160 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



tions uniformity and inherent vitality, lie pro- 

 ceeds from the position of physical science at 

 the period mentioned the year 1827-8, and 

 notices the progressive development of natural 

 philosophy. 



This may be considered the external history 

 of the stupendous work which has appeared 

 in modern days under the name of " Cosmos." 



But this work has also an internal history, 

 and reveals the life of Alexander von Humboldt 

 in its intellectual development. It is the 

 testament and the legacy which he left to the 

 world. 



Humboldt himself remarked, "that on the 

 evening of his eventful life he would offer to the 

 German nation a work, the picture of which had 

 been, though in indefinite outlines, for more 

 than half a century before his mind." 



He recognised the importance of his scientific 

 legacy, for he knew that his individual life must 

 soon come to a close. The realization of this 

 great object had often appeared to him impos- 

 sible. Yet he resolved to complete the results 

 of his life-long researches, and believed that he 

 owed the world a general resume of his more than 

 fifty years' observation and study. Hence he 

 returned again and again to this great project, 

 feeling an increasing anxiety to make the mag- 



