We find a curious anecdote of Chevalier BUNSEN in connection with the recently-published Life of NIEBUHR, issued in London, under the superintendence of the Chevalier: The portly and hearty representative of Prussia at the Court of St. James, NIEBUHR, the Roman historian--every body has heard and knows something of him. But every body does _not_ know the special claim that his memory has on BUNSEN; for the latter, though he has risen to be the Minister of Public Instruction and Foreign Representative of a great kingdom, was once (how strangely it sounds in English ears)--not even a calico-printer or a cotton-spinner--but a poor student, NIEBUHR'S humble amanuensis! A prodigy of learning, as unknown then as Mr. THOMAS WATTS of the British Museum Library, in comparison with his deserts, is unknown now. BUNSEN, the story runs, was in attendance on his employer, at that time Prussian Minister at Rome, when the King of Prussia, then Crown Prince, paid NIEBUHR a visit. The conversation turned upon literary matters, and the Crown Prince made a statement which the humble amanuensis, bursting into the talk, took upon him flatly to contradict. Most Crown Princes (and some British commoners) would have flown into a passion. Not so our FREDERICK WILLIAM the Fourth of Prussia. He inquired into the character and history of the plain-spoken youth; found that he knew every language and literature under heaven, from Chinese and Coptic to Welsh and Icelandic; kept his eye on him, and gradually promoted him to be what he is. NIEBUHR'S letters have been published, and some years ago a biography of him, founded on them, was attempted in _Tait's Magazine_, and broke down; but BUNSEN'S will be _the_ life. NIEBUHR was foolish enough to die of the Three Days of July, 1830, being a staunch conservative. As the French would say: _Tant pis pour lui!_ * * * * * The Winter Session of the New College, Edinburgh, has been opened, with an introductory address, by the Rev. Dr. CUNNINGHAM, successor of Dr. CHALMERS, as Principal of the College. The institution is chiefly intended as a Theological School, connected with the Free Church of Scotland, but has other Chairs attached, one of which, on Natural History, is held by Dr. FLEMING, the zoologist. On November 11th the Philosophical Institution of the same city was opened for the session by Sir DAVID BREWSTER, who gave an able address. Among the lecturers announced for the season are some distinguished names, and the institution seems to be conducted in a higher tone than is usual in similar places of popular instruction and amusement. HUGH MILLER, the geologist, and ISAAC TAYLOR, author of the "Natural History of Enthusiasm," are to deliver courses of lectures. In the University of Edinburgh, Principal LEE is reading a course of Moral Philosophy Lectures, in room of Professor WILSON, whose illness precludes him from any public duty. * * * * *