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9746 results in Engineering: general interest

Page 396 of 488

  • GENERAL VIEW OF NATURE

  • Alexander von Humboldt
  • Edited by Edward Sabine
  • Book:
    Cosmos
    Published online:
    05 October 2010
    Print publication:
    10 June 2010, pp 67-358
    First published in:
    1848

  • Summary

    When the mind of man attempts to subject to itself the world of physical phænomena;—when in meditative contemplation of existing things he strives to penetrate the rich fulness of the life of nature, and the free or restricted operations of natural forces;—he feels himself raised to a height from whence, as he glances round the far horizon, details disappear, and groups or masses are alone beheld, in which the outlines of individual objects are rendered indistinct as by an effect of aerial perspective. This illustration is purposely selected in order to indicate the point of view from whence we design to consider the material universe, and to present it as the object of contemplation in both its divisions, celestial and terrestrial. I do not blind myself to the boldness of such an undertaking. Under all the forms of exposition to which these pages are devoted, the presentation of a general view of nature is the more difficult, because we must not permit ourselves to be overwhelmed by the development of the manifold and the multiform; but must dwell only on the consideration of masses, great either by actual magnitude, or by the place which they occupy in the subjective range of ideas.

  • EDITOR'S PREFACE

  • Alexander von Humboldt
  • Edited by Edward Sabine
  • Book:
    Cosmos
    Published online:
    05 October 2010
    Print publication:
    10 June 2010, pp vii-x
    First published in:
    1848

  • Summary

    This translation of Cosmos was undertaken in compliance with the wish of Baron von Humboldt. The Editor, in common he believes with many others, is indebted to the earlier writings of the Author of Cosmos, for awakening in his mind a taste for pursuits, which have formed a large portion of his interest and added greatly to his enjoyment in life: long cherished feelings of gratitude for this obligation, combined with those of personal regard, have been motives with himself, and with Mrs. Sabine,—by whom the Translation has been made,—to surmount the hesitation which they might otherwise have felt in venturing on a task embracing so extensive a range of subjects. Should this translation be favourably received, it will be a great gratification to them hereafter to reflect, that they have been instrumental in making known to the English reader, the work in which the illustrious Author has embodied the fruits of his active and useful life.

    The two introductory discourses, which occupy 48 pages in the German edition, have been rewritten by M. de Humboldt himself in the French language, for the French edition, in which they fill 78 pages. These were communicated to the Editor in their passage through the press, and by the Author's desire have been followed in preference to the corresponding portion of the German text, where modifications or additions had been introduced.

Page 396 of 488