74 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



engagement with the English under Nelson 

 the communication with Alexandria had been 

 suspended. In the early part of the year 1799, 

 Alexander von Humboldt, accompanied by 

 Bonpland, visited Spain, in order to realize 

 their intended departure to some Transatlantic 

 country. But this journey served also as a 

 scientific excursion. Humboldt, by the aid of 

 his rare instruments, was enabled to ascertain 

 the height and astronomical position of many 

 important points. He ascended the high Den- 

 telles of the Montserrat, and ascertained the 

 exact height of the central plains of Castile ; 

 whilst Bonpland examined the world of plants, 

 and secured rich treasures. Soon after their 

 arrival in Madrid, circumstances assumed a 

 more favourable aspect. The ambassador of 

 Saxony, M. de Forell, evinced a lively interest 

 in Humboldt' s plans, and presented him and 

 Bonpland to the intelligent Spanish Minister, 

 Don Mariano Luis de Urquijo, by whose influ- 

 ence Humboldt obtained an audience from the 

 Spanish Court, at Aranjuez. Here he had an 

 opportunity of explaining to the King the sci- 

 entific reasons for his contemplated travels, 

 and also the material benefits of his probable 

 discoveries. He was so fortunate in his repre- 

 sentations, that the King of Spain expressed 



