468 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [DeC. 



the accidental circumstances of his life. He was a man of vigorous 

 understanding and sound judgment, led on, but never carried 

 away, by an enthusiastic disposition, glowing and constant. With 

 this was associated sterling integrity, which never harbored a 

 selfish or dishonorable purpose, but rejoiced in doing and encour- 

 aging whatever was right. Every one could trust him. These 

 fundamental traits were adorned by the outward qualities of affa- 

 bility and courtesy, or rather were expressed in manners at once 

 so dignified and so kind that all with whom he came in contact 

 were charmed at once, and on closer intercourse were bound to him 

 as friends for life. Such friendships he never neglected or forgot. 

 Even the sons and the grandsons of his early associates inherited 

 a share in the regard which he had bestowed upon their parents. 

 Blending with and ennobling all these virtues, was the child-like 

 simplicity of his Christian faith. 



A character like this shines the brighter the nearer it is seen. 

 In his own family circle, Mr. Silliman has moved for years as a 

 patriarch, surrounded by bis descendants to the third and fourth 

 generation. The very house which he occupied has become his- 

 toric, reflecting in its arrangements, its family portraits, its 

 interesting mementoes of absent friends, and its long shelves of 

 books, the controlling mind which has dwelt there. 



In the neighborhood and town where he resided, Mr. Silliman 

 was peculiarly beloved and respected. " New Haven will not be 

 New Haven without him," said more than one of his associates, 

 as he heard of his death. His hand was always open to the needy ; 

 he was given to hospitality. He frequently took part in public 

 meetings, and was actively concerned in all questions of local 

 improvement. He rarely, if ever, failed to discharge his duties as 

 a citizen at the polls, and was always ready to express his opinions 

 on questions of public policy. 



A whole-souled patriot, he viewed with the deepest interest the 

 complications brought into the affairs of the country by the system 

 of slavery. His general benevolence ever led him to sympathize 

 with the oppressed, and the wrongs of the African touched him 



deeply. 



As soon as the atrocities in Kansas revealed the determination 

 of the advocates of slavery to perpetuate and extend that institu- 

 tion, even if they dissevered or destroyed the nation, Mr. Silliman 

 came out with all his youthful ardor, and with the influence of 

 his years and reputation, as the opponent of the slave-power. He 



