The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-26

The Berlin correspondent of the Providence
Journal thus describes recent visit to the old
family residence of the Hnmholdts:

Il
however, bears little resemblance to the Amer
can idea OF forest. The road has on the whole
little OF Notwithstanding. perhaps, the coupl
OF inns on the way, where the tired traveller ca
make halt for little rest and refreshmsnt-fo
wherever one catches an unwelcome glimpse Q
the surrounding country through the trees he see
| pothlDg but sandy hills and sterile plains. Anon
| The many Impressions which we received while OF
| the road 10 Tegel, there was one which crowde
| cut all others: in whatever part of the Mark O
brandenoerg one may go, he observes nothin,
put sand end bsrrenness. Ones first thought is
| How do the peasantry manage to fight a Twin,
out of such soil! Yet with no certain relianc,
but this sickly mark, containing scarcely mp ware
OF nve millions OF people, great Frederic threw
oenance INTO the teeth of all Europe for sever
years, and, after proving himself unconq bic
raised whole provinces from ashes, and laid the
foundation for kingdom which is fast becoming
me nrst power in Europe. With all the bad infa
ences which this great mans life difflsed tbs
reader will Lave to look far into history for q
sublimer example of what energy and iron perse
verance can do. "A
But while musiDg over such things, we are fas,
approaching Tegel; and, before We are hardly
aware OF II, we stand before the grJuads OF
scbloss Tegel, and, entering the gate, we are
soon in the garden before the venerable castle u
itself. This beautiful but some what antique re al.
deDee, which has nothing in common with a
castle, is, like the Humboldt family, intimately
associated with the history of the house of Bran
denberg. Even in the time of the electors il
had been used as q hunting station. Freiherr,
Alexander GeOrg Won Humboldt, the father OF
Alexander and Wilhelm, was a major in the seven
years war, and afterward became adjutant to
Feroinand OF Braunsehweig. In this capacity he
was often sent with oral communications to
Frederic, who, through his frankness and honest
hearing, finally conceived a great liking TO him.
he appointed him to the post of valet de cham
bIe, and after the old major had resigned this
othce, Frederic always made il a point IN visit
hlm once year at Tegei.
Major Won Humboldt and his most amabIe and
beloved lady had two children, Wilhelm and AIex
sbder; While sitting on the old olken bench be-
lore the castle let turn back the minds eve IA
the year l17S. The old Frehierr was seated on a
Desuutul afternoon in June. in the garden Be-
tloe him sat his estmable lady, with the two soma
WIhelm, cheerful, robust boy of ten, and Alex.
ander, weakly and modest child of eight Re-
fore them stood the children's preceDtor Kuntb
who had just finished his romantic and stirring ac
count OF his visit to Frederick, in Potsdam. and
now he, as poor, wronged stranger was re.
celved and treated by his majesty. But, as if an.
proached by an apparitlOn, what was the surprise
and establishment, as Frederick himself came
quietly and stately around the little winding ar.
Dor, and now stood before them. The king had
Ieit ms equiPage outside the gate, and had ap.
IIcacbeo quietly, IN order to surprise the happy
company and now stood leaning on his cane with
friendly smile and greeting for the little circle
ne conversation now turned to variety of sinh.
Jects, and all were charmed at the wit and ouaint
emarks OF the king, when suddenly he turned to
little Wilhelm, and said " What ia his name ~
g Wilhelm Won Humboldt replied the latter
!" How old?" "Ten years." 4" Then he can no.
become Cadet said the king. At this Wilhelm
shook his head. when the king exclaimed: "WhatI
he VIII not be a sOldierw mo" answered the
~ uguping- one can also be great in other
lhlngs." What would be be, them" said the
ENG. "A man OF learning" answered Wilhelm.
