The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-21
THE DISPATCH.
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D.ash Or niiussrteus Men
The last arrival from Europe onuss
.a,nc. AZ tho aea,h of the Baron Won hum
boldt, the great German na.a,a"' n "
eller and philosopher, ana OF VI: p'ous
on. I..ransr. one of the most distinguish.
"a oe the scientific men of England.
. p.,on Won Humboldt was born Sept. |
IA l76a, at Berlin, studied Al Gottingen,
and Frankfort on the Oder, aud commenced
at the age of twenty-one those universal
travels, which have been so fruitful OF in
struction aud interest to mankind. The
immeuse results of his explorations aud OBJ
serva,ions in every part Of the world are
published in works Of gigantic extent aud
richness, to which, it has been justly said,
''the modern literature of Europe can hardly
afford a parallel" The royal family of
Prussia. in whose service bis brother,
the Baron Charles William, had occupied
such responsible posts as head Of the de-
par,rnent of ecclesiastical affairs and public
education, and afterwards Of ambassador to
Vienna, delighted 10 place at the disposal
of Alexander Won Humboldt every facility
for the prosecution of his learned lAbors.-
Indeed, there was not q king in Europe
who did not eagerly seek TO sustain this
wonderful man, in those scientific campaigns,
more honorable than those of arms, by which
he sought to extend the realm vi human
knowledge. There was no distinction and
emolument which Royalty would not have
showered upon his head, but his indepen-
dence Of soul was even more admirable
than his genius, and he preferred u noble
and virtncus poverty to the acceptance OF
Obligations which might impair in any de-
gree that complete self-dir :tiou and ex-
emption from undue infius ice, which, to
such mind as his, were more precious
than the richest lar gesses and favors of no.
bles and monarchs.
An American traveller, who recently
visited the Baron Humboldt, describes his
residence as plain two story house, where
he occupied apartments plain in all their
appointments plain furniture, plain old
serving man, and the Baron himself, in his
manners aud apparel, the plainest Of ALL
His library was small this great man wa:
not able to possess full set of his own i'm
mortal works. Our traveller speaks OF him
as small in stature; a head, bending for
ward with the weight of years aud OF wis.,
dom; a fine old German face, full OF thought
and benignity hand, though thin and
shrunken, still warm with the pulsations OF
Il heart that never grew old. This mon
arch in the realms of knowledge, what q
contrast in his demeanor and surroundings
to the brainless leaders of wealth and
rank Lady Morgan, in her diary, speak
ing of Humboldt, says: " never hear his
name without rising with involuntary defer
ence. His presence recalls all that i5 mos
sublime in the capability of human nature
His gigantic labors, contrasted with th,
pleasant familiarity Of his conversation, In
dictate the universally of the highest order
of mind. He is like the elephant, who car
with equal ease tear down an oak or picl
up PIN Upon receiving a letter, on til,
outside Of which was written, " Alexandra
Won Humboldt" she tells US, with genuin,
Irish enthusiasm: "The dirty little spo
called the world disappeared into its owl
mists, and the universe, of which Humboldt
is at this time high-priest, seemed to replsc
the puppet-show with which we had beef
playing.
The contributions of this extraordinar,
man to science can hardly be more usefu
10 mankind than the contemplation Of hi
character and life. Here is An example O
dignity OF mind, OF the most serene con
tentment, and of longevity that extended
thirty years beyond the allotted span of hu
man existence, unaccompanied by any 0
those Fictitious advantages of wealth ans
position which, in this age of greed ant
self-indulgeuce, are deemed essential to bu
man enjoyment. Here is man of simplici
ty and genuinenesS in an age of pretensoI
and atfectation; here is one of those men o
great powers, of whom Germany is more
prolific than any other country, whose chic
incentive to exertion is the advantage, and
not the applause, of their race; here is ont
of those ''grand Teutonic souls, which will.
ing y spend days and nights in adding one
other stone to the tower OF knowledge which
men are building towards Heaven, and care
not whether pOsterity ever know what
strong and patient hands have placed il
there"
Humboldt visited the United States in
1904, and spent some two or three months
in Washington and Philadelphia, visit de-
voted, as he himself says, to the study OF
our political institutions. 1t is conjectured
that this investigation was not without It's
influence in the stand afterwards taken in
Germany by himself and his brother fol-
constitutional government. Although hold
ing the post of Privy Councillor of Prussia
since 1929, he has always entertained liberal
sentiments and expressed high regard fol
the institutions and people of the United
States. The last published letter, which
bears his illustriOus signature, was one oil
congratulaliOn to the American Captain
Maury, of Washington, upon his valuable
contributions TO nautical science.
DR.. LARDNER, whose death has recently
occurred in England, is well known in this
country, not only as an author but lee
turer. He visited the United Stated in 1910,
and his scientific lectures, delivered in lau.
guage easily comprehensive by the multi.
tade and with much grace of manner, were
attended by large crowds in all our principal
cities. He was the greatest encyclopedia Of
bis time. Though man of extraordinary
scientific attainments, he wrote memorable
article for the London Times, when The
subject of navigating the ocean by steam
was hrst discussed, demonstrating its i'm.
prac.icability.
New Route for summer Travs,
1t will be gratifying TO the ira Yelling pub.
lie to itarn that new and attractive rout.
is now opened to the seekers of health and
pleasure in the mountains of Virginia. A
correspondent writes US that the turnpik,
road flOm the Monfvomarv Wh;ta C.,,,bu,