he wrote his "Peter Schlemihl," which marked him out as a man of
distinguished and original genius. It was published in 1814 by his
friend Fouque. When Count Runnjanzow resolved on undertaking a
voyage round the world, he invited Chamisso to accompany him as
naturalist to the expedition--an invitation which he gladly
embraced. The ships left Cronstadt in 1815, and returned in 1818;
and although the discovery of a North-West passage--the great object
of the expedition--was not attained, yet extensive acquisitions were
made in every department of scientific research. Chamisso's share
in the voyage is recorded in the third volume of the account of it
published at Weimar in 1821, and does honour to his spirit of
careful observation and his accuracy. He now again fixed his
residence at Berlin, from whose university he received the degree of
doctor in philosophy. An appointment at the Botanic Garden allowed
him full liberty to follow up his favourite pursuit of natural
history, and bound him by still stronger ties to his second
fatherland. He now wrote an account of the principal plants of the
North of Germany, with views respecting the vegetable kingdom and
the science of botany: this work appeared at Berlin in 1827.
Poetry, however, had still some share of his attention; and he
continued, during the latter years of his life, to maintain his
claims to an honourable place among the poets of Germany. Several
of his ballads and romances rank with the most distinguished of
modern times in this branch of composition. Surrounded by a circle
of attached and admiring friends, Chamisso continued thus entirely
engaged till his death, in 1839, leaving behind him a name and works
which posterity "will not willingly let perish."