New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-05
NOTES FROM BERLIN.
DEATH OF PROFESSOR Won HOFFMAN,
PRINCES WHO DO NOT WISH TO
PAY IAXES.

tauC
Won Hofmann Since the retirement OF Won buhsei III
,ro,delbero hair decade ago. he had no rival In tle
affection of American students. 1t often happened
that his great laboratory near the alma mater WIS oo
than half filed with them. Hermann was 50 sie"'
and so popular that ii was necessary 10 MAKE npp'"
ton for admission to his workshop mohths' ana eve"
somesters in advance Owing to his long residence In
England he spoke English with the nuency OF hatNe
and carried on instruction with ease In that tongue.
Many Americans to whom the long, angular German
chemical terms seemed many Bohemian viiiaees
have had reason be grateful for the pathological at
tainments OF their master.
II was in a certain sense university fashion to attend
the lectures OF Won Holman, and men OF all departments
from theological to mathematical we're to be iouhu
listening daily to his words Of wisdom He possesseu
the ability, in unusually eminent degree OF making
the dryest subjects full interest and llfe lie pos
sessed a large vein OF humor aso-somethlhe SUI
rarer In university professors HIS hearers
were often kept in continued state OF marity' oce
while he performing the experiment to prove that
diamonds carbon, he rubbed fiS hahds ior
several minutes above the hot fame.
"Gencmen." he said. turning to the students VINO
had seen him place the small piece of brilliant In the
heat and wondered what the rubbing OF hands hau
TO do with the experiment. 81 always 90 tnis "heh
possible rs am not exactly accustomed to warming
my hands daily ut diamond fire.
Won Holman often welcome guest az the
various CceDThOnS Vi AnicIciHS III i)ciI"' ~ 'D
ever glad to be OF the number who commemorated
the Fourth OF July Several years ago. he was the
chief guest OF honor at the American Thanksgiving
dinner. and made a speech In English. which every
guest happy TO hear. He paid then msn
tribute to America and her Institutions and praised
the abilities OF the many young men who had come
to him TO complete their studies.
Three Emperors were partial to the dead professor
The first william often invited him to deliver lectures
I'm the cnstle and delighted 10 listen to his anecdotes
md accounts OF his experiences in foreign lands.
Emperor Frederic ennobed his former teacher as soon
as he to the throne. and His Majesty "liiain
H. hon0red Won IIofmann IN various ways 10
Empress Frederic he was friend. and one OF the
most distinguished members Of the circle OF savants
over which she presided when In Berlin. he deui-
Gated TO her his book. Memories of Dead Frend''
which he published several years ago.
Professor Won HOFFMAN, seventyfour years
old The practical results OF his chemical researches
have made his familiar to laymen and scientists
alike not only In this country. but In all parts Oh
the world. At the University OF Gessen. where nc
was educated in part. he devoted himself nnder Baron
Won Llebg the study Of bases OF coal tar ana the
mctamorphoIs OF indigo. While still young man
he made the important discovery regarding tho COM
position and chemical character of analne red.
Every manufactures OF coatar dyes knows the value
OF that discovery
In 1s4s. HOFFMAN, was appointed superintendent
NJ the ROYAL College II Chemistry, in London.
at the recommendation Of Liebig. He remained
I'm England until 1864. 1t was during his resi-
dence there that he published "Introducton to
Tho Study OF Chemistry, In 1864. Prussia again
secured the services OF Hoffman,. placing him In
charge OF the chair OF chemistry at Bonn. In
1865 he was summoned to Berlin where he filed until
his death the pofessorship Of chemistry ana became
one OF the greatest ornaments OF the famous insti
tuition OF learning No man, probably. ever trained
so many eminent chemists. All his former pupils
were proud to call him master. All Will mourn MS
death His place will be difficult TO Ill.
The forthwith anniversary OF tho birth OF mad King
Otto OF Bavaria was celebrated I'm Munich few days
ago The public buildings decorated with hags
and bunting work 10 n great extent was disconun-
ued cannon were fred. and parades were held IN
honor OF the day. But the unhappy King knew moth
ing OF tho festivities which In the light OF HIS Nal
esty's condition seemed ironcal and sad Therc was
II is true no special function Mt court as the day was
observed quietly by the members Of the Royal Family
But the people evidently thought their duty TO ave
ocular evidence OF their alleg ance aud JOY.
Reports which come from the palace where the King
IS confined indicate that Ills Maesty's life cannot be
Of long duration. While year or more ago ne iad
violent attacks OF madness and would attempt 70 break
pieces OF furniture near him. to-day his limbs are said
/, he almost parnlyzed, and it Is only with difficulty
TINT he can move. lie eats almost nothing. Medical
OF treatment adopted by the Royal physicians toward
the crazy monarch But people In general believe that
It would be blessing II his end could DO fastened as
his life Is certainly OF no value To his family or his
country There will be Joy, in fact uneigned Joy, In
Germany, wien Prince LuHpolu Is croWneu hins vi
bavaria.
The politicians OF Germany arc greatly Interested in
the outcome of the controversy with the thirteen
representatives Of farmers independent princey ia,
from oppressive TAXATION According 10 tDe Di lntio
duced in Parliament recently these so-caied helciis-
mttebare Gruien und Fuersen' are 10 have their IN
comes taxed as other people In the future But as
recompense for the future contributions TO the expenses
Of the state they 10 receive In each case, thirteen
aud one half times the amount Of the annual Max. IN
lump sum Of money. 10 this they object, an 10
twenty nine times the amount To be paid each year IN
the future The petition Is gred BY the Princes .H %
Budngen, OF Birstcin seRburg and iudngen OF Mach-
trsbach salmssalm snyn-Wltt eensteln- %
solms-Braunfcs. soms-l lohenpohDslich and We'd
and Counts solms -Roedeheim, stolberg-StobcIg
sloberg Rossla ana Isenburg-Buedingen. The Only
Prince who declined to attach his name 10 tie demand
is Priuce OF St1lberg-WerTigerode, member Of the
Emperor household The excitement over the demand
OF The wealthy noblemen is growing, and IL may END
refusal by Parliament to grant them any oompen'
sation whatever,
The announcement OF the engagement OF Count
Herbert Bismarck has given rise to more articles IN
any occurrence since the exChanceor's retirement
from public life. a story In the schessische Leit,
ung few days ago declared that II could be stated
on the best Of authority that the Count intended TO
enter the political arena agnin soon after his marriage
lie had no idea however according 10 the article, OF
accepting the post Of Imperial Ambassador ut the
Court Of ST. Petersburg for some time to come ut
least lie has decided, the Seslan paper says. to
seek election to the Rechstag AMI thus prepare the way
to the reopcning OF brilliant cut of by the
resignation Of the Prince. II will be easy matt
for the Count to enter Parliament, as he would be
returned probably without opposition from the dis
trict In which the bismarck estates are situated.
After short experience in the National Legislature he
might accept the mission to ST. Petersburg without
injury to his pride dignity.
INTERPRETATION
Counts plans because of the fact that the Emperor
mas decided TO keep Count Schlcmitz mt St. Petersburg
for the present The post. however, must fall vucant
in short time the Ambassador Is than four
score years old, and has been DESTROYS
Of retiring to his estates for year
at lenst. No would be welcome
mt the Russian capital than Bismarck. and Count
Herbert, with his wealth and that Of his future
wife. could support brilliant establishment I'm the
land Of the Car