146 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



the traces of departed nations and their lan- 

 guages, and had his researches not nnfrequently 

 concentrated on one single point, the younger 

 brother surveyed the physical aspect of the 

 globe. Both found their point of union again 

 in the study of the various races of men, their 

 intellectual capacities, and the variety of their 

 languages. 



Alexander von Humboldt must about this 

 time have paid a visit to Gothe, at Weimar, 

 because in a letter addressed by the poet to 

 "Wilhelm von Humboldt, December 1st, 1831, 

 we find the following passage : " I am much 

 indebted to your brother, for whom I cannot 

 find a surname, for a few hours of unrestrained 

 conversation ; and although his geological 

 views, and manner of investigation, make my 

 cerebral systems altogether impossible, I have 

 observed, with sincere regard and admiration, 

 how facts of which I cannot convince myself, 

 appear to him perfectly clear, and in absolute 

 continuity with his comprehensive acquaintance 

 of nature, preserved intact by the rare symmetry 

 of his amiable character." 



Already in the year 1830 Wilhelm von Hum- 

 boldt regarded the vigorous health of his brother 

 a fortunate phenomenon, and cherished the 

 hope that he, if the survivor, would watch over 



