
and

Neufchateau,

Havana

leaving
reached

by

us

success,

and

that

touch

the
at

^ales

since

Fe, Popayan, and

We

hope

July, where
Pray

send

to

me

Sr. Baron

de

Caroudelet.

December
*

You

climate
that
out

will
has

you

Humboldt,
I

being

would

and

fore
there-

impetuous

able

with

to

seek
recur

and

yours,

blow

by

still

with

intend

therefore

and

to

to Panama

the route

; we

Magdalena,

Havana

from

gales would

Ocean

time

of Santa

way

following address

hear

Casa

del

Lima

my

with

in

from

of

beginning

Lima.

at

Spanish

Sr, Gobernador

nothing
in

to

the

arrival

your

till November

proceed

at

or

of

news

Quito,

should

"

Bn.
I

you,

shall

visiting Chimborazo,
'

various

instruments

January,
had

from

the

these

effect of

as

of usefulness
with

you

Pacific.

the

the

await

perceive

not

the

sidering
con-

pilot-boatto

labours

Quito in June,

at

regard nothing

plans

dressed

or

of

hope

prosecuting

lines to the

few

the

and

that

by

twenty-one days

Bio

On

voyage.

small

rewarded

been

Guayaquil,

or

our

Pacific

the

arrive

If

pass

Loxa, "c.,
in

de

your

news

Quito.

shall

we

Al

probably

the

feared

we

up

length

at

of

point

Philippines, the

on

in

from

in the

land

de

Franpois
the

on

felt convinced

we

in

of
us

vehemence

proceeding by
'

started

great

voyage

Guayaquil,

greater

the

intimidated

Cartagena
and

Ocean,

concert

disastrous

*A

had

projectsof uniting

in

navigating

were

the

embarked

we

often

have

we

Citizen

plans. Undismayed

oiu:

Southern

former

our

with

Valparaiso, Lima,

oflF this coast,

health

Our

forests

we

and

had

you

changed

the

As

perseverance

at

coast

once

in

you

Mexico

probable route,

your

Orinoco,

the

Amazon,

these

in

hopes.

for
your

the

by

disappointment experienced through

the

our

that

and

travelling

in

years

watered

futile interviews

of

of

shipwreck

buried

our

two

pestilential
atmosphere pervading

the

While

last

friend

cost, my

own

my

America

Negro,

preserved amid

rivers.

spoken

to

Eio

Casiquiare,the

the

at

the

spent

districts of South

the

through

I have

and

Bonpland

the

and

position of independence

HUMBOLDT.

VON

frankness

a
or

projects,that
rendering

sacrifice that
of
;

scientific
am

aware

me

this

phlegmatic, and

is needed

for

enterprise.
that

tropical

am

carrying

I have

ad

asking of

294

ALEXANDER

I sailed from

of Cuba,

Batabano,

burdenj and did

after

voyage

than

west

by

or

to

in

the

had

week*

We

of my

Gulf

of Darien.

and

lost

the

back

week

carried

were

so

far

incredulity
captain's

chronometer,

We

constantly

almost

were

only very lightwinds,

correctness

usuallyoccupied

time

the Gulf Stream, that,owing to the

the

as

of scarcely
very small vessel,
reach land till the 30th of March,

not

island

of the

coast

days, the
twenty-five

of

being hardly more

becalmed

the southern

on

the 8th of March, in

on

40 tons'
a

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in

ourselves

found

we

working

way

oiu:

of the

tempestuous
coast, which, on
along
with
of
time
a
east wind
so small
prevalentat this
year, was,
in
the
vessel,as difficult as it was dangerous. We cast anchor
Eio Zenu, and spent two days in botanising
along its banks,
which had not been previously
visited by any scientific explorer.
'

The

account

country exhibited

exceedinglyrich
considerable
is

more

number

than

We

in

the

that

palms, so
of

new

most

there with

met

some

short,broad-shouldered,and

are

the

flat in

diles.
croco-

Indians

Darien

figure
"

river

of the

mouth

was

to collect

infested with

is much
of

able

were

we

plants. The

miles wide, and

two

luxuriance, and

wild

in every

they
way

fair,
complexionthey are tolerably
flesh on their bones,and better developedmuscles,
with more
than any Indians we have hitherto met with.
They lead a life
of great independence,
and are not hampered with any of the
constraints of government.
You will thus see that though our
tedious and somewhat
was
dangerous, it yet brought
voyage
before our
notice many
objectsof interest. Our
greatest
befell
to
and
us
danger,however, was yet
just as we were
come,
enteringthe port of Cartagena,
We
were
tryingto force our way againstthe wind into the
harbour.
The
sea
was
fearfully
rough. Our tiny craft could
the force of the waves, and was
not withstand
thrown
suddenly
contrast

to the

Caribs ; in

'

her beam-ends.
A tremendous
upon
threatened
to engulphthe ship. The

ufidismayedat
bierna

up

we
icxtremity,

man

broke

over

at the helm

his

el timon!"

ourselves

wave

for
cut

us

remained

he called out :
No
post ; all at once
all now
(The rudder will not act!) We
**

lost.
away

In
a

this, as

sail which

it seemed
was

to

us,

and

omt

gogave
last

when
flappingloosely,

VISIT

TO

the

ship suddenly righted herself

and

we

sought refuge behind

But

'

here

the

For

when
of

in

we

time

On

the

day
Palm

was

Palm

which

in

Sunday

equal danger,

health

'My

be

to

reason

will

is to

plan
Lima,

and

Mexico

been

I have

I have

received

yet I know
here

During
visited
emits

to

the

arrive

in

the

you

mud

and

in

the

disposition
have

now

future

my

less

voyages

Pacific.

Popayan

expect

to take

Philippines,and
meeting
for

now

only

have

written

My
Quito,

to

three

weeks

Turbaco,

of

water, and

for trees

night of

In the

"

See p. 279.

March

hope

reach

to

for

1804

other

and

Acapulco

in the

time
trust

we

may

again.

without

from

news

since

you
to

ship,some

in

I left

Europe,

Spain

frequently.

me

since

Europe

letters from

environs

time

letter from

one

must

each

long

Quito

from

July ;

February, 1802,

in

sojourn of

and

Fe

almost

in

"

of the

peaceful waters
Santa

the
:

on

time,'*

will

for the

was

Uruana,

at the

you

peril

it

placed

was

you

since

me,

by

the

received

has

that

of the

and

good,

very

land

pleasure of

the

banks

imminent

to

and

that

coincidence,

proceeds

Acapulco

for

1803,

the

manuscripts, he

sail theuce

; from

quietly entered

concerning

about

over

had

I expect

have

and

that

I sent

they

as

water, and

instructions

'continues

where

year

detailed

we

ramos),

year

which

the

exposed

turtle

off the

anxious

go

de

of

prisons

boat,

our

remarkable

twice

previous

prosecuted in

be

thus

{Doravago

when

giving

is

the

party

shore,

calm,

oft'

put

thicket, brandishing

to

oflFfrom

put

It

was

the

collections

of his

and

me.

assistants

my

from

seizing
once

chains, and

the

on

fled at

We

descriptionof

After

from

us

awaited

moon,'

with

of

clanking

apparently

Sunday

Orinoco,

scarcely landed

upon

Cartagena.

on

the

wave,

Grigante.

greater danger

eclipse of

an

followingday, during

of

harbour
the

out

embark

to

of

promontory
a

the

by

unarmed.

were

barely
'

had

daggers, intent
we

of

of another

top

{dmarronea), escaped

negroes

rushed

Cartagena,

saw

startled

were

powerful

their

boat.

the

observation

the

upon

almost

and

new

better

shore

to

295

CUBA.

March

; and

No

one

1800.'
.

Cartagena

at

noted
of
29

for

enormous

and 30.

the

"

travellers

volcano

which

girth.

While

296

here

they

head

of

they

had

the

commission

their

of

these

Europe

for

in
1798

since

has

coasts

to

to

the

the
been

east.'

fall

to

the

survey

'We

found

observations

the

deviation

as

in

with

of

the

great

for
of

to

the

the

Fidalgo,

effect

and

it

has

stant
con-

noticed

needle

magnetic
as

lation
regu-

and

longitude,

west

whom

the

remarkable

the

at

with

coast,
and

obsen^ations,

compare

instruments.

agreement
that

fortune

good

enabled

were

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

upon
been

in

JOURNEY

TO

CHAPTER

V.

JOURNEY

Cliange of

Route

its

and

Environs

Popayan
Humboldt

this

and

is

route

and

months

his

the

He

desire

Celestino

Jose

anxious

to

the

him

to

the

cross

Santa

joining

Fe

his

Bonpland
'

Owing

brother
were

Quito, and

on

to

from

de

in

and
a

the

on

at

embarking

route

of

therefore

sent

stay of three

Barancas

of

the

up

well

as

by
by

as

botanist

noted

he

three

this decision

collection

collections

voyage
to

two

Andes,

At

of the Pacific

inland

the

and

Magdalena.

from

the

night

year,
gena
Carta-

consequently the

of the

He

of the

of the

winds

trade

Bogota

order

Bogota, Popayan,

occupy

whose

own.

of

and

Zenu

journey from

influenced toward

after

Magdalena

the

Bogota

Rio

Panama,

sail up the

that

chain

Mutis, with

left Turbaco

he

the

season

the

de

choose

to

further

compare

to

sea

Y"

tedious

and

season,

instruments, with the books

by

than

he learnt that the

was

to visit in

his wish

favourable

of Santa

this decided

great

to

de

F^

Caucathale

"

opportunity

Guayaquil might

to

Magdalena.

Quindiu
at Quito.

Chagre

an

At

Quito.

necessitates

for

Santa

"

sailingfrom

incomparably shorter

Panama

from

of

Arrival

"

Panama

at

Cartagena, however,
over

PasB

Rio

the

up

Honda

to

investigate the geological conformation

await

Paste, which

were

of Pasto

Quito by way

to

^The

"

originallyintended

Guayaquil

for

QUITO.

Maprdalena

Ibngue

"

Paramos

might

isthmus,

TO

Rio

Bello, thence

he

that

The

"

had

Porto

to

the

Up

"

297

QUITO.

Don

plants he
his

could

was

heaviest

best spare,

weeks

at

gena,
Carta-

April 19, 1801, and,

Nuevas,

embarked

with

April 21.
the

force

Contreras,

of the
near

fifty-five
days in making

swollen

stream,' he

writes

to

Ibague,September 21, 1801,

our

way

up the

Magdalena,

his
*we

pass-

298

ALEXANDER

whole

the

iug

time

VON

amid

forest scenery,

scarcelyan inhabitant.

For

neither

other

again
the

house

allude

nor

any

to the

heavens

nightlyon

as

far

chart

as

blaze.

number
in

of

river

four

the

by

in

viceroy;

levels between
the

condition

eudiometer,
received

by Bouguer

its downward

in

From

The

the

and

the

cinchona,

Orinoco.

(nutmeg),
is

ment

of

2,000
of

one
*

our

Santa

Honda.

only
a

from

mule.^

the

being

Up

also found

piastres (500 gold

Fe

de

of

road

is

On

to 1816

rock,in many

to

is situated

20

the road

was

from

parts of which

leadingto the

two

mules

of
capital

Santa

his

death.

true

with
tree

forests

myriatica

Frenchman,

who

salary
money), was

our

Magdalena.

; in some

the

pass

could not

level

places it

walls of rock, and

than

that

to

of Grovem-

attention

this mountain

scarcelymore

and

whole

8,990 feet above

between

river

almond

wide, scarcelyadmits

inches

emerging

is

of

the

taken

the

with
plantations,

bad
indescribably

steps cut

narrow

18

of the roads

Bogota

up

have

already met

here, and

Fredericks

travellingcompanions

with

met

Desieux,

tunately
for-

am

speciessimilar

the

my

instruments.

Mariquita

otoba, which

to these

with

well-known

The

M.

directed.

followed

he

I had

of which

appointed overseer

The

only

the

as

cultivation

to the

now

been

has

well

as

of which

(Caryocua aw/ygdalifems)is
of the

is

tested

also that

was

D'Elhuyar
here

have

tained
re-

metric
baro-

of

instruments

route

of

and

is

indeed, I

"

valuable

mines

made

localities with

unprovided

was

cultivated

and

order

have

series

Fe,

France, only

unfortunate

Guaviare

the

on

to

Ceylon, specimens

at

several

Magdalena

I visited

cinnamon-plant

grown

The

course,

Honda

Anna, where

in

of my

none

his return

on

Santa

is still in excellent

injury.

any

and

the

sailed

of which
a

or

stantial
circum-

a
we

copy

also taken

have

atmosphere

able to say that

not

set

Thus

latitude.

sheets,

Cartagena

of the
which

given

letters.

5" North

situated

the

all this I have

is

cataracts,

incessant,and

of other

Honda,

of the

dangers

almost

Of

I need

habitation.

the

were

in

account

which

fortyleagues there

of

human

with

districts

through

distance

mosquitoes,

thunder-storms,

HUMBOLDT.

the

of

sists
con-

being

passage

(la boca

of

del

watercourse,a cleft in
pass, and

yet

this

waa

a country containinga
population
When
the Spanish Goyemment
28;000 to 80,000 inhabitants.
taken from the
of New
Oranada,the prisoners
regainedfor a time possession
one

of

from

JOURNEY

in 4" 35'

monte)

extensive

an

upon

North

plain embracing

Indian

with
formed

by

the

evil

The

which

the

Sun, shattered
celebrated

The

after

and

the

of

persons

for

objectof

the

Mutis, who,

here,

reception, that
the

As

honour.
any

guest

at his

with

him

at his

house

the
man,

for

utmost

viceroy

us

table

his

own

cordialityand

nearly seventy-two

Temple

in the

thence

triumphal procession.
us, and

the

age,

the

we

back.
horse-

on

visit to

estimation

greatest

accorded

was

might

invited

Mutis

Fucha.

He

he

us

had

received
is

an

has

by
to

do him

entertain

by etiquetteto

age;

dinner

high positionat court,

inhabitants

friendship.

came

city,and

to be

known

it

sixty persons

he
capital,

of

with

capital.

neighbourhood,and
years

and

years,

of ceremony

the

at

was

the

is forbidden

country house

in

us

in

degree

through

own

great

is held

certain

tion
constitupolitical

from

than

coming

our

personal character,

all classes

meet
in

more

of his

account

on

distance

of

fled

plain,and

to the

25,000

resembled

some

retinue

flood

Sim,

distinction

at

us

for

the

now

of the Incas, retired to the

carriage to

greatest

with

As

our

his

Indians

the

or

of Funzhe

the

during

returned

in the

Fe

deluge

is

Lake

the

had

now

resided

at Santa

of

waters

to the

his home

archbishop sent

proceeded

and

he

to

Oiu: arrival

provided

was

the

forth

there

where

Tequendama,

to those

where

finallyreturned
The

of

Indians.

Muyscas

cast

"

plays

Bochika,
good spirit,

inhabitants,who

similar

of the

woman

the

having g^ven

laws

Sagamun,
'

But

"

neighbouring mountains,

Bochika,

of

lake.

waterfall, and

away.

the

to

Moon

the rocks

with

which

of Funzhe,

mythology

the

spirit,or

formed

flowed

in the

part

covered

of trees,was

Lake

of the

drying up

thirty-twosquare

than

more

suddenly

European grain,and thicklydotted

plain(Llanura de Bogota) has been

of

villages.This

important

so

kinds

of various

ourselves

found

latitude,we

leagues, which, though entirelydevoid

crops

299

QUITO,

TO

to dine

prepared
us

excellent
been

in

with
old

holy

widening and improving the road from

by the requirements
undertaking rendered
an
neoessaiy
Honda
to Bogota
the
Goyemment
was
urged by a
of military communication^ and to which
assumed
road speedily
The
a
new
reaction.
aspect
; and
powerful political
of
time
dvil
during a
bloody
war,
thus was
eamly and rapidlyaccomplished,
the
been
their
by
had
attempted
even
Spaniardsduring
never
which
a work
of the country for nearly300 years.
occupation
peaceful

Republican party were

"

employed

in

300

ALEXANDER

is

orders, and

annually

years

he has

from

in

considerable

ai'tists have

like miniature

London.

Notwithstanding

the
and

I have

to Santa

caused

the

the

sightsof

treatise

of

rise to

mastodon
rock

salt.

from

the

great

as

The

de

of
:

"

learn

ferns

of these
at which

elevation
Brocken

in

employed

*
.

my

and

in

Among

Humboldt's

from

included

*were

down

ravine, bordered

of most

luxuriant

filled with

occur

growth ;
of the

bones

bed

immense

an

formations

they

of

shadowed

rock

the

excites
a

"

the

piled upon

were

capital

magnificent waterfall

the

Gigantes,

Honda

from

in the

Bogota'')

cleft

Bonpland

poor

the road

the

and

miasma

16,000 feet.'

field of coal, and

existence

if the

as

and

extensive

great

surrounding moimtains,

rushes

water

by palms

; an

elevation

neighbourhood,

of the

Plain

the

river

detained

were

of the

interest

plain,Gampo

wide

the

the

equator,

great

September, 1801.

some

Elevated

oaks,

side

either

on

in

48**,
frequentlyat 32\

on

neighbourhood' (aswe

the

evergreen

fever
we

Tequendama,* where, through

by

the

or

the

13,000 and

followingobjectsof

the

largest

Banks

of

the

to

mosquito bites,but

curiosities

height

the

*0n

of

amid

till the 8th of

of which

several

that

excepting

at 46**

intermittent

visiting the

measuring

Mutis

the

possesses

proximity

this illness

by

months,

in

time

the

by

by

Fe, and

full two

last

the

72**.

again attacked

was

superintendenceof

account

kept perfectlywell

inflammation

the

its

usuallystands

above

never

pays

botanical

engaged during

seen,

ever

decidedlycool, on

thermometer

of

expenses

paintings. He

I have
librarjr

is

the

king

which
3,000 drawings in largeportfolios,

to

botanical

climate

The

wealth.

been

painting under

2,000

executed

HUMBOLDT.

piastrestowards

Thirty

fifteen

are

possessedof

10,000

research.

VON

of

surprise

height

almost
of the

summit

Schneekoppe.'
On

the recovery

journey

in

Head

across

before

abridged form
entire

in the

the
in

'

Atlas

Eio

the

the travellers

from

Santa

Magdalena

Fe

and

to

Quito.

through

upon

their

The

road

Contreras

to

19; 1838, printedin an

Academy on March
of
March
1888, and published
monthly reports
vol. v. p. 07, "c., in PoggenVierteljahrsschrift/

xlii. p. 670, "c., as well

Schriften ' (1863),vol. i. p. 100.

1838, vol.

Kleinere

set out

Berlin

their

Deutsche

dorft''s' Annalen/
Humboldt's

Bonpland,

September, 1801,

lay westward
^

of

ou
pittoresque,

Vues

des

PL
Cordilleres/

as

VI.

in

Alexander

von

302

ALEXANDER

reeds

kind

of

would

these

for

in

his

Indians

and

saddled,
short

on

stick,they

caballitos

the

Among

and

easy

Humboldt
of

in

in

At

themselves

an

reached

From

'

of

which

horse

or

with

feet
to

would

as

be

his

length they

the

Choka,

enriched

plants.'

brother, in
to

vided
pro-

of tents

means

At

of

went

we

of

qualities

bleeding,but

to

25, 1802,

the

letter

Popayan by

way

the

right

for

their

Popayan

ing
visit-

Cauca,

to

celebrated

mines.

platinum
We

passed the

the

basaltic

Purace,

month

mountain

which

impregnated

emits

with

of

November,

of Julusuito,
with

pentagons

Strange,

which

and
I

1801,

noise

sulphuretted hydrogen,
heptagons,
remember

the

form

similar

to

have

at

the crater

terrific

porpbyritic granite,exhibiting
as

heliconia.

Humboldt

mountains

by

collection

their

boil,' adds

travellers

the

shelter

and

bare

commended
re-

mule.'

the

of

are

possessing

blood

terms

same

magnificent valley of

the

rise

the

backs.

them

hear

ing
lean-

and

and

one's

feeling, to

impervious

addition

the

and

reallymakes

leaves

November

Lima,

sure-footed

one

horses

their

on

of

day's heavy rain,

Cartago,'writes

Buga,

of

of the

out

valuable

of

with

Cartago

dated

of

Ibague, during

constructed

with

speaking

masters

being

in

"

themselves

forward,

some

of generous

his

allow

cargueros

described

being

employed

; it

pace

burst

human

'

even

as

feet.'

have

to

termed

they

their

men

bleeding

mines

inclined

body

carry

and

travellers

to
an

their

with

of

minuteness

are

morning

every

we

as

completely enervated,
of

who

service

and
some

so

director

backs

the

bare

become

gigantic

boots, that,

on

with

covered

of this

roots

our

carried

every

district

swampy

with

incessant

slope from

the

cargueros

Europeans

it is customary

be

be

Cartago

{cah(dlit08\ because
to

pricks on

to

reached

climates

two

or

The*

describes

these

that

lay through

ourselves

allow

Humboldt

the western

on

completely destroyed

so

grass

not

In

road

of bamboo.

{carguero8\ we
*

descent

our

Our

rain.

heavy
with

of

days

last few

HUMBOLDT.

VON

to
seen

and

of

of the

jets
the

volcano

of

rocks

columns,

those
when

steam

shaped

described
in

of

by

Venetian

Lombardy.
'

The

greatest

difiBculties

of

our

journey lay yet

before

us.

JOURNEY

between

Paste,

and

Paramo

this

is the

where,

at

within

its

exists

to

the

as

months,

through

whence

the

heat

with

the

among
from

the

of

peak

Patia,

three

Cordilleras,

frightfulprecipices,to Almager,
situated

Paste,

to

the

over

to

night spent

one

Patia," lasting

de

crossed

we

the

known

fever

all

sea,

penetrate

valley of

that

extent

in.

set

regions

the

to

as

the

of

desert

above

feet

already

to those

intense

so

an

calentura

"

proceeded

we

is

engender

abounding

pass

cold

had

of

Paramos

the

cross

which

12,000

such

precincts may

Spaniards
four

avoid

to

Andes

in the

the

To

had

season,

about

of

and

malaria

where

rainy

given

ceases

bones.

very

to

in the

name

We

Quito.

height

vegetation
the

and

Popayan

QUITO.

TO

the

at

foot

of

terrific

volcano.
It would

that

than

with

with
narrow

one

could

fancy

these

this crop
the

to

this

is

often

possess
nature
^

In

of the

live almost

fails,as

it did

man

the

at

this

situated
red

Tuqueres,

the

clay

and

limit

the

unfortunate

the

live

of which
the

these

only

mine,

of

had

Pasto,

consists

of

tion
vegeta-

solfataras,from

they

which
tants
inhabi-

potatoes, and

obliged to

are

the

upon

of

animals

treat
re-

achupalla

eat

the

the

Andes,

that

they

they

bears

that

which

and

afforded

sustenance

stem.
it

can

by

region,

villageof Voisaco, 8,990

to

mules

province

The

to

girths,

rocks

in the

entirelyupon

food

spersed
inter-

the

to

whole

and

tree

elevated

woods

up

the

by

gallery of

of

above

they

small

this

of

Indian

sea,

The

last year,

where

also for

serves

themselves

some

vitreous

regions

the

bones

Guachucal

only by conten:^ing with

to

clefts

continuallyissue.

mountains,

tree

such

volcanoes

by

Pitcamia)^

{Pourretia

sank

the

with

road

welcomed

were

mules

plateau,almost

of smoke
of

we

entering

was

of

surrounded

and

As

the

fatigue.

or

mountain

frozen

when

cold

environs

the

including

one

paved

was

perished through

wreaths

in which

morasses,

road

horrible

more

this little town, where

to

where

touching hospitality. Thick

almost

the

(1801), and

paths winding through

and

of

is obtained

access

Christmas

inhabitants

while

which

by

spent

we

hardly be possibleto picture

north

of the

homstone

felspar,possessingall

the

feet above

volcano

the

of Pasto, I discovered

porphyry mingled

properties of

level

the

with

serpentine

304

ALEXANDER

rock

in

of

sudden
the

but

rise

6th

through

wet

months,

two

This

Fichtelgebirge.

polarity,

being

after

on

the

and

of
of

the

has

by

torrents

drowned

water

during
1802.'

J)orphyry

force

no

nearly

January,

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in

an

exhibits

of

attraction.

of

rain

the

town

earthquake,

At

night
of

we

gree
de-

some

and
Ibarra

reached

length,
for

day
by

the

Quito

305

QUITO.

CHAPTER

VI.

QUITO.
The

Town

and

Three

its Inhabitants

Ascents

Paris

of

reliance

Friends

"

the

travellers

found

prepared

for their

the

that
*

The

is

of Quito

no

40,000
a

which

by

persons

to

70".

Since
and

occurrence,

It
of

mountains
the
of

the

it

vast

of

which

earthquake

subterranean

of

casting
SOU

I.

whole

vast

and

forth

Pichincha

fires.

The

of

earth

water,
sulphiu*,
X

cold

and

in every

is

February,

convulsed

way

some

proved

altered

the

usually
54% rarelyrising

are

of

are

of

frequent
violence.

great
elevated

more

and

that

the

are

but

small

emission
truth

tubes
of

portion
so-called

peaks,
(chimneys)

this

clearlydemonstrated

only too

1797, for the

the

of

the

bourhood
neigh-

the

4th

41^ to

volcano,

constitute

unfortunatelybeen

has

the

his

the thermometer

shocks

the
occasionally

the

in

calamity,earthquakes

that

to

25, 1802, 'but

completely

from

ranges

now

one
province
of Cotopaxi

craters

Humboldt

mountains

found

repose,

comforts

Paris.'

or

writes

so

to

all the

vegetation,and

has

Bouguer

is

the

of

It

event.

probable that

seems

able

of November

; the

house

excellent

an

amid

province was
killed,has
instantaneously

67^

about

at

cited

Selvalegre, the

were

whole

the

climate, that whereas

stood

de

great earthquake of the

disastrous

most

handsome,'

is

appearance

The

they

journey,

frequentlyovercast

considerable.

Quito

Self-

Noble

"

"

from

at Chillo.

Portrait

at

Letters

"

of Baudin

either in London

letter above

show

1797,

arrival

their

Chimborazo

Marques

reception,where

expected

in the

sky

the

be

town

brother

their

hardships of

could

the

Mountains

of

Ascent

^News

"

^Humboldt's

"

the

of

Europe

to

forethought of
on

in

Ascent

"

Letters

at Lima

Thuough

after

Pichincha

Despatch of

"

Interest

"

hypothesis
by the
all directions,

then

opened

"c.

Notwithstanding

in

the

306

ALEXANDER

the

and

which

by

dangers

the

inhabitants

are

breathes

only an

atmosphere

perhaps

nowhere

is there

sleep in

remained

'We

spent

^from

the

the

time

in

devoting about
1 802,

for the

results of

The

given

according

weeks

three

until

elevated

made

by

table-land

his

several

He

it necessary
'

worthlessness

of

his

proved

wait

dangerous
of

make

affords
but

Quito

where

during
early

were

they

appear

botanical^

astronomical

it

of

he

the

for

reason

of

ascents

this

could

had

those

value,
of

ascent

to

been

of

show

made

some

delay,that
'

the

be

the

temperature.

relative
those

which

could

from

the

snow

; and

scrutiny of

are

structure

the

organic life

condor

or

the

arduous

rise "r
it

The

is

above

subjectto
and
of

the

the

geologistby
is

few

error

and_
the
to

barometer, indeed^
from

mountain
the

rise

an

irregular decrease

earth's
the

still

impossible

ascertainingthe height of

obtained

The

which

summit.

atmospheric currents,

fall of

the

gained by

especiallywhen

for

ready means
results

he

principles

on

character

mountains

high

prolonged stay at
a

was

published separate topographical

he

until

which

perpetual snow,

the

soaring

June,

of

time.

by

scientific

of

line

ing
return-

is, in fact, little of purely scientific interest, and

There
less

Ilinica,

labours,by distinguishingbetween

obsolete, and

affected

be

not

that

gives as

to

mined
exa-

Humboldt

of

great work,

monographs

geological observations,
since

and

whether
classifications,

later date

much

volcanoes.

thought

We

9th

the

and

"

of Chimborazo.'

ascent

descriptions or
of the

August

each, and

to

on
capital; finally,

in

to

nearly eight

till

January

meteorological,
geological,
hypsometric,or
not

for

Quito

principalvolcanoes.

the

their

to

himself

accustom

of

of

observations

world

the

to

to

up

precipice.

the

sojourn upon

town

entirelygiven

Pichincha, Cotopaxi,Antisana,
to the

The

people.

man

province

fortnightor

started

we

of

visitingthe

whiles

between

the

can

beginning

succession

in

this

in

"

months

amiable

posed,
ex-

luxury and voluptuousness,and

of

Thus

brink

the

on

peace

surrounded,

are

frequentlybe

must

population so

pursuitof pleasure.

the

they

lively,and

gay,

Quito

of

which

apprehensions to

they

mTMBOLI"T.

VON

surface

is hiddei

covering of perpet
wholly absent, except perhaps in th
insects carried up by currents
of ai

307

QUITO.

Still

the

excited

arduous

and

universal

interest

exerts

ever

that

by
investigation.

defies
For

all

such

qualified by

insensibilityto

reach

26, since,as

May

the

he

he

determined

The

'
.

the

attendants

and

of

search

the

lay,no

how

but

doubt,

climb

the

up

doing

so

to

attempt
of

slope

repeat

the

first

attempt

on

large instruments

The
of

hopes

Peak

taken

of the

was

snow
we

so

should

speed, and come

projected out

The

wall

the

tl

M.

crater

ascend

to the

in
of

west

precipice?

this

steep,and

heartened,
dis-

were

we

Teneriffe,I

indeed,

in

some

holding on

by

deal lacerated

here, by similar

which

lay against

the

of

southern

of the

edge

the

edge

of

the

La

the

one

than

safely,and
all

were

and

in

more

us

crater

ascending

route, when

to

to bear

seemed

snow

the

following

means,

in another

feet,and

resolved

therefore

fatiguing ascents, reaching,

300

of

hands, though

my

probabilitythat Bouguer

same

greatlyfacilitated

had

by following the edge

ascent

covering

the

Condamine
snow-covered

cone

of ashes,

some

sixty years previously.

The

hard

that

chief

peril seemed

by

roll down
in

of

Ur-

down,

sat

of rock

it and
too

of

good

the

the

commenced

We

Aldas.

peak.

of ashes,

reaching

from

stronger

and

as

were,

intelligentCreole,

very

reach

cone

was

the

of rock, and

pumice

feet.

slopes

the

the

made
two
precipice. We
to a height of about
case,

fall

to

his

on

perpendicular.

ascending the

in

had

Pichincha

and

seemed

masses

projecting ridge

our

giddiness and

without

behind

to

we

almost

places,were
In

foot of

were

towering

The

700

of

it seemed

'

Indian, Felipe

an

at

the

pre-eminently
durance.
unconquerable en-

disgraceto leave
personallyexamining the

remarked,

accompanied only by

quinaona,

'

almost

of

previous occasion, left below,

ascent

us,

fully
power-

of Pichincha.'

crater

on

cessible
inac-

attainable,and

attack

summit

The

is most

and

an

has

was

courage

high plain of Quito

"

Man

Humboldt

failingfrom

April 14,

on

is least

indomitable

Though
ascent

which

world.

of the

fascination.

undertakings

his

loftymountains

of

all ages

in

secret

attracted

the

perilousascent

our

the

contact

the

sloping surface
with

some

with

of the

Suddenly,

pumice.

to be

lest

accelerating

sharp rocks

with

loud

that

cry

of

308

VON

ALEXANDER

Indian, Aldas, who

terror, the

through
and

as

frozen

the

he

declared

he

had

feared

sunk

into

an

it

as

were

calmness

for

under

vicinityof
the

upon
We

The

and

steps.

inspection,to

much

less

rock

the

requested

M.

Sienega, resting upon

when

he

saw

me

rock

shaped

persuaded

of

bare
once

the

our

but

way,

ourselves

joy,
in

in

with

The

mist

we

trod

in

close

feared

hid

by

more

cloud.

proximity

the

remain

below
I

and

time

and

the
in

ascent

patches,

so

from

the

only

Indian

in

distant

as

beyond

objectwas

stiflingsmell
crater

of

we

reachim^

the
the

ignorance
found

rock

came
be-

great

our

twelve

to
our

fett

ground
We

venture,
ad-

recent

half-frozen

announced

little

of

means

gradually

.To

concealed.

sulphur

; but

After

easily

soon

ledges of
ten

turret-

was

which

steep.

follow

to

the

ascent, by

frond

deep.

much
us,

less

rugged

attempted

On

The

the

the

upon

vapour,

base,

in

of rock,
projections

of

crater

the

to form

laborious

cloud

nothing

of the

to

plans.

summit^

me

accompany

inodorous.

everything

every

the

progress

as

\\p so

good-natured

length,and scarcelyeight inches

we

the

ever-brighteninghopes, and

lay only

snow

of

the

at

steepest

towards

of

course

isolated

and

be

steeper portion,

remained

but

Indian,

future

our

of stone, while

The

to

graduallywider,
the

block

snow.

surrounded

thickened,

continued

shelves

narrow

more

account

upon

broken

Urquinaona

and

more

abrupt

being

reappear

pinnacle we

the

of

lower

of the

ascent

not

shoulders.

pinnacles surrounding

the

nearer

parts of

upper

deliberate

steps,to

easterlyof
become

to

did

The

on

rode

by throwing

accident.

superstitiousfear,

he

the

by

out

of

He

all the

with

in

mass

saddle.

eflfected

we

the

had

snow.

our

appeared, upon

by

he

crater, protestedagainst all further

the

retraced

on

him

pulling

of

treacherous

most

This

danger

considerable

labour

to

disconcerted

influence

the

near

and

the

perceived that

we

a^le

were

back,

somewhat

were

as

extrication.

his

his

upon

; and

mass

as

waist,

for his feet, we

legs apart,
a

fell

me,

to the

Happily,

weight

supported

was

sink, we

to

We

this

upon

continue

him

he

of

up

support

no

his

with

his

sank

cleft.

open

Falling

which

upon

find

front

in

He

snow.

sinking pressed together by

snow,

close

was

he could

that

less imminent.

was

of

crust

HUMBOLDT.

on

snow.

which

wandered
to

us

suspected that

the
we

310

VON

ALEXANDER

'

While
M.

