HOME LIFE. 359 



c Though vast mountain ranges and an immeasurable ocean, 

 and other aspects of Nature if possible more impressive and 

 sublime, have intervened between those days and the present 

 though a thousand wondrous forms have since passed before 

 my mind, yet " the new has always been interwoven with the 

 old," the unfamiliar has been assimilated with the associations 

 of bygone days, and I have been constrained to admit, while 

 ranging the forests of the Amazon, or scaling the heights of 

 the Andes, that there is but One Spirit animating the whole of 

 Nature from pole to pole but One Life infused into stones, 

 plants, and animals, and even into man himself. In all my 

 wanderings I was impressed with the conviction of the powerful 

 influence that had been exerted upon me by the society I en- 

 joyed at Jena, of how, through association with Groethe, my 

 views of Nature had been elevated, and I had, as it were, be- 

 come endowed with new perceptive faculties. 



6 The kind way in which you also speak of my little work 

 on the " Physiognomy of Plants " has made me very happy. 

 My whole being seems fuller of life and energy, but I dare not 

 always give expression to my feelings. Just now I brood 

 much over myself, for I lead a sad and isolated life. There is 

 nobody with whom I can sympathise, and this is a very melan- 

 choly and depressing sensation. Will not you and Groethe be 

 coming to Lauchstadt ? for I might hope to see you there, 

 dear friend. Remember me to dear Schiller, kiss the little ones 

 for me, and convey to Goethe the assurance of my filial regard. 



c Ever yours, 



' HUMBOLDT.' 



To Von Zach. 



1 Berlin : September 19, 1806. 



.... c I shall be occupied for two years in arranging the 

 materials for the publication of the results of this journey. 

 .... I only hope the astronomical portion may please you 

 and prove worthy of you, for to you it owes its existence. But 

 for you the starry heavens in their tropical splendour would 

 liave had no charm for me ; to you am I indebted for the 

 calm and peaceful happiness afforded by the contemplation of 

 Nature in one of her grandest aspects certainly one of the 



