OF BARON HUMBOLDT. 119" 



ness and the hopes of the new world unfolded 

 to his view. He compared the poverty and 

 the grandeur of the new with the old world ; 

 he placed the Pelasgians and Greeks vis-a-vis 

 to the Indians ; and discovered in the contrast 

 mighty laws of historical life. 



After Baron Humboldt J s return to Paris, he 

 pursued more exclusively his literary labours, 

 and the supervision of the gradual publication 

 of the great work concerning his American 

 travels. These results of varied and import- 

 ant investigations embraced many branches of 

 science. His studies and observations afforded 

 rich material for further researches and com- 

 parisons ; and it became absolutely necessary 

 for Baron Humboldt to unite with other scien- 

 tific men, in order that special attention might 

 be paid to the several departments of science. 

 The most distinguished men of the day con- 

 sidered it an honour to co-operate with Hum- 

 boldt in this gigantic work. The whole is 

 written in the French language, and divided in 

 different series of. publications, relating to the 

 special departments of science. In the regula- 

 tion of the collected astronomical observations 

 and barometrical measurement of heights 

 Oltmann laboured successfully under the guid- 

 ance and with the assistance of Humboldt ; 



