rcely twenty years. The oldest of them, to
which the Botanical Garden, (one of the richest in Europe) belongs, have
during this period not only been increased, but entirely remodelled. The
amusement and instruction derived from such institutions, call to our
minds, with deep feelings of gratitude, that they are the work of that
great monarch, who modestly and in simple grandeur, adorns every year
this royal city with new treasures of nature and art; and what is of
still greater value than the treasures themselves,--what inspires every
Prussian with youthful strength, and with an enthusiastic love for the
ancient reigning family,--that he graciously attaches to himself every
species of talent, and extends with confidence his royal protection to
the free cultivation of the understanding.

This was followed by a paper on magnetism, by Professor Oersted; and
several other memoirs were then read.

The arrival of so many persons of similar pursuit, (for 464 members were
present,) rendered it convenient to have some ordinary, at which those
who chose might dine, and introduce their friends or families. This had
been foreseen, and his Majesty had condescended to allow the immense
building used for the exercise of his troops, to be employed for this
purpose. One-third of it was floored on the occasion, and tables were
arranged, at which, on one occasion, 850 persons sat down to dinner. On
the evening of the first day, M. de Humboldt gave a large SOIREE in the
concert rooms attached to the theatre. About 1200 persons assembled on
this occasion, and his Majesty the King of Prussia honoured with his
presence the fete of his illustrious chamberlain. The nobility of the
country, foreign princes, and foreign ambassadors, were present. It
was gratifying to observe the princes of the blood mingling with the
cultivators of science, and to see the heir-apparent to the throne,
during the course of the evening, engaged in conversation with those
most celebrated for their talents, of his own, or of other countries.

Nor were the minor arrangements of the evening beneath the consideration
of the President. The words of the music selected for the concert,
were printed and distributed to the visitors. The names of the most
illustrious philosophers which Germany had produced, were inscribed in
letters of gold at the end of the great concert room.

In the first rank amongst these stood a name which, England, too,
enrolls amongst the brightest