Von Humboldt's Expedition to Spanish America.

The two following letters from this indefatigable philosopher to one of his friends in Germany, have been published in one of the foreign journals:--

Corunna, June 3, 1799.

I wrote you from Marseilles, that I had been disappointed in my hopes of undertaking a voyage round the world with Captain Baudin (to which I had been invited by the French Government) just at the moment when I was going down to the port to embark.

After this I proposed to go out to Bonaparte with the second expedition from Toulon, and my friends were anxiously expecting me; but this expedition was rendered impossible by the battle of Aboukir.

Firm to my purpose, I then wished to go by a Swedish frigate, expected at Marseilles, to Algiers, in order that I might undertake, with the caravan of Mecca, that dangerous journey through the desart of Selima to Cairo.

The frigate, however, did not arrive; and, after waiting two months to no purpose in Provence, as war had broken out between France and Algiers, I proceeded to Spain.

I had procured recommendations to the king, and received from him what no foreigner ever obtained--letters of recommendation to all the viceroys, and permission to traverse all the Spanish settlements with my instruments.

You must acknowledge that I have been exceedingly fortunate.

I have been provided with every thing necessary, and in a few hours shall sail, in the Spanish frigate Pizarro, for the Havannah; from which I intend to proceed to Peru, Mexiko, and Chili.

I shall be absent for several years, but I flatter myself with the hopes of accomplishing something of importance.

Bonpland, a young French botanist; accompanies me. I shall write you from the Havannah.

Alex.

Von Humboldt.

Orotava in the Island of Teneriffe, June 24, 1799.

We left Corunna on the 5th, and arrived, without any accident, at Lancerotta on the 16th, and St. Croix, in Teneriffe, on the 17th.

We were in sight of four English frigates, which we escaped, but we cannot tell how.

I have examined the peak with great attention; I was almost in the crater at the height of 11,500 feet.

This excursion was attended with more fatigue than danger.

We found the heat of the crater on the ground 70° Reaum. and the air at 2°. The pumice-stone, which has occasioned so much dispute, is obsidian-stone fused and decomposed.

It is here as clear as the day.

I am so tired that I must conclude my letter.

We are just going to set out for Caraccas and the Havannah.

Alex.

Von Humboldt.