600 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



4. The two works on the Comet of Donati and the Nebula of Orion 

 are, however, his most important contributions to astronomical science. 

 The former commanded the general admiration of astronomers as a full 

 and faithful monograph of the physical phenomena of that celebrated 

 comet, and was crowned with the highest honors by the Royal Astro- 

 nomical Society in the recent award of its gold medal. The latter 

 work, — understood to be complete as to the researches, but the expo- 

 sition of which his waning strength did not permit him to finish, — it 

 is hoped may, in the main, yet be given to the world, to vindicate the 

 essential accuracy of his father, and to reflect additional lustre upon 

 his own memory. 



The spirit and personal characteristics of Professor Bond may be 

 expressed in few words. He was a remarkably patient and industri- 

 ous as well as skilful investigator, and was ever anxious that his works 

 should possess the qualities, now so imperatively demanded, of unity 

 and completeness. That he did so much for science, and did it so well, 

 during the few years that were allotted to him, must have been partly 

 owing to an extreme reluctance to dissipate his powers by beginning 

 new works while old ones were still unfinished. Science to him was 

 not a pastime, but a serious calling, to be pursued with utmost consci- 

 entiousness and singleness of purpose. These characteristics were 

 strikingly exemplified in the latter months of his life, in the persever- 

 ance and earnestness with which, under great physical weakness and 

 constant suffering, he continued to the last his work upon the nebula 

 of Orion, dictating to and directing his amanuenses long after the 

 strength to write was gone from him. He was ever watchful of the 

 interests of the institution committed to his charge, and strict in the 

 performance of every duty. All who knew him well can testify to the 

 great simplicity, purity, and uprightness of his chai'acter. He was 

 deeply penetrated Avith the spirit of Christianity, and was a devout 

 member of the Episcopal Church. 



He visited Europe first in 1851, and again in 1863. In 1851 he 

 observed the total eclipse of that year in Sweden, and visited the prin- 

 cipal Observatories of the North of Europe. In 1863 he spent a few 

 months in England and Germany, renewing personal intercourse with 

 old friends and correspondents, and forming new ties, too soon, alas! to 

 be severed. 



Edwakd Everett was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts, on the 

 11th of April, 1794, and was graduated at Harvard University with 



