318 HUMBOLDT S COSMOS : 



the Creator has gifted Man with a capacity for the pleasur- 

 able perception of these qualities in things created. The 

 existence of an innate moral sense has been the subject of 

 various doubt and controversy. But none can occur as to the 

 faculty of which we now speak. It forms part of the physi- 

 ology of the external senses. There is equal proof of its 

 existence as of that of the intellectual faculties ; and the only 

 thing which can create doubt or difficulty is the disparity in 

 the degree of this endowment in different individuals and 

 communities, and the vast improvement of which it is proved 

 to be susceptible from artificial cultivation. But the difficulty 

 is precisely the same as to the intellectual part of our nature. 

 For without being disciples of the German phrenology, we 

 cannot but recognise in common with all the world, those 

 original diversities of mind, those peculiar endowments and 

 propensities, which determine the character and genius of the 

 individual ; and which, under certain conditions, and under 

 laws governing the propagation of the human species, become 

 the germs of national character, and develope in classes and 

 communities of mankind qualities which were peculiar to 

 individuals in their origin and earlier progress. 



Much might be written, and much speculated, on this 

 latter topic ; but we allude to it only in connection with the 

 part of the Cosmos now before us. We think that our author 

 has in reality narrowed his views on the subject by this large 

 collection of particular descriptive passages, from different 

 languages and successive ages. The chief value of such a 

 collection must be the discrimination, as far as possible, of 

 the peculiarities of each age, race, or community ; and of the 

 causes whence these originate. To a certain extent this 

 object is fulfilled, but we cannot say very satisfactorily. 

 A few translations, derived from Persian, Hindoo, or Chinese 

 poetry, serve scantily to illustrate the peculiar temperament 

 of these vast races in relation to the beauty and wonders of 



