New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-05-05

Floyd, who" hs adds 4" for wonder has set
aside all political anmosities he may be supposed to
have against me because of my friendship for FIRE.
mont" The fact is, that the articles published in
some of our Democratic papers during the cam
pagn of 1885, and containing the vilest abuse
of Humboldt on account of his sympathies with the
Republican party had been extensively republished
in Germany. Perhaps it was quite natural for
Humboldt to conclude from the tenor of these
articles that even the members Of our Democratic
National Administration bore him the most intense
hatred. On Jan. IL, 1853, Humboldt writes: In
Livingstone sresearches take lively interest," prn
cpally on account of bis views on the capacities OF
the negro race. These come very opportune at
time when, under pretense of free labor, France on
the one hand and America on the other favor
the African slave-trade in the most infamous man.
ner." This shows that Humboldt did not at
all concur with cur modern psychologists who
discourse about the natural inferiOrity of the
black race or that, at any rate, he Indignantly re-
ected the conclusion that on account OF lesser de-
gree of natural capacity the black race ought to
he deprived of all human rights by tho stronger
race.
Beside tho passages here translated, there is IN
Humboldt's letters nothing in regard 10 America or
Amer leans, except letter of Mr. Prescott, whom
Humboldt introduces 10 Vnrnhagen as "the great
American historian" Among the other letters OF
distinguished p.rsopages inserted into this volume,
there ore several of more than common interest.
Prince Metternicb in his letters to humboldt, given
here, appears in much mere favorable light taan
lie did in bis career as statesman In one OF bis
Communications he wakes quite sentimental, COM
planning that the lOngiDgs OF his heart had never
been fulfilled, that bis natural inclinations had
prompted him to follow the career of scholar
when circumstances over which he had no control
had thrust him into politics. Altogether, these
complaints sound very much like an ampifcation
of Neros dying exclan atinn: L" Quatis 0rt.(er
pereo." Letters OF the late King Christian VIII,
OF Denmark, of the Grand Dukes Of Tuscany and
SaIe.Wcimar, Of the Duchess of Orleans, of
Prince Albert, all 60 TO show. by their
deeply respectful tone, what a degree of esteem
Humboldt enjoyed even among wearers of crowns
Prince Albert is made to appear IN somewhatla-
dcrous light ia one Of HIS letters On February
IL, IL.
stiff and p.dantic letter Of Prince Albert" whom
he says, .'has had the peliteness not to thaok me
for having at bis exn wis., left copy OF the Kos
MOS on his table in the Castle Of Stolzenfsls.
But now the blsck-bird (tne order Of the Black
Eagle, conferred upon him by the King has made
him nttls moro poite. In bis letter be makes me
speak Of eddying oceans of light, and of starry
terraces, Coburg emeDdstlon of my words, quite
English, coming from Windsor, where there are
plenty of terraces. On page l59 had used the
term The starry carpet (Shrnenteppieh), CON-
paIiDg the staIess spots on the sky to tho open
spaces between the meshes Of web. The work
on Mexican monuments VIII oh be presents me with
IS git of honor purchased two years ago. 1t
would have been more delicate to present ne with
splendid edition of Byrons works Then it is rather
singular that he does not even mention the Queen
Perhaps abe deems my Book of Nature unohrstian."
In bis reply to this letter. VarDhagen would seem to
have gently reproached Humboldt for Judging too
hsrsbly of Prince Albert for in another note, dated
Feb. q, Humboldt Gays: "You are quite right in
Representing me for having been too severe on him
Of the starry terraces Bat am only sersye
against the mighty, and upon this man 1 cannot
but look with some suspicion, since "a interview
had with him at Stolzenfrls There he said 10 me:
j know you sympatbize deeply with the Poles, but
unAapply the Poles deserve our sympatnies just as
little as the Irish Mhi dirt But what of that
He may stIl BIZ the handsome consort Of the British
Queen" That Humboldt was only severe against
the mighty is true enough. Toward all those
inferior TO him he was kind and enient TO d fault
IL fact be would have rendered greater servcs to the
public if he had handled moro severely those writer's
Of trash who importuned him for favorable opin-
ions on their works" Only in very extreme cases
could he conquer his kindness sufficiently to re-
Duke these .ycophants strongly they deserved.
From the letters of Balzac, Victor Hugo, and
Jules Janin, introduced into the Humboldt cor
respondence, the fact appears that these literat
showed much less OF common ciyty to the venerable
sage than princes. 1t is almost ludcrOus to see
feuilletonist like Jules Janin address the author
of KOsmos in fippant manner, as my dear col
league" or to read an Offhand note of Bazac who
tells Humboldt that he 3D. has no time to go and
see him (H.), but that he would be glad if H.
would be so kind as 10 appear at the railroad
utpot CiC'eu CiOth, nllgut nave q
chance to salute him (B.) before his departure
At the time this note was written, Humboldt was
in his seyenty-iourth year
These different letters to Humboldt afford a
" piquant" seasoning of his own correspondence,
which, however, without these additions, is
one of the most valuable contributions to the per.
sSnal history of the great man.
A translation OF this volume by Mr. Friedrich