The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-03

INTO the composition OF DIS naJufes Ihe III
terror Of the dwelling is embellished with
variety of rare pieces of sculpture and paint
ing, collected by William Won Humboldt
during his residence in Rome or expressly
executed for the purpose by modern artists
of note.
remarkable antique in this collection is
marble fountain, with reliefs representing a
feast of Bacchus, taken from the church OF
st. Calixtus in Rome, in. which, according to
Catholic legend, that saint suffered death
by drowning. The story is told in a brief
Latin inscription on the marble, written by
William Won Humboldt This work stands in
the main entrance hall, in the midst of many
striking specimens of statuary, illustrating
some of the prominent scenes of the Greclan
mythology The hall itself resembles an
ancient atrium, the roof is supported by Doric
pillars, the floor is covered with mosaics,
and the walls decorated with bas-
reliefs. On the right hand side is
the study of Wilhelm Won Humboldt,
as occupied by him during the latter
years Of his life. His writing-table of dark
mahogany stands in the centre, on which are
now placed several pieces of exquisite sculp-
ture. Next to the study is the sleeping
chamber in which he died. 1t contains no
adornment but two female torsos of Parian
marble, executed with consummate art. In
the other rooms are several of the master
pieces of Thorwaldsen Rauch and Friedrich
Ileck, in the antique style, and busts of diff
ferent celebrated modern sculptors. Promi-
nent among these are Thorwaldsen's statue of
Hope, executed in the Greek style, with a
lotus-hower in her hand, the bust of Alexan-
der Won Humboldt by Rauch and a portrait
statue of the second daughter of William Won
Humboldt at the age of ten years, in the
character Of Psyche, by the same artist
Not far from the dwelling house, in the
-1,a.1x -gfa 4 r
is set apart as the family burying- place. The
approach to this is through a walk, lined on
each side by tall linden trees; grove of thick
pines surrounds the spot with its dark ever
green foliage; and on one side the view is
terminated by range Of wooded hills which
form natural terrace. An iron railing in
closes the ground, at the end of which is
erected granite pillar, supporting dupG-
cate of Thorwaldsens statue, which, in the
words of Alex Won Humboldt, on the occasion
of the death of q favorite niece, promises
Hope. The sepulchre like one of old that we
read of in sacred writ, is in the midst of a
garden rich beds of flowers, with their glow
ing colors, present striking contrast to the
dark ivy which covers the graves displaying
a scene of solemn beauty that in tender and
pathetic interest surpasses the most exquisite
refnements of art. Here repose, in the ''sleep
which knows no waking" twelve members of
trious brothers, William and Alexander whose
fraternal love for each other was an affection
stronger than the love of woman" present.
ing the character of each in a light as beauti-
full as it is rare. My visit to the spot was the
day after the centennial celebration in Berlin.
The place, am told, wore its
usual aspect, except that the grave of
Alexander was covered and almost
concealed by the profusion of flowers which
L..
memoration of the day. The two brothers
lie side by sde surrounded by the manifold
beauty Of the Nature of whose eternal laws
one was the prophetic interpreter and the
other the reverent worshipper. Their friendly
silence is broken by no vocal word but the
mystic tie which bound their hearts in fond
communion survives in the sacred fellowship
of the dead, and will long live in the united
influence which they exert in common in the
cause of truth, the advancement of know
ledge, and the progress of the race.
The near vicinity of the two brothers in
their last resting-place is touching memo
rial Of the friendship which melted their
illustrious spirits into one from childhood to
old age. The death Of William Won Humboldt
in 1885 was a terrible blow to the survivor
Never before had his mental serenity sus-
tanned so grave shock. He had watched
over the gradual decline of the invalid for
many months. During the last few years of
the life of the elder brother, Alexander could
scarcely bear to be deprived of his society
even for a short time He gave up his
usual visits to Paris on that account, sus-
pended his own pursuits to join the
favorite studies Of his brother, and
cherished constant longing for his pre-
sence. Only at short intervals did he leave
the bedside which had become the scene
of the struggle between life and death.
Almost at the last moment, he wrote to his
friend Varnhagen Won Ense-''There is no
longer the least glimmer of hope; did not
believe that my aged eyes contained so many
tears" After all was over, it took all the
energy of his nature to sustain his equanimity.
But his well-balanced mind soon recovered
it's usual tone, and the great sorrow of his
life found consolation in completing the lite
rary plans which his brother had left unfin-
ished, and in laboring on the works of his
own which have made his name immortal.
He had no trace in his soul of the puny senti-
mentalism which finds an aesthetic delight in
the luxury of tears, but like Goethe, and
other great spirits Of all ages, believed that
the vigorous performance of duty affords the
wisest cure for grief.