136 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



second journey, the exploration of the interior 

 of the great Russian empire, to the Ural, the 

 Altai, and the Caspian Sea. 



We had occasion, in the earlier part of this 

 sketch, while giving a glimpse of Humboldt's 

 position as a man of science in the world of 

 knowledge, to refer to this journey. Baron 

 Humboldt was accompanied by Gustav Rose 

 and Ehrenberg, and in order to afford every 

 facility to the renowned traveller, the Russian 

 minister, Count Cancrin, noted as a friend and 

 protector of science, caused every arrangement 

 to be made which could insure the comfort 

 and the security of the travellers. A mining 

 officer, Menschenin, was ordered to be the 

 constant attendant of Baron Humboldt, in 

 order to give the necessary information re- 

 garding the route and the localities, and to 

 demand, in case of need, the assistance of the 

 authorities. Enjoying, by this means, all the 

 comforts of imperial hospitality, the travellers 

 left Petersburg May 20th, and proceeded by 

 way of Moscow on their journey. Near 

 Mschnei-Novgorod, they embarked, and ar- 

 rived, after a short voyage on the Yolga, 

 June 4th, at Kasan. They examined the Tartar 

 ruins near Bulgari, the ancient capital of 

 the Mongols, and continued their journey by 



