HELMHOLTZ IN BERLIN 



German artists have preserved for all time, in 

 marble and on the canvas, Helmholtz's personal 

 appearance. This appearance was an indication of 

 his own inner strength. Rather above the middle 

 stature, he had a firm, erect frame. His splendid 

 head was well thrown back, so that his posture was 

 always sure to command attention. The shape of 

 the head was perfect, broad between the eyes but not 

 out of proportion. The eyes 



* Such splendid purpose in his eyes ' 



were full of intelligence, not so brilliant as deep and 

 reflective. They often had that far-away look so 

 conspicuous in thinkers, as if the soul were away on 

 its own quest. His manner was dignified, almost to 

 coldness, but it was at the same time courteous. It 

 is said that he had occasionally a peculiar look that 

 caused a shallow man to stop asking questions and to 

 feel his own unworthiness. With those who were 

 truly in earnest he would take infinite pains to explain, 

 listen to suggestions, and remove difficulties. Reserve 

 was his habitual attitude. To his favourite students, 

 and in the circle of his own friends, there was always 



therefore 85-25, showing a broad head. Helmholtz's head was about 

 equal in size to that of Bismarck, and rather smaller than that of Wagner, 

 both of whom had big heads. On the other hand, Darwin's head was 

 only 56-3 centimetres in circumference. The weight of the brain, with 

 its blood, was 1700 grams., without the blood, 1400 grams., being about 

 100 grams, heavier than the average human brain. The sulci were very 

 deep and well marked, especially in those parts of the brain which 

 Flechsig has shown to be concerned in associations. The frontal con- 

 volutions in particular were deeply cut by very numerous sulci. 

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