The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-28
OUR BERLIN CORRESPONDENCE.

While yet there's song and sunshine leit
OUR BERLIN CORRESPONDENCE
BERLIN May T. 1859.
Death of Alexander Von H.nbold-Rerie,o of his Career
His Influence Over His Contenporaries-Hs Partially to
the United StStss--Hs Fidelity TO Liberal Idea,-Hi,
Last Tote in Fauor Of ProgTsssLoay Of the Conserua-
tires TO Him, DC
Alexander Humboldt, the Ncstor of science, the con-
temporary of Washington and of Frederick the Great the
friend of Jefferson and Madison the man who linked the
Old and New World in common feeling Of reverence
for his person admiration OF his varied attaumeuts
is he expired yesterday at half past two in the
afternoon rather he fell asleep quietly and withou.
struggle, passing mperceptbly from time to eternity
HIS ply steal strength, eneebed by tue weight of years
had been completely Frustrated by his last ness though
IA tself net of serious character and he died
SO much from the effects of disease OF utter ex
haus.ion of nature.
The career of the venerable deceased is 30 well known
that is scarcely necessary TO remind your readers of
prominent phases Frederick Henry Alexander Baron
Won Humboldt was born in this city, September IA
1859. When only ten years OF age he lost
his father, the representative Of Of the Oldest and
noblest families Of the country, who had served with
distinction in the Prusian army during the Seven Years
War; but his mother lady of French extraction, gave
him and his elder brother William, after wards the cee-
brated statesman and nguist, an excellent education
which he completed at the universities of Frankfort and
GottDgen. An excursion to the Hartz Noun and the
banks Of the Rhine afforded him the materials his frs.
scientific work, Essay the Basates of tn, Rhine with
Observations the Syente and Basonte Of the Ancens
which was published in 1870, and gave early indications
of scientific tact and patient research Ia the year
lie visited France and England, where he became
acquainted with Sir Joseph Banks the companion of
aret
whose vivid descriptions Of tropical scenery first
awakened in the ardent mind Of Humboldt the
enthusiasm Of traveller and naturalist. After having
been employed for years Prussian government
unctonary in the Department o. Mines, he threw up this
office in the spring of 1884, TO devote himself entirely
those pursuits by which he destined gain
tai journey to Italy undertaken, chiefly
for purpose Of studying phenomena volcanoes
previous 10 his exploring the geological structure Of
great mountain chains OF South America, and he 5h
OF June, 1885, he embarked with his fri END Bonpand
CoruDna on board the Spanish rgate Pizarro, for the
shores of the New World Ga the voyage to reucrife
they chased by British cruiser, from which they
escaped with difficulty, and the 19n aumooi; landed
Santa Cruz, when ne ascended the peak, and in few
days collected great number OF and valuable data
the natural history OF the island the 10th
OF July he rst get foot American soil, at Cumana and
employed eighteen months in examining the territory
which now foms The republic OF Venezuela In
February, $500, he reached Caracas, and, crossing
the extensive praies of CaaDozo, parked
the Ornoco proceeded the Span port of
San Carlos the Rio Negro from whence he returned
TO Cumara, after Eaversng 500 miles of wilderness.
An excursion to the Havana afforded him opportunity
OF examining the interior Of the island of Cuba,
turning TO the Continent he out in September 1901
for the Corderas reaching Quito on January 8, 1902
Six months were spent in exploring the beautiful plateau
OF Quito and climbing the giant Chimborazo, where he
attained the height OF IS 096 feet greater than
had been ascenqed by any previous traveller Passing
rived aHAcapuco the 23d March, SO3 visited Mexico
Guansluaio and yalodond, assembled and measured
and then proceeded by way Of Cuba 10 PM.
ladelpha, where he arrived in May, 1904. His
stay in The United States vas only OF brief duration
but he resided there long enough 10 become with
the most lustrous statesmen and savan,s period
with Jefferson, Madison, Galatn, Marshall, and many
others. 1t with reluctance that he Quilted The virgin
ihores OF the Western Hemisphere and oay to
Europe, where he arrived on the Sd OF AuguEt 1904
bringing with him more interesting collections ami oosar
vatons the branches Of s;ence and on
geography statistics AID ethnology enriched the
great Of human knowledge since the days Of
Columbus
Humboldt row took up his residence in Paris as the
point most suita ole for the arrangement and
Of scientific and literary treasures In 1907 he com
meLced publishing the results OF his Investigations in the
French language which gradually extended nine
folio volumes without exhaustng the maerias
ne mad anassed The personxl narrative Of his travels
appeared under the tte of "voyage Regions Equl.
noxicaes du Nouveau Continent, three volumes and
has been translated into all the languages Of the civilized
world. After accompanying the late King of Prussia to
London and Italy, he returned to his native country
1921 and two years later az the particular request of
Russian Emperor NichOas ne Undertook second great
expedition 10 the Pora and Central Asia which las added
almost much TO knowledge OF those regions as his
former travels did TO that Of the New World He then
again spent several years in Paris, where he published
his Asie Centrae, ana his Examen CrItique de Ia
Geographic du Nouveau Continent and at length settled
permanently at Berlin the honored friend const
guest Of Frederick William w. Here he began the publ
cation Of his " Cvemos," which to be the crown.
ing labor and the eptome Of his long life Of
scientific research, and which occupied him, may
almost gay, TO the last hour of his mortal existence
Altogether, the works Of Humboldt, in their number
and variety, and in the mass OF facts contributed
hava n
parallel in literary history He may'bave been surpassed
by other philosophers the special branches OF study
II may be truly said that other has done 90
much TO popplarze science, 10 duse knowledge and
penetrate into the hidden mysteries Of org nic nature
has been accomplished by the great deceased.
nave frequently had occasion to aude TO the Partially
snown by Humboldt TO the United States and their c
zene he neglected no opportunity Of manifcstng this
feeling, and the Americans paid their re-
spects TO him during their ssy this capital
raby received with the umos. kindness and cordaIty
among perhaps tho last communications written by hun
was letter 70 the American Minister Mr.. Wright with
WHOM ne mad contr acted sincere friendship ackno wedg
States Agricultural Society for the wear 1851 Containing
ne address OF that distinguished orator. Edward
nnnr she society will receive this letter from
YOUR munster, ana will prize ore of the richest
Jewels OF the association Ia but few weeks since we
se suce o. the venerable patriarch at the Amer
can enoafsy under the Tag of the beloved Union on the
Ed February speaking with touching of bs
visit TO the United states and Of his high hope. In the
future OF the great republic progress OF hmantv
and the Advancement Of free institutions No.wtbs,nd
ing bis life long connection with kings and coura hc nj
ways remained faithful to those liberal IDEAS which he
bad imbbed in his youth, and reaction obscurantsm
political and spiritual despotsm had in him constant and
upinchng Adversary At tho last Prussan elections in
October he Of tho 0rst at the pos on some
one presenting him ticket with the name Of the rea;-
tonary candidate he thanked him with his usual polite
ntse and told him that he already provided the
came time putting his hand in his packet producing
the liberal ticket These tendencies 30 well known
that they often rendered him the object OF covert attacks
on the part OF the high tory faction though his reputa
ton was 20 high and he generally beloved, that
they old not dare TO assail him openly. BE will be long
rnemtered less for his kindly virtues and the sterling
merits OF his character than for his genus and pro.
iouno scientific requirements and the OF Humboldt
VIII descend to future ages, and be household word
among our chdren's children, when the mighty poten-