OF BAEON HUMBOLDT. 165 



various forces of nature, and is also not mate- 

 rially influenced by the peculiar or the general 

 character of a region. He said: " Where in 

 extensive plains uniformly associated plants 

 cover the ground, and where the eye sur- 

 veys an almost unlimited expanse, where the 

 waves of the sea play gently near the shore, 

 in every department of nature we realize an 

 indistinct presentiment of her existence in ac- 

 cordance with internal and everlasting laws." 



If such conception of nature reveals to the 

 observer a mysteriously-hidden influence, he 

 will enjoy its invigorating power in his soul. 

 It will pacify the heart, allay raging passions, 

 restore peace, and he will admire the remark- 

 able directness with which nature unfolds her 

 secret powers. I apprehend that every senti- 

 ment of solemnity and of seriousness, which in 

 such moments possess the heart, is based on 

 the almost unconscious perception of a higher 

 order of things, an internal law of nature. 



The enjoyment offered by nature is within 

 the reach of all, not only the man of science, 

 but accessible to those less informed, percep- 

 tible on all points of our earth, manifested in 

 the continual changes of both the animal and 

 vegetable life. 



Humboldt recognised a yet higher enjoy- 



