38 Life and Character of Nathaniel Bowditch. 
rest at the top of my voice.” The President of Harvard Univer- 
sity recollects distinctly seeing him in the position and attitude 
thus described. e 
At first sight there may seem something ludicrous and carci 
in this grave philosopher and calculator, this votary of abstract 
science, huzzaing in a mixed crowd on a city’s holiday. But to 
me it seems a most natural and beautiful expression of his simpli- 
city, his self-forgetfulness, his utter unconsciousness of greatness, 
his generous sympathy with the people, and his grateful and. ar- 
dent patriotism. This little incident cannot fail to raise in 
the estimation of every right-minded and single-hearted man. 
Dr. Bowditch was a truly conscientious man. He was swings 
true to his moral as well as intellectual convictions, and followed 
them whithersoever they led. He had great faith in the rectitude 
of his moral perceptions, and in the primary decision of his own 
judgment and moral sense ; and he carried them forth and acted 
them out instantly. The word followed the thought, and the 
‘deed the feeling, with the rapidity of lightning. This straight- 
forwardness and frankness were among the secret causes of the 
remarkable influence: which he confessedly exercised over the 
minds and judgments of others.. By his honesty, as well as by 
his resoluteness and decision, he was the main-spring of évery 
tite which he Mes Songer By his moral influence he 
and swayed men with whom he was associated. 
As As Be Jonson —_ tod Bacon, “he commanded where he 
spo. e 7 
Dr. Bowditch was a man of sett natintal ‘fooling, and of an 
impetuous temperament. A venerable lady, after her first inter- 
view with him, said, “I like that man, for he is a dive man.” 
He was strong in his attachment to men and to opinions, and was. 
not easily turned from-any course of speculation or action, which 
he had once satisfied himself was right, wise and good. At the 
same time, he always kept his mind open to evidence ; and if you 
brought before him new facts and arguments, he would reconsider 
the subject—deliberately, not hastily—and the next day, perhaps, 
would tell you that you were in the right, and that he had altered 
his mind: He was sometimes quick, warm, and vehement in ex- 
pressing his disapprobation of the character or conduct of an in- 
dividual, Lesa if he thought that the person had practiced 
"any thing like se duplicity or frand. In such cases, his indignation 
