150 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



generally accompanied on his various journeys. 

 In 1840, Humboldt was engaged on a treatise 

 regarding his ascent of the Chimborazo, and 

 the mean height of the continent ; a critical 

 memoire respecting some important points of 

 Guiana ; the gradual completion of his " Cos- 

 mos ; " with the additional achievements of 

 science since its first commencement ; likewise 

 with the publication of the posthumous MSS. 

 of his brother Wilhelm; and assisted, lastly, 

 as a member of the royal commission charged 

 with the publication of the works of Fre- 

 derick the Great. From these various and im- 

 portant labours, the king called Humboldt in 

 January 1842, in order to accompany him to 

 England, to the baptism of the Prince of Wales. 

 Though he enjoyed this special mark of the 

 king's favour, and met with a respectful recep- 

 tion from the Court of England, his personality 

 gave to this royal visit a special significance. 

 The intelligence of England paid, on every 

 public appearance of Baron Humboldt, a well- 

 deserved homage to the great savant. In Berlin, 

 Potsdam, and the other royal residences, apart- 

 ments were reserved for him, and he was in daily 

 intercourse with the king. Notwithstanding his 

 years, his industry was remarkable ; he observed 

 a great punctuality in his immense correspond- 



