i88 Humboldt's Letters. 



METTERNICH TO HUMBOLDT. 



VIENNA, June 21st, 1845. 



MY DEAR BARON: 



ENCLOSED you will find my vote for the future col- 

 league. I expect that you will not look for my assistance 

 beyond the sphere of my principles ; but my principles 

 are so strongly influenced by a recommendation from 

 you, that the request and the grant are but one. I have 

 perused your Kosmos and have treated it as is my habit 

 with rich collections. The impression made on me by 

 the work will be best described by the avowal that it 

 caused in my mind two conflicting, or if you like better, 

 two mutually neutralizing sentiments one of satisfaction 

 at knowing so much, and one of regret at my great 

 ignorance. These sentiments, however, sink into 

 nothingness when compared with the admiration of that 

 knowledge which alone can have enabled you to accom- 

 plish that gigantic enterprise. Knowledge alone, how- 

 ever, would not suffice and hence I am led to acknow- 

 ledge the full merit of the author his great power 

 of representation and his method ! You have applied 