Urquinaona, I

remarked
with

descended

the Indian

snow-water

during

becoming quicklydried
the

of

out

crater.

stood at 41**,rose

to the

sat alone at

boots,which

that my

as

HUMBOLDT.

had

panion,
Sienegato fetch my comthe edge of the crater, and
been completelysaturated

first attempt at

our

in the stream

The

of

warm

which

thermometer,

I held it

over

the

the

ascent,

were

air that ascended

in

the

abyss to 66**.

Sienega
.

Urquinaona at length made his

when
almost immediatelywe "became
envelopedin
appearance,
ing
a cloud of steam
a dense mist
^produced
probablyby the mixwithin
of streams of air of unequal temperature. It was
now
of pleasureat having attained
hour of sunset, and with feelings
an
we
our
hurriedlyleft the volcano,and descend"i
object,
into the valleyof Sienega a district filled with pumice. We
before night came
crossed,fortunately,
on, the steepridgewhich
of Yuyucha. Through thif
the Sienegafrom the valley
separates
valleywe proceeded in total darkness (fornot a star was to
falls in consequence
of the
be seen),encountering numerous
roughness of the path,and arrived at Quito at half-pasttwelve
o'clock at night. Our arduous
expeditionhad occupied as
eighteenhours, fourteen of which we had spent on foot.'
Notwithstandingthe dangersand fatigueto which Humboldt
had thus been exposed,we find him on May 28, after an interval
of onlytwenty-four
hours, again upon the frail balconyof rock
overhangingthe flamingcrater,intent upon making a series of
observations
and
to me
experiments.'My third ascent was
from the proof I then received
the most
of the
interesting,
renewed
of the volcano, for about halfcontinuous
or
activity
pastone in the afCemoon we experiencedseveral smart shocks of
earthquakewhile standingon the shelf of rock. I counted fifteen
'

After

tedious

delay,M.

"

"

"

shocks

in

The
gave

news

that the volcano

rise in Quito to the

thrown
shocks
As

minutes.'
thirty-six
had

shown

reportthat the heretic

gunpowder into the crater,by

had been produced.
mentioned, Humboldt
previously

of this celebrated mountain

remained

onlya quarter of

an

signsof

they were
hour

means

fresh

had
foreigners

of which

also made

acti\'ity

the recent

the ascent

of

and
unprovidedwith instruments,

at the crater.

81

QUITO.

the

several
of all

but

June

June

on

of

mountain
the

1802

23,

the

"

time

regarded

height

the

Festival

reached

Peak

of the

crater

22, 1799

June

before,

; and

of St. John, within

his visit to the

Humboldt

"

at

that

attained

the

of

the

giant mountain,

in

the

world,

by

any

human

from

the

highest

before

never

of

summit

the

as

more

Chimborazo

for

Quito

of the

years

to

left

Eve

anniversary

almost

excited

has

none

Ilinica:

of Chimborazo.

travellers

TeneriflTe, three

climbed

expeditions

ascent

9, the

of the

day

his

than

attention
On

and

peaks of Antisana, Cotopaxi,Tunguragua

and

being

of

18,096

feet.
We

give

this

the

followingextracts

reaching

Humboldt,

farther, and

left

Montufar,

half-caste

and

than

more

alone

"

from

dint

By

reached

of

the

the

of

son

to

steeper.
us

accompany

threatenings,

from

Bonpland,

Selvalegrcy

de

Marques

the

friend

estimable

our

taining
main-

rarity of

the

neighbouring villageof

almost

been

places the ridge

To

left

our

which

shone

sheet

of ice
fearful

which

rather

exertion

great

greater height

had

we

like
at

was

than

afforded

no

this

wider

precipice covered

with

glass from

San

Juan,

800

gen,'

von

in

of

In

naist.

surface

frost.
On

30".

of

the

naked

We

rock.

other, for

it seemed

of

This

thin

the

right
sides

the

1,000 feet deep, from

to

inches

ten

the

many

leant

over

less to be

precipiceon our left,where the smooth sides

opportunity of checking a fall by catching hold
the

Humboldt,

'

Ueber

Schumachei^s

'

and

zwei

where

the

thin

crust

Versuche,den Chimborazo
Jabrbucb/ 1837,

Astronomisches

Bergbaus's Annalen/ 3rd peries,vol.

' Kleinere
voL i. p. 133.
Scbriften,'
'

in

hope for, seeing

snow,

of about

masses

side than

to

patience,we

eight to

effects

the

inclination

an

projecting pieces of rock,

A.

dared

from

abyss, from

to

more

bad

we

than

not

was

was

than

considerable

and

constantlyenveloped

projected huge

dreaded

did

we

and

narrower

and

lates
path,'re-

myself.
'

of

moment

entreaties

to

younger

Indian

feet, *The

15,600

exception, refused

deaf

sufifered

of

every

one

were

We

Carlos

of

became

'

were

they
air.

elevation

an

natives, with

The

was

of

account

expedition.'

Upon

detailed

iii.pp. 199-216.

A.

von

zu

pp.

of

ice

bestei176-200.

Humboldt's

312

ALEXANDER

furnished

VON

HUMBOLDT.

security againstbeing precipitatedinto

no

loose

the

beneath.

snow

sloping surface

'The
that

b'ght pieces

when

rolled

the

down

rock

became

and

difficult

we

friable,and

edges

of the

rock

especiallyon

to

repeated attacks

In

of the

l)een

greatlyaggravated by

been

exposed while

The

loose

first to

had

reach

the

of

summit

enterprise among

that

we

had

gained

rely on

all excursions

In

needed.

most

the

painfullycut,
had

dust

pumice

in the

the

upon

for

some

the

by

Llano

Tapia.
to

be

in sand.

place that

been
of

It is

de

appeared

Fortimately,the

experience,

I had

sitated
ridge neces-

that

every

had

had

to which

narrow

masses

mountains

seemed

reserved
South

and

knew

to

attempt
for

our

America,
how

so

far

we

peculiarcharacteristic

of

Andes, that beyond the line of perpetual

always left

are

their

where, from

fine

Chimborazo

powers.

the

on

Europeans

snow

own

our

veiy

{Pulex penetrans), which

tested.

some

was

foot, caused

my

slowly,as

the

it

feet, and

this,I

only imbedded

more

be

last

could

stones

to be

all the

advanced

insecure

the

and
were

to

taking measurements

proved

firmly attached
'We

we

in

caution, since many

extreme

liands

wound

the

ing
reach-

increasingly

ascent

placeswhere

addition

Niguas

position of

hand),

at

before

sight of

that

sharp

from
suflfering

been

substance

the

both

use

so

were

hands.

our

certain

At

obliged

were

lost

distance

more

dangerous.

steep,

weeks

such

to

(the only

incline, were
.

The

extended

snow

dolerite

resting-place.

any
'

of

of

without

guidesjust at

complete 'ignoranceof
everything Europeans

the
are

the

point

locality,
help
left to

take

is

the

lead.
'

coiild

We

therefore

were

barometer
two

at

persons
an

higher
the
*

and

doubly

to

elevation
than

we

the summit,

longer see

still to

had

ascent

at

no

spot

anxious

be

of
had

ascertain

accomplished.

where

stand

to

the

side

17,300

by

ridge was
side

even

in

We

three

how

much

opened

of the
the

wide

enough to
were
safety. We

feet, therefore

attained

by glimpses,and

months

scarcely 200

tuhe

allow

only
feet

previously upon

Antisana.
The

Sand-flea

[Chigoe],an insect which,by burrowing beneath

producesswellingand inflammation.

its eggs,
depositing

the skin

313

QUITO.

After

'

less

hour's

an

steep, but

One

after

far

Blood

all

we

from

symptoms,

Once

when

seized

with

violent

from

whom

great, being

so

however,

at

Don

companion,
bleeding

less

skin, and

the

has

that
'

of

been

The

of

view

our

suddenly

to

"

became

and

could
the

the

our

Schumacher's

the
the

on

'

and

not

was

Antisana,

ferent
dif-

greatlyin

of

yet in the

for the

the

amount

absolute

height

hidden

the

the

It

with
we

was

The

hurrying

summit

and
to

which

sixty
our
we

side of the

and

grand

of

action

all

our

ridge of rock,
snow,

forward

with

suddenly stopped

was

progress

barrier

Astronomisches

the

to

sprinkling of

thin

a
were

deep

other

object

perfect calm,

dome-shaped

strength*

ridge on

distant

every

attaining the objectof

of

further

feet

insurmountable

direction

400

clearlythat

same

for

proximity.

renewed

wider

ravine, some

see

and

more

hope

covered

there

footsteps,when

presented an

close

with

us

somewhat

assured

by

in

now

animated
here

only

of gauge

eflfect probably due

an

recognised once

and
spectacle,

efforts

kind

bad

which

mist

dissipate

Chimborazo,

solenm

making

travelling

power

began, notwithstanding

electricity. We
of

atmosphere

panions,
com-

attained.

stratima

from

the

of

severelyfrom

vary

of muscular
a

the

powering
over-

constitution, tenderness

to age,

exertion

of

young

phenomena

they constitute

rarefaction

of

according

On

our

in

occur,

my

then

suffered

had

Montufar,

previous

individual

same

elevation

feet,

state

by

sake

the

us

and

found

for

to

not

gi-ound in

was

by experience.

stomach

feet.

17,022

All these

lips.

individuals

13,800

of

Carlos

of the

the

withdrawn

than

height

upon

electricity.The

in

perienced
ex-

became

eyes

bleeding did

in the

condition

I had

experiments

the

familiar

gi:own

pain

I sank

which

ever.

indisposed,and

and

gums,

had

we

giddiness, that

as

of breathing.
difficulty

Pichincha, though

such

in
insensibility,*

thick

as

alarming
nothing particularly

which

the

upon

the

lips and

was

with

feel

to

became

accompanied by giddiness, which

nausea

the

There

these

some

began

than
distressing

more

exuded

was

unfortunatelyremained

feelingof

bloodshot.

mist

another
a

was

the

rock

climbing, tbe ridge of

cautious

feet

wide, which

undertaking.
stood

continued

ravine

Jahrbuch/ 1837, p.

; but

192.

We

in
was

314

ALEXANDER

of

means

no

was

of

night

after

whether,

doubtful

frozen

It

now

was

great
The

11-j^^lines.

but here tJie

of snow;

attempt,

an

siderable
con-

the

and

scale

equallyimpossible to

it

and

here

of cold
with

through
lay

there

the

on

formula

given by Laplace, we

We

remained

borazo,

We

of

nor

rock

few

the

at

we

noticed

was

captured by

tlie

into

see

Antisana

and

1,600

devoid

of

As

the

'

down

the

If La

were

at

the

as

in

balloou ;

line of perpetual

last green

the

feet

both

plains

the

fjstrless of

the

mo^

butterfly

lower.

tlie currents

are

in

so

those

sight of

did

We

beneath.

upon

numerous

vast

of
not.
tlie

solitudes, from

they

man,

carried up

been

had

atmosphere by

where,

of Chim-

summit

above

about

hung

height of 15,000 feet,and

higher;

warmer

to

weather

along

'

for

wholh

are

fear.

footing found
^

feet

Pichincha,

unaccustomed

dreary waste,

isolated

2,600

condors, which

any

being

of

Mountains,

were

about

higher regions of

however,

Snow

observed

Bonpland,

originating in

air

of the

height of 16,920 feet;

M.

observed

be

to

growing

was

elevation

an

; which

mist

more

We

this

in

in

neighbouring

were

barometric

the

to

the

with

mixed

reached

time

nothing

saw

lichens

snow,

fly was

short

plain of Quito.

elevated

the

According
now

sand, which

for the

ridge, was

again enveloped

motionless.

us

Our

[19,286English].
but

soon

were

we

feet"

Paris

in the

residence

quite benumbing.

snow-water,

had

degrees

only three

long

seemed

snow-drifts.

inches

thirteen

at

was

our

mountain

of

former

air

from

; but

remains

18,096

of the

temperature

wet

were

it stood

meter
baro-

the

fixed up

We

day.

found

and

care,

this amount

tropics even
boots

in the

freezingpoint

the

below

o'clock

one

with

we

surface

declivityrendered

to travel

able

been

prohibitedsuch

mass

snowy

of the

the

upon

Antisana, aftera

On

cleft.

There

summit.

the

to

sides.

the

the

round

frost,Bonpland had

severe

of the

nature

all,it reallyled

getting

distance
softness

HUMBOLDT.

VON

the

became

ridge of rock, and

that

Condamine's

only 1,224 feet

equal to three

times the

from

caution

greater

of the

in

line short

direct

height of

St

insecurityof

the

even

estimation
a

hurried

increasingly
threatening,we

height of
of the

was

necessary

Chimborazo

summit,

Peter's at Rome.'

our

than

be correct,
or

disUoct

315

QUITO.

the

during

We

ascent.

of

collecting fragments
We

structure.

be

asked

for

When

we

coimtered

^'

were

inches

The

past

created

by

life

my

risen

consoled

been

several

great had
feet.

18,000

At

left the

had

we

of

the

Himalayas, which

century afterwards,were

that

world

have

the

it

moimtains

had

than

been

by

the

Webb

and
I have

America

"

that

attention

more

for the last

given

that

Himalayas

in

to direct

have

tion
eleva-

envy

"

slopes of
this

in

in

who

one

of India.

on

impulse

'I

"

the

obtained

labours

my

the

was

feeling of

achievements

first

the

1828

pride

mountains

through

was

received

the

wrote

on

some

results

the

mean

certain

regard to

over

"

felt

with
of

with

all mortals

of

the

in

announcement

that

in November,

Berghaus*

to

myself

height of

century

half.'
will

We
the

Lima,
Your

Humboldt's

complete

November

25,

letter has

second

my

Ghimborazo

December

Bourrier, in

of

has

16, 1831,
the

the

who
1849

to

journey
dated

Delambre,

two

"

Andes.

been
reached
and

in

years
I

received

ascended
the
1850

trying to

the crater

expeditionto
since

letter

"

1802

been

the

description of

from

following extracts

Cordilleras

making
^

have

spot where

the

and

covered

English travellers,Humboldt

therefore

was

the snowy

the

the

en-

twenty

soon

of

we

snow

perpetual snow,

height

quarter

and

English

place to

gave

indeed

of the

....

by supposing

by

frequently

17,400 feet,

ridge was

reached

we

some

companions

two

highest

It

the

and

mountain

should

we

about

of

would

at

us,

imagined

Chimborazol

to

the

danger

strain'

humorous

the

that

interest

much

so

undertaken

his

of

limit

the

the measurements

When

saw

Europe

the

of

for

mules.'

had

in

sufficed

than

longer

hailstorm, which

overtaken

minutes

specimens

as

height

thick

deep.

rock
that

passing

so

snow

all

at

were

before

flakes

few

no

fragynentfroTtiChimborazoJ"

violent

minutes

the

foresaw

delayed

it

find

me

the

among

day

of Pichincha.

after
This

by Boussingault and
height

and

by

of
Jules

Hall, on
19,692 feet; by Jules

H^my

and

Brenckley,
The
3, 1866.
height of 21,457 feet,on November
height of the
mountain
is,according to Humboldt, 21,460 feet.
'
' Briefwechsel
Humboldt's
mit Heinrich
A. von
Berghaus,'vol. i. p. 208.
* ' Annales
du Mus.
A
n
XI.
d'Hist.,natur.'
(1803) vol. ii. p. 170.
to

the

years

',

316

ALEXANDER

reminds
which

the

it

the

at

was

frequentlyvisited,and
Condamine

La

that

that

me

and

licet comparare

magna

which

it

to

pai'visjis

before

'Long

oflScial

your

Pichincha, si

that

me

of

good

to

omen

receiving the

Mathematics,

in

succession

of

two

letter

which

of bark

forwarding specimens
togetherwith
differ

Dr.

six weeks'

of

of

to

value
hands

token

slender
letter

is very

to

the

heard

taken

the

to
that

we

the

sacrifices

our

barometric

and

our

have

we

and

reason

despatched
a

to

as

third

of

collection

remain

treasiu'es

seeds

long

so

for instance,

sent

we

the

to

logical
geo-

as

have

we

des

Jardin

!
.

joiuney occupying eight

to

learn

sailed

been

actuated

made

; and

in

that

by

the

Captain
Cape

by

noble

upon

the

regret visitingcountries

Hope.
by

of the

the

in all

purpose

reviewing our

atmosphere

had

of Good

ourselves

consoled

months

Baudin

herbariums,

drawings,

trigonometric observations, our

experiments
no

Institute

uncertain

to

disappointments,we
had

Desfontaines, and

have

route, and

had

in better

be

not

Chimborazo.

Quito, only

eastern

with

new

Pichincha, Cotopaxi,and

close of

the

at

Accustomed

thought

folio
port-

appeared

It has

National
I

Quito,

rare

ago

years

At

arrived

to the

of these
the

....

we

of

for its botanical

and

Lamark,

...

from

of

nothing
*

Magda-

the

up

Bogota."

attachment.

arrival

three

of

colouring,could

them

to
distressing

safe

Plantes

Flora

"

Institute, from

specimens
It

kindness, and

present

coloured

of the flowers,

every

me

chona,
Cin-

the

stamens.

voyage

made

of Jussieu,

of my

the

to

has

of the

offered

therefore

have

his

beauty

in those

than

and

collection,equally remarkable

this

for the

as

skeletons

received

Bogota,

de

of

the anatomy

wearisome

dm'ation,

species from

that

me

I have

whom

ten
writ-

Physics and

varieties

the

in

me

magnificent drawings, representing some

100

and

genera

Fe

length of

the

I undertook

sake

for whose
lena

from

Santa

dried
carefully

some

considerablyin

Mutis,

for

seven

drawings representing the plants and

which

Section

from
of

to

Institute, I had

the

to the

were

addressed

you

Secretaryof

of

capacity

letters

three

we

their first letter from

mountain

ground,

classic

regard as

received

seems

Guaguapichincha,

of science.

men

of

summit

Bouguer

therefore,

Academy;

HUM^LDT.

VON

Cordilleras,

which,

to

great

318

ALEXANDER

much

VON

of

respected fkmily

Humboldt
both

had

the

of that

particulars. Senora
of Quito, but

beauty

of Carlos

sister

much

Montufar

who

"

baron

The

remained

longer
and

hunger

than

was

be

to

of doors
At

collectingplants.

he would
of life

be

even

was

1802

after

us

in

we

table he

never

of

seemed

He

stone

every
all

asleep,
mode

ladies,this
to

his

claims

were

young

journal:

my

again,examining
To

1859,

things,the

ladies.

incomprehensible than

more

in

satisfythe

to

noted

Humboldt

polite. At
to the

stars.

ing
interest-

her

saw

in

night, long

the

gazing at

in

I inscribed

and

attention

out

many

other

necessary

courteous

pay

always glad
and

always amiable

was

comparatively

among

to me,

followinginterestingdetails,which
"

distinctly

me

accompanied

related

"

"

when

changed

Montufar,

Chimborazo

of

ascent

Eosa

could

gave

had

They

1802.

science, then

sojourn in Quito they

whom

from

Montufar,

time, and

of

distinguishedman

of whose

young,

Aguirre

in
great hospitality

livelyrecollection

recall

received

HUMBOLDT.

father

my

the

marquis."
'

the

near

grand

in

only slightlyinjured by

the

1859, which

guest, painted by

family of Aguirre

Chillo, half

Humboldt

used

make

to

The

geojogy and botany.

blue

breeches

white

right

dark

hand

rests

Chim.

Plant."

brown

hair.

of the
a

upon
His

The

expression of
traceable

in this

later, then

given

countenance.

the

nose,

is the

picture to

venerable

faithful

book,

entitled

old

in

brow

the

point

But

of

the

"

and

face

chin.

as

The
the

genius

saw

artist

features
of

that

time
court

waistcoat,

Aphorism,

ex

His

Phjrs-

by long dark
are
strongly
The

of resemblance

man.

representation of

at that

century.

is covered

Humboldt

pursuitof

the

white

last

youthful

mouth,

Quito,

representedin

of the

fashion

features

eyes

is

their

in

from

baron,

yellow facings,a

thoughtful

the
marked, especially

preserved
in

German

ings
build-

distinguished

day's journey

of age,

with

is

quake
earth-

many

their

excursions

young

(in 1802) thirty-three years

of

so

Quito,

still in their possession

have

artist,which

native

of

house

country

and

laid

of
half-length portrait,life-size,

uniform

and

Bonpland

of March,

The

ruins.

whence

was

square,

22nd

of the
in

Humboldt

occupied by

house

The

pecidiar

most

him

fiftyyears

has
of

readily

evidently

Humboldt's

master

mind,

319

QUITO.

as

in

glance
in

her

the

glory
the

over

countenance

inadequate
Humboldt

magnificent

his

before

threw

eye

valley

lay

forms

grandest

of
him

through

the
"

painter

every
has

failed

feature

to

give

penetrating

Chillo,

"

mightily

shone

doubt

manhood

his

of

where

genius
of

more

which

that

the

province

of

Quito

in

July,

no

expressive
than

rendering.'
left

Nature

1802.

very

320

ALEXANDER

VON

HUMBOLDT.

CHAPTER
QUITO

FEOM

Carib

of the

Incas

"

Ketum

Road

The

"

Andes

the

over

TO

The

Acquisitionof Manuscripts
Civilisation

VII.

"

Current

Humboldt

"

^First View

"

of the

Manure

as

National

to the

Letter

"

Inca

Languages Fonner
Expeditionto the Amazon, sod

Guano

Truxillo, Lima, Guayaquil

"

and
"

Oaxamarca

"

MEXICO.

Pacific Ocean

Acapuloo"

"

Institute.

was
hope of joining the expedition under Baudin
to the determination
came
finallyextinguished,Humboldt
relying,for the future, entirelyon his own resources
; he at

all

As

made

to

hoped

River

the

The

transit

and

Lacatunga, Hambato,
weeks

with

resides

tufar, who

of

brother

resides

Zapla,who

sixteenth

guayan

This

language, it

Quichua
a

the

in

was,

Quito, though, owing

of

fortunate

translation
another
'

From

condition

has

Inca

of these

papers

by

'we

spent
Carlos
a

of the

chance

the

an

Mon-

most

markable
re-

of Quito

is still involved

Indian

who, for

some

magistrate

province

Tupayupangi

that

of his

one

at that
to

the

since
that

circumstance

of

ruins

king, Leandro

Indian, is

man

possession of manuscripts written

century, by

tongue.

brother,

made

we

Likan, and

culture, is

considerable
the

at

he

where

the

by

"

ascertained

We

obscurity.

in

his

to

Here

conquest by

its

priorto

him

travellingcompanion,

The

discovery.

led

as
oflBcially
corregidor

by royal appointment.

once

dition
expe-

an

Lima,

of

Riobamba.

our

there

to

now

Mercury.

travelled

writes

he

Eiobamba,'

'At

undertook

his way

on

of

he

which

by

route

Amazon,

the

to observe

leaving Quito, and

for

arrangements

The

in

the

time, the universal

introduction
been

Zapla

in the

ancestors,

lost.
is also in

of the
It

of
in

Puru-

language
Inca

or

is, therefore,

possession of

Spanish tongue,

the

work

ot

of his ancestors.
this valuable

source,

we

have

gathered much

interest-

QUITO

FROM

with

regard

Altar, which
the

in

the

by

court

The

Likan.

at

in the

of this

the

whom

by

the

priestsgave

the

form

; a

now

we

of the

Mountains).
who

"

The

of deities

"

there

statement

may

the

ashes

time

plain

the

two

of

mountain,

The

'

discovery

investigatethe
at

in

the

to

*The

the

South

I intend

my

poverty
affords
I.

dense
Likan
this

as

in darkness

hours

by
at

strewed

over

eruption, while

fallen

the

gigantic

in, must

has

revived

some

the

no

with
trace

of the

as

soon

to

tries,
coun-

I collected

in the

wilds

of inhabitant.

wanderings of

again directed

to follow up

these

traditions

met

wish

my

aboriginesof
by

me

seven

my

thoughts to
I

as

the

can

devote

purpose.

study
of

VOL.

in

the

has

America

of

the

American

attention, and
remarked

for instance, combines

It

manuscript

earlyhistory of

subject,which

much

of this

old-

asunder.

account
perusal of Clavigero's

Mexicans

time

have

to

sun

the

so

us

wholly without

suppositionthat

by the hieroglyphicsI
Casiquiare,where there is now

recent

the

the

the

of

eighteen

enormous

and

Parime,

of the
A

some

fell

material

violentlytorn

first aroused

desire

been

have

other

or

to

time

at that

asserted

volcanic

of

mass

Tapia testifies
lofty peaks warrant

the

time

the

moreover,

Let

lasted

town

veiled

fifteen and

for

Cotopaxi

from

to be

not

seem

terpretation
in-

coming,

are

Exaggerated

frequentlybeen

has

the

at

years.

it would

appear,

foundation, for Quito

seven

his

The

ashes, that

daylight for

no

w^as

of

shower

held

away.

religion. The eruption of the volcano

and, accordingto Zapla'smanuscript,there

perpetuala

and

last

earth,"said

established
years,

the

followingill-omened

worship of
Peruvians, in place of

the

by

the

to

Abomatha,

will be driven

fate I

of

known

country,

order

new

serve

decrees

introduced

in fact

was

the

(king)of

and

"

gods

withstand

not

Uainia

del

Nevado

highestmountain

portentous catastrophe:

changing its

is

"

they,

the

Chimborazo,

reign of

times,especially

of the

Capa-urku (Chief

kochokanao

independent

been

have

than

of

name

occurred

event

those

eruption

time

at that

must

world, higher even

Indians
This

remarkable

the

to

321

MEXICO.

concerningthe historyof

information

ing

TO

means

of

by

La

languages has

I have

discovered

Condamine.

The

richness, grace,

expression for
y

power,

abstract

also
no

evidence

Carib
and
ideas

occupied
of

language,
tenderness.
"

futurity,

322

ALEXANDER

eternity,existence, "c.
numerical

and

"

combination

HUMBOLDT.

VON

is able

which

be

can

to
devoting myself particularly

ordinary
and

is

this

in

use

rich

so

in

when

of the

vocabulary

the

These

'

America
the

of

much

the

in

stone

days.

derived

light is
From

of

1797

people

driven

to

destroyed.

feet, the
This

entirelyof
the

finest

roads
are

which

was

Academy

which

the

led

of

ruins

described
of Berlin.

the

the

plan

whole
of

of

Fe,

these

calary
inter-

the interior

of the

the

is inhabited,

moon

its

it is

to

of the
La

the

after the

this

palace of the
know

still be

and

is

duce
pro-

the

Inca

he

traced

constructed
resembles

neighbourhood
Tupayupangi,
same

in the Memoirs
whether

height of 15,090

In

to

of

Alaysi should

of

perfectlystraight,and
Somans.

idea

by

even

means

may

Cuzco,

the

earthquake

devised

ever

Incas

extensive

conceived

province

Condamine

I do not

the famous

over

I visited

Assuay,at

the

ancient

by

Santa

at

of

me

rebel Indians

almost

stone

possessiona

found

that

settingout

Paramo

reaches

solar

the

of their ancestors, that

Cuenja

horrible

most

the

actual

the

into

in my

despair. They hoped by

On

hewn

lunar

was

sulphur works,

magnificent road

causeway

the

believe

to

The

these

eruption by

of

King

sun.

Before

certainlythe

an

be

fire to

of the

calculation

traditions

at Tiscan.

sulphur mines
setting

the

this fiict

to

to observe

Erivaro, in

At

the route

Assuay.

the

in

regard

court

time

at the

possessionof

in

I have

which

natives

the

from

Eiobamba,

Paramo

of

them

the

know, by

and

days,and

is this all.

Nor

Parime,

of

district

of

existed

in

at the

reigned in

once

am

line and

heptagon

employed by

was

of

form

they changed

intercalation

the

by

and

solstice ;

of the

moment

than

equal

of

possessed sufficient knowledge

ages

meridian

others

there

; but

1492

those

to draw

of astronomy

that

Peru, but

and

priestsof

the

Bogota,

year

in

the

agreeable to

some

positivenature

more

Mexico

only in

with

of civilisation

state

the

tongue.

evidence

Spanish conquest

proofs of
Not

higher

"c.-

completely exhausted

have

they

Castilian

richness, afiford sufi"cient

am

is in

Quito, Lima,

"

themselves

languages, together

two

by figures. I

language, which

country

making

it after

ladies, usuallyadopt

eveiy

delicacyof expression,that

variety and

gentlemen,

young

Inca

words

in

express

denoted

the

of the

part

to

mentions

of

the
the

FROM

80-called

QUITO

Bummer-house

rock, ornamented
contain

of the Inca.

with

nothing

In the

the

be

is to

seen

Peruvians

have

represent the

in

month

of

I think

for Mexico,

October,

setting out

in

the

I have

I made

had
been

up

could

not

mind

'

details

After

where

were
bull-fights

Loxa, in order

to

We
and

of the

river

vUlea

of

to

chronometers
taken

have

Berthoud
'

On

at

the

great

May

of
the

and
Indies

the

necessary

perceive

of the

way

voyage

route

1803.

will

You

East

and

lippines.
Phi-

prodigious
Cape ; and

I should

have

equipments

with

Amazon,
Andira

matter

coast.

unknown
need

the

mouth

in those

of revision.

performs admirably.
Amazon

My

de Bracathe

the

and

banks

Bougain-

of considerable

rest
inte-

Chuchungat,

map,

Condamine

gives
was

me

only

of the

days, the

Napo, and as
longitudesthen

chronometer

by

Louis

crossed

we
T

La

where

the road
chona.
the Cin-

Jaen

and

Condamine's

La

the

took

we

province of

the

me

in

ber
Lima, Novem-

investigations
upon

the

De-

"

honour,

our

with
to

letter to

the

passing through Cuenpa,

of the

Pongo
was

from

remarks

longitudeof

leaving the

in
"

longitudeof Tomependa

the

were

Lima

at

Acapulco, en

315, dated

page

in

month

of connection

able to obtain

sea

Mam'Ua

given in
complete our

It

Jussieu.

determine

line

gathered

Humboldt

ornamented

are

for

spent

we

arrived

returningby

than

be

which, firom being included

a

of

to visit the

may

visited the

moros,

to

to

spent

to

set out

we

where

Havana

delay for Spain.

crossing Assuay

it

procured here.'

been

25, 1802, wherein

.

reaching

to encounter

lambre, alreadyreferred

for

the idea

have

my

have

Additional

in December

inefficiently
provided, as

very

neighbouring

drawing.

We

scarcelymore

see

of

is

most

figures,supposing

Amazon.

the

without

I should

length,to

to command

provinceof Jaen,

of

hope

given up

Inca

1802.

of

embark

shall then
that

vicinity of

the

23rd

the

on

of the

'onlyten days at Cuenpa, whence

the

the

English gardens

taste

rock

with

Of this I made

Lima, passing through

in

cut

spot of yellow ironstone, which

ornamented

sun.

remained

We

'

sandstone

circular

Our

good
placed as

so

couch

The

elegant.

more

enchanting prospect.
wood

It is

arabesquedevices.

visible ; the seat is

everywhere

323

MEXICO.

TO

the

Andes,

near

the

324

ALEXANDER

mines

of

Gualgayoc, yieldingsulphuret of

elevation

an

million

of 13,550 feet

I made

thence

Ocean

Pacific

the year

full

of

in

in

The

latter

the

Amazon

by

Humboldt

View

the

for
.

long

time

Palace

of

coast

of

the

six

long

in

months

writes

the

am

serve
preI

I trust

months
be

to

'
"

to

publication.

during

How

1803.

at

letter he

their

some

of

once

tember
Sepin

more

wall

which
of

Beneath

In

engaged

the

Pacific

longed.

with

scenes

ruins

of the

citadel

indicating the
prison

who

one

wss

Humboldt
which

Forster

the

awakened, especiallyin
say

Ocean.

