The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1869-11-20
(ynox oux own coRsxsroxDESr.I
BosroS. September Is, Il

BosroS. September Is, 1869
Boston is pleasant and civilized city, which
}, more than can be said of some larger places in
america There are n great many pleasant peo-
BE in Boston; there is n high average Of culture
ard OF wealth and there il n considerable degree
OF seIf-eompIacency in the enjoyment of these
distinctions. To observe the phenomena presented
In Boston, your correspondent tarried in this city
on his return from Salem toward New York
No more favorable time to see Boston at its
best could have occurred than yesterday, the
certenniaI anniversary OF Humboldt's birth. The
Fiag Wa celebrated by several important demon
ptatiors, the greatest of which was held at the
slasic Hall. Professor Agnssiz delivered q long
pad interesting address upon the character Of
humboldt, giving many personal reeoIlectiOns of
khs great man. Agassiz was. in 1881, q student
n the QUARTER Latin in Paris; and Humboldt
risited him there. After the greetings, the first
hing Humboldt did was to look up Agassiz's
canty collection Of books. 80 Conspicuous among
Ihem," said Agassiz, yesterday, a. were twelve
ollmes Of the new German Cyclopcda, presented
y me by the publisher. shall never forget,
ftcr biz look Of mingled interest and surprise at
by little collection, his halEsarcastic question
3e pounccd upon the great Cyclopedia, WAS
aachen Sic nit dieser Elselsbrucke?' ." What are
ou doing with this asses bridge?'' the somewhat
Dntemptuoas name given in German to similar
pmpilations. Il had not time I answered, To
Gudy the original sorrcss Of learning"
Aslssiz has evidently learned to abjure second
land learning OF late years. the learning OF re-
iews and criticisms, which satisfies all but active
binds
M OF Humboldt's philosophical views, Agassiz
\ poke thus: /" Like a true philosopher, be knew
hat the time had not yet come for n scientific
nve-tieqitiOn as To the origin Of all things Be
brr he attempted tD discuss the direct action of
Creator in bringing about the present condition
u the universe. he knew that the physical laws
shich govern the material world must first be
Understood; and that until some limit to the
ction OF natural causes enn he found, there II mo-
place in a scientific discussion. as such, for the
eonaideratiou of the intervention OF n Creator"
|# The afternoon eeIebration, enlivened by excel
ent German music, both choral and orchestral,
was yet inferpr in interest To the evening recep-
lion, given in honor OF the day, by the city Of
Boston and the Natural History Society ut Ho-ti-
rultural Hall. All the cards OF admission were
complimentary, and the affair one Of the
most distinguished ones which hns ever occurred
even in Boston. About n thousand ladies' and
genticmen were present and among them the
dnest character and culture Of the country were
Fepresented- Moving among the throng saw r.
W. Emerson, his head STOPPING little forward,
NJ BELTS philosopher, yet higher than the aver
age OF the crowd, for he lacks hardly moro than
nm inch OF six feet in stature. During large
part OF the evening he was in conversation with
Mrs. Anne C. Lynch Botta, Of New York, the
Poetess and lovely woman OF society, a lady
noticcable for her sweet and cultured face. Not
ar away Professor Botta might be seen, q black
haired Italian Of the most pronounced type, with
abssraeted air, rs il his thoughts were in
Romans vineyard. Emerson has fi.ce Of pecu-
ar interest; it he's modest and thoughtful
beauty his eyes are OF n deep grayish blue, his
o-e prominent agueline, his complexion and
AIR dark, the latter straight and as vet little
nvaded oy gray but there is q peculiar bald
poe upon the LETT side, as IL the eurrents os
Thought had poured out-or in-with the s.n.c,,I
sIgpr nc that point. This manner /, the xsrv
model OF simplicity and kindness he seem. oren
and attentive to every word in conversation he
Is evidently still receptive, sincere learner in
Spie oil his wisdom; he Is not pre-occupied and
s''if-conscious, as most men seem to be he gives
'As s.fonsess impression OF simplicity and truth
", 'nere Is shrewd look OF humor about him,
mo = ea,e' fankee twinkle OF the eye sometimes.
'"ia 'nas he Is highly priced as a neizhbor
oy .ne concord farmers, for his good sense and
<'naneS", which his position a. a literary man
may oe Judged OF from what prominent pub
'"her IN New York once said to mo that he xould