18 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



ticularly those devoted to agriculture, and his published synop- 

 ses of the current advancement of the day, are to be fonnd in the 

 " Transactions," and his opening addresses at the various lairs of 

 the Institute constitute the best history of the advance of science 

 in America that can be found. 



Judge Meigs was a man of extraordinary acquirements. In 

 addition to his knowledge of natural law and its useful applica- 

 tion, he was a profound and varied linguist. His knowledge of 

 oriental literature was beyond that of most scholars of the day, 

 and indeed his familiarity with the best writings to be found in 

 all modern languages was remarkable. 



He was an intimate friend of Dr. S. L. Mitchell, Dr. David Ho- 

 sack, and other progressive men of his age. At his funeral the 

 writer met the Hon. Mr. Dewey, the oldest living graduate of 

 Yale College, being now in his ninety-fifth year. Mr. Dewey 

 spoke of him in the warmest and strongest terms. Judge Meigs 

 has left behind him children well known and respected in the 

 community. It has fallen to the lot of few men to be more 

 happy than he in their private relations. Blest with vigorous 

 health, he died in the full vigor of a ripened age. His tall, com- 

 manding form and benevolent expression of kindly interest once 

 seen were not to be easily forgotten ; and strangers who have 

 visited the Institute have turned and asked again concerning 

 him. Well might the words of the friar in the old ballad have 

 been recalled to mind, when men wondered to see him out, hale 

 and hearty, on cold winter days without an overcoat, or reading 

 with unaided eyesight at the age of seventy-nine. 



" In the days of my youth (father William replied) 

 I remembered that youth would not stay, 

 And abused not my health and my vigor at first 

 That they might not vrith age pass away." 



Mr. Jireh Bull offered the following resolution, which was una- 

 nimously adopted. 



Resolved, That the thanks of the Institute are hereby voted to 

 Professor Mapes for his able and interesting paper on the life and 

 services of the late Henry Meigs, and that he be requested to pre- 

 sent a copy for publication in the Transactions of the Institute. 



