172 SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS 



, In his continued activity in all branches of 

 science, Alexander von Humboldt became con- 

 scious of the gradual decline of his physical 

 powers. 



In reviewing the latter years of the life of this 

 renowned philosopher, we find that he inhabited 

 for a long time, in a quiet part of Berlin, a 

 house in the " Oranienburger Strasse," formerly 

 the property of the father of one of Germany's 

 hero-poets, the well-known Theodor Korner. 



In an aged valet, named Seiffert, who had 

 been the companion of Humboldt in his ex- 

 ploration of the deserts of Asia, and who was 

 for nearly forty years acquainted with all his 

 habits, he found, more especially in the declining 

 years of his life, a most valuable and devoted 

 servant and friend. 



The peculiar military appearance of this per- 

 sonage could not escape the notice of the visitors 

 who entered the house of Alexander von Hum- 

 boldt, and his whole bearing produced the 

 impression of his entire devotedness to his 

 illustrious master. 



Those who obtained access to the great 

 savant were first conducted by Seiffert to the 

 waiting-room, a place filled with various kinds 

 of birds, fishes, &c., scientific instruments, 

 its walls being adorned by landscape paint- 