These

romantic

to

visit

England

Otaheite

North

of

interest

and

the
upon

tion
condi-

der

Natur/

here

of

ardently
and

the

sight peculiarly

travel, when
for

the

Europe,
the

vol. ii.p. 315.

leged
privi-

first time.
Forster

had

imiversal, I

islands

islands, fortunatelyfor them,

Ansichten

this

cated,
early communi-

given by
in

so

of

fellow-voyager

this

in

I had
for

had

of his mind

something

was

charming descriptionof

Pacific

the

gold, on

associations

he

development

To

auspices to

his

almost

of

heig^ht to

first obtained

George
impressive.
schemes
in general outline,my
*

might

with

deeply indebted

so

for the

both

gloomy

for

of his tastes,there

under

In

is still to be seen,

room

the

moment

"

Captain Cook,

formation

Andes.'

bloodiest

fill his

; first

Atahualpa

of the

of

Plateau

the

mark

the

grand prospect

Ocean

To

the

Inca

Crest

the

the

to

the

described

been

'The

from

set free.

agreeable contrast

place was

has

Andes,

of

enacted

is shown

Inca

being

from

Atahualpa

of which

the

Capital

were

of

palace

is to say, his route

treatise, entitled:

Ocean

Pacific

the

across

Ancient

the

that

"

short

Caxamarca

ancient

journey

coast

Spanish Conquest.

The

plainson

vapours.'

secure

Paris

in

of the

ancient

of

in the

manuscripts,consideringhow

my

of this

part
to

Caxamarca,

the

desert

of

is valued

I'

Paris

the

arches

place which

of this very

October

or

the

at

copper,

Truxillo, by Caxamarca.

Peruvian

dense

safety and

greet you

silver and

yearly produce
to

^a

"

with

about

anxiety

them
shall

Lima

to

conclusion

the

At

of the

crossed

overhung

is

their

descended

drawings

Atahualpa, and
the

We

piastres.

where

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of
were

the
at

326

ALEXANDER

was

nearly being

very

HUMBOLDT.

VON

an

eye-witnessof

the

he sailed from

Guayaquil

frightfuleruption

Cotopaxi.

of

On

February 15, 1803,

landed

and

the

in

harbour

of

for Mexico,

towards

Acapulco

end

of

others

by

the

March.
It has
Carl

Ritter

known
this

been

often

^that the

"

the

as

of

the

The

truth

merit

which

to

he

to him

known

been

has

remark

'

The

sixteenth

the

since
to

him

to

pudiated
distinctlyre-

the

by

wish

any

ascribe

fully entitled,

not

was

regard to

having

to

during

instituted

merely

others

sailor-boyaccustomed

to every

him

by

far from

allow

or

of this current

existence

century

current, and

Pern,

of

coast

discovered

was

discoveryattributed

the

the

upon

observations, especiallywith

himself
he

among

"

Humboldt

is,that

of the

appropriateto

current

current,

careful

very

temperature

to

cold

Humboldt

voyage.

series

erroneouslymaintained

Chili

navigate from

Payta.'

to

Hmnboldt
Mexico.

had
The

journey

wish

no

motives

by

which

in
specified
of

Institute

dated

volcanoes

of

Guatemala

Pacific

Baudin,
the
in

Pacific

new

"

Africa,
National

to the

(2l8t June,

IX.

tempest

leagues

part

of

the

scarcelyapplicable.

the

ones,

merchant

'

is

for whom

at any
^

and

Acapulco

to

violent

300

by

occasioned

Pacific,the
a

the

for the

least

at

part of Asia

land

we

reluctance

ship which

of those

Briefwechsel

init

waited

could

in

Berghaus/

the
the

which

of

state

efforts to

our

vain

furnish

lovely islands

of

west

tending
transport,in journeys ex-

felt to traverse

we

countered
en-

we

damaged

of meeting
impossibility
had

which

to

The

happily

was

the

to
ocean

of
2,000 leagues,the futility

over

by

than

more

instruments

them

postpone,

2 Messidor

Mexico,

the

through

when

our

curtail

to

following letter,addressed

the

France,

voyage

of

to

through

accomplished,notwithstandinga

name

induced

was

of

kingdom

the

"

1803)':"
'Our

long in

he

originallyplanned, and

as

present,his projectedtour
are

remain

to

so

no

the

upon
a

with

Captain
of

shores

boundless

ocean

facilities for touching

interestingto

vol. ii. p. 284.

replace

(See

also

the

pp.

natn-

160

and

276.)
"

'Annalea

du

Museum

d'Hiat

nator/

An

XH.

(1804) vol.

iii p. 396.

raOM

ralist,

above

but,

necessity

of

which
of

four

led

five

and

cost,

own

in

to

which

and

us,

their

and

and

the

future

some

some

which

already

day

visiting

of

undertake

us

greater

another

as

in

seductive

be

in

of

all

her

store

accuracy,

expedition,
dream.'

task

the

the

life

duction
re-

tropics,

still

kinds,

before

yet

we

islands

adjacent
of

my

those

The

while

and

Asia

at

to

will

of

King

unknown

With

increased

an

instruments

allure

made

privations

With

time.
of

possessed

and

the

travelling

ourselves

have

lippines
Phi-

ing
enjoy-

Government.

by

publication.

danger
of

have

the

by

of

difficulties,

we

for

hope

which

Although

individual

devote

observations

the

over

interval

an

motives

protection

private

henceforth

to

during

Egypt.

to

undertaken

arrangement
inured

linger
at

shall

Sea

thousand

expeditions

we

of

as

encounter

to

engaged

fail,

the

discoveries

new

returning

of

distinguished

not

the

are

plan

Red

the

the

the

place

and

science

projected

through

could

taken

these

the

everywhere

with

have

of

advancement

rapid

327

MEXICO.

acquaintance

years,

abandon

to

Spain,

the

unquestionably

or

us

all,

gaining

must

TO

QUITO

knowledge,
we

the

may

plans

haps
perfor

328

ALEXANDER

AND

MEXICO

HUMBOLDT.

VON

CHAPTEE

VIII.

UNITED

STATES."

THE

RETURN

HOME

Acapulco to the Capital Acquisitionof Historical Infonnation

of Moian
^Tbe
and
Quanaxuato
concerning New
Spain The Mines
with
Fair
Willdenow
of
JoruUo
Keminisoenoes
a
Correspondence
The
Mexican
Pyramid of Cholula"
Popocatepetland Iztaccihuatl
^Visit to the United
Second Visit to Havana
Cofre, Orizaba
Ji^lapa,
Home
States
^At
Sojourn with JeflTerson at Washington Hetuin
Friends.
Humboldt
his
Bordeaux
an
Apparition Greetingsto

From

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

"

The

harbour

Acapuleo

of

determining, by

all the
to

up

60"

the

Arrowsmith,
Dominions

highest importance

port

of the

means

along

use

served

the

north-west
aside

degrees too

'Chart

of

as

the

the

of half

amount

of latitude.*

minutes

The

of America

former

West

degree

correction

west,

even

Spanish

and

is in

of

which

errors

to the

Indies

the

to

positionof

coast

much

the

starting-point
the

chronometer,

Setting

full four

his

the

longitude of

and

(in four sheets),bearing date 1803,

position to

seven

error

as

to

longitude,and

of this

error

is due

Humboldt.

to

visiting the

Before

for the

coast

traversed
the

'

10

in
'

latitude

this

since

of latitude.

harboiu-

placed this

its

in

harbours

of

was

of America,

geography
for

of the

determination

exact

"

the

of

skeleton

of the

'Atlas

in the

completing
On

observations.

scorchingvalleysof
stood

thermometer

In

of

purpose

series

interior, he remained

map,

at

entitled

g^ogr.

de

of New

104"

'

Carte

his

collections

his

way

Mescala
in

time

some

the

to

and

the

the

tuting
insti-

capitalhe

Papagayo,

shade, and

des Fausses

and

at

where

thence

as-

Positions/ formingNo.

hitherto
Nouv.-Espagne/ the large errors
shown
in the erroneous
Spain are very strikingly
most
and
importantplacesin Mexico,the capital

exbting
maps
of the three
positions
the harhoors of Acapuloo and

la

Vera

Cruz.

MEXICO

cended

the

to

Tasco

feet, enjoyed

5,000

cultivation

of most

oak,

silver

the

Cuemaraca

The

Mexico

as
head-quartei-s,

making

for
time

short

March

7,

*I

of

in

that

journey through
to the

time

capital,

as

afforded

The

of Mexico

kingdom
March

his

facilities

in all directions.

extent

the

than

more

Humboldt

by

say, from

is to

probably the

April.

positionit

in

was

23, 1803, till

and

visited.

limited

the

to

in

Orinoco,

Caracas, in New

Quito,

as

well

things

found

comparison

and

Granada,
as

the

on

in the

partiallydeveloped, which

the

increase

of

population

seen

have

province of
around
of

result of this

The

national

the

condition

the

so

recently

Andes

the

proved

of

and

and

upon

the

in

Negro,

investigatethe

to

but

I had

had

of Mexico.

kingdom
me

of Peru, with

coasts

rate
accu-

culture, both

of

slopes of

the

on

to incite

was

Eio

the

an

Spain presented

countries

all that

not

of this extensive

amount

those

carefullycompared

acquiring

of New

civilisation

moral, visible

of the

in

Mexico

in

spent

condition
political
The

country.

physical

time

investigation,but

of the

striking contrast

the

employ

to

scientific

remarkable

banks

sojourn

and

his

of

growth

inspectedthe

Cuchilague

selected

varying

that

oldest

at

was

the

the

to

1804.

knowledge

of

year;

endeavoured

merely

of

its central

excursions
his

end

numbered

from

occupied by

little

district of

inhabitants, and

150,000

and

and

4,000

favourable

continued

thence

the

between

Tasco, he

At

of the

some

towards

of

fir.

the

foggy

of

cereals

European

and
are

the

arrived

city

329

STATES.

climate

temperate

country,and

and

he

where

UNITED

elevation

an

of the

which

in the

at
a

cypress,

mines,

richest

THE

high plainsof Ghilpanzingo,Tehuilotepec,and

plains which,

"

the

AND

as

causes,

favourable

for

in

industry

yet

this

country.
*

The

circumstances
for the
of

any
I

allowed

was

A.

prosecution

materials, in which

avail,various
free

access

'

to

'Ueber

Neuspanien (Tiibingen,
1S09).

was

of this
no

manusciipts

Humboldt,

Ton

in which

were

placed

in

object,since

published

book

placed at

my

the

public archives.' *

den

politiscbenZustand

Preface.

highly

were

the

could

be

vantageous
adlection
colof

and
disposal,

des

Konigreichs

330

ALEXANDER

Thus
sur

celebrated

originatedhis

le

de

Eoyaume

The

la

Spanish

awaited

graciouslyreceived
After
visited

the

whole

of

famous

other

also

of

In

the

month

months

in

of Moran

mines

is of

the

Sinoq, for
the

Eeal

our

days

as

the

scene

has
of

the

after

spent

in

rocks

columnar

of

million

the

tain
moun-

Mexico

valley of

Queretaro, which

imfortimate

the

His

melancholy interest,

Emperor
and

Guanaxuato,
ravine, and

narrow

tion,
expedi-

of six

through

cut

with

second

kingdom.

cost

he visited

prolificthan

more

even

labours,he

across

town

of

possessing

formerly

were

mineral

He

thence

of volcanic

kingdom

of

through

had

primeval times

journey
which

springs,of

as

to

situated

Michoacan,

ceaseless

rain

Comagillas,noted

made

chemical

the

enclosed

the

the

the

See

pp.

the

with

gical
geoloof

his

for

its

analysis.

Santiago,which

by

basaltic

tains
moun-

the ancient

of the

most

Thence

he

descended

to

Patzcuaro

autumnal

JoruUo,

ascended

one

World.

New

of

in

the

completion

origin,to Valladolid, the capitalof

plainsof
September 19, he
over

the

valleyof

probably been

fertile districts of the

the

on

to

he
the

occupied

researches

district,and
his

travelled

Guanaxuato

at

kinds, and

of the

continued

hot

months

two

of various

structure

On

The

of Potosi.

observations

and

at

reached

plain of Irapuato,he

Humboldt

amid

was

Monte.

passing through Salamanca,

vicinitymines

and

on

draining the

tragic fate

the

in

in

he

calcareous

of the

been

invested

inhabitants, situated

those

north

; thence

50,000
its

and

started

has

of

purpose

become

and

Maximilian,
fertile

del

remarkable

the

where,

Huehuetoca,

Moctezuma

river

in

the

where

highest geological interest,

the

provincesin

a canal
piastres[l,291,770i.],

into

the

in

capital,Humboldt

the

and

July, Humboldt

of

first to

lay

corded
ac-

Actopan.

to visit the
route

been

capitalcities

Mexico,

at

secondary formation, besides

porphyry

politiqiie

had

which

affordingspecimens of basalts,amygdaloid
of the

Essai

viceroy Iturrigary,

some

district

this

and

him

the

by

sojourn of

Lima

at

colonies

entitled

friendlyreception

Humboldt

to

work

Nouvelle-Espagne.'

and

courteous

HUMBOLDT.

VON

to the

peak

293, 299, 306.

season

shores
of

of

beautiful

the

Pacific,

Jorullo, a volcano

MEXICO

the

rising to
of

course

AKD

THE

of

height

Humboldt

and

feet into the

his

smoke

With

brittle nature

of the

the

bottom

crater, and

which
of

heavily laden

was

that

been

opinion

much

that

by

the

Humboldt

and

of

tables

of

of the

country.

Willdenow
*

days

New

I left
to

five

elapsed
star

We

so

have

of

Grardens

Aniiales
some

Jardin

several

de

is undermined

from

great

and

embracing

you

all

Madrid,

among

the

des Flantes

at

Paris

; and

map

to

:"

from

not

written

received

if

only

unfriendly

an

the

over

since

you

have

its

years that have

four
as

ships that

I have

the

now

again.

; one

which,

second

1803

I have

ten

some

as

I learn
has

parcel was
a

or

parcel went

Natural," Cavanilles

species; a

his

wrote

must

you

seems

newly gathered seeds

at

for

greater from

complain, since

I will not

for the

imposing capitalof

received

during
It

At

29.

October, 1802,

all the

was

letters,if

our

materials

1st

brother

my

Toluca,

months,

April 29,

convinced

am

of

completion of

for the

I have

Corunna.

Historia
new

his

as

geologicalcollections,

alreadydespatched to Europe

consignments

the

But
soon

district

September

of the

reading it

Even

presided over

Botanic

in this

only letter

I left

them.

it

capital,Humboldt

letter

six letters at most,

or

prospect of

""

in

joy

first and

since

had

carried

'

My

frequently.

some

had

trigonometricobservations,

and

the

to

arrival

Europe, although

me

air,

crater

Plateau

on

and

laboured

welcome

after my

the

being

botanical

followingletter,dated
your

Spain.

name

carefullyprepared

first visit

the

I received

few

his

time, he

same

his

the

to

inhabitants

gave

the

across

sojourn of

and
statistics,

During

almost

of the

heat

surrounding

barometric

reducing his
at the

acid.

of

account

The

Humboldt

of that

made

arranging

while,

250
than

analysisof

an

the

Mexico,

to

volcano

the

of

of

action.

capitalhe again

purpose

made

and

of the

the

more

reached

lava, they

that

depth

danger, on

carbonic

greater,

returned

ascended

the

with

whole

volcanic

of

there

localitymaintained

formerly

and

blocks

to

issuingfrom

was

considerable

the

of the

descended

companions

orifices.

2,000 small

in

1759.

the year

crater, whence

331

STATES.

1,500 feet,fonned

than

more

night,daring

UNITED

third

went

twelve
to

from

already

the
the
covered
dis-

enclosed

to

by

of

way

332

ALEXAja)ER

Trinidad

Sir

to

however, that

VON

Banks

Joseph
stores

my

in

of
the

on

result

Acapulco

here, for
; but

have

I shall

taken

the

My

that

to say

seeds, as
with

met

sent

return

my

specimens

the

them.

require

assiduous

botanists

kind

been

I have

travels

During

my

; among

whom

at

enough

parcelsof fresh

to forward

always be glad

I may

Mutis

Loxa,

tion
men-

Santa

at

pupil Caldas, at Popayan.

delightedto

am

ments
arrange-

in person.

you

have

moreover,

G-uayaquil,Oliveda

at

his

America,

will

several

on

have

to

to

may

Tofalla

Fe, and

in

they

you

to

from

venture

their

in

Havana,

this collection

convey

friends

for

start

Amazon,

ties
postalauthori-

of the

care

tricts
dis-

the

travels

my

I shall not

to the

I have

excellent

an

of the

during

and

Mexico.

to

suppose,

that

or

me

banks

the

greatest precautions

carefullydried.
'

about

am

by

incredibly careless

are

not

explorationsin

on

Peru,

treasure

they

as

Europe,

to

in

Chilpensingo and

to

this invaluable

trust

Jaen,

Andes

Do

still

botanical

and

the

slopesof

I have

of my

Loxa

Quito,

London.

thereby exhausted,

are

altogetherforgotten Berlin.
collection,the

HUMBOLDT.

through

you

find

that

Mr.

botanical

the

Fraser

reached

specimens

which

destination

their

at

length in safety.' (See p. 281.)

After

Quito,

giving

fear of

fever

arrival in

events

at

Mexico,
other

of the

his

of

scientific

letter

to

will be

^the

"

last
his

results

Delambre,

originalplan

decided

have

of

be

to

me

to end

the

Humboldt

addressed
on

to

July 29,

with

and

safest

of

the

he

again

expedition.
announces

returning by

the

At
the

late
my

tragedy.

course,
in

on

my

1804.'
his

dence
resi-

April22,

the
recapitulates

describes

difficulties he

the

during
he

so

the

postpone

Cavanilles
"

and

Atlantic,

delayed till April or May

by

turned
re-

that

news

Havana,

to

me

travels

my

eighteen months,

joumey,

the

across

passage

Delambre

to

and

Cruz

have

to

the

of the year, but

written
one

anxious

very

leaving

since

movements

was

Vera

to

seems

end

like

letters

other

incidents
the

bad

not

what

Europe

"

the

October,

two

the

his
'

raging at

should

By adopting

and

is

as

year

journey.

In

before

encountering a

the

in

continues

Europe

yellow

of

summary

Humboldt
to

the

in detail the

encountered,
the

close

and

of his

abandonment

Philippines,but

adds

of
:

"

334

ALEXANDER

"

he

forth

time

the
which

is led

to

and

all his mines

his fossil shells

and

than

him

fascinated

was

is

of her

beauty
Madame

de

little incidents

that

by

witchery, from

powerless to

alike

Alpine limestone, were

geology,

and

geography

his

mountains,

the

American

these

that

From

captivated,it

by

an

as

from

suspect

of science

man

grave

mind

**

lady ?

young

side, more

her

at

regarded by

was

One

Stael.

is that

her

of

graces

She

person.

always

was

said, by the

! who

Dios

length, Vdlgame

HUMBOLDT,

VON

protect him.'

concluding

In

Calderon

Madame
'

It is

In
the

la Barca

de

removed

the

the

former

Ordaz

is

inaccessible,though

lowered

was

of

pm-pose

height

down

it

into

of

height of 16,779
higher

than

highest

the

Peak

of the

of unbumt

summit

of which
the

their

position,4,423
of

Orizaba,

plateau

bricks,the
there

through Perote,

As

of

on

feet

Humboldt

is

their
above

work

ascended

regarded

the

Son-

as

the
took

also

He

Cholula,

of the

mysterious

Totteken,

from

the

of snowclad

Tlascala.

to the

way

to

considerably

be

magnificent prospect

plainsof

descent

to

hitherto

of

the

unnecessary

an

been

of Anahuac.

great Pyramid

fertile

Continuing

by

for

mineralogist Herr

zealous

the

of the

mountain

peaks, and

by

discovered

erection

feet

Diego

plain.

has

Popocatepetl,which

was

measurements

the

on

of

crater

of ropes,

means

collecting sulphur, apparently

summit

nenschmidt,

by

the

exists that

tradition

proceeding,since sulphur abounds

The

Popocatepetl,and

of

of Puebla

volcanoes

the

as

was

They measured,

Cordilleras.

Mexican

by geometrical observations, the

Iztaccihuatl,known

!
of this nature
susceptibilities
left the capital to explore
travellers

our

slope of

eastern

great Himiboldt

the

even

'

from

January, 1804,

that

see

satisfection

evident

adds, with

beauty,

Mexican

of the

reminiscences

quite refreshingto

wholly

not

these

to
sea,

coast, the

Jalapa,
enjoys a

travellers
which
mild

passed

from
and

its

genial

it may
that daring his sojourn
be mentioned
curiosity,
in Mexico
Humboldt
in May, 1808, to assert his claim
tion
wrote
to the invenof an
instrument
for measuring carbonic
acid, in the 'Allgemeine
No.
Literaturzeitung/
1800,
93, unjustlyappropriated
by Voigt,instrument
maker
to the Duke
of Saxony. (*Intelligenzblatt
zur
AllgennsinenLiteraturzeitung/1803, p. 1487.)
a

matter

MEXICO

climate.

Barometric

Humboldt

of these

laying

down

labours
line

the

neighbourhood
Peak

the

for

made

height
oak

of

of Cofre,

ascent

also

feet.

by 1,063

taken

as

road,
the

basis for

February 7,
mountain

in

exceeds

which

that

Trigonometric

Humboldt

by

by

fir,and

On

road.

Perote, the height of

of

and

employed

high

new

taken

were

this ill-constructed

along

the

of Teneriflfe
were

of

afterwards

were

335

STATES.

impenetrable forests

travellers

1804, the

of

UNITED

measurements

almost

results

the

THE

at frequent intervals

through

cut

AND

surements
mea-

volcano

of the

of

Orizaba.
Thus
the

travellers

reached
Vera

the

goal

this

March

data

Humboldt

which

Aft"r

the

possession

Mexico, for the

in

United

Carlos

and

encountered

Himiboldt

arrived

and

through

welcome,

received

the

companions
and

harbour

courteous

by

In

complete

to

upon

politique sur

the

after

"

you

after

exposed to

so

last

of the

at

tour

many

in

night
the

of

which

Bahamas,

days ;

seven

but

twenty days they

course

hardships and

awaited

accorded
him

States, from

to visit

your

been

had

Mexico,

United

congratulations on
a

of

by

mercifully preserved

voyage

followinginvitation

my

lasted

were

that

as

Humboldt

Philadelphia.

of

viceroy

President

I received

Sir,

Channel

the

"

health

tions
collec-

of the

Havana,

at

storm, which

severe

the

as

Jefferson, the

offer

vicinity.

treatise

Essai

'

arid

an

April 29, accompanied

on

Montufar.

his

safelyin

months

two

States,

danger,

every

Humboldt

its

1800, and

year

European
in

royal frigate on

engaged, entitled,

was

the

for

Bonpland

to

in

sojourn of nearly

set sail

take

in

of

town

Cuba.'

de

they

on

to

gathered

board

length

at

of

is situated
stream

kinds,

the

entered
centre

town

running

embarked

keeping

had

they

The

nor

7, 1804, for Havana,

left for safe

rne

Indies.

port they

and

is the

of* which

river

various

journey, until they

wanderings,

harbour

neither

plain, with
From

of their

in the West

commerce,

investigationsof

their

prosecuted

Cruz, the

the

in scientific

employed

favour

your
of

whom

Washington

Washington

which

hazai'ds.

May 28,^1804.

24th5

here
you

The

he

:"

of the

arrival

from

in

have

countries

and

good
been
you

336

ALEXANDER

visited

have

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of those least known

are

and

and
interesting,

most

generallyto receive the information

will feel it more
one
strongly
you will be able to give. No
because no one
than myself,
perhapsviews this New World with
more
partialhopes of its exhibitingan ameliorated state of the
In the new
condition.
human
positionin which the seat of
our
government is fixed,we have nothing curious to attract
and can
of a traveller,
the observation
only substitute in its
a

livelydesire

pray

should

we

to add

find it convenient

you

Accept, I

which

with

welcome

place the
should

will be felt

receive

much

so

salutations
respectful

you, my

journey.

to your

and

visit,

your

of

assurances

great respectand consideration,"S:c.

Jeffbbson.

*
*

A. M.
Short

le Baron

de Humboldt.'

was

as

Humboldt's

the United

stay in

States,his

productive of important results in the

of becoming acquainted with
afforded
him
was

which
organisation
political
He

the

studied

system

was

then

opportunity it
that

wonderful

universal
exciting

in its minor

as
details,

visit

well

interest.
as

in

the

of its administrative
and instituted
principles
economy,
of the United
the condition
States and
a comparison between
that of the Spanish colonies,
through which he had just been
travelling.He made acquaintance with the most influential
broad

country,and obtained
insightinto their views as to

from

in the

men
some

intercourse

the future

with considerations

with

policyof

them
the

public.
re-

of this nature, Humboldt

Engaged
found ample occupation during the three weeks he spent with
Jefferson at Monticello; during his visit the president communicated
to him an
extraordinary
projectof his imaginative
fantastic genius,a project
but somewhat
for the future division
of

the

which

continent
to

were

Mexico, and

of
be

America

incorporatedthe

the States of South

Throughout the remainder

retained a pleasingremembrance
States, and frequentlyalluded
various Americans
*

who

* A
Silliman,

three

into

great republics,in

Spanish possessions in

America.'
of

his

life,Himaboldt

of this
to

visited him

it in
:

the shameful

Visit to Alexander

von

always

sojournin the United

gratefulterms to the

Humboldt'

institution of

AND

MEXICO

THE

UNITED

337

STATES.

slavery was the only cloud which cast a shadow upon these
and saddened
his noble spirit.
"brightrecollections,
On
bade farewell to the continent
July 9, 1804, Humboldt
America, and

of

landing,after
The

sail from

set

prosperous

of

his

the

of

mouth

the

at Bordeaux

voyage,

on

Delaware,

August

3.

spread great and universal joy

letters
throughout Europe,for notwithstandingthe numerous
from him, reportsof his death had frequently
received
appeared
in the newspapers.* Even
late as July 17, 1804, Komer
so
"wrote
to Schiller :
Pray let me know if you hear anything
certain
Humboldt.
of Alexander
I shall be exceedingly
von
*
glad if the reportof his death proves to be groundless.'
news

return

'

welcome

The

of the

announcement

traveller

first received

was

his letter to the National

through

at

was

of William

once

the

at

French

capital

ligence
Institute,
by whom the intelthe wife
to his sister-in-law,

communicated

Humboldt,

von

tinguished
safe arrival of the dis-

at that time

in Paris.

The

emotions
pleasurable
experiencedby Humboldt
in the following
letters :
safe return find expression

his

upon

"

To Freiesleben.
*

Off Bordeaux

August 1,1804.

:
^

upon

more

our

"

hours

absence

^After an

European

two

Craronne
in

Karl,

dearest

My

soil.
We

ago.

We

made

have

accomplishingthe

voyage,

been

In haste.

of five years I
the

once

am

of

entrance

the

highly favoured
from Philadelphia

most

passage

had
reportedin Paris that Humboldt
perishedamong the savages in North America. ('Allg.geogr. Ephemeriden/
of June
vol. xii. p. 230.) The 'Hamburger Correspondent*
12, 1804,
In the

the

contained

Herr
traveller,

died
'

at
'

of 1803

summer

announcement:

it

was

"

'We

regretto

Humboldt, has been attacked

von

vol. xiv.
Acapulco.'(Ibid.

Briefwechsel

zwischen

Korner

learn
with

that

the

celebrated

and
yellowfever,

p. 5 LO.)
und Schiller/ voL

iv. p. 366.

has

Hum-

the father of the unfortunate

in later years when
consoling
of
sad
fate
the
his
Eduard
for
son:
African traveller,
Vogel,

holdt himself wrote

"

....

'

Consolation can

from above
onlycome
in assuring
you that I am

and
jou of this,
have
myselfread the announcement

which

TOL.

had Wn
I.

I I fulfila tender

of

promulgatedin Paris ;
Z

dutyin

reminding
not without
hope of his safety.I
death in the South Seas,
my own
the
and one evening,
when visiting

338

in

ALEXANDER

by

of Havana

way

expedition

miles, has

40,000

than

ever.

been
I

in

favoured

was

never

body,

interest

I bade

the

thought

once

by

begin

work

my

I shall

see

friends
dread
be

first winter,

the

for whom

veneration

hemisphere.
Eemember

me

de

door^

How

shall

to

Bohme,

Madame

Crillon,as
a

La

scream

from

Perouse,

the world

More

name^

my

be

so

But
of

thought

with

you

quartz

As

Paris,that

I cannot

year

I may

my

by

When

My

strange, and

I shall

I shall be

qiiite

consoled

safety. Pray
for I

year,

travels

our

to

elsewhere.

my

find time
to all

soon

say.

Fritzchen, Fischer, and

ever

and

you

observations.

soon,

again.

increases

heart

embracing

attraction.

Spain, Italy,and

in

to write

member
re-

Werner^
saw

much

the southern
to

them

all I

old friends.

Ever

yours,

Humboldt.

accordingto Paris custom, was announced

at
and
fainted
This
a
lady
lady was
away.
griefat the loss of her husband had been

in

whom

by

the

announcement

of shadows.'

on
correctly,

ments,
measure-

heard,

was

painfullyreawakened

take

particularlyanxious

am

how

Karl, and

the

of

'

Duu

all

tropicalclime, yet

shall leave for

the

of

heavy

of the

higher

system during

his

substantiate

to

still

astronomical

parents, to

to your

my

spirits

drawings

own

with

of you,

everything will

through everything by
me

settlingdown

in

time

some

me

all dispersedin

are

in

sectional

it was

reach

of my

dear

my

you,

My

bright gloriesof

immediately.

the reduction

commence

better

it will

1,500 of my

I confess

quarantine, I

of

out

get

can

work.

gathering the gold out

side,possessedfor

my

as

of

and

more,

gayer

cedented
unpre-

in

within

being

of

now

of

geologicalpasigraphy,consistingexpressingthe various formations, will all

farewell to the

that

am

astronomical, and

less than

no

exceedingly.

you

thirtyca!bes of treasures

great

atlas,and

for

symbols

new

ill,and

My

distance

almost

an

with

States.
a

industrious, and
with

my

upon

botanical

of

based

Andes,

of the

out

over

to

sailed

loaded

was

of the

fortune

once

more

laden

return

bring

to

years

President

by

kinds, botanical, geologicaland

me

where

hemispheres, extending

degree.
health, stronger

Februaiy,* and

in

America,

by Jefferson,the
both

in

left Mexico

to North

of honour

marks

days.

twenty-seven

HUMBOLDT.

VON

March

7.

of my

name,

as

of

an

apparitiotL

MEXICO

I used

often

and

Mexico,

platinum,
The

is

two

Write

to

in

ounces

rint^rieur, and

tell

and

new

ideas

know

the

of any

I do

not

him

send

please

address

'

dear

Friend,

incident

to

myself,

after
I

and

soil,

and

return,

of

absence

seize
of

too

am

generously entertain

the

thought

that

and

will

received

friends

who

well

has

towards

pleasantly in

yery

and

Baltimore,

Kepublic,

days brought
anchored

We

which
are

we

yellow
sail.

I have

us

the

1st
to

reason

treated, will
fever

My

despatch

had

for
the

from

on

European

not

Paris,that

be

the

feelings

close with

with

myself

by

small

you,

circle

left to

of
at

me

the

during

me

tionate
affec-

my

the kind

still be

After

where

great

companions

my

passing

enjoyed the

we

and

the

highest

and

of the

August,
the

from

two

months

voyage

Delaware

and

are

most

marked

oflBcers of
of

to the G-ai*onne.

in

now

quarantine,
in which

respectfulmanner

North

fill thirty-five
cases,

bring them
z

the

twenty-nine

greatlyprolonged,especiallyas

yet reached

I may

of my

you

of

flatter

to

finding

States, visiting Philadelphia,

mouth
of

not

deserted
to

dangers

of

on

assurance

may

Europe,

hope,

not

collections
to

more

pleasureby

United

Jefferson

Mr.
embarked

we

all the

joyfullywelcomed

Montufar.

the

but

Buch,

happiness

once

me,

once

Washington,

from

courtesy

the

absence

never

and

Bonpland

friend

acquainted with

brought
expedition successfully
Messrs.

latelypromulgated.

Favorite,"off Bordeaux

renewed

the

long

read,

to

quarantine^
August 3, 1804,

have

also with

my

Fortune

Berlin.

In

lines will be

these

after

ought

de

greeting.'

La

six years,

you

you

be

earlyopportunity of informing

an

giving

regard.

Chaptal,Ministre

have

"

board

On

foreign travel,
an

clinkstone.

^Mercifully
preserved from

"

(a sketch).

Eunth.

'

My

native

piece of

excellent

our

living at

is

this size

of M.

affectionate

To

about

may

of

an

me

me

geologicalbooks

that Werner

from

with

care

of any

me

Rio, who

hyacinth,basalt,and

Paris, under

at

Del

weight, and

339

STATES.

with

I have

in

occurs

UNITED

of you

married.

now

me

THE

speak

to

platina sand
'

AND

America

when

which

before

the

am

we

the
set

anxious

to

attention

of

340

and

scientific men,
have

and

Some,

have

you

to

under

care

means,

in

as

de

mode

of life

^you know

"

with

that

in

as

should

be

much

income,

in want

be

probably

may

affairs in which

some

absorbs

^nances

only

free

that

know

deal

his

the

ask
I

for must

be

much

am

friend, are
know

You

than

the

celebrityI
labours, and
renown

you

as

with

to

my

sure

for you
is to
are

must

Write

be

not

indifferent

me,

of M.

care

'

The

I,

be,

dear

my

long

letter.
debt

the

vast

the

result

and

little
of your

this

thought.

to

I embrace

affection.

