Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-11-06
BARON HUMBOLDT.

u
Prussia, gives the following description of
Humboldt:
81 was entirely mistaken in the idea /
had formed of his personal appearance, and
was surprised at not finding him bowed
down, and bent by age. Nearly half
century ago he had filed the first place
in the world of letters, sitting as il were.
upon throne lighting up the pathway of
science TO the philosopher, and teaching
the schoolboy at his desk. He was re.
corded in the annals Of past generation.
Indeed, his reign had been so long, and his
fame went back SO far, that until saw him
bodily, had almost regarded him as part
of history, and belonging to the past even
then, alone and in the stiffness Of the pal.
ace, could hardly keep from looking at
him as something monumental receiving The
tribute of posthumous fame.
"He is now nearly eighty. but has the
appearance of being some years younger.
In Stature he is rather under than above the
middle size, with frame, probably in
youth, we'll fitted for the hardships of his
arduous travels. His head might serve
as a study for a craniologisi; his face is
broad and his eye remarkable for its intel
lect and expression. He was dressed in
plain suit of black, without libands or de-
corations of any kind, and his apartments
correspondent with the simplicity of his
personal appearance. He was debilitated
from an attack of illness, but the vigor
and elasticity of his mind were unmpaired.
He spoke English with much huency, but
with an accent, and his manner of speak
ing and the tone of his conversation re.
minded me of Mr.. Gallatin, who was an
old personal friend. and to whom he wished
to be remembered"
The political opinions of the Baron are
we'll known TO the readers of his numerous
works, and his residence with the King
of Prussia has not weaned him from his
early convictions of the truth of demo-
cratic principles. Upon this point Mr..
Stephens says:
"Baron Humboldt himself is liberal, a firm
believer in progress and improvement, known
and recognised as sympathisng with that grea t
, political party which has for its lofty aim the
greatest good TO the greatest number, lettering
the condition Of the masses and increasing the
sum Of human happiness, and while throughout
the civilized world he has filled the measure oil
fame as traveller and philosopher, in Prussia
he is regarded besides as one Of her soundest
and best statesmen"
The Mexican war then became the
theme Of conversation. Mexico is assecia.
ted in the mind of Humboldt with his
noblest labors. At an early period of his
life, he traversed every part of the country
: with the eye of traveller, of phioso.
pher and statesman. There are few
Mexcans as familiar with the country
as Humboldt is. On the subject of Mexico
and of the war, Mr.. Stephens observes:
"Out Of Europe, Mexico seemed to be the
. country which interested him most; perhaps from
its connection with those countries which had
brought me to his acquaintance, or more prob.
ably because it was the foundation OF his own
early fame. He spoke of Mr. Prescotts history
Of the conquest, and said that | might, when
the opportunity offered, say to that gentleman
as from himself, that there was no historian OF
the age, in England or Germany, equal to him.
"And he was keenly alive TO the present
condition Of Mexico; he was full OF our Mex.
ican war; his eyes were upon General Taylor
and the American Army. l was we'll aware,
r that in the conduc! OF this war General Taylor
F was drawing upon himself the eyes OF all Eu.
rope; and that whatever might be the difference
OF opinion as 10 its necessity or JUSTICE it was
producing everywhere in monarchial and anti.
republican countries, strong impression of our
ability and power for war. which in enlightened()
Europe, even at this day, more than all the
fruits Of peace, industry, and extended commerce,
more than the exhibition OF twenty millions Of
) people Astounding in all the comforts Of life,
raises US 10 the rank Of first rate power and
= makes US respected
"Baron Humboldt said that with one of his
own maps before them, the King and his mill.
tary council had followed General Taylor from
! his encampment at Corpus Christi, to Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma, through the storming
Of Monterey. and the bloody scenes of Buena
}, Vista. They had fought over all his battles, and
with his positions all marked on the map, were
then looking for further tidings. They had seen
> and appreciated all his difficulties at Buena
Vista. In Prussia, war is science, and accord.
ing to the leading policy Of Europe, to be always
ready for war. every male in Prussia, the highest
nobleman's son not excepted, is compelled TO
serve his regular term ia the army. In the
teeth Of all settled opinions, and as it were, up.
, setting the whole doctrine OF standing armies,
;, Gen. Taylor with handful OF regulars, and a
small body Of volunteers who had never been
in battle, had stood up for whole day against a
> murderous fire, and had finally defeated four
times his number. Field Marshals and Gener-
ais Of Prussia, among them veterans who had
studied the art OF war the great battle. fields oil
: Europe, were struck with admiration at the dar