138 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



Union Theological Seminary in New York, and continued them until 

 1852, when he undertook a second visit to Palestine, for the purpose of 

 re-examining many points discussed in his work. It was his intention 

 to give the results of these extensive, patient, and thorough researches 

 in a work entitled " A Physical and Historical Geography of the Holy 

 Land." A few years ago, his literary labors were seriously interrupted 

 by the formation of a cataract ; and as his health as well as his sight 

 had suffered in consequence of an unsuccessful operation, he last sum- 

 mer sought medical advice in Europe, from which he returned in 

 October last. He died in New York, in Januaiy, in the sixty-ninth 

 year of his age. 



Dr. Robinson's residence at a distance from Boston prevented him 

 fi'om taking that active part in the doings of this Academy which he 

 undoubtedly would have done had he lived among us. Different was 

 his relation to another association, the Oriental Society, of which he 

 was one of the original members, and, after the death of the lamented 

 Mr. Pickering, its President. That Society enjoyed the great advan- 

 tage of being represented by one whose position in the republic of 

 scholars all over the world was recognized and appreciated ; and it 

 wdll be no easy task for any one to fill as honoi'ably and successfully 

 the place occupied by him for seventeen years. 



After this brief sketch of Dr. Robinson's labors, it is unnecessary to 

 speak of his character as a scholar. His works speak for him. If 

 any one characteristic were to be mentioned as pre-eminent, it would 

 be that of thoroughness, — thoroughness in investigating, thorough- 

 ness in considering and maturing, thoroughness in elaborating the 

 subjects of his choice. This quality was conspicuously shown in the 

 manner in which he prepared himself for his first visit to Palestine. 

 He understood the whole ground, — he made himself familiar with 

 all that had been written and done up to that time, — he consulted 

 every scholar in this country and Europe from whom he could expect 

 to I'eceive useful hints. And, not satisfied with his first explorations, 

 large and valuable as they were, his irresistible desire of exhausting, 

 if possible, his subject, led him to undertake a second visit. The same 

 quality of thoroughness was illustrated in another way. Although to 

 him the knowledge of the Gei'man language was merely a means to 

 the end, — an instrument, — it would be verj difficult to find an 

 American or Englishman who had mastered that lan^uajre so thor- 

 ouglily, and entered so deeply into its spirit and essence. 