I shall leave for Paris

under

most

I venture

to

that
the

well

to anyone.

aware

not

you

always

and

will

for

I used

how

have

completely insensitive

so

to

and

not

am

paid, I

that

me

extent

great

you

show

you

of my

state

is

you

than

sent
pre-

transacting

The

am

can

return

of my

in

been

attachment,

my

you

wholly

heartiest

signature,for

statement

old.

by

just now.

from

that

been

separate piece

comment,"

stouter

grow

attained

on

has

Nevertheless,

you,

I believe

to be

and

robust

strengthof

have

the

character

ever.

owe

counsel

; but

me

beginning

gratitude I

of

of

more

active

more

at Cadiz.

or

liighlyappreciated by
to

attention

Murphy

Mr.

of
has

me,

statement

expression"without
comment

any

French,

bearing your

of my

hands

I drew

year ago

affairs and

present engaged.

if Mr.

debt, but,

6,000 piastresin
misinterpret

at

and
such

of

am

good

from

am

kindly send

in
possible,

your

interested

6,000 piastres.

me

state of my

(without comment),

paper

Paris,

health,

if this money

owes

would

you

of the

out, if

letter to

keenly

know

me

Murphy

obliged if

made

how

impossible.

in favour
10,000 piastres,

let

Mr.

case

brief abstract

post,a

of

Please

good friend,

of your

me

there.

winter

is

your

yourself.Nearly

of

amount

of Cadiz.

Murphy,
paid,

the

to

you

at

That

direct

Tell

Luchesini.

is, I suppose,

surely,my

you

and

can,

you

everything connected

upon

of

soon

M.

of

your

from

the

likelypass

most

altogetherforgotten me?
as

me

brother, who

my

since I heard

not

Write

see

I shall

therefore

It is five years

to

collections*

previous

with

them

compare

great longing

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

as

soon

as

Luchesini.

sister of his friend

A. Humboldt.

where
possible,

pleaseaddreas

Tell

Minette,*the

me

about

Haften^ see

p. 144.

342

ALEXANDER

HUMBOLDT.

VON

IX.

CHAPTER
HOME

New

Circumstances, but

old

Publication

his

the

of

Friends
Works

"

Visit to
Friends
in the

What

had

changes

had

he

and

"

"

"

as

Mediator

and,

with
been

^Consobitiofi

"

freedom
a

during Humboldfs

France
had

cruelly blasted.

been

phase, and

new

proceeding

was

sultryatmosphere everywhere gave

outbreak
of another
convulaon.
political
; a

on

his arrival at
with

intoxicated

people

Italy-

to

^Letters to old

left France
departurefor America, Humboldt
returned
to find an
imperialthrone occupied by an

the

with

Labours

his

conqueror;

fef

PIm

"

Visit

Occupation

Humboldt

assumed

of the

painfulwarning
On

of

direction

new

^Honours

"

transpiredin

hopes

The

quite a

at Berlin

Pictet

of Nature.

Bevolution

The

"

of Prussia"

Fall

^The

Study

absence!

in

"

"

Co-operationwith
English Translation

"

^Letters to Friends

Biot
Gaj-Lussac
^Berlin
Germany
and

LIFE,

celebration

the

kept publicly,for

of

and

ambitions

August 18, he beheld

Paris,on

glory

republic;

conquest,

still tumultuous

had

Napoleon's birthday,which
first time,

the

the

on

15th

the

of

month.
the

Meanwhile

physics,and

of mathematics,
from

kind,

and

of science

men

for the
There

exact
seems

Paris

and
some

had

natural

to

were

science, far from

very

not

branches

suffering

largelypromoted.

scientific

received

distinction,but

undertakings.

natural
been

had

granted

were

honourable

to

of war,

the events

endowments

of science, especially
in the

interests

only

institutions
cheered

liberal

undoubtedly

by

support

become

of

the

Rich
eveij

tokens

of

in all their

high

school

sciences.

necessityfor recallingthese circumstances

mind, since it is only by

so

doing that

just estimate

can

be

HOME

formed

of the

return

importance

"citement, could
he

yet

of undiminished
many

known

fame

to

his

affection,but

he

through

his

journey,
heroism
so

With

the

had

dangers, and

unexampled

carried

out

conviction

It

was

evinced,

so

nor

the

generosity and

much

the

charm

and

unpretending

and

the

wonderful
of

flow

of

new

love

of

truth

display of

narrative
of

of

his

personal

the

by

the

love

encounter

depth

motive

no

of

of

of tlie narrative,

knowledge
yet

nor

speaker ; but, far

spirit

of

when
all

wherever

he

and

the

more,

benevolence,

expressed

hearts

of

science.

organisationdisplayedin

which,
feted

pure

and

truth, the

eloquence, captivated
was

actuated

of the

of

power

theories

Humboldt

minds.

especial

long-continued exertion.

fulness

imreservedness

the

cois
Fran-

this

not

the

successfullyto

private individual,
personal advantage, but solelyby
of

by

important undertaking been

learning, and perseability,intelligence,
verance,

success

the

by

had

by
the

by

such

imdergo

surrounded

later,deserve

excited

him

expressions

chemistry,and

in

aroused

enabled

turn,
re-

Gay-Lussac,^already

somewhat

the

by

ex-

his

On

with

himself

such

of

scenes

interest.

whom

wonder

interest

enhanced

were

which

many

with

Humboldt's

to

friends

found

among

admiring

treasures, and

old

his researches

he met

The

of

keenest

by

Arago, whom
mention.

midst

the

acquaintances,

new

attached

was

the

arouse

only met

not

was

that

in

which,

event

^an

"

343

LIFE.

the

in

grand

enchained

went,

ception
con-

all

only in

not

of the

these distinguished
between
men
friendship
is thus
related by Arago, in his "loge on
Qay-Lussac ('Franz Arago*s
vol. iii p. 14) :
Sommtliche
Hankel,'
von
Among
Werke, herausgegeben
in the drawing-room of the country-house
at Arcueil,
the persons assembled
but
and
of
of
modest
tall
remarked
man
Humboldt
a
a
one
figure
day
young
he was
In answer
informed
demeanour.
to his inquiries,
.self-possessed
in
the
of
the
it was
that
who,
solvingsome
physicist,
hope
Gay-Lussac,
had
of the most
made
some
daring
important problems in physicalscience,
" It is
balloon
at that time on record.
ascents
he, then," repliedHumboldt,
** who
criticism upon
work
the severe
on
wrote
Eudiometry '' (see p.
my
iscence
236). Soon repressingthe feelingsof animosity which such a remincould hardly fail to arouse, Humboldt
approached Gay-Lussac,
his
words
aeronautic expeditions,
few
after
a
complimentary
upon
and,
of his friendship.
offered him his hand, and begged to be allowed the honour
'' Let
be
Cinna
I
unreAerved
the
us
It was
expressionof,
friends,
continued
unbroken, and was productive
The
friendshipthus commenced
^

The

commencement

'

"

"

of the

happiestresults/

344

ALEXANDER

assemblies

public

the

of

drawing-rooms
all

In

has

visit here

my
and

him.

accorded
individual

and

almost

him

upon

behaved

occasion

the

during

his six

cited:

what

talks

be

pass

will not

at

be

able

return

is

necessary.'

as

has

'

The

vility
inci-

with

conceal.

to

it,'were

greeted

emperor
the

writing to

author,

Emperor Napoleon
and

full

seemed

of

the

sojourn
least

to

the

in

in

not

to

possibleincreased.

of

tropicalregions
first winter
the

journey

possible,so

as

not

collections,and

in

; which

health, for

it is well

that

moderate

climate.

in

to be

drawing

out

Unterhaltungenmit Kanzlcr

anxious

am

longerthan

away

the

he

for he

company,

in

occupation

well

again.

once

his

January, while

before

abundant

in

may

Bome

in

us

you

hina

see

account

on

aged

decidedly fatter,and

is if

me

least

the

here, and

with

winter

take

leave

as

found

is to

this time,

at

letter of his sister-

the

face is

manner,

desirable

Burckhardt, 'Goethe*9

p. 101.

the

In
:

His

it
gratification

soon

his extensive

or

presence

personalappearance

speech and

very

to

of

in

not, however,

Humboldt

his

also studies

which

'Alexander

"

spending

long

shall

private

any

Humboldt

wife

My

pleased at findingme
a

of

will

should

of

been

has

wide-spread homage;

Bonpland,

to

years'absence.

much

seems

We

Alexander,

scarcelystrove

court.*

and

manner

vivacity,both

so

he

followingparticularsfrom

above

after

this

remarked

coldness

icy

lot

by

received

with

on

one

the

to

to

botany?

in

presentationat

in-law

believe

exception

otic

his

Humboldt's

think

dear

our

myself.'

to

learn

He

of

return

writing

in

crowning pleasureof

The

"

excitement

feelingof animosity

with

hatred

He

happy

insulting words

Humboldt

his

'

von

universal.'

interested

the

we

1804

Napoleon, alone,

are

Of

sister-in-law,Frau

following terms,

the

much

so

so

but

was

Emperor

*You

his

rarely fallen

has

create

interest

an

There
tlie

could

in

the

been

It

to

the

in

of witnessingthe receptionthat
gratification

the

infuse

herself

September 10,

on

institutions, but

privatecircles.

express

Kunth,

HUMBOLDT.

scientific

of

therefore,
sincerity,

Humboldt,
to

VON

an-angement
the

Friedr.

plans for

von

Miiller/

HOME

the

facilityfor the
zealous

of

had, however,

in the

with

had

he

of his
indeed

at

Geneva

as

residence

wrote

once

myself

he

time

one

Pictet,

to

near

the

lake.'

happy shores,where

your

to the

necessary

Geneva
effort

in the

repose

ever

time

had

of scientific labour
Pictet

the

further

Humboldt
I hasten

to

which

are

death

they
the

the
my

"

attracted

to

forms

one

settle
of my

that after

verse,
uni-

of

enviable

your
of

peace

home

having

of the

"

the

peace

ment
develop-

passed

that

the

(1752-1825),

Benedict

Horace
but

away;

brothers

two

useful

of much

there
in

actively engaged

all

the

you
far

so

could

wrote

be

De

the

were

various
the

Luc,

Prevost

Pierre

sicist
phy-

(1721Jean

botanist

succeeded

by

complete, that

published

travels

in

eleven

1.

Plantes

Le

distinct

works,

the

we

in

even
more

public,and

of the

editorship,I

eleven

in

or

have

the

:"
"

in progress,

the

event

less

perfectstate*

for the sake

publishing the

propose

1805

February 3,

on

list of the works

of

these

Pictet

to

labour

pp. 152,
^

give

convenience

Of

'

for

DecandoUe.*

elder

For

rangement
ar-

English :

borders

find

1839), Jean Trembley (1749-1811), and

Senebier
(1742-1809), who was afterwards

'

the

and

centre

It is true

distinguished men

Marc-Aug.

Geneva^

come

genius,and

of

He

that

fact,at

the

day to

one

exercise

active

ofiFer

the

at

wonders
the

upon

preserve

hope

(1740-1769)

many

branches

indulge the hope

of science.

cause

Saussure

still

in

was,

day

some

contemplated the

social virtues.'

of the

de

I love to

every

he
quite possible,'

peaceful retirement

fortune

May

...

more

It is

'

I shall

into

been

Paris.

eventuallyseek
*

translation

to have

to

that

tropics,and

I may

so

'

Such

you.

brightest visions,for
explored

than

had

Pictet

applied to

their

appears

with

met

correspondence about

into

works, and

he

scientific friends.

numerous

first instance

entered

Paris

undertaking,and

prosecutionof this

co-operationfrom

whom

In

works.

his

publication of

345

LIFE.

of

of

my

reducing

results

of

works.'
titles

were

to be

as

follows

"

equinoxiales.

Globe,journ.g^ogr. de

la See. de

G^ogr. de Geneve,*18G8,voL

157.

Peschel, ' Geschichte der Geographie,'

p. 501.
'
158.
vol.
vii. p.
Le Globe/ 1808,

vii,

346

2.

Nova

3.

Essai

4.

Eelation

5.

Observations

et

speciesplantarum sequinoctialium.
Geograpliiedes Plantes.

genera
la

sur

abreg^e de I'Exp^tion.

PasigrapMe g^ologique.

8.

Atlas

9.

Cartes

g^ologique.
fondles

des Observations

sur

Voyage

11.

Statistiquedu Mexique.

aux

works

All these

and

Humboldt

be

; but

Bonpland

in

written

the

that

naturallycontain, besides
of the physicalaspect of
and

commerce

upon

personaladventures

and

years

embark

I may

that

to be able

Bome

will

which

out

the

But

that
an

interest

engage
be

careful

the

others.

to make

volume,

all the

for

the

works

hope

for I

in two

while

cargo,

am

at

works,

of these

imiform

informed

am

that

edition

publishing an

11

can

appear,

booksellers?

should

ought

think

that
from

do

to

be

No.
its

serve

Though

at

will

being

each

for

sold
3

you

of my

not

think

to

excite

the

be

might

we

ultimatelyappear,

separate contract

more

out of

whole

at most

or

enclosed, might

English

all the

3, 4, 8, 10, and

the

see

years,

new.

Danish,

prospectus

among

that

to

general prospectus

made

fare, like

bill of

of the

narrative

languages.

this

before

data

inhabitants,with
a

the

prospectus printed in French, German,

being

six

in these

works

of
antiquities,

its

impatient to dischargemy

English, Dutch, Spanish, and

preparations are

descriptions

able
Considering the remark-

couple of

It will

taste.

separately,though published in

; I shall have

edition

and

travellers.

something

to draw

sold

be

country

now

am

on

of

people

cultiure of the

of

as

expedition shouH

the

finance, together with

course

half,for

of

I expect
disposition,

the

in

hands

my

appear

by Alexander

edited

11

to

were

"

interest

the

of the

of my

energy

of

jointnames

statistical information,

intellectual

and

manners

the

proceeds:

narrative
to

manner

1 and

3 and

letter then

The

anxious

Nos.

Nos.

by Bonpland,* and

am

published under

to be

were

Humboldt.'
*

astronomiques.

Tropiques.

10.

von

geodesiques.

magn^tiques.

7.

edited

et Mesures

astronomiques

6. Observations

"

HUMBOLDT.

VON

ALEXANDER

we

work,

as

must

Nos.

higher price than

a

very

first to

important

appear.

The

HOME

entire

work

there

ought

will be

for

something

thousand

pounds,

these

laid

out
:

plans,which,

of

to

of

that

combined

to

You

say

the

find

that

will be

delicacy),I

am

me

would

high
At

an

thus

thus

their

method

An

did

hesitate

not

of my

success

The

should

always seems

to

friends

my

and

sale

it be

of

idea

some

the

should

England.

in

I do

here.

way

which
that

he

enthusiasm, apparent

an

in

instructions

I have

party

large,and

very

even

in

the

requisiteto
wanting

me

Messrs.

Jefferson,

others, will be

able

to

English edition,therefore, ought

copies.'

not

keen

Humboldt's

^hat

appear

save

him

from

insight into

forming

somewhat

of the sale of his works.

...

conference, held

had

that the conduct

should

find

of 4,000

estimate

Pictet

portions

leaf.

will

attitude

the

where

America,

anti-federal

largenumber.

subsequent

which

in

literature

with

that

hint,

in

sure

of business

matters

The

imagination.

microcosm

it

of every

phenomena

literarymen

Galatin, Whister, Berton,

least to consist
It

drop
the

subscribers,(a

procure

accomplished ;

Pictet

and

produced quite

States

Madison,

to

booksellers

among
has

have

charlatanryof

furnish

to

edition

an

that

hensive
compre-

personaladventm-e.

the

exhibit

of

to

appeals to

I there

also

newspapers

United

too

directed

was

thing
some-

utility.'

the

might
out

prefer

to

me

English translation,and

towards

expedition

at

the

leads

what

all it

proceeds

to

bringing

in

above

with

then

assume

script
post-

selectingbetween

In

narrative

think, therefore,that the

reference

in

to

attention

my

likes to see^ and

He

the

publish

must

character.

indicates

description, and

be

adds

scale, he

he had

enthusiasm,

public, we

philosophy

Nature

No.

Moreover,

the

amuse

4, my

view

world

extensive

comprehensive

and

shows

characteristic

Humboldt.'

"

'Meanwhile,
Nos.

with

possibly too

on

that

so

everybody.
*

To

347

"

in several

bring

to

UPE.

of the

supply

been

summoned

notes

should
that

be

might

Geneva,

into

entrusted

March

on

from

of the translation

work

any

at Paris

to

English

7, 1805,
it

and

cided
de-

of certain

him, and

be necessary,

was

that

he

superin-

348

ALEXANDER

ifend

the

shared

HUMBOLDT.

London.

publicationin

The

proceeds

des

physique
of

consist
asked.

to

was

Plantes,' and

seven

Essai

this

which

200L

of

sum

Greograpbie

la

sur

pamphlet,

the

issue

The

to

was

be

to

was

to
those relating
arrangements, especially

of these

classification

for

eight sheets,

or

Many

the

with

commence

be

to

were

Humboldt.

equally by Pictet,Bonpland, and

of the work

the

VON

afterwards

work,

of the

able
consider-

underwent

modification.
Humboldt's

Closelyas

of his travels,he
the

in

laboratory of
with

had

which

the

Ecole

Polytechnique; where,

constitution

He

the

eudiometriques et
^
drew
BerthoUet
I'Atmosph^re.'
the

Section

worthy

for

of admittance

Humboldt

also

Biot, and
Memoir

the

Upon

1804.^

In

June

nine

Thus

burdened

follows

as

the

to

letter is
'
.

Joum.

Memoirs,

who

had

dated, February 1,
as

am

Phys.' toI.

1805

Vaughan

Ix. pp.

in

December

in

Philadelphia,
before

read

the

being printed.'*
him

could
for

yet

write

ferns;

some

;
"

the whirl

with

the

Humboldt

asked

for

work,

Magnetism in
Physical and

Institute, on

are

work,

press of

chimique'de

joint labours

*I have

all of which

Willdenow,

Busy
de

with

to

mentions:

10, 1805, he

Institute

Eome

sur

pronounced it
Savants
etrangers.'*

before

National

of the

letter from

read

he

sults
re-

National

'Memoire

Earth's

the

in

out

investigationswith

scientific

Variations

set

and

results of their

the

Section

des

he

on

subject

^a

"

of this

report

'Eecueil

into

Latitudes,' which

Mathematical

dated

entered

up

tions
investiga-

the

entitled

Mathematics,

into the

communicated

different

7,

Physics and

before

la Constitution

Moyens

junction
con-

important

most

read

he

air

before

the

Pluviose, XIII.,

1st

the

attention

paper

in

atmosphere, and

purity of

his

of

series

of the

communicated

labom's, in

Institute,on

on

together

months

spend

to

carried

earnestlyengaged

of these

les

time

testing the

of

his travels.

upon

found

chemical

methods

various

tion
publica-

the

engaged by

was

yet

Gay-Lussac, he

the

on

attention

of my

own

occupations,

120-158; Gilbert's 'Annalen,'

voL

xi.

pp. 38-93.
2

Annal.

de Chim.*

'

'

Journ.

de

'
j Gilbert's Annalen,' voL xs.
p. 90.
*
vol.
lix.
429-460
Gilbert's
Annalen,' voL xi.
Phys.'
pp.
j

vol. liii.p. 239

pp. 257-299.
*
De la Roquette,'Humboldt,

etc.* voL
Correspondonce,

i.

p. 183.

350

ALEXANDER

The

collected.
deal

I trust

the

packing

and

sorting

of time, but

will

you

have

the

on

occupied

whole

be

good

pleased with

specimens.
I have

sini.

entrusted

war,

boxes

my

share

have

Bonpland, tljatseveral

enjoyed

of my

years

unopened, and

considerable

I
celebrity,

for two

assistance

^you who

"

are

that

furnished

was

that

aware

and

have

experienced
and

observe, draw,
humour,
months
you,

is

you

specimen
which

it

and
of

regards
able

am

the

with

case,

minerals

at first

has

with

meet

sight,it

the

read

you

will

have

tried
as

with
the
be

kind

for

The

the

on

European

Klaproth, and
of my

enough

while

to

before

out

be

collection

to be

labels

request
to

my

you
to

convey

highest esteem.
allow

these

This

as

be
I

with

not

Chim-

to

come

gold medals^
feathers.

ing
interest-

was

the

duplicates

distinguishedman
to

would

you
remain

your

of essential

have

lection
col-

tmpacking

you

in

Perhaps

them

fication
strati-

uninteresting

share

that

the

are

some

specimens

would

works,

to

at

sea

from

of what

much

as

each

former

when

so

picturemade

the

No

you

of great

With

above

the

to

as

found

to you

also contain

cases

be

specimens

seems

cease

incorporating

minerals.

bringing

may

lay.

it

if,while

that

statues, and

to write

assurance

"

descriptionof

; and

much

possible. May

Herr

packages

science.

of

contained

ever

perhaps

inscription.

old Mexican

some

for

about

the

height

which

position in

the

the

give

to

it will

interests

borazo, Cotopaxi,or Pichincha

the

to

fit of ill-

that

collection

believe

foimd, together

was

in

with

time

same

lighten the

marvel

no

this

as

specimens, I

as

it

niary
pecu-

species,

new

the

is,at

to

no

limited.

so

of the

importance

are

laboriouslycarried

order

in

away

however,
Insignificant,

number

been

friend, will think

dear

my

I send
^

thrown

are

have

five years I

brouglitback

we

6,300

it

dragged

with

collect,especiallywhen,
that

treasures

difficult

how

been

for

though

that

fellow-

and

have

the

to

know

friend

cases

60,000 specimens of plants,of which

us

^you who

valued

my

port
trans-

that, owing
"

with

Ludie-

of land

expense

aware

are

of M.

care

widely dispersed

been

collections

my

traveller
about

and
difficulty

the

Cordilleras,and

the

to the

large cases

seven

know

You, who
among

in

HU]ffBOi:j)T.

VON

also

e^arate

collection
service

retained

to

of
me

single

specimen

for my

own

Lussac, to

institute

thence

proceed

we

Bound

the

health

will

productions
of my

many

which
I

to

the

on

He

provided

which

bery,

St. Jean

summit

of

arrived

he

atmosphere,

will

as

best

Albano,

his

society ;

princes

and

could

two

or

of

pension

this

of

as

for him

has

you

trust

platinum

left Paris

join his

to

brother

of absence.

was

friends

two

meteorologicalinstruments,
of

experiments at Lyons,

St.

with

Cham-

Michel, Lanslebourg, on
after

short

Genoa,

at

stay

the

5.

as

Minister

Prussian

for which

both
for

man

by
he

out

literati.

of artists, to whom

her

as

and

and

Frau

inclination

almost
a

Rome,
most

1802^

Papal Court.

and

enjoyed

of the

sought

friend

taste

at

the centre

ever

to the

of letters,and

Whether

arts.

zealous
claim

The

had, since the close of the year

the

resort
a

for

statesmen, by poets and

always proved
who

obtain

large piece
.

acquaintance was

especiallythe

for

plan

settled

has

the

diplomatist,a

his house

this

long sojourn here.

series

June

one

of

patron

gation
investi-

peculiarly favourable.

out

To

leave

Rome,

be

carry

pre-eminentlyadapted,

distinction

those

the

the

an

great

of

my

Hiunboldt

positionwas
"was

of

for

Hake,'

the

on

at

be

and

Cenis, "c., and

Mont

von

characterising

magnetism,

emperor

de Maurienne,

resident

The

with

at Rome

William
been

of

obtained

conducted

they

present

my

accompanied by Gay-Lussac, who, through

was

had

EerthoUet,

that

doubtless

will

journey.

Count

to

studied

making preparationsfor

12, 1805, Humboldt

March

were

the

My

*
"

travelling companion, Bonpland,

object

charge

more

immaturity

am

this, safelyreceived

Rome.

at

to

with

hope

composition

The

my

main

in

On

of

theory

for

ere

gave

Asia, which

come.

remuneration

have,

the

chemical

francs

been

from

free

Genis

added

has

working

that

be

Gay*

at Mont

am

long polar nights

years

3,000

ever.

hope, however,

cannot

"

of this letter Himiboldt

northern

the

the

three

with

to-morrow

experiments

formerly, so

for the

imiportance
of

to Eome.'

earlier works.

expedition to

here

chemical

some

than

application than

I leave

use.

margin

is better

351

LIFE.

HOME

equal

nating
discrimi-

Ariccia,

or

distinguished
prized

alike

His

house

von

Humboldt

by
wa"

patroness, particularlyto

fellow-countrywoman. Among

352

ALEXANDER

these

YON

HUMBOLDT.

Gmelin, Grass, Tieck, the

were

Schick, Thonvaldsen, Bauch,

Bippenhausen, Carsten,

two

Schinkel,

and

who

men

their

hy

inaugurating a new era

painting and sculpturewere
the historyof art.
Humboldt
the societyassembling at the house
To Alexander

labours
in

in

afforded

of his brother

While

stimulus.

the

While

found

Bome

he had

data

valuable

elucidation

America.

In these

assistant

indebted

also

was

illustrations

and

bear

the

Even

during

out

just

arrived

interest

this

in

and

the

compare

volcanic

an

I have

of the

many

acquaintance

have

inducement
Humboldt

he

had

for

his

had

who

imagined

Humboldt,

experiencesin

witnessed

proaching
ap-

(Jay-Lussac

Buch,
be

an

irresistible

so

and

von

well

had

of

warning

gave

It may

companions

phenomena

that

and

sistance
as-

favouring Humboldt

on

Vesuvius

Bome.

such

disturbances

All the time

^

intent

afforded

expeditionmust

able to discuss with

Humboldt
valuable

he made

thither,accompanied by Leopold

then

willingguide and

for much

whom

visitingNaples, that,on July 15,

set

in

with

met

Himiboldt.*

Italy:

visit to

this

afforded

atlases
geographicaland pictorial

seemed

eruption,and
for

his

von

herself

Nature

had

imdertaking ;

of the artists with

name

with

met

at

museums

archaeologistZoega.
of his

in

villa of William

at the

he

this visit to Bome

to

branches

in other
maps

researches

the

of America,

which

memorials,

antiquitieshe

celebrated

the

in

companBon.

dialects

the

ancient

of the

by

World,

New

of the libraries and

treasures

manuscripts and

both

in the

philologicalstudies

gathered among

the

among

listeners

instructive

for

brother's

his

able
agree-

by the contemplation of the

antiquityinspiredhim with

him

images

new

contributingto

valuable
he

and

impetus

most

circle of eager

of nature

of Boman

impressive monuments
fresh

enjoyment, and

grandeur

within

life aroused

new

keenest

enchanting a

the

descriptionsof

his

the

there

in

the

being

America,
with

the

of Vesuvius.
could

be

sparedduring their stay at Naples

drawings executed here ; I have met witfc

from even
sketches,
pictures
my slightest
the Bio
and thej have drawn for me
Vinagre,the bridgeof Icononoo,and
of a valuable collection of Meidcan
theCayambe.
Dergiaisinpossession
I intend to publishseveral plates^
from which
and am
manuscripts^
having
Huniboldt
them
to Bonpla"id,
engraved here/
'Bome, June
10, 1805.*
'
la
e
tc/
voL i. p. 177.)
(De
Boquette, Humboldt, Correspondance,
artists who

had

great many

been able to make

have

"

visitingthe

various

with

Dr.

from

where

this

behaviour

"

keep

their

my

On

pleasedivide

eyes

upon

two, but

return

of the

way

the

made

springsat

the

baths

in the

of variation

amount

had

Science

Duke's

pass

summary

of St.

Gothard

of the

remainder

October

on

Dear

in Berlin

out

have

the

Franz

much

very

of

I.

the

Florence,

that

of Natural

Codex

'

Milan,
three

Heilbronn

liked

to have

I have

since

in

Saiumtliche

the

the

visitingVienna

injuring

where

friends

and

15.

they
crossed

Werke^
A

October

short

had

deutsche

28, 1805.

from

war

and

compared

Vatican, and

p. 20.
VOL.

to

for fear of

14

prevented by

been

Codex,

Vienna

Arogo's

at

the

"

I have

Mexican

them

gave

originalintention

the

with

'

"

my

should

of

Sir,

guidance

journey is contained in the

probably to Spener or Sander, a

the

the

of the

following letter, addressed

bookseller

chemical

visited

Museum

use,

on

journey

inquiry as

needle

Passing hastily through Bologna and

at some
were
pains to find out Volta, the
the

their

They

their

short

metal.

polishof the

the

Grand

brought into

been

never

magnetic

the

in

fine instruments

the

; I can

of Nocera, and

splendid galleriesof the cityof the Amo, under

of Fabbroni, a distinguishedconnoisseur,who
to

mark
re-

started

a
instituting

Florence.

answer

17

took

They
of

astounding intelligencein

but

September

sake

entered

they

22

his museum,

to watch.'*

many

travellers
on

for the

celebrated

September

on

too

are

Germany.

mountains,

the

analysisof

to

guished
of distin-

party, gentlemen

your

City,and

route

the

applied to by

exceedinglydiscourteous

four

Bome

to

Eternal

the

homeward

their

the

must

sojourn in
by

request with

Poli.

reception they

through

see

of

Colonel

Neapolitan gentleman

You

their

when

with

marks

with

the

was

Thompson, who,

learning,for permission to
to

treated

and

Torre

in

spent

was

were

honoured

della

the Duca

travellers,accompanied by
acceded

they

curators, and

the

especialattention from
In strikingcontrast
to
met

btiming momitain,

museums,

courtesy by

extreme

the

contemplation of

the

from

353

LIFE.

HOME

carrying

Freiberg.

manuscript
engraved portions

of

my

the

one

in

voL
UebersetzuofT)'

the

iii.

354

ALEXAI!n)"R

ooUection

Borgia

; but

The

We

to

With

what

the

good

snow.

zone

this

We

go

intend

allow

there

days

their

among
; and

his

From

quarters

the

had

which

of

few

4, 1800^

as

take

they
^

to

Humboldt

by

of

the

'

was

"

Le

on

he

has

to the

introduced

By

and

they spent
and
at

received

former

Berlin.
the

his friends
of

the

services
and

lin
at Ber-

high
to

most

ciation
appre-

science.

congratulation^

forty in a week, to only a

reply. On the proposition
had

been

in council

nominated

an

bearing date

gust
Au-

likelyto appreciatetoo
distinguishedwith especialmarks
king showers fervours upon me,' he

of my

not

was

almost

are

He

time.

Academy

royalorder
of

as

an

has

oppressive, for
granted

crdmary member

in council of November

me

upon

19, 18061,

Sdencee,'awarded a pensionoat of
letter to the Academy, conveying
'
is dated
for his election,
Paris, September 4, 180^'and wa"
the
notification
Kunth.
through
receiving
Member

Academy

of the

"

bis thanks

to

attentions

funds of the Institution.

written
"

as

American
"

which

greeting

Sciences,he

*The

much

too

able

was

Pictet;^ *his
up

as

royalorder

honour

an

"

bis arriTal at Berlin.

he was,

at

myself

JEquinoctiales

had

valuable

his

many

been

highly (seep. 212). Hb

of favour by the king.
writes

Bussians

my

they arrived

Europe,

letters of

came

he

honorary member,

to

of

Boyal Academy

of the

16

livelyinterest

sometimes

numbering

I do

as

the

professors

Paris,Humboldt

entertained

they

; and

Gottingen, where

November

in his return

taken

all

Plantse

friends,both

on

in

stay

gratifyingproofsof
had

"

they reached

fellow-students

During

the

temperate

find

to

soon

in

lay deep

Cassel

and

that in

hear

we

to
myself exclusively

of

part

visit

November

some

and

of Swabia

all, I hope

at

second

The

On

Heidelberg

to

in

greeted b?
really
we

we

Lucerne

to

whole

the

I shall devote

appeared.'

Lugano

were

called, apparently in jest,the

is

hence

go

Berlin, where
works.

hail

stay long at Gottingen, supposing

to
to

us

and

of annoyance,

October

of

Yet

deal

perpetually

now

the pass of St. Gothard!

But

from

these

in

compensation

some

at Como.

road

is

minions.
do-

Austrian

Palladium

Europe

of rain, snow,

the

beginning

not

Volta

On

encoimtered

in which

firiendIL

my

the

avoid

to

longer a

no

found, however,

storms

Alps I

the

are

wars

old friend

my

accompanied by

am

obliged

sciences

"ightfiilMahratta
engaged.

as

been

have

Gay-Lussac, I

HUMBOLDT.

YON

Globe,' "c.

p. 179.

