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Life-andCharaetet of Nathaniel Bowdite © $F 
simple fact that my work had reached the hands of one on the 
outer verge of civilization, who could understand and estimate it, 
was more gratifying to my feelings than the eulogies of men of 
science and the commendatory votes of Academies,’ ” 
-He was a singularly modest man. He made no. | pretensions 
himself and there was nothing that he so much despised in others. 
He was remarkably simple in all shis manners and intercourse 
with the world. He put on no airs and assumed no superiority 
on the ground of his intellectual attainments, but placed himself 
on a level with every one with whom he had _any concern. He 
reverenced integrity and truth wherever he found them, in what-- 
ever condition in life. He felt and showed no respect for mere 
wealth or rank. He fearlessly rebuked, to his face, the mean and 
purse-proud nabob, and “ sen doupenieal to men of low estate.” 
- Dr. Bowditch used to relate a little anecdote concerning himself, 
which strongly and beautifully ncumiaes the eee simplicity 
and naturalness of his character. 
In the year 1824, when General . Leabagrsge, in. his progress 
through the country, among-other places, visited Boston, the may- 
oralty of the city was filled by the Honorable Josiah Quiney. 
Dr. Bowditch, in-common with all the world, had a curiosity to 
behold the entrance of the nation’s guest into the city; and ac- 
cordingly accepted an invitation from a friend, whose house was 
in Colonnade Row, to take a station on his balcony. But finding 
that the chariot single tarried, and the General delayed his com= 
ing, he thought that he should have time to go down to his office 
to transact a little business, and return in season for the spectacle. 
But, in the mean time, the procession had arrived and passed on, 
and was fast advancing to State street. He concluded, therefore, 
to wait where he was, and, in order to get a nearer and better 
view, took his. stand" on the steps of the United States’ Bank. 
On the SppeNenees of the barouche in which Lafayette was seated, 
Dr. Bowditch remarked, that he was glad to see Mr. Quincy at 
his side; he was the proper aman. for that place, being the son of 
one of ip earliest and best of the patriots of the Miwichesbicat: 
_ “As the shout of the multitude rose unto heaven,” he said, “T 
know not how it happened, but I could not keep my place; my 
hat would not stay on my head, nor could I hold my tongue. 
And to my astonishment, I found myself, all at once, in the midst 
of the crowd by the side of the chariot, and shouting with the 
