FEOM REVOLUTION OF JULY TO DEATH OF THE KING. 215 



gradually led to contemplate the universe in the higher aspect 

 depicted in ' Cosmos,' where local peculiarities are attributed to 

 modifications of general laws. To make the contrast more 

 forcible, it might be said that Humboldt brings out the law 

 even where it is shown in isolated phenomena, while Eitter 

 points out isolated phenomena while showing their connection 

 with an established law. In the chapter in the first volume 

 of ' Cosmos,' ' On the Limits prescribed to a Scientific De- 

 lineation of the Physical Phenomena of the Universe,' Hum- 

 boldt has taken great pains to mark the distinction between 

 the contemplation of Nature in her unity an idea that had 

 long presented itself before his mind and the pursuit of 

 science in its various branches, also between the description of 

 physical phenomena and the same phenomena brought into 

 comparison with other facts in Nature ; but that he failed 

 always to realise this distinction is proved by the circumstance 

 that in the specific description of Nature in the fourth volume 

 he has introduced ' the list of active volcanoes,' which in the 

 first volume had been theoretically rejected. If from this it is 

 evident that there were many points of sympathy, and op- 

 portunities for mutual assistance, in the studies engaging the 

 attention of Humboldt and Eitter, it is also evident that they 

 mutually availed themselves as much as possible of each other's 

 labours. In all points of physical science Eitter must be re- 

 garded as Humboldt's pupil, while Humboldt, on his part, knew 

 how to value and appreciate, as the letter above quoted amply 

 testifies, the remarkable extent of his friend's historic know- 

 ledge. It was undoubtedly through their joint labours that 

 physical geography was raised to the dignity of a science. 



The strong taste for historical research ever conspicuous in 

 Humboldt was never more apparent than during the ten years 

 to which this chapter is devoted. The ' Examen critique de 

 1'Histoire de la Greographie du Nouveau Continent, et des Pro- 

 gres de 1' Astronomic nautique dans les XV e et XVI e Siecles,' 

 forming the text to the 6 Atlas geographique et physique,' pub- 

 lished in 1814, was brought out by Gride towards the close of 

 1833 as a single folio volume, the octavo edition not being pub- 

 lished till 1838. The origin of this work may be traced to the 

 period Humboldt spent at Paris while engaged in the publication 



