The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-02-06

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BEsLIx, Jan. !, 1850.
II has been my good fortune to see the patriarch
Of modern science the venerable Alexander Won
Humboldt. During the summer, and in fact up 70
last week, he resided at P0tsdam in the royal pal
ace; whsn the king removed 70 Charlottenburg ho
returned 70 his own residence in Berlin One Of his
kndnesses offered 70 present me TO him. and wrote
note 10 solicit an interview This l. necassary as
casual visiters are rarely or never admitted The
first post Of the next morning brought the answer.
written evidently before daybreak, and mailed be-
fore seven O'Clock. II fixed the hour at one O'Clock
ON the 29tb But on that dav second note informed
Us that Mr.. Humboldt was unexpectedly called to
attend some court ceremony at tho appointed hour,
and 20 begged us to defer our visit until the 3Oth,
at the same hour mention this az an illustration
Of his attention To- small things He does not CON
slider himself exempted from the performances Of
any of the minor duties of social intercourse. Elk
actly at the appointed hour we were at his door.
The house is tiajn and COMFORTABLY lust like the
other three story houses of Berlin in its dull clay
yellow color. The entrance is by large carriage
door persons driving in and descending at the foot
OF the stairway.
Humboldt occupies the second floor tall.
well-fed servant in livery answered the bell, and
aside our cloaks and hats, and waited until our
visit should be announced We had scarcely time
to see that large picture on wood, after the old
Flemish school, hung on the wall, and to admire
some specimens
dermic skill, which stood ON round table. before
the servant reappeared and Conducted us through
o large room, the walls of which, from ceiling 70
door. were covered with books, plainly sheved up,
into the room Of Humboldt himself He met US at
the door and received US yery cordially must
confess that my first impression was one of disap-
pontment. for bis busts and pictures had given me
" built. and erect a. an arrow. Instead of this.
there stood before me a man Of middle height. his
once robust frame and limbs meagre with age, and
his head dropping and shoulders bowed under the
him stood hale, rosy -complex ioned professor from
Bonn some forty years Of age and at first INV eve
fell on him a. the person more nearly approaching
my ideal Of Humboldt; but single glance con-
WINGED me that be had not yet lived his half CEN
fury. This ideal Is the one common TO all the
world VINO have not seen Humboldt; for every
body that has seen him seems to delight in repeat
abeted his bodily vigor II i very natural to us to
excuse our own want Of requirements by attribut-
ing supernatural qualities to those who excel us 90
far az to be unapproachable. But in the case Of
Of age does not exist. He appears as old as he
really is but in fine state of re-
suit Of constant temperance and active exercise in
the open air from youth and of carefully avoiding
TONS but at the came time cultivating his afec-
tions and the Qenial part of his nature
He commenced the conversation in English, with
an apology for his imperfect style. and spoke in
that language during the greater part of the inter-
view. Truth requires me to say that Mr.. Hum
boldt knows far better than his too hasty admirers
his proficiency in that language Contrary to the
assertion generally made 30 loosely. I must agree
with him that he does not speak il perfectly though
well, and with great iuencv. A foreign accent
made his English less intelli9ible than his French
which he speaks elegantly, and like native. In
speaking Of the French sapant, Ncolet. he adopted
that language, and his wit and playful humor ap-
peared in very favorable light Here for the first
time recognised the literary artist whose taste
and genius have won undying. rcnown, and in the
table power Of word painting and felicity of ex-
precision which make the pages of his hundred
books 80 fascinating. felt now the charm of that
has not affected the philosopher either physically
or mentally 1t was indeed surprising; there was
all the fire and spirit of thirty on the lips of the
man of fourscore He rat generally with his head
Interested would raise IL and look on his visitors,
while warm and genial smile would play across
his features. He has the expression OF a man Of
great goodness Of heart, without weakness and the
polished and simple manner of a veteran courtier.
There il nothing fabby about the face, the flesh
being firm and solid. His head il not remarkable
for size; but the forehead il high and smooth, with
out the protuberances which Phrcnologists usually
assign 70 the pcrccptive organs Of such men, 1t Is,
should say, head of a remarkably harmonious
development aud not sin guar in its appearance,
unless II be snguarity that IL u not yet bald but
covered with long thin white hair.
had Just received copy Of a pamphlet published
by one Of our astronomers, Mr.. c., in which Sir
John Herschcl is attacked. This he regretted, and
made some remarks on the favorable opinion Her
schel had always had ofAmerica and her scientific
men. He inquired with interest after Mr.. Bachc
and his progress in the survey Of our coasts, and
seemed quite familiar with the state of feeling his
appointment had produced among the gentlemen Of
the navy. "The navy officers, y he said, 'salways
object 10 an appointment Of that kind when not
made from their own number, matter how COM
petent and efficient the person may be-" Speak
ing Of Professor Agsssiz, he said, sYou Americans
have made fine acquisition there Agassiz would
be distinguished, even in Europe, for his attain
mcnts in various branches Of natural history. Per-
haps he il a little too unbending in his theory Of
the effect of glaciers the change of the general
climate Of the world. However, be has thrown
great deal Of light on that subject, having made
personally many very excellent experiments and
observations" The mention Of glaciers led natur-
ally to that Of persons who had observed them, and
Of exploring voyages 10 the north One of us asked
his opinion ne 70 the fate of Franklin He thought
IL quite probable that franklin had not persisted ,
but was still shut in by the ice; and gave several
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