314 DAVENPORT ACADEMY OF NAtURAI. SCtEIfCES. 



the noblest, acts the l)est — then was Duncan Putnam old and full of 

 years, and went hence like a shock of corn, fully ripe. 



It is well! Most of those who began this institution have passed 

 the meridian, and the shadows cast by the western sun, come creep- 

 ing- towards them, and lengtliening as they come. 'Tis also well! 

 And I will end these desultory remarks l>y imaginino- Duncan saying 

 to us, in the lines of Oliver Wendell Holmes, entitled 



NOT KINIS : 



" Brothers, farewell I Tlie fast clecliniug ray 

 Fades to the twilight of our golden da3^ 

 Some lessons yet our wearied brains may learu. 

 Some leaves, perhaps, in life's thin volume turn. 

 How few tliey seem, as in our waning age 

 We count them backwards to the title page. 

 Oh 1 let us trust, with holy men of old, 

 Xot all the story lure begun is told. 

 So the tired spirit, waiting to be freed. 

 On life's last leaf, with tranquil eye shall read, 

 By the pale glimmer of the torch reversed. 

 Not Finis, but the end op Volume Fikst! " 



fiiiproniptu Aclrtresse.s. 



At the close of Mr. Thompson's address impromptu tributes to the 

 memory of Mr. Putnam were delivered by several pei'sons present. 

 Prof. .1. B. Young spoke of him as a scholar— one of the most tal- 

 ented he had known in twenty years experieiuje as a teacher. 

 He said the deceased was characterized by earnestness of purpose, 

 strict integrity, and the highest type of honor. Prof. Riepe, his first 

 teacher, was called u])on but excused himself l)ecause his '•'heart 

 was too full to pei'mit of his speaking.'' Dr. .1. J. Tomson, who had 

 lieen his attending physician, s])ok(' of his high personal regard for 

 the yovmg scientist, whose mind and attainments were indeed re- 

 markable. The doctor said the de(;eased was modest, unselfish, and 

 a true scientist. He had never known him to say aught against any 

 one. The speaker thought the career of the deceased should stimu- 

 late young men to greater industry and honor. 