^Humboldt's

HOME

pension of 2,500 thalers,equal

of service.'
also conferred

reallytreated

made

close

Though Hunaboldt
the

grief at

and

society of

America.

he

friends

of

his

youth,
editorshipof

work,

his

of

in which

the

by personal infl""^wce
he

Berlin

with

met

his astronomical

hope
he

The

industry

much

he

of the

hoped

yoimg

when

time

his

travels
the

him,

to

ment
departfor him

procure

for his

'

ranging
only in arpublicationof

three

in

Atlas

executed

Once

not

and

completed

in

early

Willdenow

botanical

for

led

have

of absence.

reduction
be

evident

was

with

to

with

official life

could

inducing

detain

to

the

talented

return

my

departure

to meet

leave

necessary

of the maps

by Friessen,

his

that

of

preparing many
"
physique de la Nouvelle-Espagne,'

et

the

to

abhorrence

it

Berlin, at

portion

observations,to

but in

since

yearning

case

for

Oltmanns

with

he

Say something,
king, for he has

publication of

the

and

the

undertake

the

been

have

America, must

at

the

just commenced

had

on

where

Berlin,

visit to

!
the

to

therefore

for

quit Paris

to

that

but be filled with

place

inducements

The

Humboldt

taken

had

improvement

no

things prevalentin
in

grade

every

Pictet

distinctions of this kind

not

of

condition

was

introduction

Chamberlain

view

might

dition
con-

distinction.'*

great

he could
tolerable indiflTerence,
and

(in the

no

Chamberlain

writing to

Travels)

^a

"

Eoyal

in

complimentary

with

me

of

; but

mention'

not

was

the

however, at

do

10,000 francs,with

appointment

of his American

English edition
country

to

Humboldt

upon

requests:*'Pray
to my

The

355

LIFE.

years,

geographique

under

his supervision

architect.

displayedduring

this

sojourn

at

Berlin

In addition
to the
eclipsedanything he had before evinced.
labour inseparaWv /"nnnected with the publicationof his great

"

Le

p. 189.
relates on this occasion

Globe/ "c.

amusing conversation which took

Keinhold Forster,
traveller,
bluff
in
w6ll
The
Great
manner.
known, was
exceedingly
who, as is
'
accustomed
n'est
to
titre
ce
himself
:
was
Chambellan,
qu'un
say
"King
'
in
plainGerman, meant
nothing more
diim^rique/and that Chamberlain,
zur
than court lackey.' (Preuss,' Urkundenbuch
LebensgeschichteFried^

Humboldt

placebetween

chamberlain

and

an

the celebrated

"

lichs des Grossen,'vol. iv. p. 802.)

* See
s. 1. r. de
Humboldt, 'Essai polit.

LXIV.

ed. 1811,in 4to. }

"

Deutsche

laNouv.-Espagne,'
I.,LXII.

Tumzwtung,'
AA

1859, No. 2.

and

356

ALEXANDER

work

(seep. 349),

the

regulating
*

On

Thoughts

Steppes and
which

he

Capture

Needle,
'

On

'

of

the

of Herr

for the

journal,

when

yesterday that
in

an

nights in
hour

he

succession
had

he
in 1807,
when

to

was

visitingJohannes

related,that
his

friends."

when

garden,
'*

Here

never

he

that

duty by
I have

ago:

small

iron

to

observations

at

the famous

quently
subse-

This

this

time

he

to show

of

"his

Nathan

*,

^ras

buildiiig
too

Humboldt

used

half-

every

instrument;

the

so

days and

sleep,as

boast

time

one

seven

seen

me

was

further

strangers
scientific

Miiller,here

Hum-

Mendelssohn,the youngestson of Moses Mendelssohn, was

of the most
zealous founders
admirable
of
mechanician, and one
died
in
Berlin
he
1652.
of
PolytechnicSociety
January
^

in

his

in

relatingto

spent

often

old man,

failed

to have

remarks

was

garden-house.
an

in
first,

in

his assistants.

Miiller,at
a

occupied

at

on

magnetic

the

in this

in

I used

hj

commenced

he

was

readings of

George, as
he

devised

also

Vamhagen

of

von

observations

1806;'

December,

entirelywithout

only snatches

the

relieved

Magnetic

the

carried

carryingon

labours

with

take

Obsenrations

'

magnetism,

"Humboldt

"

was

his

just fiftyyears

conducting

over

he

in

'

time

out-buildingin George's garden, he

intentlyoccupied

:"

a site
wealthy brandy distiller,

Circus.

1857:

July 4,

on

cited

^Experiments

character

were

purpose

George,

Benz's

occupied by

now

be

may

upon
of

earth's

conjunction with Gay-Lussac, which

garden

editors,appeared

Instruments

this

; at

upon

building constructed

smaller

"c.

Humboldt

series of observations

the

the

;'

Speciesof Cinchona;'

20th

Mathematical

Orinoco

Several

America;'

Borealis
the

on

gions
Re-

Higher

of the

of Horses

means

Aiurora

at Berlin

of

attention

by

of the

of

LaiR

the

Perpetual Snow/

of Plants.'

piurelyexperimental

the

Cataracts

the

On

^
"

in
of

the Various

Upon

Eels

Scientific and

Labours

On

Limit

Inhabitants

Mendelssohn,'

Nathan

the

made

'

of Electric

instituted

the

the

Fish

Influence

the

on

Academy

spondence
corre-

of time, he

amount

presentationsto
periodicals.Among these

Aboriginal

Electrical

the

Physiognomy

in various

upon

'

voluminous

Temperature

and

Disserts ;

the

on

of
treatises,

the

of

Decrease

of

considerable

before

Atmosphere

of the

HUMBOLDT.

pressure
a

followingpapers

the

^On

the

and

consumed

which
read

VON

sa

tbi

358

ALEXAiJDER

social

life,in

interests

the

to

aod

order

of

From

the

may

devote

With

which

of

several

to

of his

Beer

'
.

affection
in

you
and

for you

stranger,in

foreignland.

Even

under

feet.

the

old

my

Berlin

before

and

simple

as

have

renewed

much

as

as

She

to

ground

with

Only

and

come

and

that

has
see

Your

Frail

Caroline

attack

of

rheumatic

is

grown

up

to

and

you

which

in this uninhabited

dear

friend, for

you

may

be)

on

credit

say in

for

the

of my

score

friend, and

to
to

be

near
insignificant

and

conscious

ever

that

such

once

Humboldt.'

from

it

sending
thank

in your

think

was

of

yon

you,

my

Whatever

you.

and

an

"

arrival

my

nature

will at least

Goethe,
that

May 14, 1806L

since

to

poem,

it is not

to

give me

daily with
our

deceased

something great

occupied a position not whoUy

trio.
^

find

will

toothache

from

feeling to
of

severe

I received

German

of you

glory

Berlin

universality,
you

of

enough
regard

which

note

joke (for malicious

affectionate

over

with

magnificent

kind

an

Wolsogen,

von

^preventedme

"

William's

with

the

desert

be

friend,

frequentlysuffered

I have

deal.

sprightly.

affectionate

fever

admirable

good

less

'

lines

all

Herz

me,

formerly,only somewhat

as

To

few

ing
burn-

was

Frau

illness from

like

me

is,indeed, an

do,

is also here, and

'An

isolated

Beer,

become
the

wrote, my

rejoice with

I
dear

has

Europe

friendship.

loves you

interestingman.'
me

which

I left

"

April 22, 180a

...

living,my

am

feeling:

I last

since

years

unchanged.

coimtry

Mendelssohn

Nathan

this

at

...

sympathy
and

woman

remained

has

happiness.

your
a

as

it is fifteen

Although

of

state

own

'

friends

his

Glogau.

cU
J

himself

applies

of his works.'

letters

To Dr.

exclusiYely

time

falter^, he

gather something

may

his

unprecedented industry,

never

completion

Humboldt's

we

he

HUMBOLDT.

science.

perseverance

incessantlyto
time

that

VON

See p. 366.

HOME

Though

and

other

aspects

sublime,

have

though

"

the

old,"
of

yet

Nature

that

from

plants,

views

had

of

Nature

endowed

the

on

whole

My

exerted

had

being

which

with
and

coming

to

"

sad

for

of the

Goethe,

Goethe

To

the

but

Just

isolated

Von

only hope

I
,

and
for

worthy

prove
you

have

had

calm

and

Nature

the

the

not

life.

to

see

charm

no

for

me;

in

one

of

her

choly
melan-

Goethe

there,

you

little

the

be

ones

filial regard.

yours,

Berlin

the

Humboldt.'

September 19, 1806.

in

results

of

arranging

portion may
it

their
to

years

two

you

this

the

journey.

please you

its existepce.

owes

But

tropicalsplendour would
I indebted

am

peacefulhappiness aflForded by
in

is

Zach.

for to you

starry heavens

There

and

you

not

brood

now

of my

Ever

astronomical

of you,

I dare

this is*a very

assurance

publication of

the

for

materials

happy.

very

Schiller,kiss

be occupied for

shall

'
.

my

little work

of my
me

might hope

'

joyed
en-

come
be-

it were,

powerful

with

energy,

Will

'

all my

society I

as

of

stones,

the

made

and

to dear

me

to

convey

has

sympathise, and

can

Eemember

and

speak

feelings.

my

lead

Lauchstadt?

to

for me,

also

you

depressingsensation.

friend.

dear

In

I had,

fuller of life and

seems

whom

himself.

by

of

the whole
into

association

of Plants

always give expression

much
over
myself, for I
nobody

heights

infused

me

upon

while

perceptivefaculties.

new

in

way

admit,

to

conviction

elevated,and

been

Physiognomy

"

the

the

the associations

with

man

before

with

interwoven

Life

present

passed

scaling the

or

into

even

the

Spiritanimating

how, through

with

kind

The

"

and

since

been

^but One

pole

to

been

of

Jena,

at

One

and

constrained

Amazon,

impressed with

was

that

been

is but

animals,

wanderings

the

have

ocean,

impressive and

days

assimilated

have

of

there

pole

and

influence

those

always

been

has

forests

Andes,

has

new

days, and

the

ranging
the

the

immeasurable

an

possible more

forms

wondrous

un"miliar

bygone

if

between

intervened

"

and

ranges

of Nature

thousand

mind,

my

mountain

vast

359

LIFE.

the

grandest aspects
"

for the

contemplation

certainlyone

of

of the

360

ALEXANDER

purest of

all

with

M.

Delambre

myself.

met

here

It is

entirelyself-educated,and
He

perseverance.
for

is

exceedingly well

sake

are

and

full of

rare.

by

am

no

of
anxious

idle, I

great work

therefore

indififerent at
the

by

unfriendlyportion
To

Dearest

destined

preparationfor
Since

then
entered

not

plan, and
had

we

venture

Herr

Moritz

regard,brother
^

Poor

at

of

have

Barcelona,

shattered

Dashwood,

lady of

very

sure

am

am

"

and

when

to be

life

pleasant

the

of

these

to

themselves

lost

not

Rahel

change

of

forgotten
intercourse

disposition.

bright reminiscences, I
bearer

of

for whom

number

rather

lines,
great

endowments.^

of emperors
I

hear
for the

and

saw

melancholy,

glad to
him

these
I have

into his domain.

very

I have

circle,enlivened

home

intellectual

sight of
1

this

in

intimate.

though

noble

your

the

man

young

host

were

you

very

have

you

notice

be

April 10, 1807.

pleasurethe happy

interesting,but
have

by,

in

part

am

I should
I

expect.

Berlin

used

remarkable

to act

invited

health.
for

....

has

Dohna

kings who

to your

Kobert

lishing
pub-

sured
unjustlycen-

public'

we

inspiredby

recommend

to

the

studying book-keeping

cheerfulness

amiable

confidence

the

With

the

sleep,

value, and

yet notwithstanding

youths,

togetheras
by

recall with

can

to

somewhat

gone

was

fulfilled my

yours

least

career,

long absence,

my

I at

me.

upon

days

and

business
have

you

In

"

Church,
a

fia^twith

own

Watter^ibach.

Wattenbach,

for the

to

as

'

little time

imdoubted

of the

sesses
pos-

for its

seems

findingmyself

; he

science

on

world

of

something

prepare

but

get

the

ing
astonish-

of calculation, and

love

give

cannot

as

and

his work

branches

who
I

Although

means

my

to

Men

man,

young

solelyfor astronomy, and

live

higher

hare

to

me

wonderful

scarcelyleaves

read.
.

is

Oltmanns

of Herr

name

and

work,

my

talent,modesty,

to

seems

in the
facility

great

the

; he

fortnighttogether he

portion of

inexpressible
happiness to

an

Oltmanns

Herr

with

to

permission in

your

...

feelingsof deep gratitudehave

dedicate
to you in conjunction

astronomical

the

earnestlysolicit
and

wish

the

HUMBOLDT.

These

enjoyments.

inspired me
with

VON

Gill

and

something

in
of

last fifteen

HOME

years.

still ;

Danzig
I live in

his brother

met

361

UfE.

in the

West

wealthy, industrious,and
of

hopes

meeting

once

you

noble-hearted

as

Ever

insertion

of these

chronologicalorder
the

at

short

work

which

seated

was

scattered

oflSce

for

time

which

his

he

sincere
too

were

and

their

of

his

whom

he

the

hasten,

at

and

cause

the time
At

it is

Humboldt,

in his

bis return

Korte,

Leben

act

as

foes ; it
ledge
his know-

the

circumstances

Wolf

to

the

save

gives some

University of

Halle

"

me

Berlin

safely.
the

important

of intellectual
letter

to

upon

from

me
so

Yet

Augustus

reached

November

for

the

18, 1800.

welcome

hope

reproach

culture.
me

to the

is to be committed

crisis

your

least

inentions

conqueror^

ance
personalacquaint-

friend, to reply to your

reached

relieve

to

inactive

dear

my

which

Day answer,

the

nihilated
an-

for him.

efforts

dissolution

14th, which

enough

as

The

treat, his influential

to

patriotism.

to Frederick

fruitless

impending

Paris

was

inexorable

his

had

'

learned.

peculiarlyfitted by

was

strong, even

followingletter

account

from

all sides, called

Prussians

parties with

the

position, and
The

great
in

Prussia

fought.

languages,his courtlymanners,

with

of the

the

between

of

of the

flight; Napoleon,

to

himself, on

found

mediator
an

Humboldt's

catastrophe,
frightful political

circles

been

had

at Berlin.

Humboldt

was

king put

the

the

had

had

Bonpland

and

printing of

forth

even

of Jena

the

; the

burst

glance

both
progressing satisfactorily,

Then

battle

give

to

the

transpired. Gay-Lussac

spring of 1806,*

visit to Berlin

Stuttgart.

disastrous

had

Humboldt.'

disturbed

somewhat

events, it will be well

the

in

meanwhile

was

and

Paris

to

letters has

which

occurrences

returned

paid

of

ever*

yours,
'

the

as

more.
*

As

is in

Maclean

Indies.

you

will

receive

post unsealed, soon

of

having

happiness of
No,

had

letter of

my

been

dear

remained
mankind

friend, at

engaged

upon

by Arago in his ^loge of Gaj-Lussac ; but

'
Autobiography in Brockhaus'
Conversations-Lexikon,'
as
having taken placein the winter of 1806-0.
und
Studien Friedrich
August Wolf's/ vol. i. p. 369.
so

stated

362

ALBXAHDER

affairs for

these

been

had

of

occupied

influential

most

State,

and

one

able

are

for

for

Governor-General

with

interest

influence

the

of those
from

whom

had

few

with

whom

when

private

be

can

by

his express

orders.

From

to

be

irritated

afresh

of

Halle.

always
M.

Daru

yesterday, on

presenting

University,but
be

to

seems

I feel
will

all

to

produce

change

of

much

of which

believe

Halle

*I

in

continue
the

day

before
the

emperor
which

"cts

how

deeply
time

expect

anticipationof this
tions.
inde"tigable exer-

my

various

will all be

with

is made

the

certain

grieves me.

scientific institutions

dissolved.

Elbe.

side of the

further

designs connected

only

that

boast

can

the

Leipzig, on
has

I shall

seems

emperor

attempt to'express
it

except

ill-will of the

alleviation,and,

sentiment,

I cannot

much

one

application from

an

The

not

is

besides,never

mention

any

his belief in

upon

how

hear, the

attempt,

him

he

to his presence

whenever

to

I do

me.

this,and

success.

grounded

unknown

are

without

at

another

made

to

(except,for
'
and of course
Paris),

admitted
what

cause,

emperor

him

presented to

individual

I have,

the

without

and
originate^

everything must
with

personal interview

both,

attempt

for

thought of,

emanate.

day,
I

to the

To

University.

be

to

everything must

moments,

no

is not

emperor

monarchs

the

in

with

them

hitherto

Clarke, but

and

take

half

even

notwithstanding the good-willthey have

they

both

Household,

success,

the

The

single moment.

repeated intercession

made

with

the

of

hours, or

to them

speak

to

hours.

eight

incessantlyoccupied

so

about

wait

alone,

aslViaret,the Secretary

Comptroller

the

forenoon

one

six to

statesmen, such

may

have, however,
as

from

superior men,

being

well

them

upon

Daru,

business,that
without

past, and, during

French

"certainly
very

as

week

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Halle

I fear

the

which

politicalevents

is

near

emperor
the

peace

will reveal.
am

*I need

grieved to
not

write

repeat

you

how

such

letter.

completely

feelingof attachment, veneration,

and

I share

love to

in

brother's

my

yourself.
'A. Humboldt.

'Postscript.
"

old

Hamburg

I have

just been

fortunate

containing the

newspaper
1

See

p. 344

enough
protest

to

made

find

an

by

the

University against
immediately

it

sent

warlike

the

to M.

on

363

LIFE.

HOME

with

Dam,

Btudents.

the

of

temper

another

earnest

very

appeaL'
It

under

was

character
dedicated
the

that

stormy

immeasurable

sympathetic

dense

the

such

the

voice

den

Auf

glades

Wo

der

ist Freiheit

from

to escape

sympathising

with

of the

of

the

speak

with

heights

rugged

chorus

of

Hauch

Liifte

der

Griifte

iiberall,

nicht

Mensch

Der

in die reinen

ist vollkommen

tone

same

was

primeval forests, across

the

over

followinglines

hinanf

Steigt nicht
Welt

of

'

of Nature

^Aspects

me

ing
depress-

"

Bergen

Die

the

life,accompany

of

plains, and

To

The

1807

May

of this

oppressedspirits'who, glad

waves

through

Andes.

in

those

to

interest

influence of circumstances

the

hinkommt

sadness

seiner

mit

the

also

pervades

Qnal.'^

following passages

*
:

"

'Let

those

nations,
calm,

their

turn

therein

orbs, winch
and

'

under
art

unchanging
the

when

Thus,

vitalityis

though
should, in
the

Napoleon
might

"

be

hope

that

forth

somewhat

whom

means

of

diminished,

Ansichten

Nature,

those

or,

earliest

the

celestial

harmony,

her

she

der

Natur/

"

"

Ibid. vol. L pp. 38, 286.

life wither,

productions of

their

With

on

at

digality,
procerned,
uncon-

variance,

ripening fruit.'

negotiationwith
the

buds

stands
her

creative

wondrous

countless

ever

when,

indestructible

with

life.

new

imposed by

burdens

of

upon

earth

to unfold

with

by

vegetation,and

presumption, trample

his

the

awe

of time, the

hand

man,

of intellectual

from

man

intellectual

of

continues

Nature

in

discordant

of

course.'

putting

ever

processes

undisturbed

gradually perishing, the

are

In

wondering

charms

relentless

the

silent life of

pursuing, in

ever

tumult

enjoyment

mysterious

with

gaze

are

the

to the

the

the

impulses implanted

those

them

let

ancient

attention

contemplate

yielding to
ages,

obtain

strivingto

are

with

wearied

who,

shameful

the

Grovemment,

drcL

ed..Preface^p.

the
peace

Emperor
of Tilsit

in the
10.

spring

364

ALEXANDEE

of

1808,

younger

decided

to

send

brother

of

the

and

personal bravery
Humboldt

difficult

this

upon

The

the

Berlin.

to

the

and

The

1808,

parting

'Alexander
a

then

of
to

passes

refers
lines

his

when

of

ence.
influ-

of

Sciences,
remain

to

actual

work

his

of

Berlin.

quitting
William
the

reached

Nature,'

In

of

this

the

further

travel

femen
!

Dir
Fiihre
Die

Wilhelm

gekehrt

Land
die

wenn

Dich

Da

in

Liebe

"

Huld

gleiche

Stim

von

spricht

Welttheils

andem

das

Orenoco's

und

von

Kuste

gewahrt,

Schicksal

es

Dich

reizt,

aos

so

gleich

znm

Yaterherde,

Gesammelte

Kranz

"

werde

nnd

neuerruDgnem

Humboldt's

Wogen.
zitternd

gewogen

nmzogen

Werke/

vol.

clusion,
con-

following

the

Heiroaterde

znr

to

history,

and,

in

as

follows

world's

personal achievements,
of

poem

Humboldt

von

course

almost

him

in

cation
dedi-

the

"

Vom

of

countrv,

Albano,

from

acknowledgment

of

projects

bist

in

state

that

in

of

one

as

king
the

von

returned

he

Academy

in

great

Humboldt,

von

character

the

his

General

was

brother

his

by

'Aspects

brother's

to

of

great

gratefid

lofty thought

Gliicklich

'

him

to

on

his

Paris

prince

Government.

Humboldt,'^

von

strain

his

out

greeting

his

surprise,

persons

1809,

in

of

for

alike

the

William

of

the

Prussia,

his.

to

ground

the
with

impossibility

by

the

to

accompany

of

permission

the

as

to

adjutant

as

autumn

of

the

was

greatly

on

however,

addressed

poem

prefixed

in

he

as

September

the

bringing

unsupported

suite

members

obtained

of

Germany

king

son-in-law

till

foreseeing

France,

whose

future

foreign

mannere

the

of

distinguished

was

acquaintance

Humboldt,

eight

sought

by

in

Paris

in

remained

graceful

intimate

prince,

Hedemann,

who

king,

William

Prince

political mission,

and

experience

Paris

to

selected

was

HUMBOLDT,

VON

p. 361.

366

ALEXA2a)ER

long-cherishedhopes received
Chancellor

Bomanzow,
with
had

at that

Rennenkampff,

Humboldt

invite

satisfaction
dated
1812

Besides

'
.

Asia.

than

be

until

two-tliirds

high

Indus

those

to

object of

like

should
able

thence

Java,

the

or

his

reply,

as

upon

to

visit Bokhara

landed

will determine

Bussorah,
Constantinople,
of Central

Such
I
of

to the

are

some

am

cannot

journey to

should

of

be

should

more

of my

Bombay.

or

of

for
of

between
my

to

constitute

an

should

have

long

go
templated
con-

equatorialstars.
; and

should

I not

at

islands

the

of

siure

be

least be

of

Ceylon,
by

this

interesting

an

kind.

at the

time

of my

route, whether
As

the

wish

course

would

would
of

sources

probably I

of every

Europe,

course

the

Asia

preferreachingIndia

India

35** and

by

and

the

ture,
deparof

way
tains
moun-

38" of latitude,

expedition,I

quite

am

different
in-

line of route.
of the

plans

at

extremely flattered by

St.

return

of which

Thibet^ I should

I should

Asia, situated

as

Malacca,

principalobjects of

the

Most

or

discoveries

the

in

at Benares

of

coasts

situation
political

The

my

"

Hope,

year

Philippines.

journey,repletewith

expedition into

an

work,

my

declination

the

remain

once

America,

upon

it out, but

country

route,

Court

that

to

of Grood

Cape

of the

to

carry

me

Granges.

to

reach

within

to

secondary interest.
work

works

extending from

range

visit

to

"

of the

of the
a

from

Jacques, January 7th,

my

completed

chief interest

but

but

way

form

liveliest

the

finished.

now

mountain

Thibet,

Central

to

this effect before

projectto

I have

is

objectof

the

by

with

preparatory

fully intend

and

Paris

The

see

by Humboldt

publicationof

conceived

I had

Europe,

mission

St.

sequently
sub-

commissioned

was

this

in

part

Yon

Bussia, but

of

followingpassages

in studies

engaged

now

leave

the

am

to

influence

he

:"

service

Observatory,Rue

Paris, The

'

the

extract

we

knowledge

his

Oldenburg,

received

proposalwas

The

Asia.

take

to

scientific

through

of

Comii

personallyacquainted

was

and

in the

time

Chamberlain

High
to

zeal

appreciation,and

high

Empire,

whose

fulfilment.

promise of

any

of the

for

Humboldt,

HUMBOLDT.

VON

Petersburg.

present engaging
the interest

Count
.

"

shown

Romanzow,

my

tion.
atten-

me

by

Minister

the

of

PBOJECTED

Trade,
his

did

stay

the

me

honour

in Paris.

that

make

to

be

may

made

to

channel, provided

details

concerning the districts

of

deal

great

the

give

to

I should

but
of

be

unless

Asia,

of age, and

loth

I had

Lake

by

Baikal

and

Will

it not

Kamtschatka.

cand, Cabul,

person

in

by

any

Thibet

or

Casween,
all the
done

and

character, on
doubtless

; in

science

meteorology,
experiments
of

races

of

road

to

other

kindred

order

to

with

regard to

grasp

the

engage

the

field

once

first the

whole

of

at

expeditionof
branches

of

of

study
the

of the

of

the

nortb,

Pacific.
the

most

returning, it

As

recent

would

be

earnest

our

of

attention.

operation,I
under

formations

will
to

and

all inclined

are

be

select

like

from

route

58*^

leniseisk,.
the

shores-

towards

exposed
the

In

should

latitudes

in Kamtschatka

districts

desirable

various.

the

"

Asia,

volcanoes

these

of

enduring

most

60", passing through lekaterinbourg, Tobolsk,

the

this

vegetation;

to

to

be

traversed,would

traverse

lakoutsk,

with

war

nothing

to

and

Teheran^

of opening
possibility
south, together with a thousand

will
subjects,
at

of

Lhassar

superpositionof rocks^

The

one

civilisation
from

Is

of the
(inclination
and
force,hourly variations),

"

commerce

taining
ascer-

magnetism

language

ancient

of

visited

can

distribution

the

of

Samar-

as

of Shamo?

in various

the

pendulum.

the

their

men,

monuments

up

theory

An

of data

of

Caucasus

far

? Is Bussia

prehensive
com-

peninsula

as

has

of coimtry

extent

accession
with

the

frontier,and
arms

years,

and

the

by

ordinary route

southern

declination,intensityof

needle,
in

the

who

am

tropicalregions

plateau

else via Calcutta

of the

geography

the

of

eight

or

in

to undertake

extensive

very

banks

palm.

I lose all chance

the

tumult

vast

Empire

identityof formations, and

the
in

yield a

seven

possibleto get

or

than

or

account

of

Must

Eussian

the

glad

volcanoes

the
other

amid

except

be

less attracted

be

Mustag

along her

nations

I should

visitingthe
be

of

Herat,

the

about

the

Cashmere

height

the
there

and

and

prospect

I should

visitingthe

banana

renounce

the

of

hope

occupy

to

journey.
than

all

geographical
explored. It will cost

be

to

of the

would

expedition that

an

fuimiahed with

am

up

home

Granges,the

forty-two years

now

proposals during^

some

delighted to accept any propositions

Grovemment
by
through an

me

official

me

me

I shall be

...

367

SCHEMES.

to view

under

the; in

the-

368

ALEXANDER

latitude,by

48** of

four

occupy

be

the

though

much

be

greater
I

return.

After
such

of

shall

will

that

I have

may

have

be

not

of

and

of the

dimensioDS.
the

hardy and

more

will

singleword

Whatever

small

selected for

are

myself

costly,for

very

necessarilybe

men

they

the

be

less

the

of

Bussian,

undertake,

also

the

interior

dition
expepossess

impatient

Russian

guage,
lan-

formerly I

as

I execute

would

of the

Bussian

the

to

that

advantages

naturally infer

conceived

of

the

The

governed.
North

with

bom

accrue

only

continent, not
Humboldt

Empire,

on

but

hope

tinues
con-

before

It

the

detrimental

required

to

for the

it will

be

will

the

of

half

the

may

at least be

will

of

but

More

to have

them

and

Bamsden

arrangements

"

It will take
with

information

and

Son,
some

outlay

prosperityof
not

time

men

needed

regard

of

be

instruments;

by

Lenoir,
of

prove
will

year

constructed

artists and
in

small

will

scientific

Fortin, Breguet,

"

delay
than

various

at

disposed

more
a

that

to visit St. Petersburg

me

this

out

grand

these

expected

internal

impossiblefor

expedition.

desirable

the

ii

world

preserved,but

all the

be

to

breaking

be

may

old

war

execution

peace

the

plans for

the

that

1814;

indulge

extensive
suflBciently

exists of

to increase

of Munich.

the

whom

preparationof

Troughton, Mudge,

acquire all

be

winter

opticiansin Europe
Beichenbach,

by

thus

proposals that

any

projectswhich, callingfor only

public funds, tend

country.

scale

Government

war.

those

to entertain

hopes

accept

perhaps delay the

disappointed,it

close of

to

apprehension that

may

I be

the

receiving,provided

monarch

I cannot

projects;

of

be

from

mind

up. my

honoiur

the

worthy

necessary

would

which
parallel,

but

are

endurance,

make

out

made

expedition

the

the

out

"

*You

should

to carry

science, but

in the

for

know

expeditioninto

an

this

must

scientific

the

not

pointing

and

required

Bussians,

do

enthusiasm.'

the

of

would

nature

myself a Spaniard.

made

of

this

powers

but

the

south

instruments

should

be

of

be well that

It would

to

Baikal, in order

perfect construction, they

most

to

made

HUMBOLDT.

five years.

or

Expeditions

"

of Lake

way

investigations to

VON

the

of

best

Paris;

London;

and

make

the

to

science,and
to the

to

southern

PROJECTED

Empire, and

frontiers of the
them.

1799.

well

the

frankness

same

Court

addressingthe

acquainted with

your

that

the

it needful
be

request

of

Aranjuez,in

I should

to

flourished

have

sciences

of his vast

it

whose

not

letter

terested
directly inof service

be

to

humiliation

no

the

government

throughout

did

dominions,

of this

persons

think

Prince, under

consideration

contents

plan likelyto

of science.

services

to offer my

of

delicate

those

only to

execution

the advancement

and

to

communicated

in the

breadth

with

to you

am

should

of penetratingbeyond
possibility

the

written

of when

use

too

to deem

arts

I have

I made

which

'

"

369

SCHEMES.

the

length and

position entirely

my

prohibitsuch a step. I would refuse nothing which claimed

for its objecta gloriousor useful end ; I would
unhesitatingly
to Cape Comorin, even
undertake a journey from Tobolsk
were
I assured
it in

that

independence, in
preferto

follow

which

do violence

replying to the questions you

make
any propositions.
of

"

the

be ascertained

now

after

floon

out

to

far these

how

of the

Neither

bring

the
on

projectany
the

did the years

nearer

contrary,

were

to

were

Eussian

and

to

of

peace

successful

Humboldt.'

negotiationswith
Government
war

which

Eussia, Humboldt

obligedto relinquishall hope of comparing

of the
conditions
Himalayas and Kuen-liin
Andes.

me,

that, through the

France

between

von

was

the

if,instead

character

to my

proposed

it is certain, however,
broke

moral

by a strong will, I
relying merely upon my

Alexander

commissioner
plenipotentiary

proceeded ;

preserving a

It cannot

accomplish

sustained

am

scientific career,

my

only would

one

tastes,and

my

I should

resources.

own

persons

simple in

but

safety;

of nine

out

the

geological

with

which

those

succeeded,

issue.

being presented to

of

his

New

blems,
pro-

consider-

was
of
sought for the publication
permissionof Humboldt
'
of
this letter,
I do not disavow
motives
the
he replied
I
which
:
by
any
Baron
in
actuated
to
seventeen
was
von
Rennenkampff ;
writing
years later,
of the Emperor Nicholas,
in 1829, 1 undertook, by command
the expedition
be printedeither before
described in ray " Asie centrale."
This letter may
of
It is the expression a strong will I
after my death.
or
' Berlin
A. von
Httmboldt/
: October
18, 1853.
^

When

VOL.

the

I.

370

ALEXAia)EE

solution

ation, to the

HUMBOLDT.

VON

of which

his

mind

active

earnestly

was

directed.
his

Upon
unable

Cordilleras,and

the

on

Moorcroft
the

visited

important

undertaken

the

Hodgson,
In Asia,

globe, adventurous

accuracy

the

height of

of the
the

incredulous

the

les

1816, which

had

years

later,

quarter of the

height which

had

the

to

been

circumstances

received
rise to

gave

by

Humboldt

attention, especially
*

of

congress

to

as

the northern

upon

considerable

travellers,of

written
I'lnde,'

aroused

raised

especiallyas

perpetualsnow

de

been
such

by

of

Montagues

in 1818, where, by
Aix-la-Chapelle,

king, Humboldt

of the

and

England.

in
At

Grerard

some

other

India, and

surprise.^These

*Sur

in the year

made

in

mountains

"

Memoir,

in every

as

measiurements

height of the limit

slopes of the Himalayas
a

till

out

discussions

many

extreme

with

Brothers

observations

explorershad preceded any expeditionof

character,and

the

carried

not

were

while

in Thibet^

hypsometric
the

Himalaya^

till 1812, that

not

was

waa

perpetual

of

the

on

plain of Daba,

Webb,

1819-1821.

scientific

line
It

geodeticand

Lloyd,

between

elevated

1804, he

year

the limits

snow

series of

by

William

the

Ararat, or the Caucasus.

