New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-09
New1lork daily @i6m,ta
r u II 0 p f .
Dayard Taylor in Northern Europe.
AN HOBR WITH HUMBOLDT.

came 20 Berlin, not 10 ysit It's museums and
galleries, ia magnificent street Of hndens is operas
ana theater, nor to miOgIe in the gay hfe of its
streets and salons but for the sake Of sec Dg and
speaking with the worlds greatest hfiDg man
AeIsBder Won Humboldt.
A. present, with bis great age and his universal
rnowA, regarded thrOned monarch in the
world Of scebce bis e0ds have been obliged, per-
force, 10 protect him from The exhaustive homage
Of his thOusaDds Of subjects and, for bis own sake,
10 make difficult the ways of access TO hun. The
friend and familiar OnpaniOn of the KING, he may
be said, equally, 10 bod bis own court with the
privilege however, Of at any time breaking through
the formsliiies which only sefdefense has rendered
necessary. Some Of my works, knew, had fOuOd
their way into hs hAnds: was as the beginning of
ajouIBey which would probably lead mo through
regions which bis teet had tragersed and his genius
Illustrated aud it was not merely natural curiosity
which attracted me toward him. l followed the
advice Of some German friends, and made use of no
nsdis'Ory influence, but Simply dispatched note
~ bin, siasiog my name and object, and asking for
an interview.
Three days sfterward received through the city
poet reply in his own hand, stating that, although
be was suffering from a cold which had followed hls
removal from Potsdsm 10 the capital, he would will
iDgiy receive me, and appointed ! o'clock to-day
he sisit. / was punctual to the minute, and
reached bis residence 10 the OraneOburger-
a. the clock struck. While in Berlin, he ives
with bis servant, Stifert, whose name only found
on the door. 1t was plain twO-stOry house, with
dull PINK front, and inhabited, like mOst Of the
houses in German cities by two or three families.
The be-wire over seifert's pane came from The
second story. pulled: the heavy porte.cOcAere
opened Of itsef and mounted the steps until |
reached second bellpu over plate inscribed,
"AleIan6er Won Humboldt"
A stout, square-faced man Of about fifty whom
at once recognized as Seiert opened the door Tor
ne. "Are you Herr TaylOr" he asked; and
ADDED, on receiving my reply; His Exceiency is
ready n receive YOU" He ushered mo into room
FLIED with stuffed birds and other objects Of natural
history; then INTO a large library, which apparently
contained the gifts of authors artists, aud men Of
science. ! walked between two Icing tables hespet
with sumptuOus fOlios, 10 the further door, which
opened into the study. Those who have seen tho
admirable colored hthogaph of Hidebrand's pic
tuIe, know precisely how the room looks. There
vas The plain table, the wrnDg.desk covered with
letters and manuscripts the little green sofa, and
the same maps and pictures on the drob-coOrcd
wslls. The picture had been go long han 1og in
my own room at home, that at once recognized
each particular object.
Seiiert went TO an inner door, announced my
I'd ~ date NJ
came UP to me with a heartiness and cOrdiality
which made me feel that was in the presence Of
friend, gave me his hand, and inquired whether We
thoud converse in English or German "Your
letter" said he, "was that Of a German, and you
must certainly speak the language fsmi,iarY; but
am afro in the constant habit Of using English"
He insisted on my taking end Of the green sofa,
observing that he rarely sat upon it HIMSELF then
drew I'D q plain cane bOttOmed char and seated
himself beside it, asking me TO speak little louder
than usual, as his hearing was not 30 acute as
formerly.
As looked at the majestic old man, the line of
Tennyson, describing Wellington, came into my
mind: 4" Oh, good gray head, which al men know"
The fret impression made by HumbOldts face is
that of bread and genial humanity. His massive
brew, heavy with The gathered wisdom of nearly
century, bends forward and Overhapgs his breast,
ike ripe ear of corn, but as you look below IL,
pair Of clear blue eyes almost bright and steady
a. a chud's, meet your own. Ia those eyes you
read that trust in man, that immortal youth OF the
heart, which make the SHOWS of eghty-seven VIM
tiers lie 80 lightly upon his head! You trust him
utterly At the first glance and you feel that he will
trust yen, If you are worthy OF IT, l had APP
preached him with natural feeling of reverence,
but in five minutes l found that loved him, and
could talk with him as freely as with friend Of my
osn age His nose, mouth and chin have the
heavy Teutonc character, whose genuine type
ARays expresses an honest simplicity and direct
Dess.
was most surprised by the youthful character
Of his face. ] knew Ihst he had been frequently
mdisPesed during the present year, aud mad been
bold that he was beginning 10 show The marks OF
his extreme age; but should not have suspected
hin of beng over seventy FIVE. His wrinkles are
few and small, and his skin has smOOthness and
dehcacy rare'y seen IL old men. His hair although
Snow white, is still abundant, his step Glow but
firm, aud hs manner active almost 70 restlessness.
He sleeps eut four hours out Of the twenty -foar,
reads and replies TO his daily rain of letters, and
suffers no single occurrence Of the least interest IN
any part Of the world 70 escape his attention.
could not perceise that his memory, The first mental
faculty 70 show decay, is a. all impaired. He talks
npidly, with the greatest apparent e,se, never
keststine for word, whether in Eoghsh or Ger
man, al d, IN fact ,e-med 70 Dc unconscious which