394 MEMOIR OF DANIEL TKEADWELL. 



In the autumn of 1835 he returned from Europe, and went immediately to 

 Cambridge to prepare for his lectures in the College. 



When Mr. Treadwell received his appointment, Professor John Farrar, as Hollis 

 Pi'ofessor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, had taught since 1807 branches 

 closely allied to those of the Rumford Professorship. Professor Farrar entered upon 

 his duties at a time when there was very little leai'uing in the country in mathe- 

 matics and phj'sics. Webber's Mathematics and Enfield's Elements of Natural 

 Philosophy were the only college text-books on these subjects. He first prepared 

 himself to become a fitting teacher, according to the French standard of the age. 

 Before 1818 he published his translation of Lacroix's Elements of Algebra. This 

 was followed, in the course of nine years, by translations and compilations which 

 placed in the hands of his class the works of the best French writers in his 

 department. These treatises were adopted for the course of instruction, not only 

 at Cambridge, but at the United States Military Academy and other principal 

 institutions of learning throughout the countiy. For the work he accomplished in 

 raising the staudard of mathematics and physics, and preparing the way by which 

 others might reach for superior heights, he merits great praise. 



As a lecturer Professor Farrar was among the very best in anj^ department. 

 The apparatus of those days was without instruments of precision, and wholly 

 inadequate for nice and intricate demonstration. But he had the power of vivid 

 description, fluency, and grace, and an easy mastery of the subject, and of the 

 expressions best suited to convey to his pupils that at which he aimed ; " and 

 above all," says President Felton, " a singular enthusiasm, poetical coloring, and 

 eloquence, W'ith which he knew how to illuminate the truths of science, to which 

 we listened with a never satiating delight, and which gave a fascination to his 

 lectures difficult to describe." 



He was the Recording Secretary of the American Academy for thirteen years, 

 its Vice-President, and a member of the Committee of Publications. He died in 

 Cambridge in 1853. The Academy at its first meeting after his death, on motion 

 of Professor Lovering, seconded by Professor Peirce, passed a resolution gratefully 

 recognizing his various official services to the Academy, and his valuable contribu- 

 tions to science in the flower of his life. " We remember still the poetical ardor 

 with which he cultivated his favorite sciences, the fervor and enthusiasm with which 

 he taught them, and the rare fascination and eloquence with which he discoursed 

 upon them. We also remember the silent eloquence which beamed from his coun- 

 tenance in sickness, and even in death. For his rich intellectual gifts and his 



