62 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



David Worth Dennis — An Appreciation. 



Allen D. Hole 



In attempting to find the way in wliidi to express somewhat ck'arly and 

 somewhat adequately the estimate wliich 1 am snre all of us liave, who knew 

 David Worth Dennis, it has seemed to be necessary to turn for help to nuuiy 

 different sources; and so first of all, I ask leave to quote a few sentences from 

 two men who stand among those who have the keen sight to see the unseen, 

 and the souls sensitive to the calls of truth which come perhaps to us all, 

 but are understood from a great distance by but the few. Such sentences as 

 these have seemed to help more than anything else to make the kind of 

 atmosphere in which alone men like i'rofes^or Dennis can ]>e truly nn<lerstood, 

 truly estimated. 



It is Walt Whitman who says: "Surely whoever speaks to nic in the right 

 voice, him or her 1 shall follow; as the water follows the moot), sileiitly. with 

 fluid steps, anywhere around the globe." 



And again such words as these i)enned by Professor Hiram Corson: 

 "Inspiring i)(n\er must come from an author's or teacher's bi'incj. and not 

 from his brain. 



"Being is teaching; the highest, the only quickening mode of teaching; 

 the only mode which secures that unconscious following of a superior spirit 

 by an inferior spirit, of a kindled soul by an unkindled soul." 



And again Professor Corson, in speaking of the value in the teaching of 

 literatui-e of one who unites a fullness of intellectual and spiritual \i1ality, 

 says : 



"The inspiring y)ower of personality is quite as much needed in scientific 

 training. Many are the men still living in whom the great naturalist, Pro- 

 fessor Louis Agassiz continu<'s to live, in this world, and they are far superior 

 as naturalists by reas(m of what he elicited from them of the 'What Is.' He 

 thus brought them into a deeply sympathetic relationship with the animal 

 kingflom — a relationship which is the condition of sagacious insight." 



.\ luimber of those present here today were in attendance at the banquet 

 in this building a little more than seven years ago. It was, you remember, 

 the twenty-fifth anniversary of the organization of the Indiana Academy of 

 Science. You will also remember that Professor Dennis was on that evening 

 at his best as he discharged with gracefulness and exceptional ability the 

 duties of toastnuister. Dr. Foley, the President of the Academy for that 

 year, used words in introducing Professor Dennis as j)residing officer at the 

 banquet, which deserve repetition here today, for they sum up with re- 

 markable accuracy the character of the man to whom w(^ today do himor. 

 Dr. Folev said : 



