Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-04-30
Sc "A Little Fellow Named Gumboldt. %

An amusing denunciation of the treach-
erous objects pursued by the late Alex
ander Won Humboldt during his scien-
tific journeys in Siberia has Just come to
light. 1t is contained in report drawn
up some forty years ago by one NJ. Sko-
tine, Burgomaster of Isham, small town
south of Tobolsk. This jealous officer,
thinking it his duty to report the proceed
ings of the German traveller to Gen.
Sullma, the then Governor of the region,
the latter showed the curious document
to one M. De Wolicki, Polish exile,
who took copy, which has just been
published in his memories by the Lemberg
Gdzetd Ndrodopd. The report is too
unique and characteristic piece of odd
world writing to be withheld:
YOUR ExCELLENCY-Af few days ago
certain German ofNhe name Of Gumboldt
(sfc( a thin little fellow, who does not look
as though he were any great shakes, ar
rived in this town. Being the bearer of a
letter from your Excellency, in which you
command me TO treat him with all court
esy, | have endeavored to pay him
every attention in my power. / am,
however, constrained to inform your
Excellercy that the foreign gentle
man appears to be suspicious, If
not dangerous, character. Although /
treated him to first-rate dinner imme.
diately upon his arrival he would hardly
partake of the viands, and went the length
VI criucising the cookery. This was the
more remarkable as my cook is great
proficient in every description of pastry,
and would be thrice happy were she per
m'tted to present some specimens of her
art TO your Excellency. The foreign trav-
eler declined even my raspberry jam, of
which, am happy to say, / possess
large quantity, thereby evincing the most
marked disrespect of my person and hos
pitality. The whole civil service in this
place, being well acquainted with the SUI
perlor character OF my cookery, feels in
suited by this extraordinary conduct.
Worse than this, the traveller paid no at
tention TO the leading officials of the place,
men who have served the State for many
years, and is even reported TO have called
them stupids.' While thus sighting the
Russians who are the servants of the
crown, he associated with the Poles and
other political criminals living un.
der my supervision. Your Excel
lency will kindly forgive my show
ing the zeal which has always an.
mated me on this important occasion
too; but when find the traveller, after a
long conversation with the Poles, asking
them to accompany him 10 aneighboring
hill which commands the town, | really
cannot but regard his proceedings as cal
culated 10 create alarm. They had scarce.
~ arrived AT the top of the hill when
they got out an instrument which looked
very much like gun-barrel, and, placing
1t on three-legged support, brought it
to bear upon the town. One after the
other they then approached the instru.
ment, directing it to the place left to my
care. lsham being thus in imminent
peril, the more so as the houses are full
OF wood, | ordered the garrison, consist
ing OF six priyates and sergeant, 10 load
their muskets and proceed to the place of
action. Though nothing further ensued
l shall make IL a point Of having the
German watched wherever he goes.
Should the -rebe4l4iiiet4s- designs Of The
traveller lead TO injurious conse.
quences, /, and with me the other
officers and the garrison, will cour.
ageously meet death in the service of their
Car. ] have thought IL necessary to dis.
patch this humble report by an express,
and beg you to vouchsafe me speedy re-
ply. Assuring you Of my duuful obedi-
ence and devotion TO the Gar and holy
Russia, am determined always TO behave
as becomes conscientious servant Of the
State, who has attained to the Assessors
rank, and numbers already twenty years
Of active service. am, etc"
This recalls the story of Alexander Her.
zen, who tells us that the Cossack Hum
boldt employed as a servant while travel.
ing in Peru, regarded the philosophical
excursionist as little better than a mad
man. After long shaking his head in dis
may at the fooleres of the "Prussian
Prince Gumboldt," the doughty warrior,
when told TO wade into lake and report
whether the water was cold or warm,
could bear IL no longer, but gave the in.
sane foreigner a bit Of his mind, which
led to a rupture--Berltn Cor. London
Times.