LeConte.J lbu [April 4, 



The graceful tributes to the memory of Prof. Frazer by those who 

 were closely associated with him in his professorial labors, * leave but 

 little to be added by the pen of one far behind them in scholarly practice, 

 and elegance of diction, though yielding to none in his affection for our 

 lamented friend. 



Possessed of great animal spirits, with the usual concomitant of rest- 

 less activity, and inheriting from his grandfather an ample competence, 

 even the great moral power latent in his brain, at the completion of his 

 professional education, might have served for less useful purposes, had it 

 not been for his fortunate attachment to Miss Charlotte Cave, daughter of 

 Thomas Cave, to whom he was married in 1838, at the beginning of his 

 scientific career as a professor. A union which continued during his life, 

 with singular devotion and affection on both sides, and with an influence 

 for good over each, which may be seen but rarely even in the most hap- 

 pily concurrent dispositions. Two daughters and a son are the issue of 

 this marriage, of whom the last has recently been appointed to the 

 chair of Chemistry, resulting from a division of the functions left vacant 

 by the death of his father. 



Next in importance to the domestic influence by which he was thus 

 controlled, must be mentioned a very potent encouragement resulting 

 from friendship. 



Prof. Frazer combined to a rare extent, correct aesthetic perception 

 with high intelligence, ease in acquiring knowledge, retentive memory, 

 great industry during the hours of labor, and a strict sense of moral re- 

 sponsibility. These elements of a powerful, useful and concientious 

 mind, early attracted the notice of Prof. A. D. Bache, the master spirit 

 of American science in those and later days. Under the genial influences 

 of this interest, the somewhat untamed vital energies of youth were di- 

 rected to the steady and laborious scientific pursuits of adult age. 



It was the happy faculty of our great leader, Prof. Bache, to bind to 

 him by most affectionate ties many of those who had been under his in- 

 struction, and it is not surprising that the regard for the tutor and pro- 

 fessor of his youth ripened in the soul of Prof. Frazer into reverence and 

 affection for the friend of his mature life. 



Thus protected by love, friendship, and a strong sense of duty, he 

 commenced the labor of life, and soon acquired by industry and intelli- 

 gent facility of communication, power as a teacher in physical and chemi- 

 cal science which has been rarely equalled, and never excelled in Phila- 

 delphia. "His mind was quick in its action, and penetration beyond 

 example. No man ever mastered a subject more rapidly, or could explain 

 it more clearly or gracefully to others."! "He introduced a thousand 

 anecdotes into his lectures, not only for the purpose of keeping the atten- 



*Vide Penn Monthly, Nov., 1872, p. 629, for a touching editorial ; ibid, Dec, 1872, p. 728, for 

 full reports of the eloquent remarks at the faculty meeting of the University by Professors 

 Allen , Krauth , Lesley and Jackson. 



t Allen, Penn Monthly, 1. c. sup. 678. 



