604 CONCLUSION. Oct. 1836. 



decidedly been the most constant and highest source of 

 enjoyment. It is probable that the picturesque beauty of 

 many parts of Europe exceeds any thing we have beheld. 

 But there is a growing pleasure in comparing the character 

 of scenery in different countries, which to a certain degree is 

 distinct from merely admiring its beauty. It depends more 

 on an acquaintance with the individual parts of each view. 

 I am strongly induced to believe that, as in music, the 

 j^erson who understands every note will, if he also pos- 

 sesses a proper taste, more thoroughly enjoy the whole, 

 so he who examines each part of a fine view, may also 

 thoroughly comprehend the full and combined effect. 

 Hence, a traveller should be a botanist, for in all views 

 plants form the chief embellishment. Group masses of 

 naked rock even in the wildest forms, and they may for 

 a time afford a sublime spectacle, but they will soon grow 

 monotonous. Paint them with bright and varied colours, 

 they will become fantastic ; clothe them with vegetation, 

 they must form at least a decent, if not a most beautiful 

 picture. 



When I said that the scenery of Europe was probably 

 superior to any thing which we have beheld, I excepted, 

 as a class by itself, that of the intertropical regions. The 

 two classes cannot be compared together ; but 1 have 

 already often enlarged on the grandeur of these climates. 

 As the force of impressions generally depends on precon- 

 ceived ideas, I may add, that all mine were taken from the 

 vivid descriptions in the Personal Narrative of Humboldt, 

 which far exceed in merit any thing I have read on the 

 subject. Yet with these high-wrought ideas, my feelings 

 were far from partaking of any tinge of disappointment 

 on first landing on the shores of Brazil. 



Among the scenes which are deeply impressed on my 

 mind, none exceed in sublimity the primeval forests unde- 

 faced by the hand of man ; whether those of Brazil, where 

 the powers of Life are predominant, or those of Tierra del 

 Fuego, where Death and Decay prevail. Both are temples 



