OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 245 



as all papers presented to it were, for private distribution. But from 

 his intimate relations especially to the Court of Prussia, some insinua- 

 tions have been made as to the character of Humboldt. They are as 

 unjust as they are severe in expression. He was never a flatterer of 

 those in power. He has shown it by taking a prominent position, in 

 1848, at the head of those who accompanied the victims of the Revo- 

 lution of that year to their last place of rest. But while he expressed 

 his independence in such a manner, he had the kindliest feelings for 

 all parties. He could not oiFend, even by an expression, those with 

 whom he had been associated in early life ; and I have no doubt that 

 it is to that kindliness of feeling we must ascribe his somewhat indis- 

 criminate patronage of aspirants in science, as well as of men who were 

 truly devoted to its highest aims. He may be said to have been, 

 especially in his latter years, the friend of every cultivated man, wish- 

 ing to lose no opportunity to do all the good of which he was capable ; 

 for he had a degree of benevolence and generosity which was un- 

 bounded. I can well say that there is not a man engaged in scientific 

 investigations in Europe, who has not received at his hands marked 

 tokens of his favor, and who is not under deep obligations to him. 

 May I be permitted to tell a circumstance of this kind which is per- 

 sonal to me, and which shows what he was capable of doing without 

 giving an opportunity of mentioning it. I was only twenty-four years 

 of age when in Paris, whither I had gone with means given to me 

 by a friend ; but I was at last about to resign my studies from want 

 of ability to meet my expenses. Professor Mitscherlich was then on 

 a visit in Paris, and I had seen him in the morning, when he asked 

 me what was the cause of my depressed feelings ; and I told him that 

 I had to go, for I had nothing left. The next morning, as I was seated 

 at breakfast in front of the yard of the hotel where I lived, I saw the 

 servant of Humboldt approach. He handed me a note, saying there 

 was no answer, and disappeared. I opened the note, and I see it now 

 before me as distinctly as if I held the paper in my hand. It said : — 



" ' My friend, I hear that you intend leaving Paris in consequence 

 of some embarrassments. That shall not be. I wish you to remain 

 here as long as the object for which you came is not accomplished. I 

 enclose you a check for £ 50. It is a loan which you may repay when 

 you can.' 



" Some years afterwards, when I could have repaid him, I wrote, 

 asking for the privilege of remaining for ever in his debt, knowing that 



