70 



containing my "Inducement," descriptive poetry, which 

 you have not yet seen ; a portion of my work, from 

 which I expect much. No. 5, containing the " History 

 of the Theories of the "World," which I have quite 

 ready, is to fill the whole of the Second Part. 



Throughout, the simple and scientifically descriptive 

 must be incorporated with the rhetorical. It is so 

 in Nature herself. The glittering stars delight the 

 senses and inspire the mind, and yet everything 

 beneath the vault of Heaven moves in a path of 

 mathematical precision. The main point is for the 

 language to be always dignified ; the impression of 

 the grandeur of Nature will not then be wanting. 



I am sure you will not scold me for quoting (C) in 

 a note (all notes to be in small print, never at the foot 

 of the page, but at the end of each section) the little- 

 known passage of Shakspeare ? I had said that the 

 knowledge of Nature was not exactly necessary for 

 enjoyment, but that it increased it. Pardon my haste. 

 I am going to-morrow morning with the King to 

 Potsdam for six or seven days. 



Your grateful and unreadable friend, 



A. v. HUMBOLDT. 



LV. 



HUMBOLDT TO SPIKER. 



(C.) 



Shakspeare's " Love's Labour Lost." Act 1, scene 1. 

 Biron thus speaks to the King of Navarre : 

 " These earthly godfathers of Heaven's lights, 

 That give a name to every fixed star, 



