438 SAMUEL KNEELAND. 



SAMUEL KNEELAND. 



Dr. Samuel Kneeland was born in Boston, August 1st, 1821. 

 He was a thoughtful boy, early developed a taste for reading and 

 study, and entered the Boston Latin School in 1831. 



A classmate for five years at the Latin School, and afterwards at 

 Harvard College, says : — 



"My acquaintance with Kneeland dates from August 31, 1831. 

 On the morning of that day we met in front of the old Latin School- 

 house in Scbool Street. Here a friendship sprang up between us 

 which lasted till the day of his death. 



" At school he was industrious and studious, stood well with his 

 teachers, took a high rank in his class, and at the end of the five 

 years' coui'se was awarded a Franklin medal. He left the Latin 

 School a fine classical scholar, but says himself that he knew next to 

 nothing of mathematics. He was, however, admitted to college with- 

 out conditions even in mathematics, and sustained a creditable rank in 

 that study. Without being especially popular, he kept up friendly 

 relations with all of the class. He was an inveterate reader of mis- 

 cellaneous books, but did not allow this habit to interfere with his 

 studies. He took a respectable rank at graduation, and was a member 

 of the Phi Beta Kappa Society." 



Another classmate says : " Kneeland and I were excellent friends 

 all through our college course, without a break; and yet it was hard 

 to get at his inner life on account of a certain reserve which kept even 

 near friends somewhat at a distance. He had no liking for mathe- 

 matics, but developed an interest in and fondness for natural history 

 and the practical sciences." 



Still another classmate says : — 



" My recollections of Dr. Kneeland are very agreeable. I recall 

 him as one eminently self-poised, one who had come to feel 



' My mind to me a kingdom is.' 



Hence he was restrained from mingling in any boisterous carousals, 

 and kept also from courting the companionships of his classmates. 

 We could have pardoned his being a little more demonstrative, or his 

 taking a little more pains to hunt us up. When, however, we were 

 thrown into company with him, I, for one, can testify to his inspiring 

 by his pure life and manly bearing, and by his genial greeting, a 

 hearty respect. 



" It was always a pleasure to meet him. He was one of the few 



