Views of nature, or contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation, with scientific illustrations / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated from the German by E.C. Otté and Henry G. Bohn.

  • Humboldt, Alexander von, 1769-1859.
Date:
1850
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Views of nature, or contemplations on the sublime phenomena of creation, with scientific illustrations / By Alexander von Humboldt. Translated from the German by E.C. Otté and Henry G. Bohn. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    him with my then unpublished edition of Cosmos, I announced my intention of proceeding with his other works, and con- sulted him on the subject. He replied in the kindest spirit, without intimating any previous engagement, and honoured me with several valuable suggestions. A portion of one of his letters is annexed in facsimile. In consequence of what I then presumed to be his recommendation, I determined to make the Ansichten my next volume, and announced it, long before any one else, though not at first by its English name. At that time I had reason to hope that I should receive the new German edition at least as early as any one, but was disappointed. This circumstance, added to the delay already alluded to, has brought me late into the field. In now, how- ever, presenting my subscribers with what I have taken every available means to render a perfect book, I hope I shall afford them ample atonement. A few words respecting the work itself. The first edition was published forty-three years ago, the second in 1826, and the third, of which the present volume is a translation, in August last. The difference between the three editions in respect to the text (if I may so distinguish the more enter- taining part of the work from the scientific “Illustrations”) is not material, excepting that each has one or more new chapters. Thus to the second edition was added the Essay on Volcatios and the curious allegory on vital force, entitled The Rhodian Genius, and to the third The Plateau of Caxamarca. The additions to the “ Illustrations” however in the third edition are considerable, and comprise a rapid sketch of whatever has been contributed by modern science in illustra- tion of the Author’s favourite subjects. No intellectual reader can peruse this masterly work a 2