New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-07
rpi.,ed TO the social intercourse Of the family.

hv Basch, but he could rot al in with the whir
Of amusement and gayety, which prevailed IN the
society Of the house. lie felt ont Of place IN this
new world
His eamestness Of feeling did not blend easily
with the dominant tone of pleasantly. He found
no one who understood MS mos; cherished senti-
meuts ard ideas. Although inferior IN age 70
most around him. he could not bat be conscious Of
the superiority Of his character. Remaining at
Hamburger but few months, he returned to his
fathers house, where he diligently pursued ms
studies, and in 4 short tine became master OF the
principal modern languages.
! In 1874 be became a member Of the University
Of Kiel. His position here was far more IN his
mind than it was in Hamburgh. The students
were freely receive lin the families of the Pro-
fessors Among other acquaintance which Me
hlhr now made, was that of Professor Hensler,
head ply stefan to the University, friend OF his
| fathers, and man of intellect AMI attractive
| character. In his house, to which he had con-
slant access he found another friend, who became
more intimately connected with his destiny than
any other human being. This was the widow OF
a son of Dr. Henser who had died young, while
from that tine she resided with her father inlaw,
to whom she filed the place of daughter. She
was six years older than Niebuhr; on the death
| of her husband she took romantic vow not to
marry again but her acquaintance with Medium
coon npened into a tender friendship, which con-
tinued through all the vicsstudes OF ans life
He remained at Kiel till the spring Of 1896,
pursuing the usual academical courses but con-
tinung to devote himself chiefly to philology and
history. He also took deep interest in the study
of philosophy, particularly the system OF Kant;
although his mind was by means of meta
physical cast. The Greek and Roman classics
were always favorites with him. but while at col
lege he read them only a recreation. Hispower
of vivid conception was shown in the effect pro-
duced on him by ancient authors. While pursuing
the study OF their writings he was completely
transported into their world. The past
brought before him with such life. like reality, that
he forgot the present. He once told friend, who
found him in great emotion, that he could net bear
TO read more than few pages at time of the old
tragic poets-so entirely did he identify himself
with the scenes and suflerings which were repre-
sented. lie made one of the characters who hg-
ured in the drama-he saw Antigone leading her
blind father-the aged Gdipus entering the grove
he caught the music of their speech, feeling GER
tain that he could distinguish the true accent of
the Greeks, though he could not reproduce it with
his barbarian tongue.
In 1896, Niebuhr was invited 10y Count Schim-
melnan, the Danish Minister Of Finance, to &C.
cept the post of his private Secretary. He en-
tered upon the duties of this Office in the spring,
removing his abode to Copenhagen. He soon be-
came a favorte with Schimmelman, at whose
house he enjoyed the society Of the most dstin-
guished circles of the city. At first, he was
charmed with his new position; but he soon found
that his time was too much absorbed in social in
tercourse, dcpriying him both of the leisure and
the tranquility essential to the successful pursuit
of his studies. On this account, he was gadto avail
himself of an offer from the Prime Minister, Count
Bemstcrf, to take the office Of Secretary in the
| Royal Library, with permission to travel abroad.
He entered this post in the spring of 1877, and
| discharged its dut es for about year.
Meantime he had formed an acquaintance with
Amelia Behrens, younger sister of Madame
| Henslsr, which soon resulted in engagement of
marriage. After visit to England, and a twelve
months residence at the University Of Edinburgh,
he returned to Copenhagen in 1900, and few weeks
after his arrival he was appointed Assessor at the
Board of Trade. In the month Of May he was
married, and taking his young wife to Copenha-
gen, he entered upon his official duties on the LIST
of July. The marriage was a singularly happy
one. His wife possessed disposition OF beautiful
serenity; her intellect was marked by admirable
sense and her devoted attachment to Niebuhr CON-
verted their modest home into an earthly Paradise.
Their tastes were in delight harmony theirlives
flowed on calmly and sweetly; mingling but little
in fashionable society, they found everything III
their mutual affection. When Niebuhr was not
engaged in his official duties he returned to his
fayorite classical authors. His wife entered with
warm sympathy into all his pursuits. In the even
ing. he often related stories to her from the
ancient writers, or challenged her admiration for
choice passages which he would read aloud, or
looked over with her his own last compositions.
He proposed at this time to devote his leisure
hours to ae study of Grecian history with view
TO writing an account OF the various Constitutions
among the Greeks. This had been cherished
design. almost from boyhood. But his studies
were interrupted by the i-health of his wife, who
suffered from a complaint in the eyes, during which
time most of his leisure spent in the attempt
70 anuse her. With only this drawback, the win
ter passed away pleasantly giving them the purest
ENJOYMENT of domestic life In the spring, his
feelings were greatly agitated by the episode OF
the bombardment OF Copenhagen, by Nelson. The
following year. the sphere OF his official duties was
greatly enlarged. lie succeeded TO the post OF
his colleague at the Board of Trade, the duties OF
which were very onerous, and was subsequently APP
pointed the First Director ofthe Bank and assumed
the direction of the East India Department. His
position and his income were considerably ina
proved by thess changes, while the amount Of his
labors was much increased especially by business
connected with commerce and the currency. His
MANAGEMENT of the Bank was universally ap-