ART. VII. 1. Geographical Studies by the late PROFESSOR CARL RITTER, of Berlin. Translated from the original German, by WILLIAM LEONHARD GAGE. Boston: Gould and Lincoln. 1863. 12mo. pp. xii., 356.

2. Einleitung zur allgemeinen vergleichenden Geographie, etc. Berlin. 1852. 8vo.

3. Vorlesungen an der Universität zu Berlin gehalten von CARL RITTER. Herausgegeben von H. A. DANIEL. 1. Geschichte der Erdkunde. 2. Allgemeine Erdkunde. 3. Europa. 3 vols. Berlin. 1861-63. 8vo.

4. Zur Erinnerung an Carl Rilter. Von Dr. G. KRAMER. (Zeitschrift für allgemeine Erdkunde. 1859.)

5. Carl Ritter, an Address to the American Geographical Society, February 16, 1860. By PROFESSOR ARNOLD GUYOT. (Journal of the American Geographical and Statistical Society, Vol. II. 1860.)

THE name of Carl Ritter is familiarly known to all who are acquainted with the progress of Physical Geography. Even among those who have not read a page of his writings his reputation is established as one of the foremost philosophers of the nineteenth century. It is generally conceded that few indeed, in any age, have done so much as he to generalize our knowledge of the globe, and show its adaptation to the wants of

man.

Now and then, in every department of human activity, there appears a creative mind; as frequently in literature and science as in politics, statesmanship, and strategy. Such a mind sees old facts in new combinations, brings order out of confusion, deduces method from chaos. Such a mind seems to have the power of crystallizing knowledge, of shaping into forms of symmetry and beauty materials which were before incoherent, if not dissimilar. Such men exhibit the power of genius, discovering treasures which can never again be hid, and revealing truths which will never vanish from the ken of their fellowmen. Such thinkers give a wonderful impulse to the studies of others, exciting attention, suggesting inquiries, and pointing out new and conclusive methods of investigation. It is often

the case that their opinions and methods become more widely known through the writings of their followers and pupils than by their own statements.

To this class of scholars belongs Carl Ritter. Instead of merely repeating the tedious and burdensome mass of facts which had been gathered in the books and taught in the schools under the name of Geography, he deduced from a wide range of study a few definite principles, obvious enough when once proclaimed, but never distinctly and sharply set forth until he gave them utterance. He illustrated these principles by wide observation, extended learning, and the exercise of remarkable sagacity. He discovered, in the aggregation of items which mankind had been for ages collecting, some of the laws which underlie phenomena, - relations which control activities and results, indications of a plan which evinces at once the wisdom and the power of a Supreme Creator. Having discerned and announced these fundamental principles, he applied them to the elucidation of all which we know of the globe. and its inhabitants.

The world was ready for such a teacher. Every department of natural and physical science had begun to make progress on the highway of truth, and in many different directions conclusions had been reached which are as sure to stand as the earth itself, upon which they are based. The generation of travellers, whose glory consisted in relating that which was strange and amusing, rather than that which was important and characteristic, and whose aim seemed to be to surpass one another in the narration of exciting extravagances, had given way to a class of truly learned explorers, trained in the methods of exact science, and whose only aim was to ascertain the truth. The rude measurements of the eye and the shrewd guesses of experts were superseded by the more precise revelations of the barometer and level. The governments of the civilized world had begun to vie with one another in sending out expeditions, not to discover territories before unheard of, but to bring back positive and permanently trustworthy information respecting regions imperfectly known. In all civilized countries, and even in uncivilized lands controlled by enlightened nations, topographical and hydrographical surveys, made with the most

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accurate apparatus which art has devised, had begun to furnish minute and exact information respecting the structure of the earth. Increased facilities of locomotion and of postal communication made distant investigations possible at a moderate cost. Zoology, botany, and mineralogy were studied almost as new sciences, so new and revolutionary were the methods of classification upon which they proceeded. The laws of climate assumed shape. The philosophical study of language cast its light upon the origin of races, while archæological and historical investigations led to definite knowledge respecting the careers of nations, far more extensive than had been attained in any previous century.

