EULOGY ON PROFESSOR ALEXANDER DALLAS BACHE. 105 



and tlie revival of old associations, would be of service to bim ; but, uot- 

 withstaudiug- au occasional manifestation of bis wonted spirit of social 

 and intellectual enjoyment at tbe encounter of a friend of former times 

 or distingnisbed associate in tbe walks of science, be returned from a 

 sojourn abroad of eigbteen montbs witbout baving experienced any per- 

 manent abatement in tbe progress of bis malady. He lingered for a sbort 

 time longer, and finally resigned bis breatb at Newport, Ebode Island, 

 on tbe 17tb of February, 18G7, in tbe sixty-first year of bis age. 



It would be impossible to name an American distinguisbed on purely 

 scientific grounds to wbom tbe enligbtoned sentiment of bis own country- 

 men and of foieign nations bas awarded more empbatic marks of ad- 

 niiratiou and esteem. Tbe degree of Doctor of Laws was conferred on 

 bim by tbe principal universities of tbis country, and few of our leading 

 societies were willing to forego tbe bonor of numbering bim among their 

 associates. He was elected in succession president of tbe American 

 Pbilosopbical Society, of tbe American Association for tlie Advancement 

 of Science, and, of tbe National Academy of Sciences establisbed 

 by Congress. Nor were foreigners less forward iu acknowledging 

 bis merit. He was a member of the Eoyal Society of London, 

 of tbe Imperial Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburg, of tbe Insti- 

 tute of France, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the lioyal and Impe- 

 rial Geographical Society of Vienna, tbe Royal Academy of Turin, the 

 Mathematical Society of Hamburg, tbe Academy of Sciences in the 

 Institute of Bologna, tbe Royal Astronomical Society of London, and 

 of the Royal Irish Academy of Dublin. In addition to these testimonies 

 of appreciation, several medals were awarded to him by foreign govern- 

 ments for bis distinguisbed services iu the Coast Survey and in the 

 cause of science generally. 



The life we have here sketched is eminently suggestive, both from a 

 philosophical and a iiractical point of view. It presents an unbroken 

 series of successful efforts, with no iuterruptioMS in its sustained and 

 constantly ascending course; all parts follow each other in harmonious 

 continuity; and not only is each stage of its progress in advance of tbe 

 one which preceded it, but it famishes the means of education for that 

 which succeeded. It is not merely curiosity, laudable as that might be, 

 but a sense of tbe importance of tbe inquiry, which prompts us to ask, 

 What were the mental and moral characteristics of tbe mind which pro- 

 duced such results? And we say intentionally', tbe mind ichich produced 

 these results, for although it be true that accident bas in many cases a 

 determining influence on tbe fortunes of an individual, it will be clear 

 from what precedes, or we shall have greatly failed in tbe task which 

 we proposed to ourselves, that tbe element of casualty had but little to do 

 with the success which ci"owned tbe life to which tbe question at present 

 relates. 



From long acquaintance with bim and critical study of the events of 



