branch within the
wide range of science indifferent or unexplored, has connected him by
friendship with almost all the most celebrated philosophers of the age;
whilst the polished amenity of his manners, and that intense desire of
acquiring and of spreading knowledge, which so peculiarly characterizes
his mind, renders him accessible to all strangers, and insures for them
the assistance of his counsel in their scientific pursuits, and the
advantage of being made known to all those who are interested or
occupied in similar inquiries.

Professor Lichtenstein, (Director of the Museum of Zoology,) as
secretary of the academy, was indefatigable in his attentions, and most
ably seconded the wishes of its distinguished president.

These two gentlemen, assisted by several of the residents at Berlin,
undertook the numerous preliminary arrangements necessary for the
accommodation of the meeting.

On the 18th of September, 1828, there were assembled at Berlin 377
members of the academy, whose names and residences (in Berlin) were
printed in a small pamphlet, and to each name was attached a number,
to indicate his seat in the great concert room, in which the morning
meetings took place. Each member was also provided with an engraved card
of the hall of meeting, on which the numbers of the seats were printed
in black ink, and his own peculiar seat marked in red ink, so that every
person immediately found his own place, and knew where to look for any
friend whom he might wish to find.

At the hour appointed for the opening of the meeting, the members being
assembled, and the galleries and orchestra being filled by an assemblage
of a large part of the rank and beauty of the capital, and the
side-boxes being occupied by several branches of the royal family, and
by the foreign ambassadors, the session of the academy was opened by the
eloquent address of the president.

SPEECH made at the Opening of the Society of German Naturalists and
Natural Philosophers at Berlin, the 18th of September, 1828.--By
ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT.

Since through your choice, which does me so much honour, I am permitted
to open this meeting, the first duty which I have to discharge is one of
gratitude. The distinction which has been conferred on him who has never
yet been able to attend your excellent society, is not the reward of
scientific efforts, or of feeble and persevering attempts to discover
new phenomena, or to draw the light of knowledge from t