Coppee.] \Q2 [March. 



by a very delicate mechanical arrangement, accomplished its own 

 change of position between the fifty-ninth and sixtieth second of 

 every minute." 



But Professor Mitchel was also a very successful observer. He 

 remeasured Struve's double stars south of the equator, discovered 

 the companion of Antares, and added many new stars to the cata- 

 logue. 



As a lecturer, Professor Mitchel had a remarkable gift. His 

 fervid oratory was natural. It was the truest exemplification of the 

 trite but striking idea of the poet, 



"Thouglits that breathe, and words that burn." 



He could make a dry problem in mathematical astronomy so pleasing, 

 by its clear and eloquent presentation, as to enchain a popular assem- 

 bly, and extort their applause both for problem and lecturer. His 

 language, purely extemporaneous, was beautiful ; his figures and 

 illustrations strikingly well chosen, and his voice and manner power- 

 ful and overmastering. Sometimes his fervor seemed like a Delphian 

 inspiration, and there are few among those who heard him who can 

 forget the magnificent effects produced by his lectures on astronomy 

 in this and other cities. 



As a true and whole-hearted patriot he had no superior. In- 

 fluenced by this spirit, he tore himself from home ties, alas ! not 

 capable of bearing the rude parting, for his departure cost him his 

 cherished wife, — and thus he gave himself up to his country. All his 

 energies, all his talents, his varied education, his fame, his brilliant 

 future, — whatever there was of power or influence in him or his 

 name was hers, devoted to her with a single eye and a single purpose. 

 And he died for her as truly, as devotedly, — shall we not say as 

 gloriously, — as though he had fallen leading a foi-lorn hope to turn 

 disaster into victory ? 



But as a soldier, his whole-hearted patriotism was of great value. 

 Bred at West Point, and having engrafted upon that thorough ele- 

 mentary education the knowledge of men, of life, of practical science 

 and industrial arts, he was the very heau-ideal of a general. Full 

 of resources, he made bridges of cotton bales and fence rails, and was 

 the first man across to test their precarious structure. Restlessly 

 energetic, his mind passed like lightning over every part of a plan 

 or a field ; his quick glance caught the capabilities of a position ; his 

 experience provided whatever was needed; his surplus vitality, over- 



