Volume 2

The history of British fishes / [Robert Hamilton].

  • Hamilton, Robert, M.D.
Date:
[1876]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of British fishes / [Robert Hamilton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    subsequently, when returning to the work, the same high authority (vol. xxv. p. 88) said :—“ The view which here, and indeed everywhere else, presents itself of the author, is that of a man feeling with enthusiasm the beauty and magnificence of Nature; having his mind inspired by that sentiment, and his character formed by it from his early youth.” It is these last mentioned qualities, that have recom- mended Humboldt's writings, especially the Personal Narrative, to minds little imbued with taste foi pursuits purely scientific. In the preface to that work Mrs. Williams says—“ Happy the traveller with whom the study of Nature has not been merely the cold research of tho understanding, in the explanation of her properties, or the solution of her problems! who, while he has interpreted her laws, has adored her sublimity, and followed hersteps with passionate enthusiasm, amidst that solemn and stupendous scenery, those melancholy and sacred solitudes, where she speaks in a voice so well un- derstood by the mysterious sympathy of the feeling heart.” And again—“ The appropriate character of his writings is the faculty he possesses of raising the mind to general ideas, without neglecting indi- vidual facts; and while he appears only to address himself to our reason, he has the secret of awakening the imagination, and of being understood by the heart.” After his return to Europe, Humboldt formed an intimate friendship with the celebrated M. Gay- Lussac. For eight years they usually dwelt under