Hindu-Khu,

the

in

America,

comparisons between

to institute

snow

from

return

was

in close attendance

desire

him, the

upon

long-cherishedproject of an expedition into Asia was

again
from
revived ; and
the
of
his
favour
being supportedby
reign
soveand the long-established
friendshipof Prince Hardenberg,.
Chancellor

State, there

of

for the

seemed

at

length to

be

abundant

of its final

hope

accomplishment.
the expenses
of the journey the king granted a
To meet
For the purchase of astronomical
yearlystipend of 12,000 thalers.
warrant

and

an

of

May

Paris, with
of

instruments,

such

the

of

his

the

journey,the sum
following year remitted

'

Annal.

of

maps.

12,000
boldt,
Hum-

to

accompanying injunction,
that^ upon
the
instruments
should be deposited
journey,
to

oppressivecharacter.
"

of

as

the

majesty

instruments

well

as

completion
in the Eoyal collection;4t

intention
of

in

was

in
the

requisitefor

books,

thalers

scientific

other

and

are

render
As

et de

however,

this condition

in the

liable to be

de Ohim.

is not,

broken,

or

all the

in the

of such

course

at

an

least

dition,
expe-

by frequent

Phys.'vol. iii p. 108.

use

PEOJECTED

become

to

longer available,or

no

injury,it

would

be

not

intact.

instruments

be

used

by

delivered

him

to

causes

which

instruments

Baron

to

without

the

to

other

"om

receive

just to requirethe redeliveryof

The

graciously accorded

371

SCHEMES.

Humboldt

von

and,
restriction,
collection

Boyal

in

the

king

his

whatever

has

therefore,

may,

upon

these

return, be

condition

they

be.'

may
His
his

completed,and Humboldt

preparationswere

and

travellingcompanions

when

he

time

probably through

the

fellow

scientific

selected

labourers,'

relinquishhis journey ; this

illiberal policy of the East
India

again compelled

was

had

to

Company.
In

contemplation
the

into

interior

devoted

Humboldt
and
information

entitled,

seemed

to

the

diligent search

Memoire

sur

les

to

study

for

and

promise fulfilment,
of the

de

laya et

les

second

with
I'lnde,'

guages,
lan-

yielding
structure.

treatise,
able
consider-

bearingthe distinctive title, Sur la Limite

dans lea Montagues de I'Himades Neiges perp^tuelles
*
By frequentintercourse with
Regions ^quatoriales.'

additions, and
inferieure

Asiatic

its mountain

work, appeared his

Montagues

penetrating

all documents

for

of Asia

fruit of this

scheme

second

Asia, which

to the climate

as

'

this

himself

the

the immediate

As

of

of

'

Gr^goire,Abel Eemusat, Letronne,

Freytag,Klaproth,'Villoisin,Champollion, the Persian

great linguistsAbbe

the

Hase,

Baeyer^then Captainand now Lieutenant-General

of the Royal Geodetic
Institution of Prussia.
of Dragoons, and President
all matters
to be committed
were
To him, as an excellent geodeticobserver,
of
the
countries they visited,
such as
relating to the topographicalsurveys
determinations
of the heights of
observations for latitude and longitude,
mountains, "c. ; under the direction of Professor Weiss he had also qualified
himself as assistant-observer in mineralogyand geology. ^Dorow (^Erlebtes,'
himself in the most enthusiastic
vol. iii.p. 05 fg.)relates : ' Goerres expressed
Humboldt's
von
projectedjourney to Persia
manner
concerningAlexander
Dorow
induce
himself
wished
exert
to
to
to join the
and
Thibet,and
and
Gbethe
much
Reinhardt,on the contrary,doubted
expedition.
the
of
would accept Dorow
he
^whether Humboldt
one
as
was
party, seeing
assistant.'
scarcelylikelyto prove a very energetic
"
' Annales
de Chim.
et de Phys.'vol. xiv. (Paris,
1820).
*
of that time and the greatest
Sinologist
Klaproth,the most renowned
authority on the geography of Asia and the various nations peoplingthat
'
de TAsie,'was
then engaged
country, and author of the Tableau historique
'
took
de TAsie.
in
Humboldt
Carte
which
work
a
a
livelyinterest,
upon
^

Among

these

was

Dr.

"

"

372

ALEXANDER

traveller

Sacy,
he

Andrea

the

Asiatic

interrupted

dreas^

centrale,

6ztraites
mit

by

par

les
et

Berghaus,'

of

change

les

d'aprds
missionnaires
traduites

vol.

de

ii.

p.

livres

1.)

the

in

lev^

P^ldn

et

chinoia.'

of

this

centuiy,

Paris

from

par

d'apr^
(See

ordre

un

de

grand
Humboldt's

the

with
studies

his

1827,

year

de

Sylvestane

acquaintance

residence

cartes

de

scholar

extensive

an

early

when,

celebrated

the

Oriental

acc[uiring

tongues,

HUMBOLDT.

and

Nerciat,

distinguished

most

gradually

was

loungy

de

VON

to

Berlin.

Ehian-

rempereur
nombre

were

de

notkms

'Bridwedisel

374

ALEXANDER

before

start

engaged,

With

1829.

if his

I have

sacrificed

stand

On

in

of my

of

fear

be

in Berlin

Paris, I

or

the

of

by
his

him
own

at

about

3,000

thalers,he

; but

the

Im

Und

the

St.

disposalfor

my

sum

in

financial

to

of

St.

1,200

Petersburg, 20,000

whom

yearly

I, as
of

afiairs
I

residence

am

but

the
a

roubles

personal expenses

during

to

imd

Altai.

zwischen

the
cumbered
en-

of

cost

estimated

defray from

him

to obtain

On

Berlin.

placed

were

the

The

back,

empowered
at

should

positionor

anxious

ducats

somewhat

expedition to

worse

to

again,either

difficulties.'

was

as

always too ready

his

Briefwechsel

the

far,as

Petersburg and

minister

have

greater than

am

that

Berlin

resources

at

up

find

not

may

me

spending yearly
to be hoped that

is therefore
take

'I

king, with

So

deserve.

from

for this purpose

arrival

The

mimificence

been

himself

of science, I make

cause

affairs,and

heavier

with

journey

1829:^

the

to

expresses

10,

blame.

Irtyschhas placed me

me

the

anywise

safe return, and

granted a

waters

It

income.

my

in

can

students, I have

help young

the

the

should

he

service

only occasionallyin

in household

manager

over

consulted

man,

administration,
bad

till

purely personal relationship,

grants

scientific

him

was

(100,000 thalers)
; and

inheritance
in

he

ficence
emperor's muniof

subject he
January

pension of 5,000 thalers,with

a

could

this

fortime

my

without

confession

the

be

letter,dated

the whole

expended

Russia

in

which

oflFer of means,
of the

science.

folly in

the

occupy

availinghimself

sojourn

of

interests

upon

likely to

was

regard to

in

hesitation

no

more

which

works

the

of

completion

task

spring of
have

the

HT7MB0LBT.

YON

at

his
his

expedition.'

Alexander
'

von

Humboldt

Cancrin,aus den Jahren 1827-1832

(Leipzig,1809).
the
Humboldt
between
and
Count
correspondence
pamphlet
of the Asiatic expedition; out
C *hicrin,prior to and during the course
letters twenty-eightare
The
of .^irty-three
from Humboldt.
particolsM
derived
of the journey are
boldt
mainly from the letters written by Humand
from various unpublished
to his brother during the expedition,
former
The
letters to Cancrin.
written
to cheer and console
were
mostly
his brother,grievingover
the loss of his wife, and are
characterised by the
tenderest expressionsof feeling. ('To-morrow, my
dearest brother, is
birthday; I shall celebrate it in Asiatic Ural amid the copper-minea
your
I am
of Gummeschewskoi.
I write these lines.
How
as
deeply moved
! )
gladlywould I form one of your familycircle to-morrow
'
Of this sum,
in
of
his
roubles
were
7,060
excess
requirementi; mnd^

und

This

Graf

Georg

von

contains

TRAVELS

In addition
^Jie

careful

most

"trhe

other

entries

of

transactingthe details

of

post-horses,arranging for
will

be

there

in

of

the

send

with

rifleman, for

the

as

by

or

ordering

"c.

daily allowance.

you
well

purpose

the

as

to

with

Grerman,

accommodation,

receipt of

of

among

G-erman,

or

journey, such

hotel

comfort

occurs

to

French

either

possible,acquainted

of

the

made

furnished

I will arrange

liis. majesty^s gracious permission a

attendants

minister

memorandum

January 1829,

speaking
if

one,

376

RUSSIA.

arrangements, the

autograph

an

following:

official

courier,

financial

date

the

ASUTIC

systematicpreparations for

In

under

mining

as

and

travellers.

ZHumboldt

s,

to these

IN

These
The
.

of

post-horses,gratuities,and carriage repairs,will

defrayed by the officer accompanying you from the Mining

expenses
be

for which

Department,
his

at

disposal,for

and

trouble

The

route

attained,

of such

will be

Crovemment
far

as

it is

which

taken

in the

in

quarters

will be

on

the refusal

to

of

increase

of the

the

way

assigned to

you

the Government

Hofmann,

who

in

object

had

of

the

objects to be
The

by

Bussia.

two

young

of

science, and,

as

by

All governors,
instructions

journey.

your

commissioned

aim

Imperial revenue

receive

when

cost

spared you.

Von
mineralogists,
Government
by

to

Suitable

visitingthe mines,

accept its return,Humboldt

to

been

of

of the

mines

be

selection.

shall
officials,

scientificjourney,conducted
and

sen

every

journey, and
your

placed

responsible. The

advancement

the
practicable,

vice-governors, mining
further

held

will be

money

will in this way

entirelyto

solely the

working

of

sum

will be

he

arrangements
left

is

extended

the

be

to

purpose

and

devoted

it

Helmerto

join

bis party at Miask.

Von
Menschenin,
a
mining official selected for this office was
He
of mines.
and
of
overseer
works,
smelting
subsequently
manager
favourable
in
'Was
terms, although
always alluded to by Humboldt
spoke
Helmersen, while admitting him to be a very well-informed
man,
his
him
subordinate
of
as
position. This
having frequentlyforgotten
uncomfortable
were
always passedover by
scenes, which
gave rise to many
with
Humboldt
friendly
patience. His consideration for his ill-humoured
and often not very courteous
companion was carried so far that
travelling
without
sit down
to dinner
he would
never
waiting his arrival,however
addressed
be.
Soon
after
his
arrival
at
that
Berlin,Humboldt
might
tardy
letters to Herr
several friendly
was
panied
accomvon
Menschenin,one of which
executed
universal
instrument.
of
small
but
the
beautifully
gift a
by
Humboldt
to this letter,
even
As he received no answer
inquiredfrom Herr
"

Ton

The

Helmersen,

'

What

is the

reason

of this anger P

'

376

ALEXANDER

labourers, and
the

crown

soon

as

the

interest

shall

be

you

wish

may

prepared,pointing

information

at

the

to

make*

you

of

cost

As
for

accuratelyplanned, directions

more

districts you

the

in

further

is

aiSbrded

help

experiments

route

your

journey

any

all necessaiy

in any

HUMBOLDT.

VON

you

requireshall

is of

that

visit,in addition

may

may

all

out

which

to

communicated

be

you.'

to

Humboldt's
and

request that

be allowed

Eose, might
the

in

gracious

most

loaded

and

Bessel.

difficult.

'

have

we

a^d

nothing

see
are

we

blocked

only

can

or

that

the

have

to

and
be

the

but

ice

the

was

manual

become

the

the
difficulties,

over

rivers seventeen

apartments

on

to

brother, from

still

was

since

leaving

of

winter,

horrors
the

as

rivers, which

in the

either

are

and

Narowa"

washed

much

so

reach ;

can

eye

the Dwina

away

travellers

and

mud,

more

extra

horses

peasantry, the carriages may

May

St.

At

These

are

of the

some

carriageshad

Humboldt
him

for

at

most

Petersburg

on

up

his

quarters

of

the

Scholer.

von

10.

reached

residence

the

he
surprising,'

May

ferried

been

travellers

took

Lieutenant-Greneral

society is

length,the

1, and

prepared
in

the

April 29,
times.

Ambassador,
success

the

pleasure of meeting

Up

in

Nogath,

the

Owing to these
returning spring.
journey to St. Petersburg will probably cost

thalers.'

Petersburg

of every

of

900

St.

and

far

holes.

deepest

on

riages,
travellingcar-

planks,that, with

of the

perial
Im-

left Berlin

apparatus

all the

with

buried

commendation
re-

dangerous by the floods

reached
Konigsberg in

roads

with

assistance

over

and

the

to

Privy Coimsellor

two

the

as

case

approached by

provide themselves

ordinary occurrences

'My

and

by

of

the

to

reallyvery tolerable,but

snow

front wheels

helped

Prussian

had

they

surrounded

ice,as

be

of

travellers

considerablydelayed by
up with

Prince

the Vistula

the

are

been

Dorpat

letters

journey beyond Konigsberg

roads

The

consisted

difficult and

where

The

Crown

instruments

both

April 15,

safetyon

with

Excellency,'Humboldt

cortege

floatingice, but

the

with

of

plains of

rendered

was

Furnished

acceded

was

styled,'Actual

was

numerous

low

the

In

transit

The

with

him

and

King
he

which

1829.

April 12,
kind.

the

honorary title

the

with

accompany

manner.

from

Family, in

to

Ehrenberg

friends. Professors

his two

seem

writes
to

to

be

his
sur-

TRAVELS

rounded

by

Imperial
four

with

treated

Family
most

apparent

has

On

May

with

meeting

at

Moscow,

Loder

and

Excellency,drives

his

of

receipt
showed

by

and

'

honoui'.

Unfortunately,we
take

cannot

should

Even

the

hke

to

route
to

Mourom

and

Bulgara
of

ruins

'

bien

selected

by

the
the

th^
while

With

younger
a

; another

third,under

to

is

who

'

styled

at

with

attention

and

guards
alone

like

arm

by

the

of

; we

invalid..

an

such

received

the

last, almost

moment

in

is in

praise, and

honour

they

Humboldt

After

praiseworthyzeal
in the
scientific expeditions
1

all

the

position.*
highest

from

of

men

fatigants.'

Kazan.

lekaterinbourg, on

consideration

became,

their

in

cook.^

the

The

Buch

von

me

pleasureof again

Fischer,

scarcelya

lay through

Nijnii-Novgorod, and

Bulgari,

the

beyond

entertainments

the

learning, became
The

Leopold

see

receptions given

officials,and

had

received

are

given

Petersburg. Duriug

being led by

without

step

and

officials,Cossacks,

police, government

has

1,200 thalers.'

continuallythe objectsof

are

he

painted

press.

each

courier

heir-

that

be

has

War,

francs.'

was

they

empress,

can-iage and four, and

7,000

Government

We

the

friend

in

of

distinctions

oppressive.
the

his old

laid

prince

young

cost

Humboldt

being
The

Government

left St.

about

pension

them

honours

travellers

the

the

originalto

of

the

provided for

20, the

fortnight'sstay

Minister

beautiful, and

very

carriagewas

the

more

with

in order

"

The

from
portrait,

published at

maps

with

dinner,

to

day

constraint.

come."

to

Czreitszef,the

of

from

sible
impos-

with

covers

"

evenings

me

time

in

me

carriagesare
third

the

privacy

be

or

nearly every

strictest

also entertained

by SacszoUo.
The

dined

spent

told to ask for my

collection

have

it would

distinction

greater

their

have

I go, and

delightfulfreedom

remember

been

in

^and I

"

the

may

with

377

RUSSIA.

ASIATIC

wherever

hospitality. I

generous

for

excitement

be

to

IN

short

travellers
eastern

the
same

Mount

down

excursion

to

slopes of

Kossian
year,

Elbrus

magnetic

the

Government
1820
and

and
lines

the

from

Ararat, under

Caucasus,under

Erman,

Perm

Ural, that

was

St.

to

Tartar
to

exten-

equipped three
to

one

the

and

Volga

the

proceeded through

Ilansteen,Due,

the
purpose of determining
tachatka.

thence

Vladimir

other
Parrot

Kupffer;
despatched for the
Petersburg to Kam-

378

ALEXANDBB

five mountain
to

direction

composed

about

4,600 feet, which, stretching in

the

as

the

Jime

Imperial laboratories

the
and

the

Beresow

visited

the

iron

lake

same

the

"om

primary rocks

to the

occupied in visiting
the topaz, the beryl

were

furnaces

Nijnii-Iasetsk
;

of

Humboldt

the

Schabrowski,.

of

gold washings

the

on

17

the

extend

south,

cutting of

during the followingweek,

and

parallelridges,rising

Aral

of

16 and

and

quarriesof Ehodonit,

Sea

for the

the

amethyst,

and

north

the

near

Ocean.

Arctic

due

Andes,

tertiaryformations
of

of several

chain

height of

HUMBOLDT.

VOK

and

companions

his

Schartasch, Polewskoi, and

of

Gummeschewskoi.
An

through
o'clock
to the

Prince
the

in

Humboldt

sake

of

succession

the

of

late at

their
the

journey

where

left

journey, by

way

had

of

steppes

There

the

of

the

went

Snake

l)orders

arrived
of

inspection

fields of this

Rublowskoi,

and

Nijnii-Turinsk

Choco

in

; whence

midst

the

lekaterinbourg,in

to

way

Bogos^

to

mines

gold

extensive

and

the

beryl

and,

instead

from

Chinese

for
the

on

of

south-western

on

fortress

August

Tartary,

of

Tobolsk

notorious

small

July 18,
Tobolsk,

to

Mountains,

the

passing the

travellers

platinum

decided

picturesqueLake

Zyrianowskoi,on
After

and

topaz

stinging insects,to Barnaul,

mines

visit of

as

proceeded northward, by

Humboldt

Barabinsk,

to the

late

so

procured from

that

of Tioumen,

laid down

thence

the

lekaterinbourgon

Semipalatna, he

and

nine

27,

thimderstorms, through Werohoturje, Alopa-

travellers

he

June

mines

were

night,and lastlySchaitausk.

Irtysch.

route

perty
pro-

Sucho-Wissim

the
visiting

return

giwsk, Mursinsk,
The

of

the
Nijnii-Tagilsk,

paid a

that

party then

of

on

equal to

ore

The

the

made

visited

found

Laja, Blagodad,

they
a

of

amount

Kuschwa,

to

northward,

taken

then

travellers

those

as

America.

lowsk, for

Neviansk

DemidoiBF, where,

well

district,as

yielded an

and

evening, the

mines.

South

greater length was

Pischminsk

of

of

of

excursion

19

where

the

on

through

Tara

Kalywan,
those

slopes of

of

and

the

proceeded
rich

silver

Riddersk

the

and
tains.
Moun-

Altai

Ust-Kamennoigorsk,

at

Buchtarminsk,

Humboldt

the
of

swarms

He

and

the

of Omsk

way

river Obi.

of

from

going by
dreaded

of

banks

deviate

to

their

and

continued

and

on

obtained

the
the

per-

TRAVELS

mission

to

Baty

of

the

cross

ASIATIC

IN

frontier,and

Khoni-Mailakhu,

or

379

RUSSIA.

visited the
north

the

to

station

Mongolian

lake

the

of

of

Dzaisang, one of the most central towns in Asia.

From
Ust-Eamennoigorsk, the party journeyed,through the
of Kirghissia,to Semipolatinsk and Omsk, and
central horde
to the

thence

Ischitd

of

lines

southern

which

occupy

found

three

but

of

Miask,

In

the

the beautiful
chain

moimtain

the

of

passage

the

Here

fish.

Orenburg

to the

mines

of rock

lake

is broken

salt at

bank

left

of the

the

through

were

beautiful

Sarepta,

kinds

various

Cuvier
On

Moravian

they
by

to west

the
of

abundance

an

reached

Guberlinsk, and

southern

they pursued

their way

celebrated

steppe

made

the

of the

an

small horde
chief

ment
settle-

Saratow

been

to the

; thence

of

the

on

had

excursion

settlement

tablished
es-

large

passing

Sarepta,they

for

the

chief

the

watera, the institution

comparison with

Kasan, togetherwith

and

to the

of

east

plainsof the Kalmucks

the Caspian Sea

visiting
the chemical
analysisof
observations

the

and

chain

to

at Astrachan.

arrived
In

in the

from

and

Orsk, where

of Urlask, the

way

hood
neighbour-

Ural

They next visited

a colony of Germans

Volga,where

of Elton

of the

the

twenty-

Slatoust

to

been

below

in the

for

to

the

had

one

jaspernear

green

Iletzkoi,in

by Government,
salt lake

part

westward

Cossacks.

Ural

of the

Ilmen,

remarkable

Kirghissia,and passingby

of

made

through

Jaik,

and

Miask,

of

inches

few

poimds

were

of

gold fields

ground, there

September 21 ; thence
Caspian Sea, visitingon

on

course

of

fifteen

southern

turned

rich

gold only a

quarriesof

river

they

of

excursions
the

to

the

Cossack

the

Ural, through

extent

weighed

Various

Soimonowsk.
visited

In

limited

of which

pounds.

four

Tobol.

large nuggets

two

surface,

and

of the

part

and

October

of fish to be found

great work

on

objectsof

the

those made

collection

expedition

at

of

in this inland

of barometric

Orenburg,

specimens of
sea,

Fish, then engaging the

as

tribution
con-

attention

Valenciennes.

21, the travellers

left Astrachan

on

their homeward

from

which
journey, crossed the isthmus
separates the Don
the territhe Volga at Tischinskaya,and, after traversing
tory
of the Don
Cossacks,reached Moscow
by way of Voronesch

and

Toula,

the

same

on

month.

November

3, and

St.

Petersburg on

the

13th

of

380

to the

According
travelled

had

twenty-five weeks'
say, from
versts

of

May

100

and
The

journey.
times

the

"

the

had

during the

from

April

As

12

have

we

the

28

been

able

shall

personal

sketch
of St.
'

to

General

the

During
coat,

long
and

measured,
rode

never

show

of

go

bad

to

moderation

but

press upon
meant

his

were

and

with

the

of

ing
for tlie followof

dark

round

brown

hat.

the

Academy

walked

clambering

forward.
never

saw

dress-

gait

the

over

slow

was

excursions

longer proceed, he

no

usimlly wore

His

During

with

black

or

He

hue.

secure.

of

year,

mountains

he

would

without

any

fields of

rough

that

he

had

been

by

his

well-known

walking

even

always

characterised

after hours
abundant

of

It

stones.
tomed
accus-

great fatigue,he

supply

of

food

were
well-meaning hospitality,

their

guests.

attentions

host, by

in

carriagecould

persistvjl declining the

Eussians,

few

ground.

meals

'His

than

his mode

from

to

we
travellingcarriage,

foot, climbing high

on

the

of

descriptions

little inclined

similarlysombre

fatigue,and

evident

was

being

in his

cautious

; when

and

alight

and

his sixtieth

in

head

costume

of

over-coat

"

11,505 miles.

our

Member

Berlin

from

indebted

are

twice,

slight sketch

travellers

We

neckerchief,and

white

absent

confine

to

fifty-three
computed

travelled

give

Helmersen,

gait, his

other

he had

the

on

"

journey

in any

him

effected

Humboldt

been

of the

employed

times, the Kama

ten

twice.

to

passed through

been
been

690

Caspian Sea

the

on

stations

had

obliged

at this time

tolerablyerect

; of this distance

had

had

"

incidents.

Petersburg :

Humboldt,

be

adventures

characteristic

most

he

to December

expedition, we
of

Obi

months

only

"

voyage

crossed

the

their

^that is to

Petersburg

post

rivers

been

nine

horses

of

Irtysch eight times,

that

of

post

passage

Volga

of

number

12,244

St.

13, 1829

exclusive

The

versts.

658,

wai)

to November

20

party

9,614 miles, during

or

from

absence

by water,

were

versts,

the

by Menschenin,

rendered

accounts

14,500

HUMBOLDT.

VON-

ALEXANDER

was

the

His

of

manner

invariablymarked,

gentle courtesy

ever

would

which

the

accustomed

to

rejectingthese
whatever

the

kindly
rank

distinguishingthe

of
true

aristocrat.

'Humboldt's

fame

had

penetrated even

among

all classes

of

382

ALEXANDER

With

these

witness

to

with

while

himself

Essai

follows

called

to

this

the

of

astronomical

or

Minister,
dated

in

that

to write

we

to

such

are

much

higher

without

he

which

the

lekaterinbourg,
as

the

accompanying
"

'

an

Im

when

und

with

ring
refer-

the

higher
towards

producing
that

to

very

the

In this

of

the

society

the

lower

any

beneficial

the

classes,

positionhe

Spanish

change

Altai/pp. 74, 79.

the

Crovemment

of circumstances

in the
with

sult.'
re-

pied
occu-

materiallyfrom

imperial commission
Ural

nected
con-

classes

lower

orders

the

to

everything

of

public recognition,and

and

of

matter

ourselves

avoid

why Hmnboldt,

reason

Bussian

relationshipbetween

differed

stood

travellingin America.

Humboldt

the

them

upon

Bussia

rent,
cur-

by foreignersunacquainted

suffice to show

travellingin

honour

much

to the

taken

condition

acquired by

quotationmay

doubt,

ment
improve-

usuallyregarded as incorrect, and

irritate

relationshipin
lay,no

made

incumbent

duties

while

while

the

the

Yet

confine

nature, and

he

magnetic

strain

be

Bose)

and

or

been

have

statements

This

*It will

"

the

"om

him

to

work

longitude of places,
of

different

very

to

determining by

of

and

force

of the

power

same

information.'

subjectsso complicated as

rights that
the

inanimate

people: statements

language

and

in

Government

with

the

in the

(17), 1829:*
(Humboldt

investigationof
of the

latitude

variations

the

attach

labours

letter he addressed

July,

course

the

collectingstatistical

compelled

was

slave, I

the

their

it in

book, namely,

my

has

who

complaints

prefaceto

arduous

observation

of

of

of

the

have

who

expresses

suffering and

the

the

convey

in the

portion

registeringthe

to

those
and

involving

nature,

to

duty

scenes

condition

than

importance

traveller

distress;

*To

of

'

their

remarks

is the

to

sudi

expressionof opinion upon

an

Cuba,' he

witness

way

of social

arrangements

I'lsle de

*It

"

victims

unfortunate
relieve

in any

politiquesur

human

degradation of

of

as

himself
been

his

even

compelled

was

interfere

to

the

or

he

as

feelingsof hmnanity^

his

Bussia

in

Crovemment

life,carefullyavoiding

subjects.In

often

to
distressing

occurrences

affairs of

the

HUMBOLDT.

exceptions,Humboldt,

allowed

never

VON

midst

all the
to

of

so

ences
conveni-

travel, would

TRAVELS

yet

accede

never

undertake

to

While

another

Director

of

appointed
visit

nearly

spent

Ural

that

regret

the

strength of
I

ago

so

the

In the
of its

truth
*The

Ural

from

the

Brazil

your

this

cost
to
was

our

great

me

the

undergone

considerable

missions

Paris.

to

and
I should

The

on
dignified

have

been

better

acknowledgment/

for two
will be

able

the

My

pleased

to

the
"

confident

that

"

which

on

account

I consulted

has sent
emperor
received no

the
gave

discovery,

the

the

even

in
I

the

step,since

of

and, though

of my

with
relationships

have

we

burg.*
Peters-

discovered

make

volumes

since 1829,

The

facts,in

Mountains.

to

unavoidable

an

life"

from

follows to Schnmaclier

three

dering
ren-

which

am

years

accomplished if
as

for

geologicalconformation

I left Bussia

dedication,about
part.

before

wrote

was

and

Ural

will be

expense.
alteration

my

of

which,

of the

were

dedicate
; it

to the

the

justlycelebrated:

so

Dorado,

diamonds

friends

Emperor of Russia
accomplished at his

El

on

restless

leaving St.

passage

become

true

empress

effort to

and

of my

since

maintained

have

the

formal

occurs

May 22, 1843, Humboldt

On

age.

assemblage

an

versts

journey

makes

I indebted

am

9,000

letter

the

tains.
Moun-

important

most

journey,a journey during

than

my

nor

object of

vast

so

administration

to

Ural

Orinoco

important

prophetic tenor, has

assurance

neither
the

collect

opinion I

the

of the
yon

most

platinum washings

and

gold

to

are

with

forests

analogy they present

^an

"

under

of the

Mountains

the

slopesof

year"

turning-point, which

To

one

same

sixtieth

my

Thirty

the

more

the minister

to

advancing

Cordilleras.

travelled

have

wrote

service

declines

of this extensive

course

in Humboldt's

their

before

the

me

were

"

unaccomplished

among

enabling

Bussia

still remains

much

manhood

this year

by

reached

and

party during

completed

Asiatic

subsequently

in

his

passed through

was

of

heights

the

life,and

me

'Yesterday

"

therefore

my

and

Miask, Himiboldt

birthday on

my

of

period

mining

two

Lieut.-General

now

remained

They

emperor

dominions.^

Hofmann,

of Mines

Humboldt

to

From
15

Ernst

the

the

September,

Institute

district.

I have

years

of

Helmersen,

Imperial

month.

Von

guides

as

September

and

and

the

the

to

on

month

of

his vast

expeditionthrough

previouslymentioned"

Iiieut.-Oeneral,

383-

RUSSU.

pressing solicitations

in the

Miask,

at

students

the

to

ASIATIC

IN

Asie
the

attention

'

"

centrale

expedition

monarch
of

It has

have

political
my
Arago, is appropriate
his portrait
me
j
answer
or
only a

384

ALEXANDER

be

of others

aroused

VON

this

to

written, in the gold and

The

subject.'

is well

verified,as

was

HUMBOLDT.

known,

few

of this prediction

truth

after it

days

platinum washings belonging to

was

Count

Polier.

distinguished traveller

The
Moscow

with

festivals

by

pointsan

'

in Moscow

from

University ;

the

various

had

been

The

of

fame

in any

in

the

palace of

Sanssouci.

and

had

simple

the

the

with

were

the

life,on

in

with

the

few

words

row
a

left

measured
of

the

veteran

accents

welcome,

honours

the

their

of

swords

imder

by

the

to

one

who

nuin

had

lived

The

their

the

had

had
the

in

in

gala

; the

fessors
pro-

militaryfashion
Humboldt,

arm.

in

completely by surprise.
the

been

"

men

of

arranged ;

science''

here

stood

right a professorjust starting

at the

of age.
from

to

governor-

orders

in

one

close of his

From
in

German,

Eckardt,' Jaa^pii";"s3
Aufeiitze
turgeschichtliche
(Leipzig,1871),p.

149.

speaking

career

everyone

Julius

'

due

was

they resolved

and

in which

seats
on

who

one

dignitaries
appeared

taken

saloon

dean,

branches.

of this sort, presented himself

was

of

and
pursuits,

invested

seriously.

ribbons

hats

coat, and

rector, there

the

civil

with

its members

of

as

before

very

anticipatednothing

assembled

reception

higher

such

; as

trailingtheir

three-cornered

stairs to

them

Chimborazo,

the

its

all the

dust

militaryand

along

blue

time

who
officials,

scientific

Prussia, and

with

treated

was

strode
their

of

summit

decked

uniforms,

From

of

King

St. Anne

the

State

other

in

reached

of

climbed

with

science

Star

themselves

who

with

the

prostrate

with

concerned

being

affair

that

at

these

Societyconnected

generals,and

time

by

general

Moimtains,

for the

*The

Herzen,^

caustic
of

one

to

State

at

comprising amongst

had

the

to

ennobled

way

Humboldt

Privy Counsellor
emperor

entertained

descriptionof

the Scientific

institution

an

quite unacquainted

were

by

Ural

senators, governors,

never

return

Government,

Alexander

the

Humboldt

given to

was

in the

his

on

:"

his return

On

honour, and

accurate

given by

is

entertainments
student

of

highest officers

the

in many

though

mark

every

received

was

from

he

received

another

in

TRAVELS

from

Latin,

third

corridor,where

all

to

replied

investigator

painted

savages

him

for

of

do

whom

among

he

that

travelled,as

festivities

the

and

great

from

the

prepared

were

his

of

out
with-

head,

discomforts

many

had

ceremonious

believe

the

patiently

uncovered

not

experienced as

the

by

them.

in

instant

an

Humboldt

with

harangues

while

the

for

months.

for

through

ever

remain

impossibleto

these

each

to

385

RUSSIA.

