Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-07-16
NbllJlI)'s ..State.s,lal..s,..,,II.:.. !, b. II. i.
!, The, Home m OF the MumbeIdts.

The Home of the Humbeldts.
The Berlin correspondent of the PROP
idence Journal thus describes a recent
visit to the old family residence of the
Humboldts After leaving Berlin, the
road leads for the most part through the
sorcalled Tegel forest, which, however,
bears little resemblance to the American
idea of forest. The road has on the
whole, little of interest excepting, per-
haps,, the couple of inns on, the way,
where the tired traveller can make halt
for a little rest and refreshment; !; for
wherever one catches an ,unwelcome
glimpse Of The surrounding country
through the trees he sees nothing but
sandy hills and sterile plains. Among
/ the many impressions which we receiy-
ed while on the road to Tegel, there was
one which crowded out all others in
whatever part of the Mark. of Brandenz
berg one may go, he observes nothing
I but sand and ebarrenness, Ones first
thought is, how do the peasantry man
age to fight a living out of such soil
Yet with no certain reliance but this
sickly Mark, containing scarcely up
ward of five millions s-of people, Great
Frederick threw defiance into the teeth
of all Europe for seven years. and after
proving himself unconquerable, raised
whole provinces from ashes, and laid the
foundation for kingdom which is fast
becoming the first power in Europe
With all the bad influences which this
great mans life diffused, the reader will
have to look far into history for a sub
Inner example of what energy and iron
perseverance, can do. .....,.F, i,
= But while musing on such things we
are fast approaching Tegel; and before
we are hardly aware of it we stand be-
fore the grounds of Schloss Tegel, and
entering the gate, we are soon in the
garden, before the venerable "rcastle"
itself. This beautiful but somewhat an
+ tique residence, which has nothing in
common with castle, is, like the Hum
boldt family, intimately associated with
/ the history of the House of Bradenburg.
Even in the time of the Electors it had
been used as hunting station. Freiherr,
Alexander George Won Humboldt, the
father of Alexander and Wilhelm, was
( Major in the Seven Years War, and
afterward became Adjutant to Ferdinand
of Braunchweig. In this capacity he
was often sent with oral communications
to Frederic, who, through his frankness
and honest bearing, finally conceived a
great liking to him. He appointed him
to the post of valet de chambre. and af-
ter the old Major had resigned this office,
Frederic always made it point to visit
( him once year at Tegel.
( Major Won Humboldt and his most
amiable and beloved lady had two chill
dren, Wilhelm and Alexander, While
sitting on the old oaken bench before
the castle let us turn back the minds S
eye to the year IT'S. The old Frienerr
was seated, on beautiful afternoon in
June, in the garden. Beside him sat
his estimable lady, with the two sons,
l.. Wilhelm, cheerful, robust boy of ten,
and Alexander, weakly and modest
child of eight. Before them stood the
children's preceptor, Kunth, who had
just finished his romantic account of his
visit to Frederic, in Potsdam, and how
he, as poor, wronged stranger was re-
eeived and treated by His Majesty. But,
as if approached by an apparition, what
was their surprise and astonishment, as
Frederic himself came quietly and state
ly around the little winding arbor, and
now stood before them. The King had
left his equipage outside the gate, and
had approached quietly, in order to sur
prise the happy company, and now stood
leaning ON his cane with friendly smile
and greeting for the little circle. The
conversation now turned to variety OF
subjects, and all were charmed at the
wit and quaint remarks of the king,
when suddenly he turned to little
Wilhelm, and said, "What is his
name?" Wilhelm Won Humboldt !"
replied the latter. "How old2" "Ten
years." "Then he now can become a
cadet" said the King. At this Wilhelm
shook his head, when the King exclaim-
ed: "What! He will not be soldierl',
"No," answered the boy, trembling
"one can also be great in other things
i"What would he be then?" said the
King. ga man of learning" answered
Wilhelm. ga bookworm then," feplied
the King, and after some reflections on
the loss of his literary friends, he turned
to little Alexander and addressed him
thus: "Name?" Alexander Won Hum
boldt," "Alexander?" said the King
beautiful name-it reminds me of the
conqueror of the world" Then looking
the embarrassed little Alexander in the
face, he continued: "And will he also
be conqueror Of the worlda' After
some hesitation, the latter replied: eyes,
Majesty, but with my head; should
like to visit all countries, know all lam
guages and peoples, sail on all rivers,
stand on all mountains, and, in fact, see
and know everything. That is the how
/ would like to conquer the world, Ma
jesty." "Bravo!" cried Frederic.
Leaving our various reflections, how
ever, let us now enter the Castle, and
through the kindness of the housekeeper,
examine the fine and rare statuary, with
which its antique halls are decorated.
The pieces are not numerous; but one
may well suppose that man of the i'm
mense classical culture of Wilhelm Won
Humboldt would only select the fairiest
gems, as the companions of his dear,
romantic home. On entering we observe
in the main hall beautiful statue of
Hope with Lotos; but while lingering
on its beauties we are invited into the
drawing room, whose classic walls have
seen so many of the great and learned.