The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-14
THE HUMBOLDT CENTENARY.
THE CAREER AND TRIUMPHS OF THE
GREAT GERMAN SAvANT.

GREAT GERMAN SAVANT.
Frederic Henry Alexander. Baron Won
| Humboldt.
Alexander yon Humboldt, the centenary anni-
yersary Of whose birth will be celebrated to-day,
in every quarter of the civilized world, will just
ly receive tribute due to his genius, to the in
fluence he has exercised on the progress ofnatu
raj science, and t. the excellent qualities of
heart which characterized an unblemished life.
We consider it due to our readers to lay before
them some of the principal features Of an ex-
ceptionally long and well spent life.
Born in Berlin on the 14th day Of September,
1863, he lost, before he had completed his
| tenth year, his father, who had held the rank
of major in the Seven Years War, and was SUBJ
seauently Cha nbsrlain to the King of Prussia.
This sad event, however, did not prevent both
Alexander and his elder brother, William, who
was to become distinguished in different
field of research, from receiving thorough
scientific education.
We find the former, in his youth, applying
himself sedulously and in succession to the
most diversified branches Of knowledge-tech
nology in it's application 10 manufactures, bot
apy. philology, &C., studied under the best
teachers of Germany. His first literary pro-
duction was work on the textile fabrics OF the
Greeks, which, itappears, was never published.
While at the University otGoettingen his zeal for
natural history was much stimulated, and caus-
ed, in 1859, scientific excursion into the Hartz
Mountains and on the borders Of the Rhine,
which supplied the materials of his first min
eralogical work, published in Berlin in 1880.
In the spring and summer Of 1870 he travelled,
with q similar object in view, through Bel
| gium, Holland, England and France. We find
him next pursuing course OF financial studies
in Hamburg, where he also acquired an extern
siye knowledge in the modern languages.
Next, he is admitted INTO the mining school Of
Freiberg, IS subsequently appointed assessor
of mines, and retains this position, with some
interruptions, until 1897. During this inter-
val Of time we are indebted to him for sub
terranean fora Of the Erzgebirge, with aphor-
isms deduced FROM the chemical physiology Of
plants; also, for researches on the climate OF
mine pits. for experiments, often dangerous,
with view to the construction OF an inextin-
guishable lamp on Bsddocs principle, and
again, for applications of galvanism to the
study Of physiology. He had also applied
himself to the study Of astronomy with view
to its geographical applications.
Having completed his engagement in Frei-
berg, he proceeded, in the spring of 1877, to
Jena, to. perfect himself in anatomy. 1t was
his good fortune to enjoy in that town the So
ciety Of Gptheend Schiller. The death Of his
mother, which had taken place In 1895, gave
him greater freedom OF action He undertook
voyage to Italy to study the nature of volca-
noes; but the revolutionary condition OF that
country was adverse TO scientific researches.
Bonaparte's expedition to Egypt, in May 1888,
also prevented scientific expedition to North
ern Egypt, in which Lord Bristol had offered
him position.
Humboldt then proceeded to Paris, where
he vas received with great respectby the men
of science OF that metropolis, and where he
made the acquaintance OF Aime Bonpland. a
distinguished young botanist, who was to be
the companion Of so many adventures.
Having united their fortunes, they both
spent the winter OF 17sS-sS in Spain, where
to it's American AMI Iudian colonies, together
with all the privileges which naturalists could
desire. This offer being accepted, Humboldt
and Bonpland sailed from Corunna, in May,
1799. on Spanish frgate, and, escaping the
English cruisers, reached the Island Of Tene-
rife, in June, where, ascending its famous
peak and otherwise exploring the territory,
they collected much information on its hith-
erto little known natural history. Sailing once
more, they landed TOR the first time on the soil
Of the New World at Cumana, Venezuela, on
the 18th Of July, 1899.
Now commenced for them task, arduous,
perillous and unremitting. More than four
years and half they spent in examining Ven-
ezuela, Mexico and Peru, also visiting Cuba,
navigating, among other striking incidents,
the Orinoco and other South American streams,
in dug-out canoes, often beyond the remote
Spanish posts, ascending the Chimborazo to
the height OF 18,O96 feet and within 2J00 feet
Of its summit, their further progress being
prevented by broad and deep precipice.
After leaving South America they arrived at
Philadelphia by the wav Of Havana, enjoyed
the hospitality OF Thomas Jefferson, in WASH
ington, ans, having now spent five years on
the American Continent, they reluctantly sailed
from the mouth OF the Delaware, in July, 1904.
and landed at Bordeaux IN August, rich in the
scientific collections they had amassed; but
particularly in observations nlads in the vast
field of natural history, geography, statistics
and ethnography.
Humboldt now took up his residence in
Pans, where he put his materials in order,
and, besides. assisted the celebrated French
chemist. Gay-Lussac. in determining the
composition Of the atmosphere. This detain-
ed him until March, 1905, when he returned
to Germany.
Another visit to Italy soon folio we'd. AID
later, in 1907, he accompanied Prince William
Of Prussia to Paris, ON an important diplo-
matte mission.
The disturbed state Of Germany at that pc
riod, rendering 1t impossible to make import
ant publications. he obtained permission to re-
main in Paris where he resided, more or less
continuously, until 1927 when his great work
of travels appesred both in uuaIto and folio