AN APPEAL FROM BARON HUMBOLDT.

It may be remembered by our readers that we published during the last winter a letter addressed by the venerable Alexander von Humboldt to Dr. Francis Lieber, of New York, in which he incidentally complained that he was greatly harassed by the burden of his multifarious correspondence.

It appears that the exactions made in this way upon the time and patience of the distinguished savant have reached such a pitch that he has felt constrained to make an appeal to the indulgence and forbearance of his friends in both hemispheres, to the end that he may be enabled to devote himself with less interruption to the studies to which he has consecrated the remnant of his days.

While the penalty he is thus called to suffer for his world-wide distinction constitutes in reality the highest tribute that could be paid to the veteran philosopher's acknowledged position in the world of science, it is to be hoped that the appeal which he now makes may be heeded by all who "have his welfare at heart."

The card containing this appeal appears in the Berlin journals of recent date, and is as follows:

"Berlin, March 15, 1859.

"Suffering beneath the pressure of a still increasing correspondence, amounting to between sixteen hundred and two thousand communications per annum, and embracing letters, printed pamphlets on matters with which I am wholly unacquainted, manuscripts concerning which my opinion is desired, projects for emigration and colonization, the transmission of models, machines, and objects of natural history, inquiries about aerostatics, requests of contributions to collections of autographs, offers to take charge of my domestic concerns, to amuse me, &c., I must again publicly urge all persons having my welfare at heart to exert their influence in my behalf, that individuals in both continents may no longer trouble themselves with my person and make of my house an intelligence office; and that I be allowed, in the declining state of my physical and mental powers, to enjoy some rest and leisure to attend to my duties.

May this cry for relief, which I utter with much reluctance and after long delay, not meet an unfriendly interpretation!

Alexander von Humboldt."