New-York daily tribune., 1859-05-19
months. They next webt to SSts. the vicinity
Of which they carefully explored. aud ia September,

le0l. contnurd their journey to the SoufA, arriving
in Quito, Jan 6. lSO2- Here they remained unit
the following Juse, pursuing their researches IN
the volcanic region. and Ascending to higdts
which had never before been trodden By the foot OF
msn. On June 23 1902. they reach hight OF
Of -, $50 feet on the Chmborszo, which was mere
than 5000 feet higher than the point attained by
La CondsmiDe in 1873. Here they planted their
Instruments upon d narrow ledge Of rVck which
projected from the vast field of unfathomed snow.
A broad, mpassable chasm prevented their further
advance; they we're enveloped in thick fogs sud
in an atmosphere of fhe most piercing cold; they
breaihed with difficulty, and blood burst from their
eyes and lips Only once has this elevation on the
Chimborazo been surpassed, when Boussingsult, IN
1881, attained a summit Of 10, 600 feet, by diff
ferent path from that chosen by humboldt.
Crossing the passes Of the Andes, the travellers
pursued their way to the upper valley of the
Amazon, and made thorough exploration Of that
portion of Peru. In December, they sailed from
CalsO to Guaysquil, and after second tedious voy-
age, arrived at Acapulco, March %, 1903. Thence,
the, proceeded to Mexico, where they remained
volcanic regions and making rich scd valuable col,
ections in natural history. In March. 1904 after
exploring numerous localities the Mexican coast
Humboldt sailed TO Havana, where be remained
for two mOnths, gathering and arranging the
materials for his " Political Essay Cuba paris,
IS26) He next directed his attention to the
United States, and accompanied by BOnpland,
AL w.. otn her ha
treated with distinguished attention BY President
Jefferson, and after brief soourn, sailed for
Bordeaux in July, 1904.
He now took up bis temporary abode in Paris,
where. in connection with Gay-Lussac, he devoted
himself to chemical researches, chiefly on the COM
position of the atmosphere until the following
March. After journey to Italy, be returned to
Berlin in December, 1905. In 1857 he accompanied
Prince William Of Prussia on political mission to
France, and with view to the publication of his
works, made Paris his residence until 1877. The
fret portion Of his great work, Voyage to the
Equinoctia Regions of the New Continent" was
published in Paris in 1909. 10 the Winter of 1927
be delivered course of lectures in Berlin on the
"Cosmos," which were the foundation of his cele-
brated work of that name.
In I629, Humboldt was commissioned by the
Emperor Nicholas to make an expedition to the
Altai and Ural Mountains, with view to examin-
ing the mineral treasures Of those regions. The
tour extended through Moscow, Kasan, Tobolsk,
and Barnsul to the Chinese frontier He WAS ac-
compabed by his two friends. Ehrenberg and Gus
tay Rose. The journey, which occupied nine
months, is described in Central Asia paris,
Isi3). This journey furnished the most valuable
contributions to the science of physical geography.
New light was thrown on the volcanic agencies in
Central Asia; many important facts were set firth
on the soil, climate, and connection of the noun
tain chains; and owing to the interest which it
awakened regular 81 stem of observations was
established by the Imperial Academy Of st. Peters
burg. throughout the Russian Empire, for the pur-
pose Of noting the changes in meteorological pho
nOmcna.
The political movements Of 1880 gave the activity
of Humboldt political direction to certain ex-
tent, but without diverting his attention from the
pur.uits Of science IN May, he attended the
Crown Prince of Prussia to the last Diet of War
saw, ard soon after was with the King at Tepltz;
and on the accession of Louis Philippe, was CON-
missioned by Frederic William III. acknowledge
the new dynasty at Paris, and to forward political
intelligence from that capital to Berlin. He re-
ceived many similar commissions within the course
Of the next twelve years, which required him "
spend considerable portion of his time in Paris.
Since 1912, Humboldt has resided at Berlin, en-
gsged IN the preparation Of " Cosmos, which sums
I'D the observations Of long life on what may be
termed the I" HarmOnies of the Universe" receiv-
ing visits from strangers Of every nation who were
attracted by his scientific fame, carrying on an ex-
tensiye correspondence with men of learning in
various departments Of research, and cheriShing
the curiosity Of youth with regard to every new
discovery and phenomena in the realms Of nature
Humboldt was remarkable for combining the
fruits of his OVID observations with the exhibition
of whatever had been accomplished BY other inves-
tigators in the field Of physical inquiry. In this
comprehensive department he was equally eminent
US an explorer and historian As pc detected
eyeyy phenomenon With wonderful sagscty, so he
recorded every discovery with unparalleled hdel-
ty. This ia not the place to give an account OF his
contributions to science His positive additions TO
the treasures of human knowledge would fill many
volumes But what will ever distinguish Humboldt
from the mass of physical inquirers who had pre-
ceded him, is bis study Of the universe as harmo-
NOUS whole, and his search for the laws OF order,
beauty, and majesty beneath the apparent confusion
and contradictions Of isolated appearances.
PERSONAL.