The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1858-08-16
Baron HUMBOLDT and Gov. Wright.


Nan occasional correspondent of the S..
sdis Reprbhcan, travelling through Ger
many, gives a most interesting account of a
visit TO Gov. Wrights residence at Berlin on
the 4th of July, on the occasion of dinner
to the Americans in Berlin:
The dinner hour was fixed ut five clock,
and a few minutes before that hour, the
Baron, leaning on the arm Of Gov. Wright,
entered the parlor of the Embassy. He re-
mained. standing until those present were
introduced, and then seating himself he was
soon engaged in lively conversation with
the ladies of the party. Although he speaks
English with remarkable fluency, yet he
prefers carrying on a conversation in French.
| learn that he is eighty-nine years of age
and certainly for man of that age he is in
a most wonderful state of preservation
His form is considerably bent, but his eye is
as bright as girls, and his voice strong
and full us that of man in his prime His
intellect is still as clear and bright as the
sun at nooh-day. lie is a hard student, and
works with untiring zeal upon the conclu-
ding part of the great work of his life,
"Kosmos.' He was dressed in loose-ft-
ting sui; of plain black, with a large white
enveloping the neck high up under his ears.
He wore but a single decoration-a large
medal in the shape OF a silver star.
need not attempt to describe the dinner,
suffice it to say it was excellent, and if
those miserable slandererS who attempted
TO decry the generous hospitality of our
popular Minister 10y filling the newspapers
at home with flbrications in regard to the
manner with which he treated his guests
had been present, their cheeks would have
tingled with shame, if they are susceptible
of such feeling, had they witnessed the
generous cheer TO which we were invited.
The usual toasts were drank with all the
honors, and Excepting the Governor
himself) not in cold water, | can assure
you. After the regular toasts, each State
was called upon, and The representatives
thereof either made short speech or ten
dered sentiment. Three hours were thus
delightfully."- passed at table, the Baron SEEM
ing highly delighted with the entertain
ment. Notwithstanding his great age, he
showed no symptoms of fatigue, but honor
ell each toast with great alacrity. He kept
up an animated conversation during the
whole time, sometimes in French sometimes
in English, but when he spoke in English
every one was silent in order to catch every
word that fell from his lips, and at the close
lie arose and asked that he might be per-
mitted TO express in French, being more
familiar with that language, the pleasure
he had experienced in meeting with so large
n Iumter of Americans In foreign land in
celebrating the anniversary of their nation
al independence. He passed high eulo-
gium on our country, her greatness and
her institutions; alluded to the pleasure with
which he witnessed our progress, and to the
pleasant days he had spent in the country
in 1905, when he 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 eulogiuni
on the personal popularity and character of
our hoSpitable host, Gov. Wright.
After repairing to the parlor, nc remained
for sometime 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 Humboldt, than TO say he had
seen every King, Queen or Emperor in the
world 4 sentiment in which | am sure
every American present heartily eoncurred.
Every one present felt under additional OBJ
legations to Gov. Wright for the opportunity
he afforded uS~Of enjoying, for some hours,
the society of his distinguished guest. And
here, | cannot help saying that every Ame-
rican who was present and every one who
has visited Berlin, know will join me in
saying that the news of the confirmation of
Gov. Wright by the Senate, was received
with the liveleSt satisfaction. As Baron
Humboldt himself has said, "he is univer-
sally respected, and the President and the
Senate did wisely when they Indignantly
frowned upon the vile slanders that inter-
ested parties had given publicity to, concern
ing his penuriousneSs and cold water prin-
ciples, and time will prove how deeply he
was wrouged by such irresponsible scribblers
and meddlesome place-hunters.