50 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



period. It was the age, as Humboldt observed, 

 of encyclical learning, the combination of geo- 

 graphical and astronomical progress, of a better 

 acquaintance with the motions of planets,' 

 though with regard to the knowledge of the 

 absolute size, the form, the matter, and 

 physical constitution of the globe, they re- 

 mained stationary. 



In the great Roman empire, Humboldt per- 

 ceived the first union of the three basins of the 

 Mediterranean before mentioned, together with 

 other extensive territories, under one govern- 

 ment. He fully appreciated the influence of 

 the union of many states under one rule upon 

 the progressive advancement of science, be- 

 cause the isolated channels of culture and 

 civilization here converge. Rome became the 

 centre of this new great circle; commerce 

 by land advanced geography; Strabo and 

 Ptolemy became the recognized guardians 

 of geographical and of mathematical science ; 

 mathematical optics and chemical science com- 

 menced ; and Pliny made the first attempt of a 

 physical description of the globe. Strabo, a 

 native of Amasia, in Cappadocia, in the year 

 20 A. D., became the author of the first work on 

 geography, in 17 volumes the result of pre- 

 vious and extensive travels. The seventh volume 



