The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-09-15

|
nance or in his habits He was the same
cheerful, pleasant companion, the same inde-
| fatigable student, giving but four hours to
sleep, and laboring in bis studies with unln-
| terrupted zeal.
| When aoout to separate, we arranged to re-
new our intercourse again at the Assocletlon
| OF Naturalists, who were to met that year al
Freburg, in the Duchy Of BaGen, where were
to be congregated the most eminent natural
| lists of Europe. The members all dlned at
common table but our breakfast and tea were
served up IN private apartments. An opportu-
nity was then afforded us for private inter-
course and conversation with friends. We
made arrangements to welcome Humboldt into
the small group who breakfasted and took our
tea together. A few OF the eminent natural
| lists OF Europe composed our little party. Pro-
fessor Buckland, of Oxford, was there, and his
lady presided at our cheerful board. Professor
Owen, of England, assisted in forming the
party. But we were doomed to dIsappolnt-
ment. Humboldt was detained By order OF the
King in Prussia, and wrote to express his re-
gret that he could not be with US.
never expected to meet him again, but late
| in the autumn of that year, happening to be in
Paris, and attending meeting OF the French
Academy, one OF the first persons l met was
Humboldt, and for two weeks saw him nearly
nature; gave his hours OF repast to o group OF
friends who united in conversation with him and
devoted the remainder of the day to the various
studies in those sciences to which his lie had
been devoted. He always spoke of himself as an
humble student of nature, who knew but little,
and wac struggling to acquire more knowledge
| 1t was pleasant and somewhat amusing to
| observe his manner and occupations during the
6ay At stated hour in the morning he was
| to be found at the Garden Of Plants engaged in
some Investigations in natural history.
/ met HIM there with his coat of, and in an
apron that nearly covered his whole body. en-
gagged in dissecting an animal that had Just
died inthe menagerie. SO intent was ne upon
| his labors, that he seemed to have scarcely
time to turn his head to answer the various
| questions that were addressed to him. Thus,
| for some hours every one appeared to be in-
| tensely engaged in his own work. AT GER
tain time of the day, these French philosophers
always resolved on an hour OF rest and recrea'
| ton. When that time arriV d one OF the STU
dents passed through the rooms of these stu
dents OF nature, calling aloud, "The hour has
| come, ,.boSs; come out to playl" Instantly the
whole scene was changed. The philosophers
shut up their books, laid aside their instru-
ments, changed their outward dress in few
moments, and it appeared as if Il group OF hap
py children were jumping and irolcklng around
| you.
A considerable portion OF the garden was de-;
voted to a menagerie OF wild animals, and
among the most amusing we're the monkeys
collected from all quarters OF the earth. Here
these philosophers amused themselves until
the dinner hour. and for time the sciences
we're all forgotten IN the hilarlty OF the occa-
sion. noticed that Humboldt exerted HIM
self to be as gay and happy as any in that most
| interesting group.
The dinner hour having arrived, men who
wished to render their time in Paris agreeable
usually arranged to dine together at some OF
the tables d'hote where old associations are re-
| md rpha aan
tie most entertaining and delightful conversa-
tions. Oa these occasions usually net Hum
boldt. There he was, the pleasant and insiruc-
| tive companion, and we all conceived 1t to be
not only great privilege. but high honor,
thus to be associated with him.
At the meetings OF the Academy OF Sciences
he preferred being listener. Occasionally, for
| the purpose of eliciting IN opinion, question n
| was put to him which he would answer in a few
brief words, and then resume his seat. At
night, to the various parties which we've given
| in PARIS, Humboldt was always invited, and it
appeared that he never declined the invita-
| tioIs. Ladies' OF the highest rank were not
| satisfied without an introduction, and they al
| ways spoke OF the occasion as one OF the great
| est honors that had ever been conferred upon
| them.
l would just here remark that Humboldt
was figure OF the medium size; his forehead
broad aud high; his hands and feet delicately
formed; his locks in the latter part OF his life
| of silvery whitenese; his eyes were blue an
| full Of expression.
Thirty years ago his features appeared un-
| dimmed by age, and while enjoying his CONVEX
sation in which there was wit and tenderness.
you lost for moment your reverence Tor the
great man in your admiration for kind and
jovial companion.
He was born in Berlin in 1859. o memorable
year for the annals of genius, for in it we're
born sir Walter Scott, Cuvler, Chateaubrland;
also the eminent English orators and states
men, Canning. McIutosh and Brougham.. He
was Of barouial lineage. His father was cham
berlain 10 Frederick the Great. and the per-
sonal and intlma.e friend Of the succeeding
king. His father was not gifted with any
striking qualities. Humboldt was indebted for
the direction Of his education to the baroness,
his mother, who was no ordinary woman, and
whom he loved aud venerated. She had de-
scended from that sturdy race Of French Pro.
testants, whom the revocation OF the Edlct OF
Nantes scattered abroad, to the advantage OF
every country where they fixed their aDoae.
This lady appears to have transmitted to her
son the cheerfuness, vivacity and quickness
of apprehension which belonged to her own
race, while he inherited from his father the
tenacity of purpose which so much dlstln-
guIshes the 1eutOuic character.
Humboldt was peculiarly favored in the pos
session Of every advantage for the acquisition
OF knOWl6uR0. IL CtuuOI OO oaio VI utla en"S
he was ever deprived Of anything that was
necessary 10 render him great and eminent
man. From his earliest years to mature man.
hood, he lacked no instruction which wealth,
rank and affection could lavish upon him.
de was educated at the UnlyersityQt Gotten
gen. Wherever he went, IN his adventurous
career, the same cordial welcome aud cooper
alton awaited him. Kings and governors We'd
in promoting his progress. Lovers and culti-
vators OF eclence, in every country, contributed
Of their own stores to enrich him, and through
him the world.
= How vast those resources were and how use-
fully they were employed may be seen in his
works. He lived to o great age. He was born
in 1853, and died IN 1885,, having Eeached the
the unusual age Of MN ,ty years. Tbe whole OF
his long life was devoted to studies and lahore
calculated 10 benefit mankind. HIS last work
the Cosmos-is monument OF meditation
and research unequalled in oil the labors OF
science. Even when the weight OF four score
and ten years lay upon his head, he toiled
while others rested, and it Is asserted by those
who knew him most intimately that the morn
ing's dawn often surprised him at his desk.
He had brother-Carl Wilhelm, two years his
senior-who became almost as eminent as him
self in many OF the sciences.
In the many conversations had with Hum
boldt, he often alluded to his attachment to
the American nation, and spoke If himself as
half an American, inasmuch as some OF bis
earliest labors bad commenced IN America. He
had no time to devote himself to miuor points
in the sciences. His mind dwelt upon the great
laws of nature comprehendlng the whole circle
of the sciences. In the knowledge Of genera