French, standing all

in

was

chilled

being
listened

it

ASIATIC

IN

reception at

Moscow.*
'

Humboldt

When

seat, the

his

ceremonious

'

observations
the

compare

Mountains
he

from

made
him

the

with

by

the

the

to

venerated

rector.

during his

Even

intentions

look

It

was

had

of the

University,
of

the

day

the merits

beginning :

poem

he

had

devout

with
hair

of

with

been

to

discuss

his

magnetic needle, and

registeredat

first visit to

on

same

Sergei Glinka,

Then
a

the

jours."

nos

results

order

silent audience,

meteorologicaldata

expected

was

de

deviation

the

of

voice, recited

Humboldt's
on

kind

taken

and

in

of the

curator

ti-aveller.

great

Promethee

Meanwhile

out

before

soldier's

hoarse

Humboldt,

"

the

Excellency

his

with

to read

language

saloon

the

still conducted

Pissarew,the

it necessary

Bussian

his

of

at last entered

proceedings were
manner.

considered
in the

had

obtained
Moscow.

admiratiou

Peter

in the

the

Ural

Instead,
on

plait

shown

Great,

his

that
great difficulty

Moscow

to

Humboldt

to
com-

complained to his
brother, in a letter dated May 14 (26),that This perpetualceremonial
(sad
and of the noble hospitality
of the country)becomes
neceesityof my position
still more
fatiguing.'At Kazan it was
annoying; fSte lollowed after
very
in
the
he
o'clock
'We
At
to his brother:
f^te.
wrote
one
are
morning
and the professors
and authorities
morning at fiye o'clock^
to start to-morrow
four to take leave.
We
at half-past
not left alone
to come
threaten
are
At
lekaterinbourg,on June 21, he was
obliged to
single instant'
a
I
the
sixtieth
of
At
his
dance
a
Miaak, on
quadrille
birthday,
anniversaiy
honoured
of a sword
from
the mining officials.
lie was
by the presentation
In the plainsnear
Orenbourg a Kirghissianfestival was held, in which the
consisted
of races, wrestlingmatches, and, * unfortunately,
entertainment
music
also of vocal
performed by the Tartar sultanas.' The ceremoni^
of all kinds repeatedeverywhere,
the fetes,the distinctions
presentations,
'
d'en
drew
from him
des
ordres
^mands
the remark
: This
haut/
d'apr^s
of politeness
excess
deprivesme of all opportunityof being alone and at
'

"

"

"

my

ease.'
VOL,

I.

386

ALEXANDER

VON

found

Eose

and

panions Ehrenberg

HUMBOLDT.

relate their

opportunity to

discoveries.'
St.

.At

of

demonstration

receptiongiven
It is

'

his

to

brother

has

enlarged

so

considerablythe
that I

one,

imposed
while

chimerical

Eose

first

with
class,

diamonds

in

the

arrival

is

St. Anne

of

Majesty expressed his regret that

which

The

anxious

am

empress

has done

me

summoned

treated

with

A few

by

morning

I and

with

empress,

the

the

and

from

emperor

been

two

loaded

with

dined

'

the

wrote

12th

audience
me

for

14th

from
a

the

couple
"

To

me

me

of December.
most

; I

gracious

I had

eleven

on

December

"

*
:

*
"

and

o'clock.

In

the
half

audience

an

am

in fact,

am,

hour

nearly an

my

departure,

my

1st

to

the

on

profitby

"

morning

evening

the

prevented by

Petersburg,he writes

the

of

with
I

have

favours.'

further

or

to

dailyto augment.'

were

class

heir-apparent,and

this

half-pasteight

only write

can

grant

the decoration

still

was

might

the

seems

friends

He

drudgery

letter.
flattering

very

for the
to

with

that

in

of

second

sent

before

arrange

leavingSt.

my

he

the honour

he

recover

may

the empress

kindness

days before

that

to

now

reception ; yesterdayI
again

he

hope

to every

of St. Anne

(eqiuvalentto

here, accompanied by

me,

the

of

Order

the

His

discoveries."

use

characteristic

emperor,

of my

seeing

so

with

the

day

indispositionfrom

be of

can

longer given)was

no

increased

is excellent

imperialcrown

which

Russia

European

health

Order

the

well-being.

position. My

by

Ehrenberg, while

and

of

quiet

amount

Moscow

delicacy,conferred
upon

this

and

have

the

overwhelmed

by
at

were

that I

notion

the

to-day

affection

my

though

relationships,and

social

my

me

upon

of

sign

nearly every part

across

almost

am

we

this

you

that

'

before

found

not

Humboldt

friend,'writes

20, 1829,

I have

My journey

the

oppressive, especiallyin

beloved

my

November

on

give

to

at court.

week,

necessary
.

him

object of

the

again

was

almost

favour

reallya shame,

here

been

Humboldt

Petersburg

to

you

his brother
a

lines.

few

although

Cancrin,'

on

Im

did

me

Sunday
Ural

und

"

"

to leave

hope

obliged

am

who

emperor,
of hours

to

await

the honour
^a

distinction

Altai/p.

118.

here

by

another
to

receive
all

the

TRAVELS

IN

conspicuousfrom

more

all his ministers.

He

recovery.

progress

influence

wherever

sable cloak

to

been

aiSection
the

spread

; you

5,000 roubles, and

of

been

has

I have

go."

you

worth

Eussia

country

my

tokens

with

me

sojourn in

immense

not

emperor

loaded

"Your

esteem.

387

RUSSU.

having yet received

is,however, rapidlyprogressingtowards
the

He
has

ASUTIC

vase

and
of

cause

life-giving

presented with
beautiful

as

as

any

in the

palace,standing,with pedestalincluded, seven

feet

worth

from

be able to

this

write
write

the

of her

news

What

case

and

be

all your

with

his

with

company

Bose,

at

write

to

Cancrin

December

from
*

"

stands

We

This

doctrine

two

posts

before

upon

feet

and

way

gave

from

inches

though
^
"

into

the

We

and

foot of

the

This
Kunth

and

on

strain
at

being at
with

One
As

upset.

once

force

of the

the
upon

carriage

side of the

horses

of the

one

Engelhardtshof,

whirling round
one

on

Dorpat

rights in

much

so

slighthill,near

least
its

to

It unfortunately

Engelhardt.

maintained

upset

the

fell

carriage

distance

of

be

of the

supposed,the parapet
pictiuesquepositionabout four
bridge. Nobody was hurt, and

in

very

were

magnificent malachite
died

without

water.

edge

Ehrenberg

cheerful

most

of the ice, that

lay in

we

able

was

in

and

that
theory of probabilities

were

surface

the

yet

day
interesting

completely smashed.

eight

and

an

spent

Biga, by

the smooth

zero,

have

has
probabilities

spiritof a Nemesis.
a
mill-bridgeat the

With

Petersburg

versts

18,000
of

left St.

in

in

of

Humboldt.'

Konigsberg

recorded

travel

cannot

was

of 13^ below

Evers, Struve, Ledebuhr,

with

travellingcompanions, Ehrenberg

two

temperature
24

23rd

family,

15, Humboldt

December

on

the
soon

'Albiander

Early

worth

special
receivingthe

of
so

you

the

receive

may

Eunth

young

to

to-day written

first opportimity after

the

happiness to

regardsto

have

the favour

me

her misfortunes

letter from

Do

that her

begging
by

loss in

November.
affectionate

that

her

king, mentioning
and

I shall not

Kunth.*

acquaint

I wrote

attention.

roubles.*

40,000

to Madame

her, and

husband,

her

to

morning

to

letter to
of

35,000

high,

November

may

is in the

vase

22, 1829.
c

carriage enclosed

royalpalaceat

by glass,
Berlin.

888

ALEXANDEB

both

we

Providence.

thank

rifleman

As

however,
he

two

to the

as

certain,that

is

of the
On

conveyance,
December

Berlin.

the

results

of

centrale,' 1843, both

Sea

Caspian

northern

blame.'

from

arrived

companions

in

published

were

'

and

Ural

of the

Asie

Altai/

the

Ehrenberg published

Eose.

the

to the

'

Mountains

at

in

of

forms

cusses
dis-

Central

Asia, amid

the

kind

"

His

unsuspected.

of

the

to

organism

botanical

Ural

of the

mountains

Altai, drawing specialattention

microscope

existing in Bussia, Siberia,

nature

organic

the

his

the

the

charge

descriptionsof the Siberian tiger and

panther, while in his Micro-Geology,'1854, he

form

separate

and

in

1831,
Fragmens asiatiques,'
Journey
by Humboldt, and

Gustav

by

journey

much,

*
"

edited

the

and

edited

1837-42,

the

works:

followingseparate

his

and

tradictory
con-

that,'as

and

man

quite free

postilionwas

28, Humboldt

The

the

exculpation of

of

This

round,

to

plished
accom-

an

lack

no

was

carriage swung

in

and

science

have

we

of the accident.

cause

the

good-naturedlyadds

of

men

party, there

of the

were

theories

which

slightestinjury, for

the

escaped

HUMBOLDT.

VON

life visible
had

which

have

collections

those

and

of

only through
hitherto

been
been

yet

never

published.
Amid
his

made

Mexican

the

his

views, and
been

have
one

him

upon

'

It is

in

return

my

from

"ult

that

letter to

inhuman

evidence

any

distant
the

of

Mexican

been

called

in

has

never

should

have

led John

millions

into the hands

declared

from

the

speculativeschemes

to

of

published

mines

the

the interests

in the

man

of

never

to

most

I would

fifteen

; I declined

the

the

1830

who

has

"

his

Is it

years

ago,

of which

living in Mexico)

foolish

have

in

of

of science

(the correctness
anyone

such

moment

to

manner

?
ignorantspeculators

first that

some

refers

April 3,

attack

at
selfishness,

question by

Bull

of

ought
he

Cancrin, dated
thus

accounts

of the

this

To

journey in

of the richness

speculators

correctness

which

irritating

an

Unfortunate

upon

of science, least of all to

man

of

victim

motives

Humboldt.
a

reallyquite

given

never

to
von

following passage,

the

England.

to him

Humboldt

greeted

challenged the

attributed

Alexander

as

yet

was

in

mines

imputed

that

applause

Berlin, he

to

return

attack
in

universal

the

I have

nothing

appointment

of

to

trust

always
do

with

Consultdiig

390

ALEXANDER

and

telluric

all

between

Humboldt,

cherished

in

the
of

traveller

peaceful
his

of

years
he

the

embodiment

his

comprehensive
'

with

this

the

views

Cosmos.'

to

visit

foreign

of

his

results
nature

unsettled

when,

giving
of
in

his
his

such

career

as

commenced

Henceforth

close.

in

gratification
furnished

had

journey

himself
final

fullest

had

he

which

lands,

which

sixty-first

his

in

was

its

labour,

unwearied

occupied
of

Asia,

travels

and

expedition.

from

received

had

brought

was

study,

work

to

extended

results,

important

return

childhood,

widely

this

illustratian

fullest

their

during

longing

earnest

from

the

his

upon

The

year.

received

phenomena
development

perfect

most

HUMBOLDT.

VON

in

the

forth
scientific
celebrated

to

retirement
world

the
labours

and

phical
philoso-

APPENDIX.

Humboldt

1. The

An

interesting glance
given by Fran Caroline
writes

to

her

in

sister

Household.

into

home-life

the

la Motte

de

of

Fonqu^,

January 1785,

34.

Page

that

the

n^e

she

Humboldts

Briest.^

von

has

been

the

is
She

spending

morning with Fran von Humboldt, and remarks :

is just as it was.
Everything at the Humboldts'
Nothing in the
house is changed, neither the people nor
anything else. Of course
I shall
his
feel
to
never
cease
absence, for his pleasant,cheerful
conversation
formed
to the quiet and
always a charming contrast
of his wife.
reserved
manners
She, 1 can assure
you, looks exactly
she always did and as she always will do.
Her
coiffure just the
as
it was
ten
or
same
as
always smooth, neat, and
more,
ago
years
and delicately
formed
simple. The same
features,
pale countenance
"

'

which

upon
the

cold

same

of emotion

trace

no

offers

to her

home

sincere

though

faithfulness towards

One

could

saying adieu, so

she

whom

the

is connected.

would

one

that

find

as

aged
the

on

still
aunt

sofa ;

domestic

or

left the

"a.milyon
returning after a

one

everything

She

the

permitted to lie snoring

undisturbed
by contradiction
assert

voice,

unalterable

same

still

almost

soft

same

brother-in-law,his daughter,and

dog Belcastel is
equanimity is alike

troubles.

visible,the

ever

greeting,and

all with

the old
her

is

upon

year's absence.
'Of

youths I can
is anything but
learning,
ready to raise a laugh, and
the

possible that Fraulein

young

cousin, but

is somewhat

of

talented,and drew

the

Caroline

"Ita und

Mna

Baronin

7M'

is made
.

aunt

is

;
an

heads

He

by

littleweakness

always
It is

for her
Alexander

ally.

sworn

is, however, remarkably

bedroom

Fouqu^, geb. yon

(Cologne,1888),pp. 6, 7.

is

all his

all the house.

landscapeseven

his mother's

da la Hotte

with

contrary, he

idol of

equallyhis

and

William,

the

on

have

may

pstiiespritmalm.
both

that

you

pedant

U.

instruction. The walls of

'

assure

are

before

hung

receiving

round

with

Briest, Dor Bchreibtifch, oder

'

#p

392

APPENDIX.

he begins
arrived at an age when
productions.Ho has now
watch
two
to exhibit some
chains,
long steel
gallantry.He wears
himself
visitors
and
in his
makes
the
to
in
dance,
agreeable
joins
^he begins,
bondoir
in short,to plaj a part in life. He
mother's
father.'
reminds
one
stronglyof his
these

"

2. Visit

Fragment of

to

England

1790.

in

Page

91.

ilie Badcmis
of a Tour with Forster, From
in ths Royal Libraryat Berlin,Ko.
of Autograplis,

Journal

Collection

6,255.
From

of notes

crowd

and

made

comments

Somersetshire,Gloucestershire,"c., we

shall

by Humboldt
upon
only subjoina few

proofof the wide range of his observations

in Wiltshire,Gloucestershire,
Wiltshire.
^Many cloth,manufactories
and
at Trowbridge and Bradford,
Somersetshire,especially
In these south-western
in the neighbourhood of Bath.
counties
twice in the year, while in the counties
shorn
of
the sheep are
shorn
but
once.
Leicester,Lincoln, Warwick, they are
usually
The high priceof wool in the year 1790 has been ascribed to the
of the cloth manufactories.
The highestprice given
establishment
extracts

as

"

"

for Welsh

The

Down, 1*. 2d. ; for

per lb. ; for South
for the wool of the western
districts,
S^l.

Id. ; and
the breedingof sheep in

(Upon
Eoman

Is. Sd.

was

wool. Is.

Norfolk

wool

wool

trade

"

woollen

England, and the antiquityof the

for the
having been made at Winchester
D.
of
the
Committee,
Anderson.)
by
Report

cloths

see
emperors
dyers all crowd to the Avon,
"

peculiarlyfavourable
accurate

chemical

as

for their art.

into
investigation

of that

the waters
There

is still

the influence

river

great

need

of various

are

of

kinds

dyeing and brewing. It is quite as

of Englishbeer and EngUsh
superiority
dyes to the qualityof the water in England, as it is premature to
deny the influence of the vapours of the atmosphere in chemical
rendered
complicatedby the presence of fermentation,
processes
which
is of a nature
of
too subtle
of the application
to admit

the processes
upon
unreasonable
to ascribe the

of water

of

test.

any

the residence of Alfred the Great,who

in 8S4
Chippenham was
At that periodthe
expelledthe Danes from London and Rochester.
under
most
while
west of England appears
to have been
cultivation,
to be the most
at the present day the east seems
cultivated.
highly
natural arrangement
condition of thingsa more
not the former
Was
than the present,seeingthat the entrance to the !3nstol Channel u
'

more

convenient than that of the Thames~*the

w^st of

England ii

393

APPENDIX.

riclier

in

exports,

Milford

and

affords
it

Assuredly

tendency.

opposite
fleet

a
*

of

thence

fleet

and

bai*isni
of

foreign

The

Flemish
the

exported,the

ceasel^s

in

of

harbour
which

Matlock.

Lich.

"

had

with

rendered

necessary

the

bar-

prevented the existence

countries.

two

Lich. tartar.,and
saxatil.,

calcar.,Lich.

an

to
^VSolJbegan

France

Channel

long has

so

elicited

Channel

peopled the

notice,English

the

the

Portsmouth

alone

disputeswith

lain

between

have

direct,

more

coA^ting^hous^jofLondon

into

safetyin

Ireland

is

fleet than

interests

Hanseatic

country

the

trade

of the

trade

flourishing trade

a
*

and

merchantmen,
the

brouglit
be

for

safer harbour

was

Ireland

communicatioirwith

the

Verruc.

the whole
of Northern
nearly over
Europe, yet
treatises of Damboucney
the patriotic
Precedes
sur
("
les Teintures
solides que nos
v6g6taux indigenescommuniquent aux
Hoffmann
and
usu."
(" De vario Lichenam
laines, etc.," Paris, 1786),
Erlangse, 1786), we continue to import from the Canaries, Cape de
Verd
Islands, the Grecian
Archipelago,or the South of France,
dyes wbich
might readilybe procured from our native lichens. We
import litmus from the Dutch and the English,and forget that it
from
Lich. saxatil.,
has
manufactured
which
been
by them
grows
Ferber's
Neue
with
stone.
or
on
(See
us
tree,
post,
Beitrage
every
of litmus
at
zur
Mineralgeschichte," i. 455, on the manufacture
are
Leith, in Scotland, where 200 men
employed in the collection of
wild

pertnsa
grow
after reading

"

Lich.

Our

saxatil.)

deceived

be

to

and

from

n^

273,

"

gamia

by

Croton

from

of

Hole.

stalactites

largest

is

Ohatsworth.
Buxton

In

in the

G%targues,

im

S.

open

yards

in

As

Wye.

Grossen,"

contribute

the

supposed
small

of

the

is narrow,

cave

ii.

to the

Peak

of

the

Flitch

issues

I found
the

entrance

lime

The

Bacon

while

and

two

the

the

Mary
prisonerat

On

cavern.

of

banks

unfortunate

quantityof

some

Poole's

neighbourhood
air ; for in England

the

from

vulgar.,and
of

Cave

of

beautiful

more

of

after the
the

the

on

Cavern.

the

visited

to have

south-west

Axe-Edge,

in

latter called

tridaetyhtes. At
Alchemilla

mountain

names

stream

to the Cave

It lies to the

length.

it than

in

Pillar,the

montana,
the

lichens

make

even

limestone

received

have

of Scots'

and

would

formed

are

Stuart, who

'

the

little river

the

Viola

560

"

towards

Buxton,

lata

factured
manu-

nation.

Poole's

from

Lkborant

"

is

selves
our-

T^hnologisches Worterbuch," ii.544.) The study of cryptois^ot therefore of so little value as is generallysupposed.

wealth

Queen

litmus

of Grrand

Toumesol

(SeeDemachy,

still allow

we

that

statement

the

tinctor.,or

political
economy

of

extreme, that

so

Jacobson's

Lich. tartar.

Sound

is

ignorance

the road

SaxifragagranuCave

I noticed

Polypod. vulg.

Cavern
is burnt

are

several
in the

lime-kilns

open

air,and

394

APPENDIX.

famaces,

conical

in

tiles

exactly

the

the

of

reverse

custom

in

Fage

238.

Germany.'
3. Humboldt's
*

We

Passport

oir

Paris

lbayiko

1798.

in

Sofidos Boiling

Alphonse de
His

Majesty the King of Prussia, and

Minister
Plenipotentiaryto the French
Bepnblic,
whom
all
it
and
to grant a
concern
require
Beg
may
Chamberlain

to

'

safe pass
'

M.

Prussian

and

free

to

Alexandre

FrSderic

de

in

CownseUor

Humholdt,

(he Court

cf

King of Piv^sia, horn at Berlin, aged ticenty^eight

fivefeetfour inches [Jive
feet eightinches Engli8h\light
yearSy height
hroum
hadr,gray eyes, large nosey rather large mouih,^ well-formed
with
the smalUpox.
chin, open forehead,marked
Tra^dling for the
of knowledge,
acquisition
proceeding to Marseilles and Algiers,
without
or
annoyed in any manner,
permitting him to be hindered
that he may
but on
the contrary granting him
quire.
reevery assistance
available
have
this
In faith of which
him
we
given
passport,
the
and
sealed with
for eighteenmonths, signed with
our
signature,
customary seal of the Royal Arms.
15th October, 1798.
Paris,24th Vendemiaire, year VII. (new style),
Mines

of H.

M.

the

*Db
'

Signature of

the Bearer

BoLLur.

'Fr^d^rig

had

Saxdos

received

Alexandre

fewer

HmcBOLnr.'

db

than

twenty-four vis^s before

Humboldt
to
a
proof
perpetual annoyances
travellers in those days were
which
The
most
subjected.
important
of
the
the
^isthe
acoount
first
vis6
on
on
^interesting
signature
The

passport

left Marseilles

no

the

of

"

"

list
'

"

:"

Minister

The

signatureof

M.

of
de

Foreign Affairs
Sandos

EoUin

7th year of the French

certifies the

here

attached

of

Arrest

Humboldt's

Among

Gh.

Maur.

Alexander

aoadtst

papers

Paris, 26th

the

demiaire,
Ven-

Republic.
'

4. Warrant

authenticityof

found

was

Talletrand.'

von

the

Humboldt.

followingletter

from

Eschwege, the distinguishedexplorer of Brazil, who

subsequentlyentered the service of Portugal :

Baron

von

"

"

On

tbe

in which

cover

in Humboldt's

own

hand

the
:

*
"

passport

was

kept, the fbllowing remark

Grosses Mavl^ dicks Nose, aber mentou

Uen

is writtoa
faiu'

396

APPENDIX.

Lubon

'

Sir,

'

While

"

came

looking over

the

across

of

copy

Brazilian

my

the

docnment,

the

papers

other

of which

contents

quite

contribution
This

"

to yon,

day, I

are

bably
pro-

libertyof

the

the

to

given

was

travels.

of your

account

document

I take

27, 1848.

enclosingthe
to yonr
Excellency,since as it might have been productiveof
paper
the most
disastrous
to the journey prosecutedby your
consequences
Excellency into the interior of America, it may prove an interesting
unknown

and

March

to

in Brazil

me

by

died as
de Barca, who
befnefactor,Count
de
whom, as Antonio
Aranjo e Azevedo, your
and

have

made

acquaintanceduring

Europe,
Petersburg,and,

Ambassador

when

as

soon

by the
urging

was

that

aware

Ministry, he
him

your
which

order

an

order

to recall the

at once

incur

the

odium

order

every

that

appears

it

least

before

year

"

Hoping

might

you

for your

order

an

crossed

lency,
Excel-

of

and

been detained

release could

have

that your

further

been

have

the

honour

remain, "c.,

to

'Basok

The
'

document

Notification

Souza

Coutinho

the Province
'The

is

June, 1800,
Manuel

to Bernardo

de

this year,

it is stated

in the

been

*'

Don

fr^m

:"

Bodrigo

Vasconcelos, Governor

Gazeta

that

Colonia

de

certain

Baron

travellingin the

geographical observations

for

the

the

intention

of

"

your

of the

de
of

which

Excellency be
1st of April of

Humboldt,

von

interior

of America,

correction

collectingplants,of

with
varieties,

that

commanded

has

Regent

that

existingmaps,

of

follows

as

of C^rd.

Prince

Berlin, has

2nd

Eschwege.'

von

is

for arrest, and

warrant

of the

informed

new

have

Portugal.
Excellencyis in good health,I

from

received

of

B.egent,

Europe,
instructingthat
an
application

issued

not, you

Ceazo, where

in

escaped imprisonment

'

be

assistance

issued

of your

whole

the

been

Prince

arrest

that

me

was

frontier of Brazil,which, if I mistake

at

of

told

had

the

to

for the

should

receive

He

of this nature

immediately

wrote

there, with

entirelyowing to the influence of my

friend,who took a livelyinterest in science,and was in possession
of all the works
caped
publishedby your Excellency,that you esbeing arrested in the upper regionsof the Orinoco, or on the

It thus

revered

not, also of Berlin.

if I mistake

whereby he would
suggesting that an
Excellency should
proved successful.

and

'

he

as

Minister

Excellencymay probably
residence
in
years'
many
of the Hague, Paris, St.

his

Courts

at the

friend

revered

my

of
he

continuing

certain

native

making
errors

has

secured

his

route

in

1,500

through

396

APPENDIX.

of Maranhao, for the ezploni^on

portionof the Province
excluded
scientific research.
from
As
of desert regions,hitherto
of
the presence
in the critical positionof the affairs of Government
a
ceal
who, under a pretext of this kind, might possiblj conforeigner,
ideas
and
plans for the spread of new
dangerous principles
the faithftil subjectsof this realm
the temper
at a time when
among
of the nation is in a condition
so
dangerous and so difficult to deal
commanded
pendent
indeis
illustrious
Prince"
with, it
expressly
bj our
of the "ct that, by the existinglaws of his Boval
Highness,
is
allowed
to
his
dominions
enter
without
the
no
foreigner
express
His
vestigate
inof
^that
shall
permission
Boyal Highness
your Excellency

the

upper

"

whether

said

the

Baron

Humboldt

von

or

other

any

foreignerhas ever travelled through the interior provinces of this

travellingthere, as it would be in the highest
kingdom, or is now
of Portugal
degree injuriousto the politicalinterests of the Grown
It is expected,therefore,by His
such the case.
were
Royal Highness,
that your
Excellency will zealouslyand industriouslybestow
affair of so Inuch
in an
importance all the abihty and penetration
which
from
be expected
your experiencein the service of the Crown
may
from

and,

you,

should

travellers

the

Excellency will obviate

be in the

country,

that

your

evil

likelyto ensue, and put a stop to

illegalinvestigationsby arresting and imprisoning, not
any
such
themselves
Portuguese as render
merely foreigners,but even
without
a
sary
royal permit or the necesopen to suspicionby travelling
of the Province.
license from
the Governor
sired
it
Finally, is deby His Boyal Highness tliat your Excellency will act in this
respect with the most scrupulouscircumspection,and communicate
of the
immediately to His Royal Highness, through the medium
of State, everything that transpires
Chancellor
respectingthis affair,
such

in

order

that

be

deemed

necessary.'
the originaldocument

Upon
:
*

Prince

take

may

whatever

further

is inscribed

in

mecusures

may

writing
hand-

Humboldt's

"

desire

the

this

that

order

somewhere

may

he

published after

my

death,

Humboldt.

'Alexander
1854.'

'Harch

remarks

Yarnhagen
1855

11,

Order

'

of

"

Humboldt

Brazil,for

has
his

Venezuela^ respecting
of

tract

in
the

Rio

warrant

as

that

a
was

under
date
'Tagebiicher,*
latelybeen presented with

services

as

arbitrator

the

between

of

August

the

Grand

Brazil

and

possession of

considerable
a
right of
wanted
to
days they
imprison me
and
send
back
to Europe
me
dangerous spy,

'*

country.
Janeiro

his

in

In

former

made

out

for

this

purpose

is

stiU

shown

398

APPENDIX.

in the realm

at homo

of

and

Flora

organic life,among

and

Fanna,

best

of detail.
From
the mnto^
adapted to the observation
that wide range
interchange of knowledge and experience sprang
of observation, and
their
hy which
completeness of investigation,
were
joint labours
distrnguished. In the Spanish Colonies of
America
German
in those
was
days thought to be a miner,
every
and every Frenchman
and
doctor
a
certainlythis suppositionwas
;
substantiated
and Bonpland.
in the case
of Humboldt
most
ftilly
was

Of

the

mutual

and

esteem

devotion

which

instances

travellers

these

so

alreadybeen given.* It
here the followingentry from Humboldt's
will be suitable to adduce
American
Journal
I have given to M. Elhuyar a sealed
(vol.v.):
it contains
a
letter,to be opened in the event of my death
bequest
to Bonpland of 60,000 francs.'
Soon
after his return
from
America, Bonpland, on the recomof Corvisart, surgeon
mendation
to the
Empress Josephine, was
the
who
was
appointed by
passionatelydevoted to flowers,
empress,
and Navarre.
Through
superintendentof the gardens at Malmaison
several
heartilyreciprocated,

have

"

addition

to

his

salary,a yearlypension of 3,000 francs,in acknowledgment

herbarium
presentedby him to the Jardin des Plantes.^

of

the

Humboldt's

"
'

zealous

See pp. 278, 279, 287.

The
received
author

authentic
five years

3,000

were

in the

'

spent

Nova

botanical

work.

amounted

to

4,528, and

Director

of

Species.'As

Alexander

von

by Himiboldt

only

duplicates

was

about

of

such

to

second

by Bonpland,who
herbarium

acknowledgment
pension of 3,000
Alexander

von

of

which

francs

Humboldt,

allow

Paris, where

divided

it,were

it out

the

Museum

received,

as

the third collection

reservingnothingfor himself, but

"

of

in

accordance

Aequiof

'

Nova

from

of

Geneia

the

Kunth

him

to

his

sent

fellow-

preserved
number

in the

placed at

with his invariable

was

Ayres.

Plantes, in

text,
the

of
their

op

Buenos
doe

of

pen

were

they were

of the Jardin
stated
was

three

complete collection

with

any

Kvnth,

by the travellers
most

the

into

botanist

plants themselves, since the

subsequently took

by whom

Plagam

indefatigableindustry
at

described

three folios and

"

of Professor

; the

Bonpland

to

during the joumey

are
descriptions

distinct herbariums

and

5,800

introduced

celebrated

the death

History

The
of

^During the

"

determination

been

volumes

the

by

these

the

presentedto

was

before

never

on

of

of Natural

arrival in Paris into three

retained

volumes

Bonpland.
as

barometric

Berlin, in editing at Paris the

fifth of

the

Museum

property

has

at

in acknowledgment

to the
traveller,

the

Gardens

Humboldt,

the

employed

were

Botanic

ad
Peregrinatione

in

descriptionsfilled six

the

volumes

the

Bonpland

collected from

plants actually described

of

oumber

the following

Bonpland

localities of all these plants,as

with

detail which

Humboldt

and

5,500 specimens of phanerogamous plants,

The

denoted

him

and

Species Plantarum

et

The

These

quartos.

the

species.

new

sea,

(1858) from

travels, Humboldt

Collectarum,' are
the

occasion

one

received, in

plants collected by

plants. Among

to be

G-enera

height above

as

of

on

the

in their

found

noctialem

of

summary

specimens

6,000

et

interposition,he

yearly

disposalof
custom

ol

presentingeverythinghe collected,whether

399

APPENDIX.

fionpland assisted
maison, which
midst

of

leisure

American
with
of

official

little in

energy

callingin

and

perseverance

the

help

of

in

the

ence
enjoyed sufficient independpublicationof the results of the

the
did

he

journey, though

admiration

nniversal

at Mal-

gardens

he

employment
assist in

to

the

ont

laying

excited

time

that

at

his

and

not

himself

devote

not

sufficient

work

preclude the necessity

securing the prolonged

to

and

Willdenow,

the

to

labours of Kunth.
Associated

Humboldt

with

intercourse
friendly
noted

most

of
all his

the

the

in

work,

enjoyment

of

Guy-Lussac, Arago, Th6nard, and the

the kind
with
of the day, honoured
sideration
conwith quick intelligence
entered
who
into

with

scientific

his

in

men

empress,
unrestrained

in the

of one
management
world, Bonpland was

pursuits,and

of the

in
now
flower-gardensin the
the enjoyment of the happiestperiod of his life.
But these days were
numbered.
Napoleon's divorce of Josephine
cloud ; to the watehful
them
soon
a
guardian of her
brought over
to confide
the anguish of
flowers this noble woman
accustomed
was
beautiful

most

her

qui

'

c'est la

je ne
stood

herself

la

pas

de la

perte

cou-

him

on
one
occasion,
expressed
aim6
vie,et que
que ma
que j*aiplus
The
of the
misfortunes
d*aimer
jusqu'au tombeau.'
her heart, and she died on
May 30, 1814.
Bonpland

broke

beside

Ce n'est

to

perte de Thomme

cesserai

emperor

she
m'afflige,'

ronne

mais

heart.

troubled

and

grieved

her

her

on

death-bed.^

Bonpland appeared unable to settle to any other

if irresistibly
as
impelled to quit Europe.
occupation, and seemed
Even
of his magnificent work,
continuation
the
Description dee
k
et
Navarre
cultiv^es a Malmaison
Plantes rares
(Paris,1813), as
of
the
in
collected
well as the further arrangement
plante
company
After

this event,

'

'

in America
friend

and

Willdenow
in

Sonpland

it was

publicor privatemuseums"

to

America

Gardens

whole

the

Kunth,

of

the

Willdenow,

to

of

the

Berlin.

Many

collections made

the

of

his

herbariums

incorporatedin the extensive

became
of

given

subsequent purchase

the

By

instructor.

early

to
belonging

and

Asia,

or

and

boldt
by Humherbarium

duplicatespecimens

from
Boyal
still
the
collection
herbariums
of
are
preserved
among
Humboldt-Bonpland
the
imited
expedition to America
Spain and England. The plantscollected during

Botanic

of the

the

must

not

residence

be
at

confounded

of later

refers in his letters

Gardens

Boyal Botanic

the

at
buildings

with

Ayres;

Buenos

those collected subsequently by Bonpland during his

In

date.
at

collection that he

recent

more

the year

Schoneberg

it has

Berlin, where

this

it is to

1858

the

transferred

was

rearranged,and

been

herbarium
to

chiefly
belongingto
the university

is preserved in

rable
admi-

condition.
*

It will not

in the

Supplement

1868), that
at

be

it

was

Fontainebleau

out
to

of
No.

place here

Bonpland
to

to

correct

197 of the Augsburg

choose

who

the

advised

Mexico

for

an

the
*

statement

erroneous

Allgemeine Zeitung
in the

emperor

asylum,

as

days of

central

'

for

(repeated
July 16,

his

calamity

point whence

to

400

APPENDIX.

his

with
desire

friend,had
distinguished

herbariums

the

supplement

to

tropicalcountries with the

zone, a region which
the botanical
the

year

He

sailed

1816

How

ties

mother

of revolt.

