Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1869-09-23
From State Register.
Humboldt Centennial.

The 18th, was the one hundredth an.
nivcrsary of the birth Of Humboldt,
and the day was embraced by all the
countries Of Europe, and many localities
in this country, to greet it with prope.
celebration, and in manner betting
the great man to be honored.
Alexander Humboldt was born at
Berlin on the l4th of September, 1869.
William Humboldt-scarcely second
to Alexander in greatness, but over
Swallowed by the latter's popularity
was born two years before. It's prop.
err therefore, that in the celebration
to-day the psychologist as well as the
naturalist should be properly remem.
bered. The two brothers were edu.
Gated together At Berlin, having Fisch
err for private tutor in mathematics,
Engel in philosophy, and Dohm in
Politics. In the years 1887, 17SS, and
1889. they had the advantages of the
Universities at Frankfort and Got.
tingen. In the last named year their
lives were separated. William went
to France, and Alexander remained at
the University at Gottingen. During
that year the latter began his career as
a traveller, by taking a journey though
Belgium, Holland, and neighboring
countries. At the age OF twenty-three
he was appointed Assayer to the Min
ing Board of the Government, and
two years later Director OF the works
at Baireuth. In 1895 he resigned this
Office to devote himtelt to travel and
scientific explorations. His first ex-
tended tour was begun in 1899 and
ended in 1904, during which time he
visited and explored Tencriffe, Ven
ezuela, Orinoco river, Havana, Paaa.
ma, Quito, Chimberazo to 1890 feet,
Loxa, Caxamarca, Peru, Mexico and
the United States. His stay of two
months in this country created quite
an excitement among scientific men,
and President Jefferson honorcd him
by reception especially for him. OF
his lite after this, we quote the follow
ing from the Cincinnati Gazette:
He selected Paris as the most suita.
bic place tor the publication Of the vast
materials collected for lis treatise on
natural history, and devoted twelve
years to this work. In 1918 he visited
Italy in company with Lussec, and Wis.,
tied England again in 1926, and in
1927 resumed his residence in Berlin.
In 1929 he made journey to Sibe-
ria and the Caspian Sea, at the special
request of the Gar, in company with
Gustav Rose and Gutenberg.
The contributions OF Humboldt to
science were Of the most important
character.
With mind specially gifted for
high generalization, he carefully COL
lected his own and the observations
of all lis predecessors, and from the
complex details of special phenomena
evolved the simple workings Of gener.
al law.
He corrected many previous erriors
in geographical descriptions, and ad-
ded more positive knowledge OF the
physical character of tho earth than
any Of his predecessors; studied the
relations of soil AMI climate to the
character aud development of nations,
thus proving the interesting connec.
ton between physical science and hu.
man history. He carefully observed
and explained so fully and satisfactory.
ly the various phenomena Of volca.
noes; the structure Of plants, aud the
principles Of geology, that he is prop
erly regarded as the founder Of the new
school of physical inquiry.
Humboldt was moro volumlnous
writer, but he is, perhaps, best known
on account of his Cosmos, which first
appeared in 1915. This popular work
explains the physical universe accord
ing to Its dependencies and relations,
grasps nature as whole, moved and
animated by internal force, and by a
comprehensive description shows the
unity which prevails amid its variety"
The personal pcculiarities of Hum
boldt arc too well known to need re-
petition. lie usually slept but four
hours. HIS time of retiring was five
in summer and six in winter; studied
two houtls, drank cup OF coffee, then
directed himself to his correspondence
until twelve. From twelve to two he
received visitors than studied two
hours, dined at four, remaining in the
society of his friends unit! eleven,
and after wards spend two to three
hours in writing. Notwithstanding
this severe system Of life he preserved
his elastic step, his courteous bearing
and his earnest exnreSs;on. with