New-York tribune., 1868-09-11

After brief visit at Munich and Frankfort, Bunsen
nd lis first visit to England, where he arrived IN
the Summer Of 1888. lie remained IN England lor a
ar enoying the most ample hospitality, especially
from the friends who had learned to love and value
him in Rome and who rewarded his attentions
bv introducing him to the homage of nation
In July. 1889, Bunsen was appointed Envoy to
Switzerland where he arrived III the month OF NO
vonher and took M his residence in rural Alpine
retreat in the vicinity of Beme. The Summer
and Autumn of 1910 were quietly passed In this
charming locality, while tho ensuing winter was
cheered by the visits of Neukomm, the celebrated
composer Of Lepsus, the fayonte associate OF BUN
sen in Egyptian studies, and other warm hearted
friends whose presence contributed 10 mitigate the
cold and gloom of a season Of a rgor unusual even
in the grim region of the Bernese iOberland In
April. 1871, Bunsen was summoned to Berlin to re-
ceive instructions for temporary mission to Eng
land. He arrived in London in June, and in n short
time had successfully accomplished the object OF his
mission. During the same year, he received the ap-
nointmept of Minister to the Court of st. James and
remained in that service until 1854. His lie at this
time is well described in his own words. Here
live rs German and q Christian, in the heart OF
great people, who love and honor me, fighting the
battles Of my country and serving with fidelity, but
also with freedom, the King of Prussia, In spite OF
diversity of views" Upon his recall from that post,
after performing its duties for twelve years, no
settled, with his family, in beautiful villa near
the picturesque city of Heidelberg. He had become
greatly weared with the discharge OF diplomatic
functions and joyfully welcomed the signal Tor ms
release. From this moment" said he, y feel that
belonp TO nv children from this moment am my
own master" my whole life would have been ho
to myself. II did not run away the first moment l
II L. Ii ha
oight German thoOlogians with whom ecould agree,
and was soon surrounded with a circle of intimate
friends, beside the fresh acquantanccs that he made
from the throng Of travellers Of all nations who
dnring the Summer and Autumn months. sought out
the distinguished resident in his studous retirement
His new position was in the highest degree congenia
with his feelings II gave him the freedom from care
and the leisure for literary pursuits, which he had
long coveted. and enabled him TO devote himself
without distraction to the completion of the
works which had occupied so many years of
his life. "I live" said he. "as IN n state
of enchantmcnt, and can as yet scarcely COM
prchend how free and how happy am. can now
read the books that have longed 10 read for years
and at the same time write TO my hearts content
His great work on "Egypt's Place in History" was
now nearly ready for the prcss,-tho fruit OF many
years Of studious research and intellectual toi-and
this was followed by the plan Of another work which
should embody the results of his Biblical investiga
tions in a popular form. This " Bibelwerk" was in
tended for the use of Christian congregations both
German and English, being reprint Of the whole
Bible in a corrected Translation, with an introduc
ton, and notes of philosophical devotional, and
practical character. Bunsen regarded the Scriptures
not in any technical theological point of Wow, but
as the voice Of God in tho history Of the world the
most complete expression Of the divine con-
sciOusncss in the higher nature of man. He believed
that his conception Of the Bible would throw fresh
lieht on its contents to many readers with whom
il had always peen @ and serve as an efTeo-
tua answerto the prevailing forms Of unbeiiefand OF
false belief lie mourned over the Ignorance, bigotry,
and crude learning, which had perverted the sCnii-
oance Of Holy Writ, and addressed himself with ex-
Quiste delight 20 the performance OF his sacred task
" You have no idea" he writes TO q daughter-in-law,
chow happy feel IN my great work Ii u as II
had been kept these forty years in The desert having
all the while the real pasture near me,-yea even IN
my own mind, but not being conscious oft IL Is as II
streams of water poured IN upon me from dyke
suddenly broken through. All l know, and have In
store, seems prepared to take its paceno word or
thing have learned that do not want now,
The failing health Of Bunsen led 10 frequent jour
neys in Switzerland aud France, and during the last
year of his le it was decided to change his residence
from the romantic euyiIons OF Heidelberg, TO the
University town Of Bonn. Here he fingered. with
but few Iespites from his painful malady, an aiiec-
tiOn of the heart until tho morning OF Nov. 2s 1850.
when he expired in the seyenteth year OF his age.
The writings of Bunsen, remarkable for their depth
Of erudion and fullness Of detail present rich store
house Of antiquarian, ecclesiastical. aud historical
lore. They are pervaded by central unity. which
in the midst Of episodical excursions and shadowy
suggestions, furnishes the intelligent reader with
clue to their significance. Their leading aim may DO
said to consist in the illustration Of the Divine elo
ment in the facts Of consciousness and tho of
history. The claim of Bunsen 10 originality must be
founded Oh the persistence with which he followed
this idea in all its manifold phases the Jucidty with
which ne set forth it's action in the complicated tissue
of human affairs and tho sagacious insight with
which he detected its presence rarely confounding
the form and the essence and sharply discriminating
between the Eternal and Absolute, and the accidental
and temporary. In point of method and arrange
nent, the writings of Bunsen are singuaIly un-
attractive. They are models Of German thorough
ness and comprehensiveness, but lack the charm Of
precision and elegance, with which French scholars
are wont to exhibit the conclusions of learned
research The weight Of erudition with which they
are freighted becomesa positive burden TO reader
OF all the arts of popular persuasion, Bunsen was
utterly destitute. Hence while his works are over
flowing with rare and precious materials for subse-
quent inqures they will never pass into wide crcu
laton among the people They have already given a
tone and coloring to the deposits OF antiquarian and
oriental investigation; they have served TO shape
the statements of the preacher in the pulpit they !
have cast their grains OF fermentng leayen into the
crude mass of prevailing thought; but their porty
volumes willie oftener found reposng in the dnst of
the library, than enjoying cheerful welcome the
table of the student.