OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 169 



would be received witli pleasure, or at least some expression of satis- 

 faction. But it was far otherwise. In the spirit of that innate modesty 

 which predominated in his character, and apparently cast a shadow over 

 all his excellent qualities and attainments, Mr. Bond hesitated, doubted 

 his qualifications for the position. He said his habits were not adapted 

 to public station ; that our combined apparatus would be small, and that 

 something great might be expected ; that he preferred independence in 

 obscurity to responsibility in an elevated position. He raised many 

 other objections, which need not here be repeated, as they were over- 

 come ; and he ultimately transferred his astronomical collections to 

 Cambridge ; three thousand dollars were raised ; the Corporation pro- 

 vided him with a suitable house, on which a rotary rotunda was raised, 

 from which students of the University nightly watched falling stars, 

 and astronomical observations began more and more to interest them 

 and the community. The kind and unpretending demeanor of Mr. 

 Bond, united with his recognized attainments, greatly contributed to 

 effect the desired result. It is not too much to say, that the extent of 

 his knowledge, the winning urbanity of his manners, and his exemplary 

 exactness in life, and as an observer, in a great degree effected the 

 attainment of those large means and increased powers, which ulti- 

 mately raised to its present prosperous state the Observatory over 

 which, through subsequent life, he watched, and which he left at death 

 honored and improved by his labors and genius. 



" I have expressed my sense of his worth and of his virtues ; it is 

 for others better qualified to analyze and dilate on his scientific ac- 

 quirements." 



Mr. Quincy was followed by Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, 

 who said ; — 



" I have no purpose, Mr. President, of detaining the Academy, at 

 this late hour of the evening, by adding superfluous words to so full, so 

 just, so appropriate a tribute, as that which has already been paid to 

 the memory of our lamented associate. The privilege of dealing with 

 such a career and character as Mr. Bond's belonged eminently to my 

 accomplished friend. Professor Peirce, and to our venerable host. Pres- 

 ident Quincy ; — and I am entirely conscious how small a claim I have 

 to unite with them in bearing testimony to the peculiar merits of so 

 distinguished a man of science. 



VOL. IV. 



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