"A bookwOrm, them" replied the king. and after
ONE renecuons on the loss of all his literary
nenGs, be turned to little Alexander and addressed
him thus?" "Name?n Alexander Won Hmm.
bolt" Alexander" said the king" beautiful
lsme-t reminds me Of the conqueror of the |
world" Then looking the embarrassed little
IN the face, he continued "And will |
1e also be conqueror OF the world?" After
ome hesitation, the latter replied Eyes. your |
majesty, but with my head; should like 10 visit
III countries, know all languages and peoDes sail
IN all rivers stand on all mountains, and in fact,
zee ana know everything. That ia the how | |
s9uo hKe 70 conquer the world, your majesty"
BraVo!' cried Frederic.
Leaving our various reflections however. let ma
low enter the Castle, and through the kindness of
ne housekeeper examine the fine and rare stain. |
~ win which Its antique halls are decorated.
he pieces are not numerous; but one NAV we'll /
oppose that man of the immense classical chi
ure OF Wilhelm Won Humboldt would only select
be fanest gems as the companions of his dear |
omsn,ic nome On entering we observe in the |
nam nan beautiful statue of Hope with a |
Due nbhC on us beauties |
invited into the drawing room, whose classic walls
ave seen so many of the great and learned. la |
ne corner, on entering, stands a masterpiece. |
% which one might gaze for hours. Itrepresents
ebus showing Mars her wounded hand. Bat our
me is limited Soon two doors are thrown omen /
Id 10 little Enclosure we behold two Torsj-a
outh and Bacchus. Though nothing ia nre.
erved but two faded trunks, one is still delighted
ther exquisite harmony Of form. They were
lsc9VeIed IN Rome In 1903. Passing several
|
Ieousa, curious copy, in porphyry, which was
resented 10 Wilhelm Won Humboldt bv Pone |
lus VII, and whose novel expression, both in
atnre and through the material in which il is
Oloeo. attraels great attention from all visitors.
mere Is smother work, a copy of CIyta-of |
hleh the original is in the British Museum which
'Ims curious study for lovers of statuarv The
ust IS set in the cup OF flower. Then the an
lor has entirely departed from the Grecian in
rs case OF the nose and lips which gives 10 the |
ny slognomy an expression beautiful as II ia
lginal and singular. Besides this, although
lily, as Oh all Giecan busts, the hair is contin. |
d low and straight on the forehead, which gives
the whole the strangest cast imaginable
But gladly as we would refer to the beauties of
lnchs stltue of Wilhelm Won Humbolt's dauob. |
7 ana TO the euriosites Of art aud nature which |
g mere deposited, time fOrbds, and we must |
We away to the impotence of the amiabIe |
oy; VINO mas kindly conducted rs through these
asslc halls-snd who is waiting for the casto.
airy Irtnk Geld" drink money! which i. ex.
cted from all visitors. Let us then bid adieu to |
hloss Tegel, and stroll slowly through the
autiful park, TO receive our last Impressions
the graves of the Humboldt family. Ascend. |
leifurey beautiful shady bower, we soon
sch fine eminence from which one has a
lendld view Of SpandOw, the strongest fortress |
Prussia, and also of the pretty Tegel lake.
etched ont before us. Then descending slowly
o the Valley of DEATH" we soon ind our.
ives In sweet, quiet. balmy cypress grove.
lere, around the chaste and beautiful column
Bope, repose the ashes of the Humboldts.
approaching the little iron fence which sur
1nded the graves, we looked over and the
u that lay before Us was that Of Alexander.
that all thin, thought we. What has the
I'VE OF Alexander Won Humboldt more than anv
ler mans There is no monument here, but
title head and foot stone, Just large enough
inscribe the name, birth and death upon:
the little evergreen that grows over his !
y, also ornaments the grave of many a beg.
:. After some moments spent in reflection.
slowly left this solemn spot, and bid good |
to Iegel-more fully than ever in our lives {
WINGED that it is not the wealth and show I
title Of man which make him great. but q
imperishable impress which his works have I
posterity. The name of him who Conquered I
world with his head" and stole away from
kinna " |