New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-20

thing that happens is n&eu from eternity III Jo pl
of the universe. Or rather" continued he. correct
ing himself not in the plan of the universe; for tins
would be a very unphosophical expression, as If God
apart from the world, had first thought over the
world, and then created it, The duration Of the
werd can only be conceived of as without beginning
and without end. What is obscure in matter, is the
specific condition of bodies. We cannot explain the
origin of different substances earths. metals, prm-
tive rock, and the like. Gold does not come from
silver, nor silver from gold. SO long as we hnd
bodies in Combination, we operate with the analyu
cal chemical method. But at last come from the
compound to the simple, the gina the specific and
here is the difficulty I.once believed IN speclai
vital power in each body but have long since gwen
I'D that belief / do not hold to the view that
the organic is developed so late after the
inorganic, and that tho highest organic product IN
the order of time is the latest product THIS success
sion is interrupted in the most irregular manner.
call bodies inorganic. the parts of which are COM
hined according!to the laws Cd chemical affinity; or
ganic the bodies of which the arbitrarily separated
parts retaining the previous external relations
change their form of combination. In Organization
therefore, all the parts subject to secret law IL
continues only so long all its parts are recpro-
cally means and ends of the whole. But whether
these definitions can be turned to any practical ac-
count is another question" After short diversion
to other topics, Humboldt resumed the philosophical
discussion. He expressed fear that his dislncfna-
ton to converse on philosophy might have shocked
his friend. You must not think" said he, that
your visit has been in vain or let that prevent you
from coming again. Earnest students like yourself,
who find good faculties in me cannot understand
how man can live eighty years in the world, with
out becoming conyersant with philosophy. But this
in fact is branch of knowledge that requires pc
culiar endowments, like history. mathematics, or
philOlogy. What say to you have before said to
Goethes grandson who has the reputation of consid-
cradle talent although he is unwilling to publish
ANYTHING in his own name account of It's great
celebrity. He brought me at that time an essay on
: Nature which l have mentioned somewhere with
praise although it wOHld be hard TO find it now.
know that you have no idea of storming me IN my
own house with philosophical system. But the last
few years have given me some strange experiences.
After my Cosmos had appeared, was deluged with
manuscripts from all quarters of the world treating
of the formation of the stars planetary disturbances
and views of the universe in general. Every one
believed that he had Cosmos in his head,
but what could l do in such casesp
On one occasion. after Humboldt had given some
what elaborate criticism several historical works,
his visitor expressed feeling of establishment that
he should be able TO read Drodigiously in every
department of knowledge. THAT is simple enough
said Humboldt. Ihave always given a greater in
terest to the productions of Others than to my own
and since my health permits me to work through
most of the night something can be accomplished in
that way. OF my reading in one direction perhaps,
you do not think. On account of my relations TO
the king, am obliged to follow the wretched poll
tics of the day. for mpart but little on what
he has not read himself he cannot get the facts pure
but they are always or less cOlored by his In
formant. Hence / am compelled TO obtain an exact
knowledge of these matters with my own eyes.
Thus passed last night in reading a work lately
published on the German Confederation. This is
special branch of my reading"
Under date of June 80, 1850, the journal re-
cords Yesterday again with Humboldt. He re-
ceived me in his study but asked 10 90 into
another room, as he feared that | should find the
temperature in which he was accustomed TO work
too tropical for my taste. IL was swelering Ber
lin Summers day, and the heat OF the MONDAY sun
which poured in through two windows was certainly
considerable. The reception room which was sitG-
ated towards the North. though warm enough and
closed with double windows had the advantage of
the shade. AS / entered this room with Humboldt
and found myself alone with him, was overcome
with the feeling of satisfaction and, repose with
perhaps, surprised said he, as we sat down at my
salamander nature which makes it possible for
me to work in so great a heat. 1t is not a
matter Of choice with me- however but the necessity
of age. For several years, have needed a higher
temperature in my rooms,i and after wandering
through every climate, and still twenty years ago
feeling perfectly well in Siberia, now find, at tho
age of eighty, nothing more important 10 guard
against than taking cold!" t lt
In all these conversations, Humboldt was accus-
toned to speak freely of himself though with
ont trace Of the garrulous egotsm which is
often one Of the most disagreeable infrmites
of old age. A month or two after the
previous record he said to his young friend II will
force myself to live for some time yet; do not
believe that this is the last time We shall each
other. At least far see, my powers do not
decline 1 feel strong and well. What burdens my
life more than the weaknesses of age is something
else-the contact with mankind. This disturbs me
more and more every year. With tho increase OF
the questions multiply: Where it is best
to land where to form colony. Every week have
TO reckon on about dozen of such letters. Besides
since the project of bridge over the Rhine at
Cologne there is no end to the letters maps and
ports with which am overwhelmed. Good or bad.
must say something in reply This can be borne to
certain point, but at last it becomes intolerable
The number of letters which receive every year
amounts TO about three thousand, and send out as
many to all parts of the world, to say nothing Of my
other occupations and abors" The conversation then
touched upon the historians Of the French Revolu-
ton, THEIRS Mignet, Lamartine, and so forth. OF
the history by my friend THEIRS" he said, with
whom have been so intimate mean in respect to
It's purely historical judgments.-not mnch that
is favorable can he said. He always
writes with great knowledge of the subject,
and the adroitness of an experienced diplomatist;
but the greater part of his narrative is deeply col
ored with national prejudces and bears the impress