Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-08-17
MORNING LEADER.
The Fourth at BerIin-Baron HumboIat


Gov. Wright, of Indiana, the American Min
lister at Berlin. invited about forty Americans in
that city to celebrate the 4th Of July at his resi-
dence. More than halt the States Of the Union
were represented at the dinner but the crown
ing interest Of the occasion was the presence Of
the worldwide distinguished naturalist, histo-
ran, scholar and traveller, Baron Alexander
Won Humboldt. The dinner hour was fixed at
five o'clock, and few minutes before the hour,
the Baron, leaning on the arm of Gov Wright,
entered the parlor Of the Embassy. He re.
mained standing while the guests present were
introduced, and then seating himself entered
into lively conversation with the ladies of the
party. A correspondent OF the St Louis Rs
publican thus describes the venerable Baron:
| learn that he is eighty nine years Of AGE, and
and certainly for man of that age he is in :
most wonderful state of preservation. His form
is considerably bent, but his eye is rs bright as
girls, and his voice strong and full as that Of
man in his prime His intellect is still as
clear and bright as the sun al MONDAY He is
a hard student and works with untiring zeal
upon the concluding part of the great work Of
his life, kOsm0s." He was dressed in a loose
fitting suit of plain black, with a large white
neek-elOth passed loosely around his throat,
enveloping the neck high up under his ears
He wore but single deeOration-a large medal
in the shape of a silver star.
The table was spread with generous cheer,
and the usual tOasts were drank. After the
regular tOasts, each State was called upon, and
the representatives, thereof either made short
speech or rendered sentiment The writer
says:
Three hours were thus delightfully."- passed at
table, the Baron seeming highly delighted with
the entertainment. Notwithstanding his great
age, he showed no symptoms of fatigue, but
hOnOTed each toast with great alaerity He
kept up an animated conversation during the
whole time, someti nes il French, sometimes
in English, but when he spoke in English every
one was silent in order 10 catch every word that
fell from his lips, and at the close he arose and
asked that he might be permitted to express in
French, being more familiar with that language,
The pleasure he had experienced in meeting
with 30 large a number Of Americans in 4 for
eign land in celebrating the anniversary Of
their national independence He passed
high eulogium on our country, her greatness
and her Institutions; alluded to the pleasure
with which he had witnessed our progress, and
to the pleasant days he had spent in our eouR
try in 1905, when be was honored with the
friendship and society of the great apostle OF
liberty, Thomas Jefferson, and others of the
distinguished fathers of the Revolution, and
concluded by passing high eulogium On the
personal popularity and character Of our hospi-
table host, Gov Wright.
Alter repairing to the parlor, he remained for
some time longer in conversation, and on
leaving, every one advanced and pressed the
noble travellers hand, with many hearty wishes
that his valuable life might long be spared TO
the world. The Rev. Mr.. Clark very justly
said in his remarks at dinner, that he would
rather be able TO say he had seen Baron Hum
bOIdt, than TO say that he had seen every King,
Queen or Emperor in the world" sentiment
in which am sure every America present
heartily cOncurred