Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-10-12
BARON YoN HIuMBoLDTs

learned and great man
q BARON Won HUMBoLDT. In fulflment of an APP
pointment, went at one and were admitted by
his faithful servant the companion of many an ar
duous journey. His mansion is plain editce stu
ated in retired part of the city and he would not
have been now at home had not the King gone to
Konigsberg for his residence generally with the
King at Potsdam, who keeps him near his person,
as his father did before him. not only for his society
and conversation but doubt, also as counsellor,
wise from his many years, and ms large experience
in the world We passed through his library, which
fills on all sides, of considerable size !; and
he issued from door the remote side OF the apart
ment, opening apparently from his private room He
met us with great kindness and perfect frankness,
and with a pleasant rebuke for my having hestated
to call on him, q had written note, asking permits
sion to CALI implying that he was not ignorant OF
my position and efforts at home. then introduced
my and Mr.. Brush, and we were at once placed
perfectly at His bright countenance eX-
presses great benevolence; and from the fountain OF
his immense stores of knowledge, stream, almost
constant, flowed for nearly an hour He was not en-
crossing, but yielded to our promptings, whenever
we suggested inquiry, alluded to any particular
topic for did not wish to occupy the time with
our own remarks any further than to draw him out
He has perfect command of the best English, and
speaks the language quite agreeably There is no
stateness about him and he sas aftable
if he had no claims to superiority. His voice IS
exceedingly musical, and he is so animated and
amiabe that you feel at once as ii he were an old
friend. His person is not much above the middle
size he is not unlike in form to the late Colonel
Trumbul He stoops little butless than most men
at the age of 80. He has appearance of decrepi-
tude his eyes are brilliant his complexion light;
his features and person round although not fat;
his hair thin and white; his mind very active, and
his language brilliant and sparkling with bright
thoughts. He alluded in fattering manner to our
progress in knowledge in the United States, and to
the effect which The american Journal Of Science
and Arts had produced in promoting it. lie showed
himself perfectly acquainted with the progress of
physical science and general improvement in our
nd DarticuarV commended labOrS
Col. Fremont in the Far West, of Professor Bache
in the coast survey, and of Lieut.. Maury in nay ga
ton. Bringing out his maps, and tracing his lines
without glasses, he pointed out channel OF commu
nication the Isthmus of Daren, which he had
observed and described moro than forty years ago,
and to which his attention had been recalled by
paper of Capt Etzroy's in The Journal Of the Boy
al Geographical Society,". He showed that there
mountains in the course he indicated, which
is more southern than any of the existing routes,
and that it possessed several important advantages
alluded to his brief visit in the United States in
1904, when he travelled further north than Phil
adelphia. He told that he passed three weeks at
Monticello with the late Mr. Jefferson who entertain
ed him with an extraordinary project of his inven-
tive but often visionary mind regarding the ultimate
division of the American continent into three great
Republics, involving the conquest of Mexico and of
the South American States. He discussed many to-
pics regarding the United States. The discovery of
gold in California furnished him an abundant theme
our topography, climates, productions institutions
and even political controversies were all familiar
to him
Baron Humboldt although associated intimately
with Kings, is evidently friend to human liberty,
and rejoces in the prosperity of our country. He
made very interesting remarks on the present
state of Europe, and on the mpossbility of keeping
down moral power by physical force. In his library
hung excellent likeness of the King, and another
of his own brother, the late William Humboldt the
eminent phiologist and chronological antquary.
We retired greatly gratitied and the more SO, as |
a man in his SD year might soon pass away.
When we were about leaving Berlin, addressed !
note to the Baron expressing great satisfaction
at the interview, bidding him farewell and asking |
for his autograph. He readily replied, but instead
of his signature merely, he sent Interesting orr
gina letter, written the occasion, from which,
trust it is not improper to make extract of senti
ments relating to the American continents
After some very kind expressions of personal re- |
gard he alludes to his usual residence at Potsdam,
where both the rural palace of the King, and the
tombs of some preceding monarchs Compelled to
return in the morning to the country, where the
tombs which shall soon occupy, have reserved to
myself the perusal of certain scientific American
papers which had been presented to me.' He then |
adds 81 have moral reasons to fear the immeasura-
bic ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of your confederacy-the temp
tatons to the abuse of power, dangerous to the !
Union (and have occasion also to fear) the distinct
individual character of the other populations (de-
scriptions of the population) of America. l am |
not less impressed by the great advantages which |
the physical knowledge of the world and positive |
science and intelligence ought to derive from this |
very aggrandiZement-from that intelligence which |
of knowledge, and superimposes, not without vio- |
ence, classes of population upon the indigen- |
which in course of rapid eXtnc- |
ton. However imposing this spectacle may be- which
is being realized under eyes, and is preparing |
another still remarkable for the history of the
intellectual development of races, already des-
cry the distinct epoch when high degree of civil
cation, and institutions Free firm and peaceful, (three
elements which not easily associated shall pen
citrate into the tropical regions where the high table
lands of Mexico, Bogota Quito and Potosi shall
to resemble Gin their institutions New York. Boston
and Philadelphia"
The letter concludes with personal good |
wishes, and kind message to Professor Agassiz,
equally distinguished by his vast and solid acqui-
sitions in science and the great emenity of his char
acter'
The signature is without title "ALExANDER
HUMBOLDT, Berlin Juliet, Git should have been
Aout) 1851"
1t is proper to add that at the time of our visit
Baron Won Humboldt engaged in the prepare
ton of a production the Outline Form of |
Mountain Peaks, in which he working up orr
ginal observations and drawings made during the
course of his various wanderings. He assured us
that the greater part of his literary labor of
cessity performed when others slept the hours of
usual labor were with him consumed by the demands |
of the King He added, that he early made the dscov
cry that he could get very well with four hours of
sleep This, as has been often remarked, &C
counts for his prodigious performances in literary
labor.
Such are the modestand unassuming language and
appearance of one who has, in person, explored
larger portion of our globe than any other living