Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-07-06
New Publications

" Letters Of Alexander Won Humboldt to Warn
hegan Van Ense, from 1927 to lo5s with extract,
from Varnhagans diaries and letters Of Varnhagan
and others to Humboldt. Translated by Freder-
lex Kapp. New York Published by Rudd &
Carlton, 100 Grand st. ls6O"-a welcome addi-
ton to our library, indeed. In point Of positive
utility az a contributor Of valuable knowledge to
the worlds stock Of II, Humboldt was really the
greatest man Of the nineteenth century-society
having been most indebted TO him for its progress
Of the last half century in the acquisition of prac
Real Information concerning the physical SCI
ences. He was not only by long odds the most
learned man OF the nineteenth century, and per-
haPs its most useful man. but the friend and init.
mate of men in every walk in life who contribu-
ted to mans advancement, Intellectually or So
cially. Despising the friendship not even of the
most humble laborer in the cause of learning or
progress, he was equally the friend, companion
and adviser Of many Of the crowned heads of
Europe who appreciated the responsibilities of
the several trusts Of power devolved upon them
by circumstances. He was thus equally as we'll
posted In what may be termed the society Of tn.
times, as In the contents of the volumes lining his
best private library In Europe The private
thoughts and views Of such man. upon matter.
occupying his mind from day to day, therefore
must necessarily possess absorbing interest to the
public These letters, translated by Kapp. ar. hi.
correspondence with his most Intimate friend for
nearly half century; the man ia hioned. men
tally, perhaps most after his own order.
1t has been objected to this book, that II str ms
Humboldts memory Of the charm that he wa,
not frail-human-like other men, with which a
grateful public on both sides Of the Atlantic had
almost come to regard his character. That is to
say, that ne was without the passions, preiudices
warped In greater or less degree the sentiments
and character Of every man yet born Of woman
That IL proves him to have been an atheist in MI
private sentiments concerning religion. and sen.
tentousy bitter II not vituperatively sarcastic in
his CONFIDENTIAL expressions concerning more mr.
less persons, to not a few Of whom the world
wei Know, he was greatly indebted for patronage.
avors and acts Of personal Hberality and kind
ness that contributed greatly to secure for hun the
remarkable series Of opportunities" that enabled
him to be 90 useful to his race and thus To become
% deservedly renowned. We cannot accent the
opinion Of those who reason thus not ppreciat,np
any substantial reason why the world should not
at length learn that Humboldt, besides being the
greatest man Of the century, was also its most
asfute-successful-courtier and further, that
though q persistent and very effective incubator
OF the better philosophy OF Christianity for the
-~o VA - Oh the lndi Vidudl
human mind and society at large, he himself
rejected Its immutable truths However much
we may mourn over the fact, we cannot perceive
why knowledge Of 1t had best have been kent
rom the world The truth In this conpectio,
only goes to add still another proof that perfection
o. character 10 now, as always denied to any mere
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. are not gods His daughter.
VINO Is responsible for the promulgation Of tbi.
correspondence, avows that she makes IL publ,c
because she would not have the world know him
iof Other than he really was a sentiment that
aeeofds vel, indeed with the scientia Lab md
tns publications Of his long life, II not with the
persistent policy Of prudence with reference 70 ,he
PRONUNCIATION Of his religious opinions and ~.
views Of men and their acts. which ro,,l.s s.s
long and 50 active and eventful life VIE
We also thank the same publishing ho,..
washington booksellers, for copy Of III. az
ana O'kelly's:" a novel, by Anthony r,o,,a
whose light works are among the mos, ,g,ss.b,,
OF The times, {" we have repeatedly had occs.,no
70 say OF late And for Hayk,.v,.. - ~.
Holme Lee, author Of Against Wind ana r,as :,
&c, &c, we are indebted to the publi,h.,. w
A. Townsend & Co. New york,-Iss0l and
Blanchard Mohun, Of this city. rh,, La, !.
IN exceedingly interesting work of fiction On.
culcatng, As 1t does, right principles and rean,d
isste, with rare shin. = : - III