[Born at Berlin, 1769. Still living.]
The mighty traveller of our own day. Filled with literature and science,
as if he had spent one life in the library, the laboratory, and the
observatory, he performed the work of another in treading visited and
unvisited plain, valley and mountain of the eastern and western
hemisphere; uniting an ardour of spirit and a vigour of intellect rarely
mated, and not often, singly matched. An author of books that have
advanced existing science, and the creator of new sciences. His
writings, conveying an account of his world-wide journeys and scientific
exploits, and treating profoundly and originally of general physics,
zoology, comparative anatomy, astronomy, mineralogy, magnetism, and
botany, are without parallel for richness of materials, and in respect
of their value as manuals for all enlightened explorers of the marvels
of nature. After a life of almost superhuman labour, and inconceivable
results, the grey-headed sage sums up the diligence of his lengthened
years, in a survey which registers, along every line of human inquiry,
the point of progress attained in the contemplation of the
Universe,--the first half of the teeming nineteenth century having
elapsed. Who else could have achieved--who but he could have
attempted--the Atlantean service? Who but the philosopher, to whom the
whole cycle of the physical sciences is familiar--who walks hand in
hand, a friend and fellow-labourer, with their most distinguished
inquirers? Who but the scholar, before whose eyes the lore of old time
lies unrolled? Who but the workman whose strength toil cannot quell, and
whose fire age does not quench?--Spread his “Kosmos” before a young and
ardent intelligence, which has just then accomplished its regular
liberal nurture, and say “Read and comprehend.” The comprehension
exacted will, when acquitted, have added an education.
[By Rauch. Executed in marble at Rome, 1823.]
351A. ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT. _Naturalist and Traveller._
[This medallion, by F. Tieck, was modelled gratuitously for a medal
struck at the expense of those who had attended a course of lectures
delivered by Humboldt, and by them presented to him.]