SKETCH OF PROF. LARDNER VANUXEM. 839 



circle." Both frugality and generosity were prominent traits of 

 Ms character. More than once did he take into his household, 

 for indefinite periods, young relatives who needed assistance. His 

 table was abundantly supplied and his house was well furnished 

 with comforts, but extravagance in anything he strongly depre- 

 cated, especially in dress. " Love of dress," he used to say, " had 

 caused more sin than anything else in the world." 



Careful and neat to an extreme himself in his habits and 

 arrangements, he exacted the same from those around him as far 

 as possible. Of the courtesies and conventionalities he was most 

 scrupulously observant, and was greatly annoyed by any breach 

 thereof, as when any of his Quaker neighbors, coming in, would 

 sit with hat on in the house. Obedience to the "golden rule" 

 appeared to be the guide of his life, as he was wont frequently to 

 hold it up to his children, that they should make it theirs. 



He had the reputation of being visionary and full of untenable 

 theories. This may have been true to some extent, and it would 

 certainly have appeared to be the case even if not so, for it was 

 often said by his scientific contemporaries that "he lived too 

 soon, being many years in advance of his times ; people were not 

 prepared for his discoveries and theories, and therefore not able 

 to appreciate them, even the scientific world." He was considered 

 also " a very peculiar man," which was not surprising, in view of 

 his independence of general opinion, in following out what he 

 considered the right or best course in any matter. As an illus- 

 tration might be given a description of his equipment for the 

 New York survey. It consisted of a four-wheeled wagon with 

 buggy top, covered with white canvas for coolness, with a box at 

 the back large enough to hold his requirements for the season, 

 and working implements. This was drawn by a large, rusty- 

 brown mule, very far from handsome, but strong, trusty, faithful, 

 with powers of endurance much beyond those of a horse. He was 

 often not a little amused at the comments and ridicule that this 

 equipage provoked, but it was the thing that best answered his 

 purpose, so he went on his way and let them laugh. 



Finding it necessary to turn his acquirements to some pecuni- 

 ary advantage, was one of the inducements of Prof. Vanuxem to 

 engage in the New York survey. The working for " pay " was 

 one of the things for which he had a great aversion, " a feeling," 

 as he writes, " he never could conquer." He wanted to be able to 

 work for the public without charge and not feel that his time 

 belonged to some one who had a right to its control ; he was too 

 conscientious to feel any freedom when under bonds of this sort. 



Physically Prof. Vanuxem was below the average in height, 

 rather slightly built, active, energetic, with great powers of en- 

 durance, and persevering in whatever he undertook. He was 



