XIV MEMOIR. 
after his own family, to make the Boston Society 
of Natural History and the Boston Athenceum 
the objects of his solicitude and bounty. But 
alas ! his long-cherished anticipations were not to 
be realized. His health soon began to decline. 
Intermittent headache of a severe and unmanaee- 
able character, had already robbed him of half the 
enjoyment of life ; and other difficulties now su- 
pervened. He retired for relief to the country, 
hoping that quiet would restore him. Finding 
this unavailing, he resolved to try what had once 
before proved so salutary to him, — the effect of a 
sea voyage, and a visit to Europe, which he had 
many years designed, for the purpose of becoming 
acquainted with the scientific men and scientific 
collections of the old world, and of purchasing a 
well-appointed scientific library, — all of which 
was to be subservient to the cause of science in 
general, in America, rather than to his individual 
gratification. With these ends in view, and with 
every facility for accomplishing his scientific 
designs, he sailed from New York for Havre in 
October, 184G. He obtained no relief during the 
voyage ; and after stopping a few days at Rouen 
and a short time in Paris, during which his bodily 
sufferings and his nervous irritability increased, 
