438 NATHANIEL THAYER. 



were so well suited. He was a most admirable presiding oflScer of a 

 learned society. His breadth of soul and urbanity of manner insensibly 

 resolved tlie discords which often disturb the harmonies of scientific 

 truth. He had the delicate tact so to inti'oduce a speaker as to win in 

 advance the attention of the audience, without intruding his own per- 

 sonality; and when a paper was read, and the discussion closed, he 

 would sum up the argument with such clearness, and throw around the 

 subject such a glow of light, that abstruse results of scientific investi- 

 gation were made clear to the general comprehension, and a recognition 

 gained for the author which the shrinking investigator could never 

 have secured for himself. To Professor Rogers the truth was always 

 beautiful, and he could make it radiant. 



It is also a pleasure to record, in conclusion, that Professor Rogers's 

 declining years were passed in great comfort and tranquillity, amidst 

 all the amenities of life ; that to the last he had the companionship of 

 her whom he so greatly loved ; and that increasing infirmities were 

 tended and the accidents of age warded off with a watchfulness that 

 only the tenderest love can keep. We delight to remember him in 

 that pleasant summer home at Newport, which he made so fully in 

 reality as in name the " Morning-side," that we never thought of him 

 as old, and to believe that the morning glow which he so often watched 

 spreading above the eastern ocean was the promise of the fuller day 

 on which he has entered. 



NATHANIEL THAYER. 



Nathaniel Thayer died at his residence in Boston, March 7, 

 1883, in the seventy-fifth year of his age, and his well-rounded life, 

 ripe in experience as well as years, can be looked back upon as suc- 

 cessful in all that gives that word its best significance. He was born 

 in Lancaster, September 11, 1808, and was educated iu the same place. 

 His father, Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Thayer, was minister in that town for 

 nearly fifty years. The very high character of his parents, and all the 

 influences surrounding the years of his youth, tended to implant in the 

 young man the genius that found so rich fruition as he grew to man- 

 hood. It is too true, that in the richest soil weeds are most apt to 

 abound ; and a parallel is often found in the waste of opportunities 

 which should furnish the way to the best and highest development. 

 In Mr. Thayer's case we see an instance where, from early youth, his 

 tastes and inclinations led his sympathies into association only with 

 the best, so that at all times it was a pleasure and a compliment to be 



