Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-06-10

THE LAST DAYS OF HuMBoLDT.-The
Berlin correspondent of the New York Times,
gives an interesting account of a visit to Hum
boldt short time before his death. The in
teryiew took place i'll February
"At that time he was very weak, saw no
company, and hardly left his house. unless for
a short ride on pleasant afternoon. And be-
ing aware of this, | left at his house a letter
of introduction, with my card and in day
or two received an autograph note from him,
written in French, and appointing time when
he would BE happy to see me- Accordingly,
| went at eleven O'clock to his residence in the
Ovanienburger Strasse. 1t was a small two
story house, looking more ordinary than its
neighbors, even, which were of the same stuc-
coed character, but higher | may add that
the rooms in which | was while within the
walls, although comfortable, were as usual in
Germany, carpetess, with the exception of the
first which | entered, where there was an i'm
mense case of curiosities, and in the center of
the floor magnificent leopard-skin. Pass
ing through another apartment, | was
ushered into his study when | took a seat
and was looking with kind of awe up
on the simply furnished room, when the
door opened, and he entered, leaning on the
arm of his faithful and confidential valet He
Immediately began to speak, shaking hands
face had a bronzed appearance which seemed
to contradict his extreme weakness; but his
voice, which was very faint, told the tale more
truly. During the short quarter-hour which
spent with him. he talked great deal "a
perfect stream of mingled opinions, remini-
SCIENCES, personal advice to me in my studies
inquiries about his own friends, &C., &c.
might say, perhaps, that in this conversion,
or rather monologue, he really showed no par
ticular greatness but | felt, Notwithstanding,
that this simplicity and affability were to me
the most affecting proofs of the nobility of his
character. | could meet with his mighty
thoughts elsewhere but his kindness and sym.
pathy no man could put in books. In talking
Of America, he said; 81 am half American
that is, my aspirations and desires are all with
you, but don't like the present position of
your politics. The influence of slavery is in
creasing, l fear This was Just after the re-
ception Of the news of the fall elections and
said that the case was better now, the advo-
Gates of free soil had carried everything at our
last State elections, and that now the tables
would be turned. All, said he, shaking his
head, you have done the same thing twice al.
ready ! have met but few Germans whose
interest in and knowledge of our politics was
greater than that shown by these remarks
which he made.
His vivid recollection of America, as he saw
it, in the days of Jefferson, seemed to say that
his memory was not impaired; but some other
circumstances made me believe that it was
failing little; although perhaps the one or
two cases in which he made mistakes might
be attributed to other causes.
He spoke, during the interview, French,
English and COMMUNICATING with French,
with which, of course, he is perfectly familiar
But so weak was his articulation that could
not wholly understand him in any tongue save
my own, which he accordingly used for the
greater part of the time. l could not discern
the least foreign accent or idiom in his English.
1t is said that he prefers converSing in Spanish
and acriting in French
When | rose to go he attempted to rise also,
but could not without my assistance. AS soon
as he was on feet, however, he gently shook
me off, $50 as to speak,, and insisted on ac-
companying me nearlyto the door. felt the
pressure of the hand, heard him express the
hope that we should see each other again,
when he was a little better, and took my leave,
with an irresistible conviction that / should
not look upon his face again. And now-may
we indeed see each other in the land where
none are faint or sck-the land of immortal
youth"