New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-13

sophical Incompetence, Among OtheE things, the
writer had appealed to the authority of Humboldt in
proof of Sehellihgs ignorance Of the natural eel
ences, upon which Humboldt thus expresses him,
self: Consider the malice with which / am men
toned I'll who am described in the letter Of the
Crown Prince, written with his own hand as es-
pecially favorable toftbe matterI, who have never
spoken Of ScheIng but with expressions of admira-
ton. tits truly, unbeeoming for German 10 treat
with contempt the noble endeavor to bring the sub
jeetsof experience and observation under the su-
premacy of IDEAS ] have never doubted the posi-
bDity Of philosophy Of Nature. although have
not yet been convinced by that portion of 1t which
treats of the specific and essential heterogenety OF
matter. Something's philosophy Of Nature, in opposi-
ton to the crude empjriesm which tnidly heaps up
facts is totally different from the philosophical rev.
cries, which belong to,a misconception of doctrines
rather than to himself, but which for time, some
ten or twelve years since, diverted attention from
specific and exact knowledge, injecting young stu
dents with the fancy that they could pursue spe7
cial chemistry, on purely priori grounds without
even wetting their hands, and study astronomy
without telescopes or instruments of measurement
am fully convinced that the coming of the great
philosopher wOnld not have taken single nearer
from the chemical and botanical lectures OF Nit
scherich OF Kunth; the philosopher would hare
treated every one with respect who is endeayor1ng
to enlarge the horizon of empirical knowledge, by
the method of observation, while he recognizes In its
results the material which receives its order and
shape from the laws of the spirit. Diverted
myself from purely metaphysical studies by weaker
intellectual faculties and early preoccupatlOn Win
the empirical desert II was my purpose IN taxing so
active part in this affair to INTRODUCE INTO inc TUT
bid slime of our actual life, spiritual principle,
fructifyng plastic, and ennObllnR element, Wnlch
should create an interest in something more serious
and lofty than the empty and miserable friVohty
which now prevails to the largest extent"
But the chief popular interest OF these letters
doubtless belongs to the incidental touches which
afford transparent revelation OF the personay 1a
life with study gown and slippers, chatting freely
with his friend the common topics of the day. and
expressing undisguisedly his whims and crotchets,
his occasional unrest his disaste for stupidity and
Vugarity his impatience with official bIunderheadS
well his strong family ailectlon ana .he Gsptn
and compass of his GiepdIy syInpatbles. stTlklng
trait of HumbOldts character which is here qspayeu
I'M all ITS beautiful sincerity was his passion Tor d0ig
good In this respect, he was man after the heart
of old Cotton Mather Wlthout Deing ary ut'li ia
rian or dealer in facts of the Gradgind school, the
love of practical usefulness was the ruling motive OF
his heart His scientific pursuits received their d.
recton from this sentiment. 1t was not merely the
curious love of knowledge which sent him over
oceans and mountains in quest OF information, out
an intense desire to benefit mankind by his discov-
cries. He had most distinct consciousness Oh the
power which is conferred by the possession OF truth
He devoted himself to Its attainment not less IRON
the love of humanity than from the love Of science
Nothing but his sense OF the uses OF knowledge 10
man could have inspired the zeal and almost lncred
ibe diligence with which he strOve for ITS mastery
throughout his wonderful career of nearly century
But il was not only in his grand SCIENTIFIC researches
that he was impelled by the love Of doing good:
The same sentiment animated the whole course OF
his daily life 1t extended TO all his actions whether
on large or small scale. He seemed absolutely to
forget himself in his devotion 10 others, lie lost no
TO confer Kindness OF however TRIVIAL
character. 1t is curious to observe the Interest
= Il. .1raNr 80 man IN Tort
of his humbest friends. Many of these
letters are merely notes Of introduction, Dispensing
the good Offices Of Bunsen, at his conspicuous posi- IN
London or in Rome. IN behalf OF some pr0tege whose
welfare cOnld not have been of the slightest personal
Importance TO Humboldt. On such occasions he deals
in no empty compliments, but with his slngulary
practical nature never fails TO show the claims OF his
client on the notice of his friend, and usually sug-
gests the most direct methods IN which his interest
could be served To the latest day OF his hte young
men especially shared in his Overtfowlng Kindness
The frosts of age brought no chill over his warm and
generous heart. Not only did he never forget that
he had once been Young but he never I9St inc marty
and cheerful flow of youthful spirits His vast sclen
tiic treasures as well his almost unbOunded per-
sona influence, were always at the service OF every
worthy applicant 1t was not until the weary
fountain of active benecence In the letters written
as he was approaching his nnetieth year we find coca
sonal Acknowledgements OF lnfTmlty, but never On
inpatient or querulous word. At the age OF ~, lie
writes "My powers but not my habits OF labor have
fallen off within the last three months.
The great disorders OF the stomach subject me 10
constant suffering Besides this there IL nothing to
make me cheerful in my surroundings. receive IN
grateful humility, what Providence has 80 richly
lavished upon me 90 n9J fn To- y ma tre 90
letters surrounded am, by desOlate icebergs and
treacherOus, Bbterranean, and greatly threatening
fTesD The wear after tlS56l he writes: How can
thank YOU with sufficient warmth for the dear, re-
fresbin0 lines which you have lately sent me-
from OrinocO tanned IN courts
can have little sympathy with the scan
dalous, irrational events. dsgraceful to humanity
which are taking place on both continents
Ny powers are failing rapidly never have any
order of the skin. 1t is not agreeable to see the
phosphorous of thought dwindliDg away, and the
weight of the brain decreasing In the language OF
the new school Still do not lose my courage Tor
labor IL is now two o'clock at night. / can no
longer continue my crooked writing but must go 10
bed and rest myself This is The, prose Of life"
The letters contain frequent illusions TO American
visitors who had sought him out IN his retreat at
Poisdam. These are always in terms OF respectful
interest OF Professor I1cknor OIL Boston ne writes
fore the food, when two highly gifted classlcaly
educated Americans, Ticknor and Everett travelled
ali over Europe. Ticknor again appears upon the
so we'll know how 10 exercise. For that, you SHAH
have my thanks, Iicknor IS the friend OF our
house" On another occasion, he Expresses his obh-
cations TO Bunsen for the great pleasure he has re-
ceiyed from his kindness IN making HIM acquainted
with two remarkably interesting men, Kennedy and
CogsweH In 1S4O he requests Bunsen 10 take notice
Of Ieassz then living at NeuchatelJ whom lie com
mends as zone of the most learned highly gifted,
I'D agreeable sayants of the age" A visit from
Indge Charles DAILY. of New-YOTk. in 1851, appears
10 have given Humboldt great satisfaction. 4" Few
men % he saws have left upon me such an impress
SON of hi Oh intelligence on subjects of universal in
teresf and in the Judgment of apparently opposite
directions Of character among the nations that IN
habit the ever narrowing Atlantic BASIN Ada to this,
That ia very uncommon in an American, aud
., IN moro uncommon in the practical life of
greatly occupied magistrate. that this man OF nigh
Character and intellect Is not wanting IN ALVEY IN,
fefest for the fine arts and even for poetry Ihavced
him from conversations on Slavery, Molmonsm and
Canadian FendalisD TO the question SO Important 10