The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-24

lI"Te%ponue!ce OF the NeO York Times
CELEBRATION OF WASHTNGToN's BIRTH-DAY AT BER-
LIN.-BerIiR, Feb. %, lS59.-The Americans now in
Berlin were on the 10th invited to dine with the
American Ambassador on Washington's birthday
as commemOratiOn of that event; and at the an
pointed time nearly 70 persons assembled in the
drawing-room of the Embassy. An old gentleman
was there hale and vigorous who had when YOUNG
been acquainted with Washington-the Senator
AdamI, from Bremen, now nearly IS wears of are
but fresh and hearty a man of 60; and soon the
door was opened, and the Baron Won Humboldt.
bending with years and honors, entered the room
IL was my trst and, presume, my last view of the
wonderful old man, whose fame is as great with us
as with his own countrymen. His portraits give a
very Indifferent idea of the philosopher; the finest
have ever seen, hangs on exhibition in the Kunst
NOrstellung here; it is bv Hoagen, and represents
him standing erect in lofty room before a table,
to the lett ot heavy curtain of gold and brown:
but believe that it is impossible for him to stand
as he stands there. The picture gives the idea of a
man of medium or slightly above medium size: but
HUMBOLDT adds one to the number of small vet great
men; the white hair the STOPPING form of the old
man; his trembling hand, his hardly distinguisha-
BILE voice, and the general air oflanguor in his
movements was remarkable, and prepared me for
the remark Of the Ambassadors son who stood by
me: Chow Humboldt has aged since last Februa-
ry Yes, 1T was so; and the leader ofnatura sci nee
in the world-the wi.est philosopher, the most
laborious andcritical Investigator the man who,
perhaps has done more for his department of
learning than any that ever ived-is passing rapid
ly away. He is now SO years old; in September, if
he ever reaches it, he will be 90; but those who
look upon him mournfully admit that his end
speedily approaches.
The dinner went off as most dinners do; the hun
CRY ate; the thirsty drank and there were walters,
wit and wine. After the dinner Gov Wright arose,
and in brief well-worded address gave "The day
we celebrate" this was drank standing, as were the
two or three succeeding toasts-''The Royal Fam
lily Of Prussia" "The United States" and in s-
lence, 'The memory of General Washington" I"
Secretary of Legation Butler replied to this toast,
! by request of Gov. Wright, in neat speech Then
a toast was given-"Baron Won Humboldt" an
| sweredby himself; one-"Senator Adami" also
answered by HIMSELF and then another TO the other
| Senator of Bremen, whose absence was explained
by a letter from him read by Mr.. Butler Then
the States were toasted in their turn; "New York"
! led the list, answered by the Rev. Mr.. Dodge of
New York, who gave ''The American Traveller ~
! The only other toasts | will mention were ono by
! Mr.. Thayer of Boston, better known to the readers
! Of the Musical Rveie,7 "Mr. Brown" "Baron
| Won Humboldt-the King of science-the atchet of
whose shoe other Kings not worthy to unloose;'
| and toast, to our ancient worthless, which | men
| tlon because the response made by Mr.. Adams
| OF Boston, grandson and great-grandson of the
! Presidents, who alluded feelingIy in his speech to
the illustrious Prescott, the news of whose death
| had but just arrived.
| At an early hour Humboldt and Mf Adami took
their leave. and at in the evening-good, moral
hour-we departed