402 APPENDIX. 



the frontier of Brazil, a few miles from the left bank of the Uruguay, 

 where he continued to reside, with frequent visits to the Estancia of 

 Santa Anna, for thirteen years. 



The release of Bonpland excited universal joy throughout Europe, 

 and marks of distinction were showered upon him from all quarters 

 in the wish to compensate him for the severe experiences he had 

 encountered. From Berlin, where he had spent several months 

 during the summer of 1806, he received the order of the Bed Eagle. 

 In announcing to him the presentation of this honour, Humboldt 

 remarked : ' I am aware of your philosophic principles, but we 

 thought that in your relationships with Brazil (if you have any) it 

 might perhaps be of use to you.' A doctor's diploma, and various 

 honorary degrees from different literary institutions, were conferred 

 upon him in addition. The Imperial Leopold- Charles Academy for 

 Natural Science could find no more euphonious name for their 

 official organ for comprehensive botany than that of ' Bonplandia.' 



TJie interest manifested throughout Europe in everything con- 

 nected with Bonpland was not more remarkable than the number 

 and variety of the reports in circulation concerning him. At one 

 time he was represented as wishing to return to France with his 

 extensive collections, at another time he was said to be devising 

 vast schemes to be carried out in the country of his adoption. 

 After his release a medium of communication between him and 

 Humboldt was opened through the good offices of Herr von Giilich, 

 Prussian Charge d' Affaires and Consul- General in Chili, and from 

 this correspondence a lively picture may be gathered of Bonpland' s 

 mode of life, of the affectionate nature of his disposition, of his in- 

 defatigable industry, of the freshness of his heart and mind, as well 

 as of the hopes and plans still cherished by him in imagination, even 

 when at an advanced period of life. 



His correspondence with Humboldt extended over nearly thirty 

 years. He yearly forwarded his certificate that Humboldt might 

 draw for him the pension granted by the French Government. 

 With sympathising interest he followed the illustrious career of his 

 friend. ' Mon illustre ami,' he writes to him from Buenos Ayres on 

 July 1, 1832, ' je te vois tous les jours plus grand, et chaque instant 

 je t'admire davantage.' On July 12 in the same year he asks for a 

 line in Humboldt 's own hand, although he could not be seriously 

 apprehensive of his being attacked with cholera, ' parce que tu as 

 une grande force d'ame repressive pour tout ce qui t'est con- 

 traira.' The intelligence of the death of William von Humboldt, 

 communicated to him by Alexander on September 14, 1835, called 

 forth from him the most lively expressions of sympathy, with many 

 allusions to the past, and he made a resolution henceforth to keep 



