114 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



passage, which raged for seven days in the 

 canal of Bahama, arrived in Philadelphia. 

 - During his short residence in the United 

 States, Baron Humboldt in contrast to his 

 former investigations made himself acquainted 

 with the political institutions, and the condition 

 of the people of these states, and returned, after 

 an absence of five years, to Europe. In the 

 month of August, 1804, the renowned travellers 

 landed at the harbour of Bordeaux.* 



The safe arrival of Humboldt and his com- 

 panion caused unfeigned delight amongst their 

 numerous friends, and more especially to the 

 family of his brother Wilhelm, who occupied at 

 that time the post of ambassador at Rome. 



* Professor Agassiz to whom Humboldt proved himself 

 a kind and generous friend is at this time pushing forward 

 his explorations in South America. His party consists of 

 four divisions, one of which has for its field the peninsula 

 lying south of St. Paulo and between the Parana River and 

 the Atlantic Ocean. The second division has the sea-coast 

 extending from Bio de Janeiro to Bahia, and as far west- 

 ward as San Francisco River. The third division has the 

 interior, lying west of the San Francisco and between the 

 tenth degree of south latitude and the tropic of Capricorn. 

 The fourth division, at the head of which is Professor 

 Agassiz himself, has for its tract the great valley of the 

 Amazon, including its tributaries. This and the coast 

 section are the most interesting, if not the most important, 

 fields. 



