140 A VISIT TO THE SPANISH COLONIES. 



world. M. Bonpland of Eochelle, an excellent 

 naturalist, was named his associate in the expedi- 

 tion ; but unfortunately the whole scheme was 

 abandoned in consequence of the renewal of hos- 

 tilities with Austria. 



Disappointed in this plan, Humboldt resumed 

 the project which he had before entertained of 

 visiting, as a philosopher, the countries of the 

 East. In that view he was anxious to join the 

 celebrated expedition which had sailed to Egypt, 

 thinking he might thence proceed to India; but 

 the situation of France was becoming daily more 

 critical, and the fortunes of war again proved a 

 barrier to his proceeding. At length Humboldt 

 went to Spain, where a brighter prospect opened. 

 After residing some months at Madrid, he was, in 

 the most liberal and flattering terms, permitted by 

 the Spanish Court to visit her colonies in the New 

 World. He immediately invited from Paris his 

 friend Bonpland, whose profound skill in botany 

 and zoology was equalled only by his indefatigable 

 zeal ; and without a moment's delay, these eager 

 travellers, in June 1799, embarked at Corunna in a 

 Spanish ship, and after a prosperous voyage arrived 

 in the month of July at the port of Cumana, in 

 South America. The rest of the year was spent in 

 visiting the coast of Peru, the Indian missions of 

 Chaymas, and the provinces of New Andalusia, 



