The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-13


that they also have a common interest in the
occasion; and in laying the cornerstone of a
monument in our beautiful park, they will
know that of all the brilliant statesmen,
poets, philosophers, warriors, and philanthro-
pists that the world has produced, there are
few who are better deserving Of such memo
rial
Alexander Won Humboldt was a man pecu-
liarly fitted in every way for the great work
he was called upon to perform. Although not
wealthy, he possessed sufficient means to en-
able him to prosecute his studies with effect,
and he was able to command sufficient infiu-
ence to obtain what facilities he required from
the various Governments of Europe and Anne
rica to carry on his explorations and scientific
Investigations. With a strong and vigorous
body he united capacous and penetrating
mind: he went to the heart of every subject
that engaged his attention, and he hesitated
at no toll in collecting the data upon which
to base his conclusions. The enthusiasm of
his nature, combined with his habits of close
observation and minute analysis, led him so
far beyond the conclusions of his predecessors
in the various fields of science that engaged
his attention, that his Investigations often had
the value of original discoveries, while, in
reality, he was but following up the sugges-
tions and ideas of long list of searchers who
had been patiently and industriously endea-
vOring to find out the truth for centuries
before he appeared.
AS Humboldt travelled over nearly the
whole world in the eager pursuit of know
ledge, and in the collection of the facts upon
which to build his theory of the physical uni
verse, so he also traversed nearly every field of
thought, and mastered every science. The
plains the rivers, the mountain chains, the
flora, the fauna, the climate, and all the ply
sical characteristics of Europe, Asia, Africa,
and America received his personal investiga-
ton. He was a traveller by instinct, and
because he loved to be in motion. to march
over unknown plains. to climb mountains, to
sail in strange rivers. But his love for travel
was but secondary to his thirst for knowledge,
and no traveller before or since has explored
with the same thoroughness. or brought the
same powers of observation to bear in deter
mining the laws which govern creation, the
reasons for particular growths and formations,
climatology, the relation of the sea and the
land, and all the ruling forces of physical
nature.
His ''Kosmos,' the publication of which
was commenced in 1S45, explains the physi-
cal universe according to its dependencies
and relations grasps nature as a whole,
moved and animated by internal forces, and
by a comprehensive description shows the
unity which prevails amid its variety. Hum
boldts ''Kosmos' is undoubtedly the greatest
work of its kind of this or any other age; it is
an indestructible monument to the genius of
its author, and it contains the essence of the
labors and investigations of his busy and
valuable life.
The celebration to-day in honor of Hum
boldt's memory will be cordially participated
in by our citizens of all classes, and it is to be
hoped that the effect will be to make him bet
ter known outside of merely scientific circles,
and to excite increased interest in his works
among those who now know little or nothing
of him except by reputation.