New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-07


nd lent his powerful aid to every noble enterprise
thus, tho man who belongs to the world may wO at
he Same time call our own" GAS the sun will pour
lis beams over this wide plain and on this soil will
Iwakon thousand germs into fresh life, so may the
Oy in Nature and its eternal laws warming and vivi-
wing help to call forth the germs Of the Good ana
he Noble to vigorous life in the breast of the thou
sands who shall wander in the Humboldt Grove
This instrument was then deposited in copper box,
together with q copy of the "KosmOs," Views OF
Nature" the journals Of the day, list OF the CITY
and plan Of the grove After laying
the cornerstone with the usual symbolic ceremonies
and short address from NJ. Sedel. followed by APP
propriate music the services brought to close
by an eloquent discourse by NJ. Kochhann, another
distinguished city official. He spoke chiefly OF the
purposes of the monument, as essentially dlnerenV
from the edices which form the architectural orna-
ment Of Berlin 1t was to be structure OF living
and yitalizng character which both in its internal
design and its outward expression would recall the
memory Of one who, like no other man, was devoted
TO tho successful pursuit of truth. and who by ms
deep researches and comprehension of Nature led the
human Spirit through Nature to reverence Tor Uou'
The remembrance Of such man could htly DC con
secrated only in creations of Nature AS In Greciah
antiouty the affairs of the gods were erected IN sad
groves as among our Germanc ancestors the most
beautiful and majestic trees of the forest formed the
abode of the Deity and as weourselves ma the typos
of our churches in the trees of the WOOD so would
we now establish seat where men, free from all
churchy compulsion, free from every dogma, IN
spired by the holy influence of Nature, can draw
near to the Good and Almighty Father and thank
and praise him from the inward impulses OF the
heart The temple of Nature which we wish to
erect will form contribution to the history OF the
age, it will be an impressive symbol OF tho truth'
that the trne worship of God does not exclude the
free investg of science and the knowledge of
Nature and her eternal laws. The worship which
does not spring from the deep convictions of the SOUL
and which is imposed by priesty arrogance and pre-
sumption can lead only to hypocrisy or unbelef. In
this point of view said the orator, we greet the
hundredth birthday of Humboldt the morning
glow of better age, as a summons to the educated
world to combat every prejudice, to seek for
the truth alone and to labor for its spread in all d.
rect0ns, and among every rank OF the people,
This was the glory of Humboldt, that he did not
hoard up the fruits of his labors for himself or any
narrow circle Of learned men, he worked not only
for science but for the enlightenment of the whole
people. We honor Humboldt, accordingly by con-
tinuing to labor in his spirit by kindng the light OF
truth in every place where it can shine, by fighting
with darkness narrow -mindedness and superstition,
raise their andacious heads. Let the Humboldt
Grove afford place to the people of Berlin where
through delight in the divine glories of Nature their
sense of all that is Good and Noble may be quickened
and from generation to generation, the name of
Humboldt may inspire the soul with ardOr in the pur
suit of truth.
The municipal celebration which have described,
though on the whole, genial and enthusiastic was
not without certain air of formalty, which is per-
haps inevitable in the movements of dignfed cOTpo-
rate bodies. This was not the with the fesiv-
ties Of the evening, which though of highly intel
lectual character, marked by the genuine love
of conyiyality that seems inherent in the German
nature and presented lively spectacle Of cultivated
men in the full swing of social enjoyment. 1t was
the reunion of the different societies in Berlin de-
voted to physical science which after discourse by
the celebrated geographer Professor Bastian of the
University, wound up the celebration of the day
with an elaborate German supper. More than five
hundred persons present including ministers
of state foreign diplomatic functonaries and large
representation of the learned men of Berlin,
together with delegates of learned societies in other
German cities Seldom. imagine, has more distin-
guished body of men been gathered festive Oc-
easiOn. Their appearance was characterized by gay
ETY. and good humOr no less than by intelligence.
Such collection of fine heads and joyous faces
would have formed tempting study to the fancier
of human physiOgnomy. largo proportion of the
men were Of more than average size and stature
whose noble athletic frames reminded one Of Goethe
and Bunsen rather than of the traditional smoke
dried and attenuated German student. / will not
attempt to report the speeches of the evening which
would have little interest after the excitement of the
occasion had passed away, and which in the main
were but repetitions of the sentiments previously
fhnu no aH6 l,y
such men as Strampf, L0wenberg Brehni, Virchow,
and others, who admirably net and sustained the
prevailing tone.
The arrangements of the supper were different
from the fashion of our country, and might well
tract the curiosity of American eye. The speeches
and toass not deferred to the end of the repas
as is our custom but were interspersed with the
culinary temptations of the bill of fare Eating,
drinking, and speechfying were mingled in sublime
confusion. The first toast was introduced with the
first course of the banquet and all appeared to excite
more interest than the viands and fluids. The speak
ing of less collOquial character than is usual at
English public dinners but eaTnestness and good fell
lowshp were more the order of the evening than dis
plays Of oratory. Each sentiment was received with
a vehement German "Hoch," instead of the
sharp American hurrah, each guest rising
from his seat, and adding to the prevailing din
by universal blinking of glasses. Strangers were
no exception to the general rule and i soon found
myself the best of terms with savants and states
mon who were only known to me by fame. The ban
quet was free as possible from all superluous ETH
quette Though every guest was in full Dress there
was no display of starch or buckram. The presiding
officer was in all parts of the room at once, urging
this one to deliver himself of speech, congratu-
lating that one on his success and difusing around
general harity and friendly cheer, instead of sit
ting like crowbar in his official place, too stiff to be
merry himself, or to excite merriment among the
guests. The bill of fare for the evening would cause