THWARTED PLANS. 247 



numerous instruments. Ten days afterwards, on June 4, the 

 horizon was covered by a thick mist, a presage of favourable 

 winds and the signal for departure. 



The following letters were penned by Humboldt as farewell 

 greetings to his friends Von Moll and Willdenow : 



To Von Moll. 



' Corunna : June 5, 1790. 



c In a few hours we shall be sailing round Cape Finisterre. 

 .... I shall make collections of plants and fossils, and I shall 

 hope to make some astronomical observations with the excellent 

 instruments I have with me. I intend to institute a chemical 

 analysis of the atmosphere. . . . But all this does not form the 

 main object of my journey. My attention will ever be directed 

 to observing the harmony among the forces of nature, to re- 

 marking the influence exerted by inanimate creation upon the 

 animal and vegetable kingdoms. . . . 



c A. HUMBOLDT.' 



To Wittdenow. 



1 Corunna : June 5, 1799. 



' On the eve of my departure in the frigate ' Pizarro,' allow 

 me once more, my dear friend, to recall myself to your re- 

 membrance. In five days we shall be at the Canaries, whence 

 we sail with letters to the coast of Caracas, and thence to La 

 Trinidad in Cuba. Give my affectionate regards to your wife 

 ;md children and Hermes, and my kind greetings to Zollner, 

 the two Klaproths, Hermbstedt, and whoever else may re- 

 member me. I hope we may meet again in health and peace. 

 I shall bear you ever in remembrance. 



6 Man must ever strive after all that is good and great ! ' 



