The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-06-27

The Baron HOMBOLDT, whole Witt TO this
city we lately noticed, is about thirty-two years
of age. AT very early period of life he COM
nlenced his travels; and for nineteen years patt
has been principally engaged in contemplating
the phyical and moral fate ofthe different coun-
tries he has explored. Having made himfelf
well acquainted with the European world, he
embarked, about fix years iince, for America.
The hrft place he landed at on the continent
was Cumana thence he pafied along the coat
of Paria, and through fcveral Indian tribes until
he reached Chamays.. Pairing through the pro-
vince of New Andalulia, he topped at BARGE
Iona, the Caracas, and Portoeabello. He then
entered the defart of Apure, where the mercury
of Fahrenheit is often l2o degrees in the ihade.
Re proceeded, by water, on the Apure, the O.
ronoco, (whofe courfe as indicated on the maps,
was found to be extremely erroneous) the Alta
bapo, and the Terni and then By land to Pc
michin, Black River, Caffiquare, to the mouth
of the Oronoco at St. Thomas. On this river
there is an immenfe fall of three hundred feet In
diGance of three miles.
Paf1ing through the Caribbean tribes Of IIdi-
ans, he reached Barcelona, and thence directed
his courte through Cuinara 10 the HavaHHah (;
From thence he embarked and pa!ed to Batob-
ano and Carthagena he then proceeded down
the river Madeleine to Honda and then by land
through the fo-efts of Peru, where the tree, from
which we derive the Peruvian bark, towers a.
bove the oak, with which it is mixed. But lit
tie ufe is made by the natives of this valuable
drug, which they take with great reluctance.
Having reached Santa Fee, he entered on the
paffage of the Andes of Quindin, never before
explored. Here at an elevation of 200 feet a.
bove the level of the fea was found the wax
Palm tree, near the region of fnow. Pafing
= through Buga, Popayou, and Pefto he arrived
at Quito. From this point he explored, with
great patience and minutenetS, the mott interet-
ing volcanoes. Among thefe he gained the
faInmit of Pichincha, after repeated Intellectual
efforts. His prediction Condamine attempted
In vain to gain this eminence. When the Ba-
ron obtained full view ofthe crater, he found
all below him in agitation, infomuch that du-
ring half an hour there were between fifteen and
twenty earthquakes.
After exploring the country around Quito
o|about a year, he proceeded to Maynas and
Lima. At Lima he embarked on the Pacific
for the Bay of Guayaquil; whence he proceed
ed on the ocean to Acapulco in the province OF
Mexico. Having explored the various depart
ments ofthis province, and paid particular at
tention to its mountains and mines, he embark
ed on the Gulf of Mexico for tbs Havannah, af-
ter having travelled diftance computed at a.
bout 5000 leagues
Through his whole route Baron Homboldt
was affifted by M. Bonpland, ditinguiihed
Botanif of France, who paid particular attenti.
on to the collection of Plants. His collection
IN perfect prefervation, exceeds 10000 fpeci-
mems, of which, it is fuppofed, there are about
$500 different fpecies, a large portion of which
were PTc7iiouHy unknown.
The Baron propoies in few weeks to return
TO Europe, attended by M. Bonpland, and M
hfontufa, respectable native of Quito. The
refult of his reiearches and learning will proba-
bly, appear at Paris in the courfe of year or
Two. From his extenlive knowledge and enlarg-
ed views, we have no doubt but his work will
fully reward the curiofty its expectation has al
reidy excited.
Nat. InteL!ipe1eer