There are many minor errors, such as 40,000 baths instead 

 of 4,000 (Sabine, vol. ii. jd. 215). — Form instead of civilization. 

 which quite alters the sense (Sabine ii. p. 160, line 5.) — Such 

 an insight has been attributed, instead of a term that has 

 been applied (compare Sabine, vol. ii. p. 1 1 1, with Otte, p. 474.) 



These instances may suffice to establish my position, and I 

 hope it will not be necessary to extend them. 



With regard to No. 8, the Indexes, about which, however, 

 nothing has been advanced, I think it right to say that Messrs. 

 Longman and Murray's edition properly has indexes, but a 

 considerable part of the impression happens to have been 

 issued without them, and my copies, amongst many others, 

 were in this unlucky condition. 



Having now, I think, distinctly rebutted every implication 

 levelled at me on this subject, I have only to add, that I did 

 not undertake the translation of Cosmos at the express desire of 

 any one, but solely to please the public, and in accordance 

 with my own undertaking to give them books at low prices, 

 creditable alike to the reader and the publisher. 



Baron Humboldt is a kind-hearted and most exemplary 

 old man, a pattern to authors, and would give his consent, 

 and with it his good wishes, to any one desirous of availing 

 himself of his labours in promoting the cause of science. In- 

 deed the gentleman who originally proposed to undertake my 

 translation assured me that he had the express sanction of Pro- 

 fessor Humboldt himself. However this may be, I at least have 

 had the satisfaction of receiving the Baron's hearty commenda- 

 tions for what I have done, and his suggestions and advice 

 towards what I am about to do ; and as soon as possible the 

 public will have the benefit, in a cheap and elegant series of 

 the remainder of this great man's works. The public, espe- 

 cially newspaper readers, need hardly be told that I could 

 quote a volume of commendations on my edition, if I thought 

 it necessary. 



In my translation great attention has been paid to style as 

 well as accuracy, and I am quite sure that no foreigner, how- 

 ever cultivated, could improve it. 



HENRY G. BOHN. 



York-street, Feb. 23. 



