Litchfield enquirer., 1869-09-23
Aa4ssIz ON HUMBOLDT


 7 cThe life which Humboldt now. led was less exclusively that of @ student than it had been during his former Paris life. m He was the ambassador of g foreign conrt. His official position and his rank in society, as where 8 cherished guest, land Humboldt had the gift of making, himself ubiquitous. He was as familiar with the gOssips of the fashionable and dramatic world as with the higher walks of life and the abstruse re- searches of science. He had at this time two residences in Paris his lodging at the Hotel des Princes, where he saw the great world, and his working room in the Rue de la Harpe, where he received with less f0rmality his scientific friends. It is with the latter place I associate him for there it was my privilege to visit him frequently. There he gave me leave to como to talk Co him about my work and consult him in my difficulties. l am unwilling to speak of myself on this occasion, and yet do not know how else can do justice to one of the most beautiful sides of Humboldt's character. His sympathy for all young students of nature was one of the noblest traits of his long life. It may truly be said that toward the close of his career, there was hardly one prominent or aspiring sci entific man in the world who was not un- der some obligation to him. His sympa- thy touched not only the work of those in whom he was interested, but extended also their material wants and embarrassm At this period was twenty four he was s1xty-two I had recently taken my degree as doctor of medicine and was struggling not only for 8 scientific position, but for the means of existence also. I have said that he gave me permission to come as of- ten as pleased to his room, opening to me freely the inestimable advantages which intercourse with such man gave to Q young investigator like myself. But he did far more than this. Occupied and sur rounded as he was, he sought me out in my own lodging. The first visit he paid me at my marrow quarters in the Quartier Latin, where I occupied small room in the Hotel du Jardin des Plantes, was char acteristic of the man. After 8 cordial greeting, he walked straight to what was then my library,-a small bookshelf con taining few classics, the meanest editions bought for 8 trifie along the quays, some works on philosophy and history, chemis- try and physics, his own Views of Nature, Aristotle's Zoology, Linp@us's Systema Natur@, in several editions, Cuviers Regne Animal, and quite @ number of manuscript quartos, copies which. with the assistance of my brother, had made of works I was too poor to buy, though they cost but a few francs volume. Most conspicuous of all were twelve volumes of the new German Cyclopedia presented to me by the publish CT. shall never forget after his look of mingled interest and surprise at my little collection, his half-sarcastic question as he bounced upon the great Encyclopedia, .t Was naachen Sic denn nait diessr Esels- brucke." "What are you doing with this asss bridge ?s-the somewhat contemptu- ons name given in Germany to similar said, "to study the original sources of learning, and I need prompt and easy answer to a thousand questions I have as Yet no means of solving" n ..,..,...;+ ;+ga,g to It was no doubt apparent to him that I was not over familiar with the good things of this world, for shortly afterward re ceived an invitation to meet him at SIX o'clock in the " Gallerie Vltree" of the pal sis royal, whence he led me into one of those restaurants, the tempting windows of which had occasionally passed. by. When we were seated, he half laughingly, half inquiringly, asked me whether l would order the dinner. l deciued the invitation saying that we should fare better if he would take, the trouble. Anl for three hours, which passed like dream. lad him all to myself. How be examined me, and how much Hear ed in that sbort time How to work, what to do, and, what to avoid; and how to live; how to distribute my time; what methods of study to pursue, e-these were the things of which he talked to ms on that delightful evening" do not mention this trivial incident without feeling that it may seem too familiarfof the occasion nor should give it at all, except that it shows the sweetness and kindliness for him to cheer and stimulate the student; he cared also togive rare indulgence to young man who could allow himself few luXurleS. .L.truoK