Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1857-02-06
From the .E Y Tribune.
A letter frcral Rayard Taylor.
AN HOUR WITH HUMBOLDT.
BERLIN, Nov. rs, 1856.

ums and galleries, its magnificent street OF
liudens, its operas and theaters. nor to
miugle in the gay life of its streets and
saloons. but for the sake Of seeing and
speaking with the worlds greatest living
man-Alexander Won Humboldt.
At present, with his great age and bis
universal renown, regarded as throned
nonareh in the world Of science, bis
friends have been obliged, per-force, to
protect him from the exhaustive homage
of his thousands Of subjects, and. for bis
own sake, make difficult the ways of ac-
cess 10 him. The friend and familiar COM
pauion of the King, be may be sahs, equal
II, to hold his own court, with the privll-
eye. however, Of at any time breaking
through The fo-malities which only self
defense has rendered necessary. Some
Of nv works, / knew, had fennd their
waY into his hands was at the Begin
ming of Journey which would probably
lead me through regions which bis feet
iiad traversed aud his geuius Illustrated,
aud it was not merely natural curiosity
which attracted me towar him. | follow
ed the advice of sotue German friends,
aud made use Of no mediatory ipaaenos,
bat simply dispatched note 70 him, sta
ting my name and object, and asking for
au interview.
Three days afterward received through
Tue city post a reply in bis own hand, sta.
ting that, although he was suffering from
a Geld Which had followed bis removal
from Potsdam to the capital. he would
willingly receive me, and appointed lO'-
clock TO- day for tho visit, | was punc
tual to the minute, and reached his resi-
dencs in the Oranieuburges strasAa as the
cock struck. While ia Berlin, he lyes
/ with his servant, Saifert, whose name on-
| lg found on the door. 1t was plain
tive story house, with dull PINK front
aud inhabited, like most OF the houses in
German cities, by two or three fatn,iies.-
| The bell-wire over Seifert's name came
from the second story. / pulled: the
heavy porte cochers opened itself, and
mounted the steps until reached second
bell-Pull, over plate inscribed, "Aiexan-
der yon Humboldt"
4 stout, square faced man of about Fifty,
whom l at once recognized as Seifert
opened the door for me. care you Herr
Taylorsp he asked; Eaud added, on re.
ceiving my reply: ''His Exeellency i
ready to receive you." He usbered Iii
into room filed with stuffed birds and
other subjects of natural history; then in
to largo library, which apparently con
tanned the gifts of authors, artists, and met
of science. l walked between two Ions
tables heaped with sumptuous folios, t
' the further door, which opened iuto th
study. Those who have seen the admir-
' able cnlorei lithograph of Hildebfand'
D picture, know precisely how the room
: looks. There was the plain table, th
= writine-desk covered with letters an
0 manuscripts, the little green sofa, aud th
i same maps and pictures on the drab-col
q ored walls. The picture has been SO Ion
d hanging in my own room at bone, that
= at once recognized each particular oh
It ject.
b Seifert went to an inner door, announ
d ced my name, aud humboldt iminediatel
e appeared He came up to me with
heartiness and cordiality which made m
Q feel that was in the presence Of frien'
! gave me his hand, aud inquired whcthe
e we should converse in English or Gre
man 'sYour letter." said he, ''was thi
of German, and you must certain
speak the language familiarly; but | a
also in the constant habit of using En-
lish." de insisted upon my taking OF
3 end of the green sofa, observing that
re rarely sat upon it himself, then drew up
e. plaiu cane bottomed chair aud seated hiF
self beside il, asking me to speak liti
IN louder than usual, as his hearing was not
or acute as formerly.
to As looked at the majestic old man, 4
IT. line of Tenuyson, describing Wellingtc
came into my mind "0h, good grey hea
te which all men know" The first impre
er sion made By Humholdt's face is that of
as broad and genial humanity. lis massi
brow, heavy with the gathering wisdom
ke nearly century, bends forward and ov'
hangs bis breast, like ripe ear Of Co
but as you look below il, . pair Of Gle
is blue eyes, almost as bright and steady q
the child's, meet your Own. In those e,
nd you read that trust in man, that immor
ye youth of the heart, which makes
ye SHOWS of eighty-seven Winters lie
lightly upon his head. You trust