206 



say Office in New York. His letter of acceptance was written on 

 Christmas clay. Tlie thoroii<^hncss witli which Dr. Thurber as- 

 similated and the persistence with which he retained uiformation 

 is evidenced by the fact that a careful perusal of his diary, written 

 subsequent to his return from Mexico, appears to establish the 

 fact that he did not find it necessary to review his previous 

 knowledge of chemistry In order to fit himself for assuming this 



r 



important position. He remained In the Assay Office until 1856, 

 when he resigned on account of political differences, this incident 

 well illustrating his perfect candor and uncompromising spirit. 

 Upon being asked for a contribution to the campaign fund of the 

 dominant political party, he, being an enthusiastic admirer of the 

 opposition candidate, inquired, ** Is tliis an invitation or a de- 

 mand ? " He was informed that it was a demand, and at once 

 tendered his resignation. He then established some sort of a 

 connection with the Cooper Union, as a lecturer according to 

 one authority, and according to another as a tenant and student. 

 The former statement is probably the correct one. At about the 

 same time he accepted a position as lecturer on botany and ma- 

 teria medica at the College of Pharmacy of the City of New 

 Yorkj resigning after several terms to occupy the chair of botany 

 and liorticulture in the Michigan Agricultural College. Four 

 years later he returned to New York and again lectured for a 

 short time in the College of Tharmacy. He then became editor 

 of the Amcrica/i Agriculturist, devoting twenty-two years, the 

 most of the remaining active portion of his life, to this work, which 

 he conducted successfully from every point of view. He estab- 

 lished his home at a beautiful point upon the left bank of the 

 Passaic River, near the village of Passaic, which he named ** The 

 Pines" after a little grove of large pine trees growing in front of 

 his house- In 1880 he paid a brief visit to Kuropc, visiting Eng- 

 land, France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland, where he was 

 treated with distinguished consideration by many leading botan- 

 ists and horticulturists. He always counted among his plcasantest 

 privileges that of being able to return a portion of this pleasant 

 hospitality some years later when he received Sir Joseph 

 Hooker, who accompanied Dr. Gray on a tour through the great 

 West. In 1886 he was made a corresponding member of the 



