1 66 Humboldt's Letters. 



purpose of improving our geographical knowledge of 

 Central Asia, appears to me as happy as it is likely to 

 prove fertile ; especially now that the literature of that 

 singular country is becoming more accessible daily by 

 the importation of Chinese books. What you have 

 stated respecting the magnetic chariots and hodometers 

 of the Emperor Tching-wang if you can entirely rely 

 on your authority gives a far higher idea of the ancient 

 civilization of China than any other fact which has yet 

 been produced. 



In a word, I must congratulate you on the appear- 

 ance of this work, as on another great achievement ; 

 and if as fame reports it is only the forerunner of 

 another on the early discovery of America, it is only 

 another proof that your funds are inexhaustible ! May 

 you have many years of health and strength granted 

 you to pour them forth ; and may each succeeding con- 

 tribution to our knowledge afford yourself as much 

 delight in its production as it is sure to do your readers 

 in its perusal. 



Miss Gibson writes word that you have more than 

 once enquired of her when my Cape observations will 

 appear. No one can regret more than myself the delay 

 which has taken place, but it has been unavoidable, as I 

 have had every part of the reduction to execute myself, 

 and the construction of the various catalogues, charts, 

 and minute details of every kind consume a world of 



