New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-06-07

STA, tIsCbarging various trusts, tnongn IN state
Of intense suffering from the uncertainty and re-
strainis Of his position. He deeply felt that such
"a lie b a no inward vitality. His letters during
this period are peUaded BY tone OF sadness,
which is hardly in keeping with the lnhexib reso-
mton of his character.
A new epoch was formed in his life IN 1910, by
bis REIMBURSEMENT Of public service, and his ac-
ccptance of Professorsh!p in the University OF
Berlin. At the opening of the University, ne de-
liyercd those lectures on Roman History, which
contained the germs of his great historical WORK.
This course established his reputation as a pro-
found ard original scholar. IL atteaded, not
ony by large audience Of the students, but by
men ters Of tae Academy, professors of the Uni
yersity. and public men OF all classes. The sue
cess Of his lectures gave him fresh inspiration.
They were written out in full and read verbatim
before his hearers. They were thus made to feel
as if transported into ancient times, when the
public reading of new works supplied the place OF
printed books From this time forward, he re-
earded the writing of his "IIistory of Rome" as
the vocation of Ms life. The first volume of this
great work was published in 1911. and the second
during the following year. The indifference with
which they were at first received by the public,
gave him pain; but did not weaken his resolution
to complete the enterprise.
In the winter of 1Sl2--'l3, the tranquility Of
Berlin was constantly disturbed by the passing
through it of French troops on their return from
Russia. Their disasters rekinded ths spirit OF
patriotism in the people of Prussia. On the evac-
uation of Berlin by the French, in February, 1873,
Nebuhr shared in the national reJoicings, and in
the enthusiastic preparations for the attainment OF
freedom. When the Landwehr was called out, he
sent in his name as volunteer. His friends in
Denmark could hardly believe their eyes when he
wrote them word that he was drilling for the mr.
my, and that his wife entered with equal ardor
int his feelings. The greatness of the object had
so inspired Madame Niebuhr that she was will
ling to bring even her most precious treasure a.
sacrifice to her country. In the spring of 1918, her
health, which had been gradually failing, altered
for the worse with a rapidty that revealed the
full extent of her danger She fingered till the
2lst of June, when she died in the arms of her
husband He had never alluded 10 her approach
ing death, as the physician forbade all excite
asked her if there was nothing that he could do
for her sake she replied with look of the deep
est love, You shall finish your History whether
live or die" This request was never forgotten
he regarded it's fufllment a sacred duty, though
it was many years before he was able to resume
his work.
A few months after his wife's DEATH the Gov
eminent proposed to send him as ambassador to
Rome, to negotiate Csncordat with the Pope.
He accepted the mission as a matter of duty,
though he shrank from the complete isola-
ton from his friends which it would involve.
He quilted Berlin in July, 1916, having previously
been married for the second time to ME SO ofthe
husband of Madam Hensler. His friend, DIR.
Brands, accompanied him as Secretary Of Lega-
ton. His intercourse in Rome was chiefly con-
fined to Germans and English, though he had like
wise several acquaintance among the Preach.
There were but few Of the Italians whose CONVEX
sation gave him pleasure, owing TO their entirely
opposite cast Of mind. He associated much with
the young artists who were then studying at
Rome and laying the foundation of the present
German school OF historical painting.
He remained at Rome until 1898, when he Sc
lected Bonn as his place Of residence, and resumed
in earnest the completion of his History. Here ne
again engaged in the congenial labors OF public
instruction, and delivered various courses OF lee
lures in the University. His intercourse at Bonn
was not confined to the Literary circles. He took
a deep interest in all the civil affairs of the town
and neghborhood, never refusing his share OF the
public business. His mode of life at Bonn was
Ia
to show or superhuous luxury in household ar
rangements. lie had genuine taste for art, but
did not wish to see her degraded into minister oil
the senses. His devotion to learning never IN
terfered with the claims of family affection. His
sympathy was as ready for the little sorrows oil
his children as for the misfortunes of nation. lie
rose at seven in the morning. and retired at eleven.
At the simple one o'clock dinner Of the family, he
usually conversed cheerfully on the contents of
the newspapers which he had just looked through.
The conversation was often continued during the
walk which he took Immediately afterward. They
drank tea at eight o'clock, when he was
always glad TO see any of his acquaintance.
But during the hours spent IN his library, his
whole being was absorbed in his studies and hence
he accomplished an incredible amount of labor in
short time.
In October, 1926, he commenced work on the
History of Rome, as his regular occupation. The
second edition of the first volume was finished in
the summer of 1896, exactly as he completed his
fitieth year. His work had now found its true
place. Half the copies Ofthe new edition were or
dered before the last sheets left the press. lie
received numerous expressions of admiration for his
production, not only in Germany, but from foreign
countries. But the peace OF his life in Bonn was
destined to speedy close. In February, lS5O, his
new house, in the arrangement of which he had
taken so much pleasure, was burned down. Be-
fore order and comfort could be restored from the
ruins of his domestic existence, the news came OF
the second French Revolution. lie was deeply at
fected by the former Misfortune; but it dis