158 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



These numerous notes are a proof of the un- 

 exampled universality, immense information, 

 and extraordinary survey of Alexander von 

 Humboldt. In the composition of his works 

 he observed much prudence. They were ori- 

 ginally written in the French language, the 

 medium of the civilized world. By these means, 

 their speedy circulation was much accelerated. 



Their general influence insured the progress 

 of the newly-awakened interest in physical 

 science, besides securing a comparative exa- 

 mination of his method of investigation, and its 

 general acceptance. 



His works have been translated into several 

 languages. Some were translated under Hum- 

 boldt' s own supervision, and from others 

 extracts and treatises have been incorporated 

 into the languages of different nations. 



