New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-03-17
WILHELM GRIMM.



suished orBaments-that the deaths of Bettine Won
Amin, Humboldt Carl Ritter, had no" Oesn
followed BY that of Wilhelm Grimm-tne boSSes u
the one year, 1859. AsDews, what may no" "ri.e
win be behind the time and Know '0o' 'na' WIS
sa.,ou IN one when the columns OF your paper are
aouhlv crowded. especially this season when 80
napy occupying high places seem oen1 upon giving
the American people ample means oil Juaging oil
them whether they are rather knaves OF fools.
Sin heing again in Berlin for short time, and
h.r;no had the good fortune to know Prof Grimm
reasonably and 70 have been received by him and his
f.m;lv--i a stranger from distant lsnd-with
liDdness and favor which have aroused no ordinary
degree of affection in return venture to send you
INV tribute to his memory-to testify to his great
personal worth; and rather because possibly it may
ke in my power 10 give some new and interesting
facts in regard to his life labors, and personal re-
htiOns.
With the exception of Humboldt, ! recOllect no
one whose decease during my years of residence in
Germany has called out so many and such warm
tributes to his memory, as Wilhelm Grimm Even
now, when six weeks have passed. the press IN dis
tant places is occupied with him, and with reason;
for when he created new branch OF literature,
one in which the people (das Tott) has mirrOred
itself in its hOmely simplicity its quaint drollery,
rs rough humOr, its hearty kindness It's odd super
stitOns-a literature for the ehnOOgist and phllOsO
pher-it was at the same time a literature which
appeals TO the German heart everywhere, and makes
the name of IFS founder the sweetest of household
words have more to say of this further on. Or
the notices of the deceased there is devoted to
his private character so eminenty just, and IN the
original SO elegant in expression, and true To the
feelings of those nearest aud dearest 10 HIM, that 1t
has since been printed in a small pamphlet, and
appears to me worthy of being at least in part,
laid before your readers.
The writer SAYS:
"On the 10th Of December at o'clock in the after
noon died Wilhelm Grimm On the morning Of the
Goth ne was buried. He lies in the graveyard Of
the Church of ST. Matthew. The wind breathed ICY
cold as the coffin was borne up the gentle ascent upon
which bes the Enclosure. AT the grave STOOD JACOB
Grimm and the two sons Of Wilhelm Snetmage
epake the last words here as NteZsch had done at the
house II was sight, touching TO tears as Jacob
removed his hat, bowed himself, and gathered hand
full Of earth to cast upon the coffin OF him who was
now 10 lie there alone IN the cold grave"
Wilhelm Grimm was born at Hanau in 1856
The facts of his outward life may be read in many
a publication. They are simple enough. His father
died early. His mother with her children removed
10 Cassel where the latter attended school. From
his twelfth year, when he had a severe Illness VIII
helms health was feeble. This exerted influence
in some degree ruling one, upon his life and labOrs.
He first saw Berlin in 1903, upon visit TO his most
intimate friend Achim Won ATnim who passed away
many wears before him. For some years still he
remained in Cassel. where he married In 1925.
few wears later he removed with Jacob TO Coffin
gen; left that place with him again-itis well known
when and for what reasons; again lived III Cassel
for short period; then settled in Berlin, where he
has since remained The brothers have always had
their dwelling library and purse in common.
No one however in thinking Of Wilhelm Grimm,
has in mind the mere chronology of his lfe-the
dates of this and that event or change of residence
Those TO whom he was nearest and most dear must
coneult the authorities 10 see how they follow IN
order. Our own feelings upon the loss of this man,
whom we knew and loved, have little to do with
those mere facts Of his history which form the ma
terials for his biOgraphers. How few OF all those
who so deeply felt and mourned the loss of Hum
boldt knew more of him than that he was born IN
1863 and after extensive travels in America and
Asia spent the greater part OF the rest OF ms lie III
Berlin. That knowledge of the man himself which
intimate friends enjoy is long list of his acts and
fortunes from youth onward, but complete and
heartfelt conception of his worth, his social nfiu
eDce his strength, while us, and OF the vacancy
left when he is departed.
So il was when Bettine and Humboldt died.
The greatness of the loss is measured 10y the want
of which we are now conscious. A year has not
elapsed since We had them. As authoress and
poetess, long before her departure, Bettine had
ended her career: but ar an intellectual power IN
society as gifted With keenest insight INTO all that
is truly great and good, with ability 10 clothe he
Thoughts in 80 winged words, we could nave wished
her immortal As the king of science, too, Hum
boldt with the long and vast labor involved ID ms
Cosmos " had brought his active life TO fitting
close; he was old and weary; he had made lndls-
putable his right and title to enduring lame; none
could demand bis longer continuance among us; he
had the right 10 go TO his rest but as protector ana
eucOurager of intellectual endeayOr 10 all paths ana
directions. we might have wished him with US for
centuries. still filling that place which none but he
could ELL. He forbade the approach of none who
could with right claim his notice, and wherever he
discovered mental power he fOstered II. lie was
accustomed to please his visitors wth polite and
fatterinR words for long experience had shown bun
the value of this small change IN social life, but
never sent the worthy away with good words alone.
For all who had we'll based clam upon the head
Of the State for aid and protection, be was the me
diator and his influence was commanding. He
spoke his opinions freely, nor feared their publicity
Hence when he closed his eyes I'D death, the loss
wss irreparable. ~,
And so. too, with Wilhelm Grimm. What we
nov 30 miss and deeply mourn as we THINK OF
him. is the man who 80 mdeiatgaDly IaDOred TOT
The cause of learning and for tie honor OF his native
md He plaved his part, and played il well. lie
Zoo Ind grown old-had almost reached the close of
MS seventy fourth year-and had earned the right
~ 90 10 his rest. He had gone onward from book
10 book. leaving no day unimproyed The HaHs
and Kildermdrchenu, the Danish Songs OF Heroes
Translated by HIM, the book upon the RuneS, ais
editions Of old German poems, his papers ID the
transactions of the Academy OF Science ana nnally
his share in the great Dictionary; all these form
leaves of q wreath sufficient 10 cover his temples.
We have no right 10 demand extension OF ms
labOrs He seemed, too, 10 have reached sort OF
period TO his activity. When thrown upon ms