Humboldt's Letters. 241 



presents but an insignificant point when compared to 

 that of which nature supplies the material. It was not 

 I who christened one of the Ammonites after me it is 

 the doing of the editors of the opuscule. I am, how- 

 ever, quite sure that neither my name nor even that of 

 Ammon was known when my godson was alive. 

 Thousand sincere homages, my dear Baron, 



METTERNICH. 



131. 



PRINCE ALBERT TO HUMBOLDT. 



WINDSOR CASTLE, February If &, 1847. 

 MY DEAR BARON: 



I HAVE been constantly impressed while gradually 

 reading the first volume of your "Kosmos" with my 

 desire to thank you for the high intellectual enjoyment, 

 its study has afforded me. 



I am really unable to give you an authoritative judg- 

 ment on this excellent work, which I received from 

 your hands, and to atone in some measure for this de- 

 fect, as well as to give some substantial character to the 

 expression of my thanks, I present you the accompany- 

 ing work (Catherwood's Views in Central America). 

 It may serve as an appendix to your own great work 



11 



