Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-01-30

Letters from Bayard Taylor.
NUMBER VII.
VISIT TO RITTER AND NIUEGGE-BER-
LIN, HAMBURG AND LVBECK.

MbEK VII.
VISIT TO RITTER AND 1IUECCE--RER-
LIN, HAMBURG AND LtBECK.
Correspondence of the y. Y. Tiibune
Hamburg, Nov 20, 1856.
While in Berlin, paid visit to DR..
Karl Ritter, the distinguished geographer,
to whom had letter Of Introduction from
my friend Zicglcr ! found him at his
rooms overlooking the Gendarmmarkt, and,
though happened to call during his hours
of study, was at once admitted. Through
two rooms crammed with books from floor
to ceiling, | passed 10 his workshop, which
was furnished in the same manner and cx-
hailed the same delightful infections odor of
antique leather. He was sitting at his desk,
in the midst of chaos Of books and pa
pers, but rose and came forward as | enter
ed. Here again was massive Teutonic
head, larger than Humboldts, but not so
symmctrically balanced, broad overhang-
ing brow, shading large and friendly eyes, a
strong nose, and ono of those ample irreg-
ular mouths, in which the expression of kind
ness and goodness atones for the absence Of
beauty. His hair was gray and thin, for he
must have seen at least sixty-five summers,
but his tall figure was still erect and full of
strength. The dressing gown he wore, with
his unbuttoncd collar and bare throat, gave
a certain grace and dignity to his appear
ance, not unlike that which belongs to the
pricture Of Gothic in his latter days
Our conversation was most geographical,
and though remained but half an hour,
through fear of interrupting his labors, it
served to Illustrate his immense knowledge.
He touched upon the Japanese and the Chi
nese, the Tartars, and Thibctans, the Lapps
and Samoyeds, the Shillocks, the Dinkas
and the Bushmcn, described the formation
of theirrcspcctivc countries, the climate and
production, their habits, laws and religions
My projected journey to Lapand appeared
to interest him, and he advised me to notice
the result of the Swedish missionary labors
among that people, and to contrast it with
the operation of similar labor in India and
China. The interior of Swedish Lapp-
mark was, he admitted, n comparatively I'M
known region, and he commended my de-
sign of visiting it in the Winter, when the
facilities of getting from point to point are
much greater than in the Summer, and the
Lapps are gathered together in their villa
ges. He recommended the work of Leo
pold Won Buch rs the best description of
Norway and Lapland. Ritter is now en-
gagged in the publication of an Universal
Geography, which, so far as it has appeared
far surpasses all previous works of the same
character, in the richness and accuracy of its
information. The Germans arc undoubt-
edly at present the greatest geographers in
the world, and the French, despite their
claims the worst
was fortunate in having a letter to The
odor Muegge, the author of "Afraia" and
"Eric Randall" When / called at his resi-
dence, according to previous appointment
apretty little girl of seven or eight years old,
opened the door. AIS Herr DIR. Mugge at
home :" asked She went to an adjacent
door and cried out, "Father, are you at
home?" "Ja ,oohA," answered a sturdy
voice; and presently a tall, broad shoulder
ed, and rather handsome man of over forty
years made his appearance. He wore a
thick, brown beard, spectacles, was little
bald about the temples, and spoke with n
decided North German accent. His man.
ner at first was marked with more reserve
than is common among Germans; but had
the pleasure Of meeting him more than
once, and found that the outer shell cover
ed kernel of good humor and good feeling.
Like many other authors, Mugge has re-
ceived hardly rs much honor in his own
country as he deserves. His "Afraia," one
of the most remarkable romances of this
generation, isjust beginning TO be read and
valued. He was entirely unacquainted
with the fact that it had been translated in
America, where five or six editions were
sold in very few months. could give
him no better evidence of its success than
the experience of friend of mine, who was
carried thirteen miles past his home, on u
New Haven railroad train, while absorbed
in its pages. He informed mo that the
idea of the story was suggested TO him du-
ring his residence at Tramsoe, on the Nor
wegan coast, where, among some musty of
fetal records, he found the minutes Of the
last trial and execution of Lapp for witch
craft, about n century ago, This Lapp,
who was sort of chieftain in his clan, had
been applied to by some Danish traders TO
furnish them with good wind during their
voyage. He sold them breczes from the
right quarter, but the vessel was wrecked
and all hands drowned When asked, du-
ring his trial, whether he had not furnished
bad instead of good wind, he answered
haughtily; "Yes, sold them bad wind, be-
cause hated them, as | hate you, and all
the brood Of thieves who have robbed me
and my people Of our lands" referred 10