18G4.] THE LATE PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. 467 



the apprehension that science and religion were hostile in their 

 teachin<i;s. 



Mr. Silliman found great pleasure in helping forward other men 

 of science. He rejoiced heartily in their progress ; his house and 

 his laboratory were always open to receive them, and if a friendly 

 word or letter from him could advance their interests, hp was ever 

 ready to bestow it. He also felt a deep concern for the advance- 

 ment of scientific investigations in every part of the country ; and 

 whenever, in halls of legislation, or before the public, the name of 

 Benjamin Silliman would advance a useful project, it was not 

 withheld. In more than one instance, the foreigner or the exile 

 remembers his kindness with almost filial devotion. 



Prof. Silliuian's scientific publications, apart from his contribu- 

 tions to this journal, were chiefly text-books. He edited Henry's 

 Chemistry and Bakewell's Geology, for the use of his pupils ; and 

 also published a work on Chemistry, in two volumes. 



His long labors for science brought him honors from all parts 

 of the world. His name is on the roll of several of the principal 

 scientific Academies or Societies of Europe, and of those of his 

 own country. He was one of the original members of the 

 National Academy of Sciences, and a Regent of the Smithsonian 

 Institution. 



Aside from Professor Silliman's influence as an officer of Yale 

 College, and as a well-known man of science, his personal hold 

 upon the community at large was remarkably strong. This was 

 due somewhat to the favor with which his popular lectures were 

 received, and to the wide circuit over which he had journeyed. It 

 was also owing in part to the pleasure and instruction which were 

 afforded by his books of travel. Twice, as we have stated, Pro- 

 fessor Silliman visited Europe, the interval between his journeys 

 being nearly fifty years. Both these visits led to the publication 

 of his observations in volumes which were widely read. The nar- 

 rative of his earlier journey especially was received by the public 

 with great delight. Few Americans then went abroad ; and hardly 

 any had published narratives of what they had seen. Mr. Silli- 

 man's volumes were fascinating to young and old, — and many were 

 the testimonials which he received of the interest thus awakened 

 in European institutions and manners. His Journal of a Tour 

 to Canada was another contribution to the literature of the day. 



But the general influence of Mr. Silliman must be attributed to 

 his personal character, rather than to any of what may be termed 



