ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT'S TESTAMENT.

Colonist, Volume 194, Issue 194, 30 August 1859, Page 4

ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT'S TESTAMENT.

From the extraordinary costs of his scientific •pursuits and the great calls on his generosity and private domestic economy, Alexander yon Humboldt, who lived from a State pension and the proceeds of his mental labours, has left no fortune. In the" year 1841 Humboldt deposited in the Wills office of the Supreme Court, a testament in which he named his faithful servant, the Jager : Seiffert, sole executor of his property and effects. Should Seiffert die before him, his family were to succeed him in all his rights and privileges. In order that the will should not be disputed, Humboldt, in November, 1858, caused a legal deed of conconveyance to be drawn up and given to Seiffert, in which all that was mentioned in the will was secured to him. This deed was confirmed by his Majesty, Frederick Wm.J IV., who had appointed Seiffert keeper of the Royal Hunting-lodge.. Hubertusstock, but, in order not to deprive Humboldt of the services of so faithful an attendant, had permitted the duties of the office jtb'.b.e fulfilled by an assistant.. The deed comprises the entire property of Humboldt, books,, pictures, jewellery and maps; the only exceptions being a portrait of his Majesty by Kruger, a large porcelain vase, (a present from his Majesty,) and his entire manuscripts. With the exception of the desk in which these manuscripts were placed, no judicial sealing-up of the property has taken place, the whole having been without delay delivered into the care of Seiffert. —From the Berlin Spenersche Zeitung. (Translated\ expressly for the Empire')