OF BAEON HUMBOLDT. 161 



nificent results of his labors beneficial to Ms own 

 country, and to the world at large. 



The work in question he wrote originally in 

 the German language. 



The principal aim of Humboldt' s extensive 

 investigation was to regard all natural pheno- 

 mena in their general and absolute relation 

 nature as a whole pervaded and sustained by- 

 internal powers. The discovery of a supposed 

 isolated phenomenon aided the mutual process 

 of investigation. Humboldt explains the com- 

 plicated causes of the multifarious forms of 

 being, and ever directs to the all-pervading 

 laws relative to the connection of all natural 

 phenomena. 



The favourable position of Baron Humboldt 

 aided considerably the execution of his work. 

 His own personal exploration, not only of the 

 coast of transatlantic countries, but his penetra- 

 tion into the interior, and the investigation of 

 extensive regions in two hemispheres, revealed 

 to him most remarkable contrasts of natural 

 life, the South American tropics and the 

 steppes of North Asia. 



These phenomena urged Baron Humboldt to 

 comparisons and general surveys ; they enabled 

 him to recognise the union of heaven and 

 earth the great picture of the physical Cosmos. 



II 



