HOME LIFE. 343 



formed of the importance that was attached to Humboldt's 

 return an event which, in the midst of scenes of such ex- 

 citement, could yet arouse the keenest interest. On his re- 

 turn, he was not only met by his old friends with expressions 

 of undiminished affection, but he found himself surrounded by 

 many new acquaintances, among whom Gay-Lussac, 1 already 

 known to fame through his researches in chemistry, and Fran- 

 cois Arago, whom he met with somewhat later, deserve especial 

 mention. The admiring wonder excited by the display of 

 his treasures, and the interest aroused by the narrative of his 

 journey, were enhanced by the conviction of the personal 

 heroism which had enabled him successfully to encounter 

 so many dangers, and undergo such long-continued exertion. 

 With unexampled success had this important undertaking been 

 carried out by the ability, intelligence, learning, and perse- 

 verance, of a private individual, actuated by no motive of 

 personal advantage, but solely by the pure love of science. 

 It was not so much the fulness and depth of knowledge 

 evinced, nor the charm and truth of the narrative, nor yet the 

 generosity and unreservedness of the speaker ; but, far more, 

 the unpretending love of truth, the spirit of benevolence, 

 and the wonderful power of organisation displayed in the con- 

 ception of new theories which, when expressed in a grand 

 flow of eloquence, captivated all hearts and enchained all 

 minds. Humboldt was feted wherever he went, not only in 



1 The commencement of the friendship between these distinguished men 

 is thus related by Arago, in his Eloge on Gay-Lussac (' Franz Arago 's 

 Siininitliche Werke, herausgegeben von Hankel,' vol. iii. p. 14) : ' Among 

 the persons assembled in the drawing-room of the country-house at Arcueil, 

 Humboldt one day remarked a young man of tall figure and of a modest but 

 self-possessed demeanour. In answer to his inquiries, he was informed 

 that it was Gay-Lussac, the physicist, who, in the hope of solving some 

 important problems in physical science, had made some of the most daring 

 balloon ascents at that time on record. " It is he, then," replied Humboldt, 

 " who wrote the severe criticism upon my work on Eudiometry '' (see p. 

 235). Soon repressing the feelings of animosity which such a remin- 

 iscence could hardly fail to arouse, Humboldt approached Gay-Lussac, 

 and, after a few complimentary words upon his aeronautic expeditions, 

 offered him his hand, and begged to be allowed the honour of his friend- 

 ship. It was the unreserved expression of, " Let us be friends, Cinna ! " 

 The friendship thus commenced continued unbroken, and was productive 

 of the happiest results.' 



