Humboldt. 395 



moment, your reverence for the great man, in your 

 admiration for a kind and jovial companion. 



He was born at Berlin, 1769 — a memorable year 

 in the annals of genius, for in it were born Sir 

 Walter Scott, Cuvier, and Chateaubriand — also, 

 the eminent English orators and statesmen — Can- 

 ning, Mackintosh, and Brougham. He was of 

 baronial lineage, his father was Chamberlain to 

 Frederick the Great, and a personal and intimate 

 friend of the succeeding king. His father was not 

 gifted with any striking qualities. Humboldt was 

 indebted for the direction of his education to the 

 Baroness, his mother, who was no ordinary woman, 

 and whom he loved and venerated. She was de- 

 scended from that sturdy race of French Protes- 

 tants, whom the revocation of the Edict of Nantes 

 scattered abroad, to the advantage of ever}^ country 

 where they fixed their abode. This lady appears to 

 have transmitted to her son the cheerfulness, viva- 

 city, and quickness of apprehension, which belonged 

 to her own race, while he inherited from his father 

 the tenacity of purpose, which so much distinguishes 

 the Teutonic character. 



Humboldt was peculiarl}^ favored in the posses- 

 sion of ever}^ advantage for the acquisition of knowl- 

 edge. It cannot be said of him that he was ever 

 deprived of any thing that was necessary to render 

 him a great and eminent man. From his earliest 

 years to mature manhood he lacked no instruction 

 which wealth, rank or station could lavish upon 

 him. He was educated at the University of 

 Gottingen. Wherever he went, in his adventurous 

 career, the same cordial welcome and co-operation 

 awaited him. Kings and Governors vied in pro- 

 moting his progress ; lovers and cultivators of science 

 in every country contributed of their own stores to 

 enrich him, and through him, the world. 



