526 ANDREW ATKINSON HUMPHREYS. 



the wide circle of his acquaintance. In deportment he was ever a model 

 of propriety, digiufied yet courteous, decided in his convictions yet 

 modest in expressing them, considerate not only of the rights but of 

 the feelings of all with whom he was associated, never unkind in vvord 

 or act, and one of whom no one ever spoke or thought unkindly, singu- 

 larly guileless and unselfish a pure-mmded, large-hearted, loving, and 

 lovahle Christian gentleman. His sincere, humble, childlike piety gave 

 an attractive charm to all his conduct and conversation, and no one 

 could be associated with him without feeling its elevating, refining, and 

 ennobling influence. It was fitting that such a life should be crowned 

 by the production of a work that will be prized by sincere seekers 

 after truth respecting the works and the word of God, — an exhibition 

 of the hai'mouy of science and revealed religion." 



ANDREW ATKINSON HUMPHREYS. 



It falls to the lot of few men to encounter responsibilities so 

 weighty and so diverse in character as those which rested upon 

 General Humphreys at different periods of his long professional 

 career; and of fewer still, to make of each new responsibility a 

 new title to distinction. 



Soldiers will most admire the general whose thoughtful intel- 

 lect organized victory while others slept, and whose fiery energy 

 led him iuto the thickest of the fight, until, like the heroes of 

 mythology, he seemed to bear a charmed life. 



Administrators will appreciate the skill displayed in systema- 

 tizing the Coast Survey Office ; in directing the Pacific Railroad 

 explorations to a prompt and successful termination ; and, after 

 the war was over, in welding together the remnants of two 

 distinct Corps of Engineers, and creating from them a united 

 body fitted to meet the responsibilities devolved by law upon 

 the orgauization. 



Scientists will see his highest titles to fame in his personal 

 investigations of the great questions involved in the construction 

 of the Pacific Railroad ; in the protection of the alluvial region 

 of the Mississippi against overflow ; in the deepening of the chan- 

 nels at the mouths of that river ; and in the many other problems 

 which engaged his attention before the cares of his high office as 

 Chief of the Corps rendered it impossible to find leisure for such 

 studies ; — but they will also gratefully remember his appreciation of 



