X INTKODUCnON. 



his assistance for themselves or their friends, and in no case 

 was it refused. The applicants returned from the interview 

 cheered, inspired, and full of affectionate veneration for the 

 man who, in the midst of his immense labours, could yet give 

 an hour to themselves and their plans. No rational appeal 

 to him was ever slighted, and the vast influence which he 

 possessed, in his later years, was always exerted in the 

 behalf of science, and her earnest votaries. 



Jealousy of his fellow-labourers formed no part of his 

 nature. His enthusiasm was too pure and ardent to be 

 alloyed by any personal consideration. Not his own fame 

 — ^not his supremacy as an observer or a theorizer — but the 

 advancement of human knowledge, the discovery of grand 

 general laws — the footsteps of God in the Creation — was 

 his aim and his ambition. What he has done is not to be 

 measured by his own individual achievements : the generous 

 impulse which he has given to others cannot be estimated. 

 The vast results which have followed scientific research, 

 since the commencement of this century, were initiated by 

 his example ; he pointed out to others the tracks which he 

 could not himself follov/, and, even when acknowledged as a 

 leader, never hesitated to labor with the humblest. In this 

 respect, his character presents an almost ideal excellence. 



The lesson of Humboldt's life is not without its special 

 significance at the present day, when the thirst for wealtli, 

 and place, and power, seems hotter and fiercer than ever. 

 With the advantages of his birth and inherited position, 

 many paths of advancement were oj^en to him, but he dis- 

 dained them all, sacrincmg everything to his love of know- 



