B8 MEMOIR OF 



ordinary elevation of character to the Sovereign, who 

 can thus appreciate the services, and thus concihate 

 to himself and his family, the devoted attachment of 

 such a man. He will reverence the philosopher 

 vvliose elegant accomplishments add a tenfold value 

 to his lofty acquirements, by imparting to him that 

 influence of familiar friendship, which has thus bent 

 towards the more refining and ennobling pursuits of 

 civil life the tastes and the energies of an absolute 

 military monarch. He will bear in mind that, on 

 the hallowed banks of the Cephisus, the Loves were 

 the associates of Wisdom ; the promoters of all that 

 is excellent in man ; * and, while he may lament 

 that the rays of royal favour do not always beam on 

 science and on art, he will wish that science and art 

 vv^ere ever so combined with an amiable and elegant 

 gentleness of character, as in their union at once to 

 command respect and conciliate affection." 



The favour which the late king of Prussia so 

 long evinced for Humboldt, has been continued 

 by his son and successor, the present monarch. 

 When his majesty came to the court of Great 

 Britain, in January 1842, for the purpose of offi- 

 ciating as one of the sponsors at the baptism of 

 the Prince of Wales, the venerable philosopher was 

 »ot the least remarkable member of his suite. This 

 was a mark of distinction alike creditable to the 

 patriotic king, as to his celebrated subject ; and it 

 afforded the latter an opportunity of renewing his 

 acquaintance with men of science in this country. 

 * The Medea of Euripides. 



