166 TKANSACTIONS OF THE [MaR. 27 



His amiability seriously interfered with bis scientific and 

 literary work, for bis time was mucb broken by friendly visits. 

 He would never turn away a caller to another time, no matter 

 bow urgent the task upon which be might be engaged. In is 

 hours and work be was not systematic, and important corre- 

 spondence or undertakings were neglected or left unfinished 

 for lack of the time that a man less sociable, more severe and 

 sj'stematic would have found. 



Like many men of large experience and attainment be was 

 inclined to monologue in conversation, but there was an entire 

 absence of anything like boastfulness or self-laudation. He 

 was the most' modest of men, and it was exceedingly rare to 

 bear from him anything about himself. He had a fund of 

 anecdote, reminiscence and personalities about other people, 

 which, related in his picturesque and pungent way, made others 

 willing to listen. 



His style of writing was somewhat ornate, perhaps better 

 described as j^icturesque, but very lucid and elegant. His 

 short articles in Johnson's Cyclopedia may be taken as examples 

 of bis literary style, being models of clear scientific statement 

 with enough of animation to vivify them. With his broad 

 knowledge, his instinct of the true relations of facts, bis capacity 

 for generalization, his imagination, and his charming literary 

 style, he might have become a great popular writer in natural 

 history if he had sought such fame. But he wrote almost 

 nothing of a popular character ; an article on "The Geological 

 History of New York Island and Harbor," in the Popular 

 Science Monthly, October, 1878, is, perhaps, the only one of such 

 a kind. 



HIS CHARACTER AND DISPOSITION. 



In temperament Dr. Newberry was cheerful and buoyant. 

 He was fond of companionship, and there was an element^ of 

 humor in his conversation, sometimes even a sort of dignified 

 gaiety in his manner. But like many persons of lively disposi- 

 tion, coupled with a sensitive and debcate spirit, be had his 

 periods of depression, and a trifling impatience of manner at 

 times was not inconsistent wnth a very kind and affectionate 

 nature. A slightly irascible temper of later years was probably 

 due to bis mode of life, and to some disappointments, and was 

 really more in manner than in reality. A certain extravagant 

 and picturesque way of speaking of other men might sometimes 

 have caused misjudgment by a listener who did not know his 

 real kindness of heart. Like most earnest workers and writers 

 in descriptive natural science, he was jealous of priority and 



