PROCEEDINGS O^ MEMORIAL MEETING. 211 



had confidence in him, and too much respect for his ability to fear of 

 anything being- wrongfullj^ done or neglected. 



He was modest to an extreme, and seemed not to think of self. 

 Never tried to pusli himself into public notice, oi- to make himself 

 heard, but listened patiently to others, and respected the opinions of 

 all. This was noticeable in a great degree. But when he spoke, it 

 was with deliberation. His opinions were matured, and the hearer 

 felt he was listening to one who knew what he was talking about. 

 He knew all he pretended to know, and underrated his knowledg-e, 

 rather than over-estimated it. From this fact, others appreciated 

 him the more, and he was given honors and positions which many 

 with more pretentions but less true worth, had sought in vain. 



Another of Duncan Putnam's traits of character, and one always 

 greatly to be de.sired, was his evenness of temper. Nothing seemed 

 to throw him oif his balance or disturb him. The thousand little 

 vexatious things which constantly arise and fret most of us, he re- 

 ceived with unconcern, and brushed aside. He never seemed to 

 think an annoyance had anything to do with him: but took it up, 

 looked it over, examined it as he would a troublesome insect under 

 his microscope, and then laid it aside. Contrary winds which inter- 

 fere with our work, and so often make most of us lose a little self- 

 control, were about the same to him as a storm among Jupiter's clouds. 

 This trait made him always pleasant to meet, and easy of approach. 

 Though easy of approach, he was difficult to reach, for no matter 

 how much he imparted, or how thoroughly you believed you apjtre- 

 ciated him, he always seemed to hold a reserve of thought which 

 made you feel he was still beyond your reach. 



Often when a man of eminence dies, we say: ''there is no one to 

 take his place," still his place is soon filled. Will this be true of 

 the great vacancv left in our Academy by the death of its President"? 

 It is almost impossible. Two such cannot come into the life of an 

 Academv. No one can fill his place. Some persons may, but no 

 one person can. It is to be hoped the work will go on as well now, 

 as it has heretofore; but the labor of more than one brain will be 

 required to do what he did. Genius was the momentum that ena- 

 bled him to do the work, which will now require a larger body to 

 accomplish: because there is less momentum. 



It is to be hoped that, when Duncan Putnam was taken from us, his 

 mantle dropped to rest upon others, who will be endowed with power 

 to carry on the work of the Academy as he would desire it. Now 

 that he is gone we should feel more than ever, there is something for 



