Enclosed you will find my vote for the future colleague. I expect that
you will not look for my assistance beyond the sphere of my principles;
but my principles are so strongly influenced by a recommendation from
you, that the request and the grant are but one. I have perused your
Kosmos and have treated it as is my habit with rich collections. The
impression made on me by the work will be best described by the avowal
that it caused in my mind two conflicting, or if you like better, two
mutually neutralizing sentiments—one of satisfaction at knowing so much,
and one of regret at my great ignorance. These sentiments, however, sink
into nothingness when compared with the admiration of _that knowledge_
which alone can have enabled you to accomplish that gigantic enterprise.
Knowledge alone, however, would not suffice—and hence I am led to
acknowledge the full merit of the author—his great power of
representation and his method! You have applied and dignified in your
work the old word _discipline_, in its relation to science. Would to
God, that the true meaning of this word could, in political society,
also recover its eternal rights. If my own impressions are of but little
value, it is different with those of the men of science. Their judgment
is overflowing with admiration, and I agree with them in the conviction,
that _you alone_ of all living men could achieve the task, and that the
word Kosmos is the true and appropriate title of your work.
I told you, that I have _perused_ the first volume of your work, I am
now _studying_ it, and I wish to thank you for the really delightful
hours, which you have opened to me. I call all these hours delightful
which I can snatch from the uninviting field of political disturbances,
and devote to the natural sciences.
Accept, dear Humboldt, the renewed assurance of my sincere and
well-known consideration.