476 IIEALTII TO THE KING OF SCIENCE! 



"The dinner was set at three o'clock, and every one 

 was already there a little before the hour, in order to be 

 present when Humboldt came. lie entered the room 

 precisely upon time. He is a very short man, and quite 

 infirm, and it is with difficulty that he is able to walk. 

 Of course as soon as he was placed in his chair, the Min- 

 ister introduced the ladies and many of the gentlemen 

 present. After a few minutes' conversation the party 

 adjourned to the dinner, and the 'devouring of eatables' 

 took place after a short blessing from a clergyman. 



"Gov. Wright made the first speech, and spoke of the 

 occasion which had brought them together in a very elo- 

 quent manner, and gave as the first toast, ' The Prince 

 and Princess of Prussia,' and for the second, ' Washing- 

 ton's birthday.' Next the Secretary of Legation made a 

 few remarks, and gave a toast in which he coupled the 

 names of ' Washington and Humboldt,' which was drunk 

 standing, and three rousing cheers given. After some 

 other speeches and toasts were given, Mr. Thayer (cor- 

 respondent of Dioighfs Journal of Music) gave the fol- 

 lowing, which I consider the best toast of the occasion : 

 ' The Baron Von Humboldt — the King of Science, the 

 latchet of whose shoes no common Kings are worthy of 

 unloosing.' It made a tremendous noise, and Humboldt 

 spoke in answer ; but his voice was so feeble, and his 

 language so indistinct, that I believe no one understood 

 what he said. He remained two hours and then left, as 

 he can bear but little excitement. As his greatcoat was 

 being put on I was standing quite close to him, and 

 seized the opportunity of touching his cape, which is 

 honour enough for me." 



