226 Humboldt's Letters. 



electioneering to which the world is addicted. The 

 King and his Chancellor are the sound appreciates of 

 scientific merit, and I know how to designate the place 

 which belongs to me in the avenue of science, and 

 which, to my great regret, is far from the sanctuary. 



What I have just told you, my dear Baron, is neither 

 gasconade nor an excess of modesty ; it is the unvar- 

 nished history of my life. You do not know this his- 

 tory, and I will relate it to you in a few words. 



At the age at which life takes its direction, I con- 

 tracted an inclination for the exact and natural sciences 

 which I would permit myself to describe as irresistible, 

 and a disgust for practical life which I would call uncon- 

 querable, if I had not overcome both this disgust and 

 this inclination. It is fate that disposes of individuals, 

 and their qualities as well as their defects decide upon 

 their careers. Fate has separated me from the object 

 of my choice, and has thrust me upon the road I should 

 not have chosen. Once started, I submitted without 

 losing sight of the goal of my wishes, and the result was 

 that what I should have wished to regard as the aim of 

 my life has become only the solace of it. The King has 

 set the mark of a learned man upon me. I know to 

 whom this is to be attributed. If it is a question of 

 the heart, the King is not mistaken. 



What you tell me of the forthcoming second volume 

 of Cosmos, makes me look forward to the study of it 



