WEIMAR AND JENA. 179 



preface to the c Aspects of Nature,' Humboldt remarks : 

 ' During my long sojourn at Jena, Schiller frequently conversed 

 with me upon physiological subjects while recalling the medical 

 studies of his youth, and the experiments upon which I was 

 then engaged on the effect produced on the muscles and 

 nerves by contact with chemically different substances often 

 gave a specific turn to our discourse.' 



Freiesleben also refers to many delightful evenings spent 

 amid the intellectual circle at Schiller's house, when Groethe 

 and the two Humboldts engaged in interesting converse on 

 anatomy while discussing their zoological preparations. 



Alexander von Humboldt was one of the first to be invited 

 by Schiller to contribute to his new periodical 'Die Horen,' -\/ 

 and was, indeed, the only natural philosopher whose assistance 

 was sought by the poet. By a fortunate chance, Humboldt's 

 answer to Schiller's request has been preserved ; it is dated 

 from the head-quarters of General von Mollendorf, and is as 

 follows : 



' Cantonment Quarters, Florsheim : August 6, 1794. 



' How can I excuse myself, my honoured friend, for my delay 

 in replying to your letter ! Never has my vanity, and that of a 

 noble kind, been so highly flattered as by your invitation to 

 assist you in the dissemination of philosophical ideas. I have 

 hitherto pursued my literary course in a manner so isolated 

 and unobtrusive that I could hardly suppose I had attracted 

 any attention. How can I then sufficiently value the distinction 

 of your notice ? 



' The rapidity of my movements while travelling with the 

 minister Von Hardenberg, to whom I am at present bound both 

 by duty and inclination, prevented me from gratifying my wish 

 of visiting you at Jena. Just now, my ill-fortune has led me 

 hither, where I ana engaged in diplomacy to me an untried 

 career and I am obliged for the most part to follow the army 



I under the command of the field-marshal. Pray ascribe my 

 ong silence, as well as the want of connection in this letter, to 

 ny present unsettled state. I hope soon to regain my freedom, 

 tfhen I shall devote my energies to the great task I have set 

 nyself, to the accomplishment of which all my efforts are 

 jven now directed. 

 "' 



