New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-30
PRUSSIA.
A VISIT TO THE HUMBOLDT FAMILY MANSION
lFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT

A VISIT TO THE HUMBOLDT FAMILY MANSION.
IRON AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
BERLIN Sept. 2l.-AbOut ten English miles 10
the northwest Of Berlin is the little village Of
Tegel, lying on pretty lakelet of the same name
surrounded with woods and shrlbbery, and forming
a favorie Summer retreat for the wealthy residents
of the Prussan capital do not find that il is often
visited by the crowd of tourists in pursuit Of novel
ties nor is IL noticed special object of attraction
in most of the guide-books. But am sure that to
many OF our countrymen. as it did to myself, it will
afford peculiar interest, the ancestral residence
of the Humboldt family, and the burial place of its
illustrious representatives. The house in which AL
exander and William Won Humboldt were brought
up is miniature castle of ancient date which for
mery served as a hunting seat to of the kings
of Prussia In 1906 it came into the possession of
the father Of Humboldt an officer in the Prussian
military service under Frederic the Great. who had
married the widow of its former proprietor. BY his
death ia I79 il became the property of his two sons
and has ever since remained in the family In 1902,
three years after the departure of Alexander his
grand tour of exploration in South America and
Mexico the sole ownership was assumed by his
brother, William Won Humboldt. who was at that
time the Prussian ambassador to Rome After his
retirement from public life in 1920, he made the
country-seat at Tegel his permanent residence until
his death in 1885, when the estate descended TO his
three daughters Of whom shortly after died, and
on the death of of the survivors in 1885, it fe to
the youngest daughter, the Baroness Won Btilow
widow of the celebrated Prussan cabinet minister of
that name, by whom it is now occupied
The house. which is cOnsecrated by many interest
ing personal associations. is structure of modest
pretensions retaining few of its characteristic
Gent features and in styleand adornment conformed
TO the taste of modern architecture Nothing of the
old hunting castle remains but q tower of consider
able size on one flank and a couple of projections
which might have formerly served for balconies.
The building was completely renovated i'll 1872, and
now forms domestic residence remarkable for its
air of comfort and repOse, in which the declining
years of the retiring statesman must have found,
if not peaceful hermitage" sylvan retreat IN
beautiful harmony with the studiOus habits and ar
tistc tastes which largely entered into the COM
position Of his nature. The interior OF the dwelling
is embelished with variety of rare pieces OF sculp
ture and painting, collected by William Won Hum
bodt during his residence in Rome, or expressly ex
ecuted for the purpose by modern artists OF note.
remarkable antique in this collection Is marble
fountain with relefs representing feast Oh BAG
chus taken from the church of ST. Calixtas in
Rome in which, according to Catholic legend that
saint suffered death by drowning. The story is told
in brief Latin inscription on the marble written Dy
William Won Humboldt. This work stands In the
nam entrance hall in the midst of many striking
specimens of statnary, illustrating some OF tht
prominent scenes of the Grecan mythology. Inc
hall itself resembles an ancient atrium the rooi
supported by DOrc pillars the floor is covered Win
mOsacs. and the walls decorated with bas~relleis
On the right hand side IL the study of Wilhelm Won
Humboldt, as occupied hy him during tho latter
years of his life His writing table Of dark mabog