236 ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. 



determination of superseding the septuagenarian Bougainville 

 by appointing Captain Baudin to the command of the expedi- 

 tion. I had scarcely heard of this decision before I received an 

 invitation from the Government to embark on board the 

 " Vulcain," one of the three corvettes forming the expedition. 

 I was empowered to equip myself with the necessary instruments 

 from the national collections, which were all placed at my dis- 

 posal. My advice was asked in the selection of scientific men 

 and in all matters connected with the preparations for the 

 expedition. Many of my friends were opposed to the idea of 

 my undertaking a voyage of five years' duration ; but my deter- 

 mination remained unshaken, and I should have despised 

 myself had I declined such an opportunity for accomplishing 

 useful work. l The ships were ready for sea, and I had already 

 acceded to the request of Bougainville that I would take charge 

 of his son, a youth of fifteen, whom he was anxious should 

 become early accustomed to the dangers of the sea. Our 

 companions were well chosen, men of considerable attainments, 

 in the prime of life, and capable of great physical exertion. 

 How earnestly we looked at each other on our first meeting ! 

 Strangers till that moment, and then to live for several years in 

 close intercourse ! We were to spend the first year in Paraguay 

 and Patagonia, the second year in Peru, Chili, Mexico, and 

 California, the third year in navigating the Southern Ocean, 

 the fourth in Madagascar, and the fifth on the coast of Africa, 



What an intolerable grief that in one fortnight all 



these hopes have been shattered ! A paltry 300,000 francs and 

 the apprehension of a speedy declaration of war are said to be 

 the reasons. My personal influence with Fra^ois de Neuf- 

 chateau, who is well disposed towards me, and every other 

 spring of action that could be set in motion, were all in vain. In 

 .Paris, where the expedition had excited so much interest, we 



1 Humboldt had indeed little confidence in the personal character of 

 Captain Baudin, who had given great dissatisfaction at the court of 

 Vienna on the occasion of his being commissioned to convey the young 

 botanist Van der Schott to Brazil. As, however, he could never hope to 

 undertake with his own means so extensive a voyage, and see so large a 

 portion of the globe, he resolved to risk his fortunes with him, and hoped to 

 meet with success. 



