COLLEGE LIFE. 65 



In those days it was customary for travellers to expend 

 much more time and pains than is usual now in seeking the 

 acquaintance of distinguished men, and this was one of the 

 motives that influenced Humboldt in the selection of this route 

 to Gottingen. It will not, therefore, be out of place to insert 

 here the letter of introduction from Professor Fischer, which 

 Humboldt, on his way to the University of Gottingen, delivered 

 to Johann Friedrich Pfaff, professor at the University of Helm- 

 sta'dt, and the most distinguished mathematician at that time 

 in Germany : l 



6 The bearer of this letter,' writes Fischer on April 5, 

 1789, 'is Herr von Humboldt, the younger of two brothers, 

 in whose education, both as regards mathematics and the 

 study of the ancient languages, I have for many years taken 

 a not unimportant part. You may possibly recall hearing 

 me mention the name when you were at Berlin. The elder 

 brother is already at Gottingen, and the younger one is on his 

 way to join him. He wishes to make your acquaintance, and I 

 venture to think that the acquaintance will prove an agreeable 

 one also to yourself. The two brothers are highly gifted both 

 in head and heart, and have received an excellent education ; 

 therefore not one according to the present fashion of these times. 

 The younger one is a student of political economy, in the 

 various branches of which he has attained considerable pro- 

 ficiency. Had he been able to devote his attention exclu- 

 sively or even partially to mathematics, I am convinced he 

 would have become a distinguished mathematician ; but I tru^t 

 he will find the knowledge he already possesses of the sub- 

 ject sufficient for all practical purposes. I lose in him not 

 only a good pupil, but also a friend whose society I shall 

 miss.' .... 



How highly this acquaintance was appreciated on both sides 

 is apparent from the friendly and confidential letter which 

 Humboldt, during the first few weeks of his residence at Got- 

 tingen, addressed to Pfaff. 2 The letter, which bears date May 1 1, 

 1789, contains interesting comments upon some of his studies, 



1 ' Sammlung von Briefen gewechselt zwischen Johann Friedrich Pfaff, 

 u. s. w., herausgegeben von Dr. Karl Pfaff' (Leipzig, 1853), p. 170. 

 3 Ibid. p. 231. 

 VOL. I. F 



