Obituary. 373 



some new method of supporting or illustrating truths already 

 knovvnj or by the aid of discoveries already made, to advance 

 to some new and more remote conclusion, 



'^ As might be expected, be was confident in his own 

 opinions, — but not impatient of contradiction; he was al- 

 ways candid and ingenuous, — asserted his own views with- 

 out dogmatism, and defended them ^vithout obstinacy. His 

 deportment, on all occasions, was unassuming and modest, 

 marked with no pretension, and the farthest removed from 

 ostentation or display. If in the society of his friends, or 

 m more enlarged circles, he conversed on subjects connect- 

 ed with his peculiar pursuits, these were never topics cf his 

 own selecting, but introduced by others. His studious and 

 retired habits may have given him among those who hnper-* 

 fectly knew him, the appearance of reserve; yet among his 

 familiar accpia!ntance,his disposition seemed frank and open, 

 his affections warm, and he discovered those qualities which 

 are usually thought to prepare, in a hij;h degree, those who 

 pos>essthem, for social and domestic life. 



"As to the extent of his scientific and literary attainments, 

 the proofs he has given of eminence in mathematical and 

 physical knowledge, leave no room in this department ior 

 doubt or hesitation. Whoever has watched the progress of 

 bis studies, or the course of his instruction, or has examin- 

 ed his communications to the public, will need no further 

 evidence of talents and acquisitions in his own peculiar prov- 

 ince, of the first order. But his researches, as before inti- 

 i^ated, were not confined to mathematics and physics. The 

 pnuosophy of the mind was likewise his favorite study. He 

 Was familiarly acquainted with the writings of the most dis- 

 ^mguished metaphysicians, and had examined with the 

 closest scrutiny, their various reasonings, speculations and 

 theories. If his knowledge of the exact sciences qualified 

 bim to pursue with uncommon advantage the evanescent and 

 less easily defined objects of intellectual plilosophy, — bis 

 knowledge of the laws of the human mind, its capacity, 

 ^nd the jproper region for the exertion of its powers, was 

 00 less useful in directing and regulating his physical inqui- 

 nes. This rare union of two kinds of knowledge so differ- 

 ^ttt, and the want of which union has so often been attended 

 y^ith injury to both, was considered by the friends of Pro- 

 fessor Fisher as constituting one "of his chief excellencies, 



