1867.] 283 IWatorston. 



ter wliicli won CA'cry affection of the heart. Mr. Bulfinch became 

 intensely interested in his welfare, and what he did for him was an 

 illustration of his own character. The sudden deatb of this interest- 

 ing youth in December, 1859, fell as a heavy blow upon his friend and 

 benefactor. Mr. Bulfinch could not have watched over an only son 

 more tenderly ; and when he was taken away, his grave was made in 

 the family lot of Mr. Bulfinch at Mount Auburn, with the request that 

 when his time of departure should come, they might rest side by side. 

 And so it is, that at this moment, that which was mortal of teacher 

 and pupil rest together in that beautiful garden of graves. 



I knoAv not a more touching friendship, or an incident more strik- 

 ingly beautiful in all the history of Christian benevolence. 



Much more might be said of Mr. Bulfinch, but it is not needed. 

 His excellences were familiar to you all. His quiet and respectfid 

 manner, his gentlemanly consideration, his conscientious fidelity, his 

 love of learning, his Christian trust and faith, these were an indis- 

 soluble part of himself. " 



He had rounded out seventy years, yet who that saw his youthful 

 freshness would have imagined that he had arrived at so advanced a 

 period. Incredible it seems, — yet how worthily were those years 

 employed; crowded with kind and generous deeds; diligently im- 

 proved in an untiring search for knowledge ; elevated and sanctified 

 by all that is sacred in our holy religion. 



"Now, doubtless, unto him is given 

 A life that bears immortal fruit 

 In such great offices as suit 

 The full-grown energies of Heaven." 



Interesting as are our researches in Natural History, I rejoice that 

 in the midst of these investigations we reverently pause to contem- 

 plate such a character. One after another has been called away, 

 till the frequency becomes startling. Dr. Augustus A. Gould, whose 

 voice we can almost hear, and the pleasant smile on whose counte- 

 nance seems still to irradiate the rooin — Dr. Bryant, whose splendid 

 munificence will ever be gratefully remembered. Is it really pos- 

 sible that those long-tried and honored friends, so lately with us in 

 the full vigor of manly activity, will be seen by us at our meetings 

 no more ? I have thought, at times, in the grand galleries and temples 

 abroad, dedicated to the illustrious dead, as in the Bavarian Hall of 

 Fame at Munich (Die baierische Ruhmeshalle), that it were well if we 

 also had such Temples of Commemoration. But have we not even 

 here that which is most essential? This building devoted to Natu- 

 ral History — how does it become in itself such a temple, entwined 

 as It is with the endeared memories of beloved associates who have 

 gone ! This Library In which we stand, — how closely is it now asso- 



