174 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



propositions of the highest reason; I cannot understand it, 

 though I see it take place every day. But is it necessary to 

 understand everything ? I repeat : our mighty conqueror of 

 the world of science is perhaps the greatest orator. Not only 

 are all facts present to his mind in consequence of his prodigious 

 memory, but he knows how to use them with the greatest skill 

 and boldness. The initiated see clearly enough where weakness 

 has entwined itself round strength, while strength is not averse 

 to be decked in the garb of fragile beauty. 



' And so the effect of such a paradox, when skilfully and 

 energetically propounded, is powerful ; many of our boldest 

 scientific investigators are brought thereby to imagine that 

 they can grasp the incomprehensible. To them, on the con- 

 trary, I appear as an obstinate arch-heretic, wherein may God 

 graciously maintain and confirm us. Selah ! ' 



With a yet fuller appreciation of Alexander's views, Groethe 

 thus wrote to William von Humboldt, on December 1, 1831 : 1 



' I have been greatly indebted to your brother, for whom I 

 can find no suitable epithet, for several hours of unreserved 

 and friendly intercourse. For although his method of viewing 

 the facts of geology and his mode of reasoning upon them is 

 altogether opposed to my cerebral system, yet I have observed 

 with warm interest, not unmixed with astonishment, that what 

 .1 could not myself receive is logically apprehended by him, 

 and incorporated among his vast stores of knowledge, to the 

 value of which it will owe its preservation.' 



Of an earlier date there are also many expressions testifying 

 to his appreciation of Humboldt's surprising gifts. In the 

 ' Elective Affinities ' 2 Ottilie writes in her Journal : ' That 

 investigator of nature alone is worthy of homage who is able 

 graphically to reproduce with all the force of local colouring, 

 and faithful delineation of surrounding accessories, everything 

 that to our minds is most foreign and unfamiliar. How 

 glad I should be, if only for once, to hear Humboldt recount 

 his travels ! ' In the ' Maximen und Reflexionen ' occurs the 

 passage : ' The most remarkable men of the sixteenth and 

 seventeenth centuries were in themselves schools of learning, 



1 Schlesier, ' Leben Wilhelrn von Humboldt's.' 



2 ' Die Wahlverwandtsehaften/ vol. ii, chap. vii. 



