= 
14 Life and Character of Nathaniel Bowditch. 
1818, as a Fellow of the Royal Soci 
which few Americans have were a on 
afforded him half the pleasure, or which prize 
highly, as this degree from Harvard. It was, indeed, 
honor, his earliest distinction ; it was not only kindly me: 
timely done ; and it no doubt stimulated him to perseverance in 
his scientific pursuits, as well as created that interest which he 
always took in the prosperity of that institution.* 4 
_ Mr. Bowditch’s fifth and last voyage was made in the ship 
Putnam, of which he was part owner, and in which he sailed in 
the combined capacities of master and supercargo. He sailed for — 
Sumatra in November, 1802, and returned in December, 1803. 
His habits of life and study, when on shipboard, are thus related 
by one who accompanied him in his two last voyages in the ca- 
pacity of a seaman and mate. 
“ His practice was, to rise at a very early hour in the morning, — 
and pursue his studies till breakfast ; immediately after which, he 
took a rapid walk for an hour, and then went below to his studies 
till half past eleven o’clock, when he returned and walked till 
twelve o’clock, the hour at which he commenced his meridian 
observations. 'Then came dinner, after which he was engaged — 
in his studies till five o’clock; then he walked till tea time, and, — 
after tea, was at his studies till nine o’clock in the evening. From 
this hour till half past ten o’clock, he appeared to have banished 
all thoughts of study, and, while walking, he would converse in _ 
the most lively manner, giving us useful information, intermix-) _ 
ed with amusing anecdotes and hearty laughs, making the time 
delightful to the officers who walked with him, and who had to 
quicken their pace to accompany him. Whenever the heavenly — 
bodies were in distance to get the longitude, night or day, he — 
was sure to make his observations once, and frequently twice, in : 
every twenty-four hours, always preferring to make them by the — 
moon and stars on account of his eyes. He was often seen on i 
deck at other times, walking rapidly, and apparently in deep : 
thought, when it was well understood, by all on board, that he — 
- ‘Was not to be disturbed, as we supposed he was ety Mig: some 2 
sta problem, and when he darted below, the conclusion Wi ; 
1s h was a Fellow of the Corporation. of Harvard fre 
death. Hasweaitea the degree of LL. D. from the oon Uae 
