Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-12-02


interesting account of an hours conversation
with the celebrated HUMBOLDT, in July last -
ALBANY Evening Journal.
It was in the Royal Palace stately pile, once
the residence of Frederick the Great, with his a.
partments remaining in the same state in which
he left them. One wing was now occupied by
Baron Humboldt, and it seemed Just tribute
and right reward "A proper browning of his
fame, alike honorable to Prince and subject that
after years of travel of physical and Intellectual
labor, he should, in the evening Of his days, re-
turn to the town in which he was born, to live in
the Royal Palace, the guest and friend of his
king.
The expression of the servants face as he o..
pencd the door, relieved me of all apprehension.
Showing inc into an adjoining apartment, Baron
Humboldt came 10 meet me, with the hatterng
greeting that no letter of introduction was ne
cesslry.
was entirely mistaken ia sho idea had
formed of his personal Appearance and was sur
ptised at not finding him bowed down, and bent
by nge. Nearly half century ago, he had filled
the first place IN the world Of letters, sitting,
as 1t were, upon throne, lighting up the path
way of science TO the philosopher, and teaching
the school.hoy at his desk. lie was recorded in
the annals Of Il asst generation Indeed his reign
had been so long, and his fame went back so far
that until saw him bodily, had almost rcgar-
dcd him a part Of history, and belonging to
the past; even then, alone IN the stiffness OF the
Palace, could hardly keep from looking at him
as something monumental receiving the tribute
OF poshumous fame.
lie Is now nearly eighty, but has the appear
oncc OF beng some years younger. In stature
he is rather under than above the middle size,
with frame, probably in youth. well-6lted for
the hardships Of his arduou; travels. His head
mirht serve as a study for n craniolorist; his
face is broad. and his eve remarkable for its in
tellcct and EXPRESSION. He yyos dressed in n
olain suit of black. withnnt ribauds or decora-
lions of any kind. ard his anar,n,onts corresnon.
ded with The sin,n,iritv of lis r,rs nal anponr.
ancc. He was debilitated from nm attack of in.
ness hu The yirora and ssticit, az hi. mind ,vnrs,
unlmpaircd. lie smoke En,lisb with much I'm
ency, but with an accent. and his manner of
speaking and the tone of his coryersalion remind.
ed me of Mr.. Galiaiin. vh, was AN ola nersonal
friend. and 10 whom Inc wished f., he rc,nember.
ed
'rto r,,;,oI ,i,;- &c -, .; ~
or Iri,;r, 49,. -, T.; N',-''-i ~ ',o Wv
conrtn Tho fire., s'a,, ' TCIuui"a"L "e.o ".
,bot az, w ou.
ors f., Ron,,, ,o. VI - 1T
hal brn,,,I, ~ ~ %'',G ~;
satisf,r,om ,h,I ~ 20 ,, ms
nrisp nj that ,no,,o,, ,,,-, ;,.,....;.,. a. ~
nnnv He cnns;Joro1 S ~
meui !, o.Iahisbi,t ~ " ' ,1 49,
manhkc MS for -, n1,,io l;i,o ,,.s !, 'o,s, he ~
means of openinr new Relations and vide inlG
for the en,erprise of orr citiznns TIe himself
felt lively interest in its success. believing
that the Germans of all classes were DESTROYS Of
direct intercourse with us that thew had a great
variety of manufactures which n,ight he ex.
changed to advantage for tbe I,rcs nmount of
our staples now consumed in that country when
more frequent Intercourse should give better
knowledge of each others wants and resources !:
as between the United states and GERMANY
there never could DC any G,e,jaS If rivalry or
any cause of collision. and the closer we couid
be drawn together, the more advantageous would
it be to both countries.
Baron Humboldt himself is liberal q firm be-
lever IN progress and Improvement known and
recognised as sympathyzing with that great po.
litcaI party which has for It's lofty aim the great
est good to the greatest number. lettering the
condition of the masses, aud increasing the sum
of human happiness and while throughout the
civilized world he has filled the "measure OF
fame" as traveller and philosopher, in Prussia
he is regarded besides as one of her soundest
and best statesman.
Out Of Europe, Mexico seemed 10 be the country
which intel ested him most perhaps from its con-
nexion with those countries which had brought
me to his acquaintance, Of more probably, be-
cause it was the foundation of his own early