BARON VON HUMBOLDT. 21 



him now to propose undertaking a voyage to the 

 New Continent. From his majesty he obtained the 

 extraordinary privilege of visiting and exploring, 

 without impediment or restriction, all the extensive 

 territories in America, then belonging to the Crown 

 of Spain. He immediately wrote to his friend M. 

 Aime Bonpland, who had returned to Paris, to 

 engage him to join in the vast enterprise which he 

 had conceived. M. Bonpland readily accepted the 

 invitation, and the two philosophers, well provided 

 with instruments, proceeded towards Corunna, where 

 they were to embark, making by the way observa- 

 tions upon the geology, climate, and productions of 

 the country they traversed. 



On the afternoon of the 5th of June, 1799, 

 they sailed from Corunna, on board the Spanish 

 corvette Pizarro. At nightfall they spied the fire 

 of a fishing-hut, the light of which mingled itself 

 with the stars that rose on the horizon. This 

 was the last object they beheld on the coast of Eu- 

 rope, and drew from Humboldt the following fine 

 reflections : " Our eyes remained involuntarily 

 fixed upon it. Such impressions do not fade from 

 the memory of those who have undertaken long 

 voyages, at an age when the emotions of the heart 

 are in full force. How many recollections are 

 awakened in the imagination by a luminous point, 

 which, in the middle of a dark night, appearing at 

 intervals above the agitated waves, marks the shore 

 of one's native land !" The vessel having touched 

 at Teneriffe, the travellers made an inspection of 



