Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-08-08

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II syn1r 10 AnxxAsuxaEE Vox HulpoLDr.-The
weil.known novelist, Max Ring, who visited, some
time agoi the veteran Of science, Alexander Won
Humboldt thus describes the personAl appearance Of
the yenefabl old gentleman 'as : -.
Humboldt's figure is not large, but b rather stout
his feet and hands are small and Of beasttal fosm
His silver white hsir surrounds the venersbe head
he wears on the large high forehead the mark Of g.
Mus His eyes ere blue, and Notwithstanding his
advanced age are full of expression and life. His ns'
formed Inns reveal particular smile, half sarcastic,
half benevolent, full Of spiritual snpremacy. While
speaking his eyes cast to the ume 20
time he lifts his head friendly smiling. thus anima-
ting the listener. Conversing with him, you forget
entirely that the celebrated man has passed
his eighty.seventh year. juvenile fresh ana exci
ting are his words, flowing in wonderful mug
ling humor with instruction. He is, in the Huess
sense and fullest meaning of the word, the best mar
rator, the clearest orator the world knows Ar
mense amount of knowledge is always at his coptf,
and Notwithstanding his great age. you cannot per-
ceive the least failure in his memory. He prooaoly
has no equal. Facts, names and figures never e.
cape his memory, and he remembers often with the
same tenacy the smallest affairs as the greatest ard
most valuable facts.
The principal feature of his whole being is rare
humanity for others, which almost reaches sef.for.
eetfuness. It is only known to his most intimate
friends that Humbot spends the greatest part of bic
income in charity and aiding the support young
and aspiring students. His private property is not
very considerable, but he receives from the King OF
Prussia large salary for bis position at the court,
and besides this corresponding sum is paid nm oy
Cote, the publisher of his works. By the simple.
ness of his wants this income would not only be SUI
hcient, but would allow him to lay up something;
but Humbolt thinks to make better use OF it by
changing the fate of some unfortunate young man.
The influence which he has With the king he uses
for the promotion of science There is no person OF
talent, no juvenile genius, who is not noticed oy
him.
1t may be interesting to learn how This great nat.
urast spends his time. Humboldt rises at about
hafpast eight o'clock at breakfast he reads his let
tiers, which he generally answers Immediately
There is perhaps letter writer punctual as he,
thought very few persons have large correspon.
dence to all parts of the world After this he dress
es with the aid of his palet de camsbre to receive
and announce visitors, to make visits himself un'
til two o'clock. After three o'clock he goes to the
royal palace, where he generally dimes, if he does
not invite himself to dine with some family OF his &C.
quaintance. He remains mostly at Alexander Mem
dessohns in whose house he lives. At seven o'clock
in the evening, he usually returns to his home de
then goes to the court into society, from which he
returns at about midnight Now is his real and best
time for working in the profound, mighty silence, he
writes his immortal works, often in summer until
the day shines through the windows. 1t is always
three o'clock in the morning when this juvenile old
man thinks of allowing short rest to his almost
for the new days work. Indeed we think this
strange story, and still every word of it is true.
Humbot has family of his own-his nearest re.
atons being the and daughters Of his excellent
brother, William for whom he he has touching fra
ternal regard. "You should have known my broth
err" says be- with amiable modesty, ''he was always
the more talented of us two brothers." -.s