Prof. Agassiz’s Eulogy on Humboldt. 105 
a only the heights of mountain. chains, and the eleva- 
the lower lands, while it was Humboldt ‘who first made 
tans beat na between mountain chains and table lands. But 
the idea of oe the average elevation of seat — 
the sea had not yet been entertained; and it was again 
boldt, who, from the data that he could command, detsteninedid it 
to be at the utmost 900 feet, assuming all irregularities to be 
brought to a uniform level. His Asiatic travels gave him addi- 
tional data to consider these depressions and swellings of conti- 
nents, when discussing the phenomena of the aneroens of the 
Caspian Sea, which he does in a most complete ma 
There isa fullness and richness of sed prey: aah substantial 
end, but that is not a book; : it in a spiture sana frame.” Such 
an expression of one scientific man Pa without giving 
offense, could only come from a man so intimately associated as 
Arago was with Humboldt. ree this Se me to a few addi- 
tional remarks upon his character and social relations. Hum- 
boldt was born near the Court. He was brotabe up in conneec- 
no doubt imbued with the prejudices of his caste. He was a 
nobleman of high descent. And yet the friend of kings was a 
bosom friend of. Arago, and he was the man who could, after his 
return cm America, refuse the highest position at the court of 
» Berlin, that of the secretaryship of public instruction, — 
F to live in a modest way in Paris, in the society of all those 
as all pers escent 43 it were, for private distsibution: But 
from eu intimate relations e ly to the court of Prussia, 
some insinuations have been snp to c ter of Hum- 
ldt. They are as unjust are gg in expression. 
He Was never a flatterer of those: in ., has shown vis 
pera: wis Race aes ona 1859, 
14 
tion with courtiers and men in high positions of life. He was 
: 
