232 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA 



■was but poorly prepared for such a blow. In a letter received by me from a 

 mutual friend in Washington, dated December 20th, 1871, he writes : " Stinip- 

 son has paid us a call ; we have fitted him out, and he has gone to Florida and 

 the West Indies ; his health is very bad, he could scarcely look worse and be 

 alive; it is feari-d he will never regain his health — his severe affliction and 

 great loss by the Chicago 3re has too much changed the once energetic Stimp- 

 son for him to ever recover, I fear." 



In a letter received by me from him, dated September 13th, 1871, (before 

 the fire) he says : " I have a constant cough and difficulty of breathing, with 

 occasional hemorrhage." In his last letter to me, and probably one of the last 

 he ever penned, he said, writing from Key West, April 19th, 1872.- " I have 

 been dredging in Coast Survey steamers here and to the westward all winter, 

 but have not got as much as I expected, on account of continued bad weather. 

 * * * * My health is very poor — lungs badly filled up with tubercles, 

 etc., and have frequent hemorrhages — cannot do anything requiring any physical 

 exertion without great distress." 



But, fellow members, I will not further extend my remarks in reference to the 

 deceased, or enlarge upon his personal merits or scientific ability and services. 



From what I have said, you will perceive how bravely he worked in the good 

 cause, even in the hour of adversity ; with what determination he again went 

 forth to labor, though burdened with disease. 



This solemn event, though foreseen, still found us unprepared ; and now that 

 it is passed, we learn that anticipation cannot shield us from the pain of separa- 

 tion. As we approach his grave, we think not less of his high intellectual 

 attainments and scientific ability, we think more highly of the friendship we en- 

 joyed, of the friend that is gone. Never again, save in memory, shall we feel 

 the pressure of his hand, or hear his cheerful voice. 



Farewell, dear friend, brave toiler in the glorious cause ; we who knew you 

 and loved you will never forget you ; in our hearts your memory will ever be 

 green ! 



If he who makes two blades of grass to grow where but one grew before, is a 

 public benefactor — so was he whose death we lament; for his life was a continued 

 effurt to increase the sum of human knowledge. 



The following resolutions, offered by Mr. Stearns, were on mo- 

 tion adopted : 



Resolved, That the California Academy of Sciences has learned with the 

 deepest regret of the death of Dr. Wiltjam Stimpson, and deplore the loss of 

 one whose labors in the service of science entitle him to the grateful remembrance 

 of his i'ellow men. 



Resolved, That we extend our heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of 

 the deceased. 



Resolved, That a copy of these Resolutions be forwarded to the family of the 

 deceased, and to the Chicago Academy of Sciences, of which he was a promi- 

 nent officer. 



