OF BARON HUMBOLDT. 149 



3. the first Maps of the New World, and the 

 epoch when the name "America" was univer- 

 sally applied ; 4. the Progress of Nautical 

 Astronomy and Geography in the 15th and 16th 

 century." In the year 1838 Humboldt pub- 

 lished, in Gotta* s Quarterly Review, " A Politico- 

 Economical Treatise with reference to the va- 

 cillating Condition of the Production of Gold, 

 based on his Investigation of the Ural Moun- 

 tains ;" and during the years 1839-40 he pub- 

 lished " A New Hypsometric Map of the Moun- 

 tain- chains and the Volcanoes of Central Asia." 

 In the midst of these important labours, the 

 death of Friedrich Wilhelm III., king of Prussia, 

 an event which concerned Humboldt more im- 

 mediately, occasioned a temporary interruption 

 in the progress of his works, though his position 

 remained, after the accession of Friedrich Wil- 

 helm IV., entirely unchanged. The new king 

 had long enjoyed the acquaintance of Humboldt ; 

 his love for art and science, and his desire for 

 refined society, drew him naturally towards the 

 great philosopher, notwithstanding their hete- 

 rogenous views concerning political and religious 

 matters. Baron Humboldt became the confi- 

 dential friend of the new king ; his companion 

 and scientific counsellor. He lived henceforth 

 in the immediate vicinity of the king, whom he 