On

dissension.
first free

the

The

banks

Republics,and

obtained

from

in the

perate
tem-

imperfectlyexplored by
liim towards

with

the close of

South

him

America.

supply

of

had

Colonies

had

been

united

the

to

to Buenos

Ayres,everywhere floated
struggle,
though bloody,was short,and

reigned, except

now

peace

Mexico

From

The

everything changed in
Spain by Napoleon had severed

of

Spanish

him.^

contributed

expeditionto

time

mean

invasion

the

country.

but

second

the

The

!
which

by

standard

the

various

America

been

Ayres, and took out

common
vegetables.

completelyin

South

be

to

Feuill^e,induced

of

Buenos

and

had

for

hitherto

collections

undertake

to

to

fruit trees

the

researches

all charm

lost

where

plots

of

La

the
river

this

and

Plata

aroused

established

were

first to

the

was

strife

pariy

to

open

the
stricted
unre-

commerce.

At

Ayres Bonpland met with a most flatteringreception.

He was
of Natural
at once
appointed Professor
History ^an ofiGlce
for
limited
he retained
which
a
period ; since, owing to the
only
to which, as
a
jealousy,envy, and evil machinations
foreigner,he
was
soon
was
exposed, the Government
prejudiced against hiuL
he undertook
In the year 1820
of exploraa
journey for purposes
tion,
with the intention
of visiting
the Pampas districts,
the province
Buenos

"

of Santa

F6,

the

of Gran

desert

district of Bolivia

the

of

and

foot of the

the

to

Chaco,

penetrating through

Andes.

In

the

of

course

expeditionhe reached, in sailingup the Paraguay, a former

the left bank
of the Jesuits,lying on
of the river, a
miles from
Itapua.
At this spot he unfortunatelyentered
a
territorythe
upon
his

the

observe
exclaimed

by

this is
of

writer

those

who

mere

traditiou.

the battle of Waterloo;

has

went

never

schemes
proposing impracticable
dailyintercourse with Bonpland. He
were

of his acquaintance as

some

whom
'

he

Of

saw

the

nothing, and
two

to

already given rise

the various

among

nised

as

note.)

whom

to

to

rendered

Humboldt

wrote

to

may

been

on

familiar

so

occasion

one

with Napoleon either before

Fontainebleau, where various
the

possibly have

placeof

refuge,but

he remained

that

At

emperor.

spoken
not

to

vm.

to

the

after

or

time

of

the

to

peisou
I bad

Mexico

to

emperor,

of

complete stranger.'

exclusivelyedited by him,

works

'Plantes

^uinoxiales' and

'

in folio,
with 120 plates),the latter
(two volumes
considerable
discussion,for, accordingto Bobert Brows,

*Monographie des M^lastomes

had

suitable

pos-

A magnificentidea ! will bi
subsequentlyplayed in internatioul

then

conversation

no

he

few

world.

since

Bonpland/

'

this sketch, ' had

either
the part

remember

this isthmus, which

by
politics
But

transpiringin

events

tlement
set-

Melastomse

therein

described

genuine. (See Martins, Denkrede

'

there

was

auf Alexander

not
von

one

to

be

Humboldt,'

reccfp.

25,

401

APPENDIX.

of which

session

the Government
subjectof disputebetween
Argentine Republic. He, indeed, at once
Paraguay and
of Paraguay, acquainting him
wrote
to Dr. Francia, the Dictator
with his arrival,and cravingpermission,in the interests of science,
to collect some
information
conoeming the Mat6 plant;^but Francia,
full of suspicion,
him
oauBcd
to be attacked
by a troop of horse,who
surprised him during the night of December
3, 1821, and, afber
and
slayingbis defenceless servants,
wounding him on the head with
was

of

sabre,loaded

the

with

him

chains,and

carried

him

off into the interior

of

the
Paraguay. Here, in the neighbourhood of Santa Maria, was
friend and
condemned
cessible
to inactravellingcompanion of Humboldt
employed by Franoia as surgeon to
imprisonment. He was
the garrison,and
in matters
of trade and agriculture,
as
overseer

but his movements

No

was

sooner

friend than
terest of

exerted

he

Guvier,

enlisted

with

General

ForeignAffairs

; at

letter to

the

had

the

additions

distillation

cessory
inter-

an

of the works

Humboldt

friend,but
what

whether

means

the

by

Consul-General

Bolivar,the

all his efforts

pressing
Ayres, or by

at Buenos

only is known,
of his

Bonpland

of Colombia
that

freedom, and

was

from

honey, and
Through Canning,

farther

obtain

to

effectingthe

the

release

of

Mandeville,

the

unconcealed

it ia

"

ultimatelyeffected

was

at the

same

the

time

to say

he received
informed

"

French

threats

impossiblenow

February 2, 1880,

on

to

in vain.

solicitations

President

brandy

towards

were

of

the release

of

attempted

influence of the English Government

result than

cine,
practisedthe art of medi-

herbarium.

to his extensive

Minister,

further

no

well,that he

Bonpland was
engaged in the

Prime

much

it several

for

"

that

dailymade

By

Minister

addressed

with

had

mission

of Grandsire, whose

was

of his

Chateaubriand,

Humboldt

Consul-

French

the

to

de

forwarded

Francia, and

Institute,were

his deliverance,the
effecting
despatchedto Bio Janeiro,and

time

same

in-

"

ascertain

then

National

The

published by him and Bonpland conjointly. But

a
Seignor of Paraguay, then sixty-twoyears of age
of distrust and
irritability
repulsedevery advanee on

full

part

the

release.

of

was

Yicomte

fate of his

the

been

Grand

tyrant

the

his

of recommendation

the

range.

obtain

of

hope

Grandsire

letters

there,from

effort to

In the

limited

acquaintedwith

the influence

and

traveller

furnished

to

made

every

his behalf.

on

well-known

which

restricted

were

Humboldt

an

that

of
: so

mation
inti'

la

"xcelencia el Supremo
he
granted him permissionto go wherever
of
nine
liked. Thus ended Bonpland's unjustifiable
captivity
years'
'

duration.

On
and

receivinghis freedom,
settled down
*

VOL.

I.

he

small

in the

still remained
town

[The Paraguay tea-plant.]

D

of

in the

Santa

neighbourhood,
Borja, on

402

APPENDIX.

Brazil,a few miles from the leftbank of the Umgoaj,

continued to reside,with frequentvisits to the Estancia of

the frontier of
where

he

Santa

Anna, for thirteen years.

The
and

release of

marks

wish

in the

Bonpland excited

of distinction

showered

were

him

to

universal

for the

of

him

upon

compensate
From
he had
encountered.
Berlin, where
of
received
he
the
the
summer
1806,
during
of
the presentation
In announcing to him
'

joythroughout Europe,
from

all

quarten

experienceshe

severe

spent
order
this

several

months

of the Bed

honour,

had

Eagle.

Humboldt

but
we
phQosophic principles,
Brazil
have
with
in
that
(ifyou
any) it
thought
your relationships
might perhapsbe of use to you.' A doctor's diploma,and various
conferred
were
institutions,
honorarydegreesfrom different literary
The
addition.
in
him
ImperialLeopold-Charles
Academy for
upon
could
find no
Natural
Science
for their
more
euphonious name
than
that
of Bonplandia.'
officialorgan for comprehensivebotany
The interest manifested throughout Europe in everything connected
remarkable
than the number
not more
with Bonpland was
in
circulation
of
At one
and variety the reports
concerninghim.
time he was
representedas wishing to return to France with his
time he was
said to be devising
at another
extensive
collections,
in the country of his adoption.
schemes
to be carried out
vast
remarked

am

aware

your

'

Afler

his release

medium

of communication

between

him

and

opened through the good offices of Herr von GuHoh,

Charg6 d'Affaires and Oonsul-Qeneral in Chili,and from
this correspondence a lively
picturemay be gatheredof Bonpland*B
of the affectionate nature
of his disposition,
of his inmode
of life,
defatigable
of
the
freshness
of
heart
and
his
well
mind, as
industry,
as of the hopes and
even
plansstillcherished by him in imagination,
advanced
of
life.
when
at an
period
with Humboldt
extended
His correspondence
over
nearlythirty
forwarded
his
certificate
He
that
Humboldt
yearly
might
years.
the pension granted by the French
for him
draw
Govermnent.
he
interest
followed
the
With
illustrious
of his
career
sympathising
illustre ami,'he writes to him from Buenos
friend.
Hon
Ayres on
vois
les
tons
te
et
joursplusgrand, chaque instant
July 1, 1882, je
je t'admire davantage.'On July12 in the same
year he asks for a
line in Humboldt's
own
hand, although he could not be seriously
of
his
being attacked with cholera, parce que tu as
apprehensive
une
grande force d'"me repressivepour tout ce qui t'est conof the death of William
traire.' The
von
Humboldt,
intelligence
to him
Alexander
communicated
on
by
September 14, 1835, caUed
of sympathy, with many
foith from him the most lively
expressions
and
he
the
made
resolution
to
henceforth to keq"
allusions
a
past,
Humboldt

was

Prussian

'

'

'

403

APPENDIX.

Alexander's

birthday as

effect of two

f"te

severe

entirelyre-established

by

in

14, 1836,

dated

letter

Paris.

retnraiiigto
Humboldt's

'

reached

they had

when

addition

mind

mild

blossoms,

Cordilleras,of

to

crowd

of

southern

compassionates

Berlin, and

the

togetherrejoicedin

Notes

of

he

nected
con-

of this work

with

breezes

at

projectof

of

five volumes

dreary existence

foot of the

at the

Jbague

Only

of orange

scent

to

the

so

life,
that,

important du^

an

filled his
the

became
of

to a
seriously

that
be

tating
the debili-

health

regularmode

alluded

had

enjoying

the

doomed

his friend
time

with

loaded

clime

and

would

'

his
illness,

him

to

these

While

he

America.'

in

but

him,

of

simple

It seemed

Travels

recollections.'

his

visit there

his

with

had

June

day. Notwithstanding

attacks

recalls the

magnificentclimates of
Islands of the Hyeres,

the

and Valencia.
Barcelona
After
Caleja,between
a
stay at Paris, he proposed making an expedition to Algiers,
be well worth
which
he thought would
visiting.
the
from
in
Giilich
On
1854, Herr von
Europe
returning
year
conveyed to Bonpland several presents from Humboldt, consisting
of

and

the

of books

of

coast

and

likenesses

many

of himself.

These

most

were

able
accept-

with no
small
gifts,and in contemplating the portraitsit was
pleasure that, in the altered features of the grey-haired man,
familiar
of his
countenance
Bonpland could still trace the once
The
idea
of
intimate
to
former
companion.
returning
Europe was

'

donneraient

nous

derived
de
old

il

"

'

sounding

separation from him

feelingsof his heart can
Bonpland continued
his

both

land.

native
that
that

ho

present

it to
His

Museum.
of Louis
that

had

"

like to
the

to

in

ann^es
*

his

needs

and

he heard
and

ears,

true

past, was

d 'existence

Cosmos'

that

follow

with

the

!'

He

Tableaux

the voice

of his

bitterlybemoaned
friend

to whom

the

sympathetic interest
were
taking place in

which
political

be

emperor

interest

read

Man

1856, he announced

almost

was

dix

of the

passionatelonging.
(October 2, 1854),

exclaimed

"

Humboldt

be unburdened.'

August 8,

his herbarium
should

'

and

social
On

he

as

with

perusalof

he fancied

fellow-traveller

changes

semble

me

to hold

more

in recollections
him

seized

pleasurefrom

great

la Nature

him

d'entrevue,' he

heures

Qnelques

with

sometimes

that

desire

Once

of his heart.

revel

and

in his embrace
a

wish

cherished

6till the

had

ready

to be

bearer

of

the
in

person

been

to Herr

it

for

Paris, and

himself,that

the

he

enrichment

keenly excited by

his

Giilich

von

despatched to

the

might
of

the

the achievements

the revolutions
Napoleon, the events of the Russian
war,
since 1816, and the introduction
taken
placein European politics
of

stranger.

railways
"

But

amid

mode

of locomotion

all,renewed

intercourse
B

to

which
with

he

was

Humboldt

still a
stood

404

APPENDIX.

in the

ever

often

foregronnd
him

before

rose

as

the

as

to

desire

chief

after

whether,

the

renew

'

should

have

societyof

the

dated

he

delighted

writes,

'

home

I trust

I shall

die,and

have

of

I have

planted.

to

you

completed

see

in
my

common

of

precious,
companions
Humboldt^

to

the

by

choice.

'

collections
the

in

life

How

be

wiU

grave

the

eighty-fourthyear,

and

it is peaceful.

as

be

by the
delight,

my

the

renew

of
I

visit

to return

shadowed

to

28th

My

wish

will

great

On

manusciipts

Museum.

happy

as

once

which

intend,' he

and

I shall

for

same

behold

many

August I
three
(four)

next

am

recentlydied in this province at tiie

What
travellers
a
prospect is thus presented to two
age
This passage, as Humboldt
have
who
passed their eightiethyear !
to indicate
a
remarked, seems
strong clinging to life in an old man
of
his desire to lie buried
of eighty-four. It was
the shade
beneath
years

your
of 107.

that

yearning
pleasure with

again, and

once

my

to

his

I lead
my

hermit's

the

duration

where

have

we

short

Anna,

Humboldt,

reminiscences
shall

of

that

trees

dear

land,

things most
been

j books

window

is characterised
the

sare

my

addressed

"

and

solitaryhome

but

St.

at

There

my

the

will be

numerous

he

letter

myself the bearer of my

I hope to deposit them

Paris, where

my

last

all

have

mingled feelings

native

in

be

to

to France
to

of

me

plants,which

the

displayof

his distant

more

is to

garret

some

consolation

and

noise

print

at

long

bo

the
in

to

blooming

rose

been

in

labour

all other

Corrientes, July 7, 1857,

from

remarkable

to

Even

which

beloved

my

life.'

through

time

to

lose that

to

from

debarred

time

from

watching

find

doFiihts

absence, he

an

had

he

'

I liye there

Should

long

so

which
relationshipsfrom
I
compensation oonld
estranged. 'What
bustle
I
of Paris P he inquired.
Bhonld
who
there for anj bookseller
might undertake

could

Yet

his heart.

of

junior.

has

man

'

trees

orange

and

the

palms, among

that

trees

he

had

and

tended

during life; but in the contemplation of it he again

in imagination to the journeys he had
and
taken
again reverted
with the friend of his youth ; he could
yet vividlyrecall the deHght
experienced by his friend on first beholding in Spain the glory of
southern
sensation, be
by the new
vegetation,when, intoxicated
desired to pass his life amid
of such
of dntj
scenes
beauty. A sense

cherished

Humboldt

detained

home,

while

wishes,

enjoyment
the

age

content

of

of

no

life of

less

meed

surroundings

conscientious

in

spend his days

contemplation. He

nation, have

greater

cheerless

to

eighty-fiveyears.

of their

honour
man

Bonpland,

was

the

amid

of

The

in

the

praise than

his native
of

his

quiet inaction, in

the

died

on

indulgence

May 11, 1858,

French, usuallyso

accorded

of

to

the

is

conveyed

merits

zealous

st

for tbe

of their country*
in

the

expression

406

APPENDIX.

dear
old
Mend;
present my
my
Madame
B.
With
renewed
assurance

devoted

of my

Al.

'

On

the

Humboldt
1832

liberation

of

writes

in

io

remembranoeB

affectionate

attachment,
Humboldt.'

db

Bonpland, after a captivityof nine yeais,

2,
joyons strain to Gnizot/ on November

:"

have

glad to

am

...

at

news

lengthof

friend

unfortunate

my

M.

I wish you
for him
that
decoration
could
obtain
Bonpland.
peculiarto France
given so often with profuseprodigality!
And
It is also a pleasure
again,on May 25, 1833, he writes : ^
to me
to express
having so kindly fulfilled
ray gratitude for your
the
wish
tunate
1 expressed to you
last autumn
concerning my unforof
friend M.
Bonpland, in procuring him the decoration
the Legion of Honour.
faction.
This has
caused
the most
me
livelysatis'

'

I had

some

fear

to

reason

that

would

fellow-traveller

my

long as he
in the clutches
of the Dictator
was
Doctor, the Republican tyrant,
he was
the object of sympathetic interest
inquiriesas to his fate
to the
the banks
of the Thames
from
were
reaching me continually,
shores of the Obi.
The
drama
to an
end, he is but a
having come
of science who
for the collection of plants. There
is travelling
man
be forgotten; but such forgetto fear that he would
was
some
cause
fulness is impossiblein a soul so
!
Our mutual
as
yours
generous
friends MM.
Benjamin and Francois Delessert have written to me
experience

fate not

affairs :

human

in

uncommon

as

"

than

more

in

support
the

saying the

tell

to

once

of

noble

efforts I have

the

that

arrears

of the

me

arrears

due

are

been

making

to him

due

are

assistance

since

friend,for

to my

to

am

to M.

secure

1820.

rendered

have

you

am

in

wrong
that

aware

pland
Bon-

by

law

beyond a period of five years. The

Minister
of Finance, therefore,in paying up the arrears
for the last
^YQ
empowered to do,
only, did, no doubt, all that he was
years
of the peculiar circumstances
attending
although, in consideration
liberal arrangement
the case
of M. Bonpland, hopes of some
more
of
the Council
and
had been
of Finance
raised
by the Committee
no

payments

claimed

I feel constrained

State.
with

be

can

minister

misfortunes

of

so
men

to

plead

the

cause

of my

fellow-traveller

yourself to relieve the

I have
ventured
to-day to write to
a specialfavour.
right,but to crave

generouslydisposed as
of

letters.

the

king himself, not to

May I implore your kind
importance to the ruined
his Majesty will be of no
'1
"

urge

interest
fortunes

in this
of

avail unless

M.
you

which
affair,

Bonpland

supplement

la Koquette, rol. ii.p. 95.

Ibid. vol. ii.p. 106.
De

is one

My
the

of

great

letter to

applica-

407

APPENDIX.

The

tion.

of

pension

accorded

francs

3,000

to M.

Bonpland
herbarium, collected
daring

was

of the
given in consideration
my
I presented to the Jardin
des Plantes.
I relinjouniej, which
qnished the possessionof it in order that I might be nsefol to mj
withont
I am
friend.
a
now
single botanical specimen, or even
of Ghimborazo!
The
the
smallest
memento
pension, therefore,
of a yery peculiar character.
The
which
I have
is one
treasures
surrendered
still exist,and imprisonment alone has interruptedthe
Sach
the considerations
whicK I
are
regularityof the payments.
have
imagined to myself,must constitute my rights,yet I urge them
that the Chambers
to think
only to plead a "aiVOur. I venture
"

Qovemment

should

the

oppose

such

misfortunes

You

have

of

length

act

an

this

attained

In

am

JBonpland'scollections

sanction

in feivour of

^wonld

"

Frenchman

not

whose

the
celebrity. Pray excuse
fear,but indifferently
expressed.
which
have inspired
the motives

is, I

condemn

postscript,Humboldt

...

world-wide

sure,

of such

in need

of munificence

letter,which

will not, I

it.'

stand

had

not

his

expresses

that

regret

arrived.

yet

Visit to Santa- Anna,

For

long years Bonpland had resided

in Europe who
remained
scarcelyanyone

there

eccentric

very
Kio

forciblyto

colony

up

the

thence

coimtry

when,

for

resided

had

the

in 185tS.

remembered

remembrance

in the

proceeded on
On
April 8 I

Santa-Cruz.

of

Bonpland

mind

my

and

Pardo,

But

of science.

man

until

Uruguay,

at

many

of

him

spring of 1858,
horseback

to

the

recurred

I arrived
the

at

German

reached

Santa-Borja,where
thirteen
proceeding ^E^rther
years, before
During his residence there he had enjoyed

with
the Governor
and
inhabitants
of the
friendly intercourse
of Corrientes,the President
of which
at that
was
opposite Province
and
time
able
Dr. Pajol,an
and had been the means
intelligent
man,
Museum.
of institutinga National
As an
expression of the thanks
of the community, he was
presented with a largertract of land on
of the Uruguay, a few miles south
the right bank
of the spot where
the

of

town

Bestauracion,

in

the

province

of

Corrientes, faces

in the empire of Brazil,although

and risingtown
Uruguayana, a new
of the Dictator
severely injured during the invasion
Lopez ^the
son.
Upon this plot of pasture land he had erected his rancho or
"

cottage, and
the

name

river

cion, the
country

his

out

of Santa- Anna.

communication
the

laid

with

From

last

French

Paraguay,
capitalof Paraguay,
for nine

years

to
Sanssotbci^

this residence

Santa-Borja.
in the

where

and

new

In

war

in order
he

had

the

he

that

cndurad

kept up
1857

year

steamer

which

he
a

he

Bison,'

gave

constant

ascended
to

Assun-

he

might revisit the

the
hospitality of
*

'

408

APPENDIX.

Francia.

As

successor,

General

Frenchman

he

Lopez

father

the

well

not

was

received

by

Francia's

for

owing to the treatment

received
in the country, Paraguay had
been
placed
a proscription
by France, as well as by every other

Bonpland had
publiclyunder

"

civilised nation.
the French

priestGtay,I

learnt

that

Bonpland had been

sufferingin health for a long time, and as nothing had been beard
for several weeks, he was
to be
of him
supposed by many
already
therefore
felt
it
be
I
to
dead.
an
imperativeduty to make a personal
From

hermit

old

visit to the

of Santa-

horseback

Anna.

April 13 from Santa-Borja,accompanied

part of the way by the priest,and on the following day I reached
of Itaqui,where
I hired
chalana
fiver boat
the little town
a
a
of the Uruguay.
and was
conveyed a short way down the stream
the town
of Uruguay, I learnt
I reached
When
from
Kasten, a
friend of Bonpland, that
merchant
in the place,and
still
he was
a
Herr
Kasten
alive,but in very bad health.
politelyaccompanied
the river to the oppositetown
of Bestauracion, where
he
across
me
in
lide
Santaassisted
to
me
making arrangements for my
I started

on

on

"

"

Anna.
On

followingmorning

the

for

remarkable

Pampas,

of two

his

peao

groom

"

^a

"

dusky

taciturnity,
presented

tall

of the

native

himself

at

my

steeds,one
charge
he
rode
out of the
slowly before me until we were
utteringa word,
then
pressing his great iron spurs into the sides of his
town,
miles
in a westerly
we
galloped for three German
matungo, away
afterwards
direction, at first through forests of palm, and
along a
kind of high road.
A complete Pampas-plain now
One
of
sea
spread out before us.
in

door

seemed

grass
mud
a

to

riders

scarcely the

exchanged

grazing

seen

which

on

of

out

silent
far

both

where

swamp,
and

from

rushed

ostrich,trottinglike

cart

of

Here
the
a

greetingas

and

approach

our

mimosa,

another.

far away

cabin, always

horseman,

the

succeed

of which

near,

I mounted.

and

there

was

Without

miserable

road.

meet
Scarcely did we
strollingpedlar. The solitary
they gallopedby. Cattle were

besides

numbers

of wild

horses,

fled

A herd
of deer sprang
hastilyaway.
had
been feeding under
of
the shade
they
with
while
the ungainly
by
lightningspeed,
the grassy
horse, sped more
across
leisurely

plain.
The
a

second

country

word
and

in

half of my
which

the

of explanation, my

morning's
track

was

ride
even

was

accomplished through

less

defined.

guide suddenly
southerlydirection,
right across
country,
plain of grey-green
herbage. After gallopingat
took

deviated

from
over

full

Without
the
the

path
like
ocean-

speed for

409

APPENDIX.

fdrtlier distajice of three German

slighteleyation,and

with
he had
Don

his

dusky hand
during a

in

uttered

Amado

lives !

In front of

the

dreary wilderness

class

wearied

huts, these

of

I could

amid

with

I wanted.

shortlyto
and

room

of

one

hands

show
her

conduct

was

rents

he

lived,

children

her

was

of

to pass

meant

into the other

me

chairs, and

two

^imitore

very

objects,the

Aboard

of which

in

what

Spanish

carried into

she

returned

house, but
served

as

supported upon

drawinga
couple

empty bedsteads,constituted
long shed, which being without

two

of this

At

hut, which

imperfectlylightedby

in the walls.

form

for

of race,

of mixture

evidence

gave

the

the ftirther end

of

saddle-harness,a heap

wonL-out

morning, leaving

asked
me
timidity,
which
letter to Bonpland,

buildingsthat

of the

windows,

children;

in which

the solitude

one

woman,

several

had

he

ago

years

many

native

of

message

barking of four great dogs,and upon

there
forward
a
pleasing-looking
came

apartment.^
strangers'

whole

sundry

fine

to

years

many

the violent

some

casks, a bench,

the

whom
and

countenance

I gave

of the

one

himself

so

sent

told that

was

of

the midst

at Santa- Anna.

girl,whose

who,

where

That's

ing
nothing concern-

learn

Humboldt
I

for

had

Pampas, Bonpland

'China,' by

loudlyclapping my
and

sheds,in

miserable

called

I dismounted

young

first words

approached them.

probablyof the old man,

her

'

ing
point-

grey cottages,standing
appeared all the more

other, which
I

nearer

she, however, decamped

behind

miles

I noticed two

cynicalpatriarch ?
Bonpland to whom
In Umguayana
greetingin 1818.
the foreignphilosopherhad united
the

reached

we

exclaimed,while

me

Gterman

the Madame

of

as

up

southerlydirection,the

to the

one

it be that in these

led the life of

to

ride of six

orchard

green

right angles the

dirtyand wretched
Could

round

drew

'

at

this

taming

miles, he

was

able

door,

and

lay cow-hides,

onions, and
not

open

to

number

by

some

of other

distinguishin the
French
levityand

girl,who was a strange mixture of

months
native
that for some
told me
past Don Amado
simplicity,
been exceedinglyill and weak, but that he managed to get out
had
and speak with me.
a little every
day, and would come
whose
old man,
the eccentric
waited long when
I had
not
very
His eightyhad begun to doubt, appeared before me.
existence
we
five years had not
impaired the erectness of his form, but his genial
from a countenance
blue eyes beamed
deeplyfurrowed, and his voice
The

gloom.

"

made
dnrch

Bonpland'sdwelling,taken from
of
the title-page
of the firstvolnme
the spot, appears on
upon
Siid-Brasilien (Leipag,1859).

VOL.

view

of

the farther

side of

'

I.

BE

my

sketch
*

Beise

410

APPENDIX.

betrayed
in

the

shirt

of

weakness

and

flannel,while

of white

tronsers

thin

His

infirmity.

dad
figurewas
his stoddngien

on

slippers. He held out his hand to me in

friendlygreeting,and as I grasped it I felt the feverish heat tihat
The
whole
in the midst
of 1^
seemed
to be consuming him.
scene
of civilized U"^ imof the attractions
pressed
desert region, withont
one
of
with an
indescribable feeling melancholy.
me
feet

he

Some
and

fork

wore

wooden

roast

meat

there

bowie-knife

was

and

talkative,but
founded

the

things
and

none

^I

"

old

mixed

were

together;
placed side by side ;

the

Cordilleras

and

the

were

mentioned

concentrated

in the

Humboldt,

upon

and

and

At
the

up

Paris

last his

and

Assnneion

and

made

Ocean
Franda

and

thoughts

he

remarks

con*

ParsDi,

the

Atlantic

the

mj
very

he

persons

of Humboldt

names

breath.

same

became

Seine,

most

associated

with

discourse, and

of events, and

order

then

man

his

in

pewter plate ; knife

help myself

to

The
extraordinary way.
Orinoco, all flowed in close proximity.

in the

the

were

upon

The

method

no

was

and

me

obliged

was

fingers.

my

there
date

set before

was

became

upon

him

surprising. It was evident that Bonpland viewed

sufficiently
the immense
with
He
superiorityof his friend.
thought that
envy
had
Humboldt
discoveries that
published many
things as his own
had
believed
that
to
Humboldt
Bonpland ; he
properly belonged
had
for
him
America
the
second
to
start
time, because
rejoiced see
he had entered
into some
specialengagements with Kunth, and thai
continued
he
with
him
in the publicationof his books
to work
without
waiting for Bonpland's return to Europe, and that moreover
he had often advised
Bonpland againstthe return he had projected.
He
had not excited
complained also that his second visit to America
in Europe the attention
it deserved, nor
had the collections
he had
were

sent

been

over

estimated

It is unnecessary

at their

defend

to

value.

proper

Humboldt

from

such

accusations.

if his
an
independent position,
Bonpland failed to secure
be preservedonly to posterity
as
an
appendage to the more
of

name

the

Hxmiboldt,

reason

lies in

his lack

of

name

If

will

brilliant

industryand

his

A
unconquerable propensity to postpone every kind of labour.
return
to France
was
certainlynever
seriouslycontemplated by the
La
for
whom
of
Plata,
Europe had ceased to possess any
cynic
attraction.
After

our

time, I noticed
and
while
some

upon
I

my

had

conversation
the

that

aged

been

carried

invalid

showed

urgent solicitations he

employed

distanop from

the

interval

the

perfection
; Bonpland's

house.
rose

in

on

symptoms

considerable
of

fiettigae,

retired to take

visitingthe

Oranges

garden

for

was

and

in full

little repose,
a
garden, which lay at

peaches flourished in
bloom ; figtrees and

411

APPENDIX.

castor-oil
weeds

bushes

together in
thickly springing

grew

also

were

plantation formed

small

of grass

expanse
within

the

door

the immense

bounded
In

of the

the

No

differed

Httle from

cattle

but

bed

on

direction.

The

with

the

ruined

I notice

into

me

even

pasturingin
they trotted

as

the

his

boundless

walls,

seen

were

south-east

the

the

but

to the

ostriches did

Towards

interlacement,
every

contrast
close up

grew

enclosure.

distance.

the exceptionof the

is

grass

in

up

by the forests of the Uruguay.

evening Bonpland sent for

the

which

the

plain; only two

in

across

marked

luxuriant

horizon

was

dwelling,

own

apartment already described, with

which

the

old

lay stretched.

man

It

with
a
smile, that I had
ago,'he remarked
bed made
for myself; I used before that to sleepanywhere,
a proper
lie down.'
I happened to
just wherever
Again his thoughts
of his long life.
wandered
scenes
feverishlythrough the various
he was
While
speaking two half-caste boys had entered, who were
brothers of the young
girl. I wished him good-night,and made up
bed for myself in the other hut.
a
the next
On my visitinghim
morning I found him very feeble ;
he had sleptbadly, and his wasted
hands
were
burning with fever.
I begged that he would
allow
to nurse
me
him, and assist him in

only

about

the arrangement

Uruguayana

at

death

off work

all

last.

With

course

of

the

letter

few

'

years

in beautiful

send

to

to

Dr.

dozen

Pujol,the

had

might

been

his
And

accustomed

Governor

to

put

be

at the
postponed even
me
again in the
then be grazing in the fields,
dwelling completed and fitted
if to begin at once
with
as

commissioned

knives

the

Hopeless
thought of

to visit him

invited

latter,he

the

him

as

ftimiture.

entertain

not

he

death

order, and

all necessary
for

would

cattle would

to his Mends

all offers of assistance.

that

air he

him

forks.

and
of

He

Herr

ask

to

me

also gave

me

CJorrientes,requesting me

to

it at Eestauracion.

post
I

to

cheerful

arrangements
Kasten

appeared,he
think

conduct

or
affairs,

declined

he

but

through life,so
a

'

garden
with

up

seemed

; he

of his

of any

condition

his

as

month

begged

wrote

upon

him
the

to

give me

his

of

old

back

an

autograph
letter

'

as

Aim6

Bonpland.'

badly written,'he remarked, and wrote his name

less successfully. Ah,' he exclaimed, I
even
'

power
cheek.

to write

Probably

it seemed

;' and
this

was

the

to

me

last

as

time

if

and

remembrance,

have
tear

that

second

he

no

stole
ever

That

he
is

time, but

longer the
down

his

wrote

his

name.

had

committed

the

the
imprudence on
acceding to the request of my guide,urged on
stipulatedfor
plea,to pay him the sum
I

previous evening of
an
able
apparently reasonthe journey. During

412

APPENDIX.

nighthe decamped with both horses. Bonpland "eelyoffered

the use
of his ridinghorse,onlyregretting
that he could not
me
faraish me
with a guide. I saddled my steed,and fall of sadnea
took my leave.
The
old man
pressedmy hand between his two
the

wasted

hands.

As

I left the

apartment

he

called after

me

'

Come
*

Bon voyage !
to Hxmiboldt.
me
again,and remember
after
On May 11, tweniy-three
visit,Bonpland died.
days
my
The
The words used by Humboldt
npon the death of Blnmenbach"'
death of Herr
other
like
of
men
science,
Blnmenbach, who,
many
has had the misfortune
to survive
somewhat
a
reputation
literary
too readily
to Bonpland,who
acquired are still more
applicable
had certainly
his
outlived
long
celebriiy.
and

see

me

'

"

"ND

OF

THE

LOinX"N:
BPOmSWOOOK

AND
AJfD

FIRST

PRIBTBD

00.,

PARLIAMKifT

VOLUME.

BT

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