140 A VISIT TO THE SPANISH COLONIES.

world. M. Bonpland of Rochelle, an excellent
naturalist, was named his associate in the expedi-
tion; but unfortunately the whole scheme was
abandoned in consequence of the renewal of hos-
tilities with Austria.

Disappointed in this plan, Humboldt resumed
the project which he had before entertained of
visiting, as a philosopher, the countries of the
Kast. In that view he was anxious to join the
celebrated expedition which had sailed to Egypt,
thinking he might thence proceed to India; but
the situation of France was becoming daily more
critical, and the fortunes of war again proved a
barrier to his proceeding. At length Humboldt
went to Spain, where a brighter prospect opened.
After residing some months at Madrid, he was, in
the most liberal and flattering terms, permitted by
the Spanish Court to visit her colonies in the New
World. He immediately invited from Paris his
friend Bonpland, whose profound skill in botany
and zoology was equalled only by his indefatigable
zeal; and without a moment’s delay, these eager
travellers, in June 1799, embarked at Corunna in a
Spanish ship, and after a prosperous voyage arrived
in the month of July at the port of Cumana, in
South America. The rest of the year was spent in
visiting the coast of Peru, tlhe Indian missions of
Chaymas, and the provinces of New Andalusia,