Under these circumstances, it is evident that the time had come for bringing together and compacting results which had been reached in very different paths of investigation. Eratosthenes, says Ritter, in developing the first astronomical geography; Herodotus and Strabo, the first geographical history and historical geography; Cluver, the first ancient geography; Bergmann, the first geographical physics; and Büsching, the first application of geography to politics, were all laying the foundations for a thorough system of physical geography. So also Werner, by his geological studies; Saussure, De Luc, and Humboldt, by revealing the connection of the earth and the atmosphere, and Buffon, by showing the connection of animate and inanimate nature; Zimmermann, by showing the relations of animals to the surface of the earth, and Blumenbach, by his observations on the races of men, were all preparing the

way for the new science of geography.

It was to the development of this new science, General Comparative Physical Geography, as he termed it, that Ritter devoted the powers of his well-trained mind, not in a bold or boastful spirit, but calmly, steadily, and successfully, with the quiet assurance of one who knows he is studying and announcing truth. He does not claim to have originated the conception which he endeavors to amplify, illustrate, and defend. To Humboldt he assigns the title of the Founder of Physical Geography. "He has opened a field," says Ritter, "which we with our weak powers shall try to till.”

What this science became under his skilful culture we shall

presently attempt to show, It only remains for us, in this connection, to call attention to the conviction underlying all which Ritter has announced. "The ideal background, hypothesis, theory, call it what you will," as he says, "the point of departure," as he again expresses it, "does not lie in the conception of a single truth, but in the union of all truths." Man was fitted to dwell in the earth; the earth was designed as the home of the human race. Nature and history are alike developments of a Creator's plan.

From this general statement of Ritter's position, let us proIceed to look at his life.

Nearly five years have passed since Humboldt, at the age of ninety, and Ritter, at the age of eighty, were brought, within the same semester, to the close of their mortal career. No full biography of either has yet been given to the public, nor do we hear of any which is in preparation. Unfortunately for memorial purposes, the libraries of both these scholars, soon after their decease, were transferred to the booksellers. One was immediately scattered beneath the hammer of the auctioneer, and the other, though still an unbroken collection, is likely to be dispersed at a very early day. If these libraries were only collections of printed books, this distribution, though it might be regretted, could hardly interfere with the preparation of elaborate memoirs of the distinguished owners; but there is reason to think that a large amount of personalia, including manuscript annotations, original drawings and sketches, letters, original memoranda and memoirs, were disposed of with the books, and may never be accessible again to the inquiries of a biographer.

Humboldt was in every sense so much of a public man,—he had travelled so widely, he had made his researches with the aid of so many collaborators, he had received the visits of so many men of science from every civilized land, and had always written letters with so free a hand, that his career, if not already thoroughly known, can be traced in almost every step with comparative ease. The unfortunate publication of his correspondence with the friend whom he had selected, if not as a biographer, at least as a confidant, to whom each transient compliment and each spiteful fling might be transmitted, has

checked, we presume, the curiosity of his admirers to know more of his inner life.

With regard to Ritter, on the contrary, all that is known most clearly indicates that all we can learn of his character will sustain our respect and affection. Every one who came into personal relations with him was as much impressed with the simplicity and excellence of his heart, as with the learning and sagacity of his mind. But his life, compared with that of Humboldt, was screened from observation. He lived at home, among his books; and, although accessible to every one who wished to make his acquaintance, his renown was not of that brilliant character which caused him to be the observed of all observers. We trust that among his numerous admiring pupils some one will be found to reveal to us more than we now know of his inborn characteristics of mind and heart, the early steps of his intellectual discipline, and his later processes of literary production, his domestic life, and his religious sentiments. No one apprehends that the memoranda of any Varnhagen von Ense will cancel our enthusiasm as it increases our knowledge.

Several appreciative sketches of Ritter's life, most if not all of them written by those who were personally acquainted with him, have already been printed. Hofmann, Strauss, Bogekamp, and Kramer, among his own countrymen, Lortet in France, Guyot and Gage in this country, have all made public their estimates of the great geographer. The most recent of these is that of Mr. Gage; that which shows the most acquaintance with the incidents of Ritter's life is that of Dr. Kramer; that which indicates the most complete appreciation of, and sympathy with, the intellectual and moral characteristics of the great master is that of Professor Guyot. From these various sources it is easy for us to prepare an outline of his career. It is the story of one whose early life was beset with difficulties, which at first were decided obstacles to his progress, but which in the end contributed abundantly to his intellectual vigor and his eminent learning.

Carl Ritter, the son of a physician poor in material possessions, but skilled and honored in his profession, was born on the edge of the Harz Mountains in the town of Quedlinburg,