OFFICIAL EMPLOYMENT. 125 



Towards the end of August, the minister Von Heinitz arrived 

 at Bayreuth, and Humboldt there reported to him that in the 

 execution of the commission, he had not only made an inspec- 

 tion of the mines, and investigated the general formation of 

 the mountains, examining particularly the beds of ore, but 

 had collected statistical and general information concerning 

 the former mode of working the mines and smelting works. 

 He then enlarged upon the general character of the Fran- 

 conian mountains and the condition of the three mining 

 stations, Wunsiedel, Groldkronach, and Naila, their development 

 and decay, and upon the means of working the mines in such a 

 manner as to ensure their being self-supporting, and to allow 

 funds for repairs and improvements in short, he dwelt upon 

 ail that had reference to the administration and technical 

 arrangement of these mines and smelting works. Entering 

 upon his favourite subject, he discussed in a supplementary 

 report the nature of iron, and the formation of sulphuric acid 

 in the manufacture of alum and vitriol, besides reporting on 

 the salt works at Grerabronn and Schwabisch-Hall, on the 

 porcelain manufactory at Bruckberg, on the vitriol works at 

 Schwefelloch near Grrafenthal, &c. 



By this preliminary verbal report Humboldt at once gained 

 the warmest approbation of both ministers, and when he after- 

 wards presented it in the form of nearly 150 sheets of manu- 

 script, the acknowledgment was expressly made ' that . . . von 

 Humboldt had not only displayed therein a further proof of his 

 praiseworthy and indefatigable activity, but had with sound 

 judgment and penetration pointed out how by good manage- 

 ment, and a judicious application of scientific principles, the 

 mines, smelting furnaces, and salt works of the Franconian 

 Principalities might be raised to a condition of prosperity, and 

 even considerably extended, concluding with the recommen- 

 dation that the Report ' should be circulated among all the 

 officials of the department, in order that they might become 

 accurately acquainted with its details.' 



Such an acknowledgment, so honourable to all the parties 

 concerned, was not likely to remain long without results. 



Accordingly, on August 27, Humboldt writes to his friend : 



' Just two glad words, my dear friend, to tell you, on con- 



