Humboldt's Letters. 189 



and dignified in your work the old word discipline, 

 in its relation to science. "Would to God, that the 

 true meaning of this word could, in political society, 

 also recover its eternal rights. If my own impres- 

 sions are of but little value, it is different with those 

 of the men of science. Their judgment is overflowing 

 with admiration, and I agree with them in the convic- 

 tion, that you alone of all living men could achieve the 

 task, and that the word Kosmos is the true and appro- 

 priate title of your work. 



I told you, that I have perused the first volume of 

 your work, I am now studying it, and I wish to thank 

 you for the really delightful hours, which you have 

 opened to me. I call all these hours delightful which 

 I can snatch from the uninviting field of political distur- 

 bances, and devote to the natural sciences. 



Accept, dear Humboldt, the renewed assurance of my 

 sincere and well-known consideration. 



METTERNICH. 



00. 



JULES JANIN TO HUMBOLDT. 



STAR HOTEL AT BONN, 

 SUNDAY EVENING, August 10&, 1845. 

 DEAE SIR, I beg and entreat you to do an impos- 



