The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-07-09
Alexander Won Humboldt.

ms great philosopher, traveller auu
author, expired on the 9th of May, in Ber-
lin, Prussia, at the advanced age of ninety
one years. He has outlived three genera
tons, his reputation as man of science
was world wide, aud he had been a wit
ness of the most thrilling events that had
ever transpired in the history Of the
world. He was born in 1853, seven
wears before the American revolution,
aud had seen our country emerge from
the condition Of few sparsely settled
colonies to an independent empire, ex-'
tending from the Atlantic to the Pacific
Ocean, NUMBERING thirty millions of inhab-
itants, and second to none in all that con-
stitutes true greatness. He saw the old
French revolution rise in glory and go
down in blood and gloom he witnessed
the rise of Napoleon the Great, and be-
held his own land PRUSSIA crushed be-
meath the despops heel mere serf to
France he again saw the Corsican con-
oueror chained prisoner in st. Helena,
and his whole kindred banished from
Gaul and now, Just as his eyes were
closing forever, the tramp of armed men
fell upon his ear, going forth once more
to battle under the banners of Bona
parte and C@sar-the Gaul and Ger
man-and who can tel what the end
will be q?
Alexander Won Humboldt received a
high education in the University of Got
tingen, where his taste for the sciences
was cultivated with assiduity. His fame
as a minerolosist was esrly established,
and at twenty-three years OF age, he
was appointed to the important govern
ment post of Superintendent of Mines in
Franconia. Having felt a strong desire
to visit foreign lands, he soon resigned
! this situation, and sold large estate to
furnish means for travelling in America.
After many disappointments, he was at
las: enabled to visit the New World un-
der the patronage of the Spanish Govern
ment, and in 1899 commenced to explore
the great valley of the 0rinoco. During
the five years he was traveller on ouT
continent, he visited the sources OF the
| Amazon, climbed the snow-capped peaks
of the Andes, aud under burning sun
traversed vast plains, pesiiieG:ial swamps
and barren deserts where the foot OF
white man had never trod before.
1t affords us much pleasure to state
that Baron Won Humboldt included q
portion of our own country within hi
extended American tour. He visited ou
principal seaboard cities, and was person
ally known to some of our distinguished
men. He quilted this country in 1904
and returned to his native land. Ou
institutions made a most favorable i'm
preston upon his mind, and he ever after
wards retained a pleasant recollection
of our people. His published account
, of these travels attracted the atten
, ton of the whole civilized world
, The field was fresh, the power Of tn
, authors description was vivid they wer
filed with thrilling incidents. and con
tanned mass of new geographical, DO
tanical and neurological information Q
the most interesting character. His fam
8 was at once established by their publics
{ ton, and honors poured in upon hiI
e from the scientific associations OF a
d lands. They were printed in seventee
o large volumes, richly illustrated wit
8 figures Of the subjects described. The
' embraced geography, zoology, botan.
e nineralogy, the natural history of an
: mails, astronomy, geology, climatology,
e short, every branch Of science. 80 v
o RED and profound were his attachments,
b was at once felt that he stood out in DO
II relief as the most accomplished travel
le that ever lived. We would be neglet
-e full, however, of sacred duty, If we we
d to forget to state, IN connection with Il
5, subject, that he had for an associate {
n celebrated French savant, Bonpland, W
5. accompanied him in his journeys, and
j sisted in his literary labors.
., OF late years, the name Of Humbo
Or was made more widely known by
al Cosmos work written during the 10
ID and pleasant twilight Of his life. in VIII
b. he considers (and in this view he Is rig
Us all created things as linked toget
N forming one uniform whole, and affo
yh ing evidence Of one great creative m
a. and the author of the visible creation
On This work has been translated into sew
rs Ian uages--our. own among the numbs
o. and is replets with curious, varied :
", profound information
,st OF this great man we can truly tes
y. he was benefactor to the human !