106 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



the hand, and said : " Friend SiHiman, I was glad to hear 

 that thee had objected to visiting Peale's Museum on first 

 day, when it was proposed by Dr. Barton." First day is 

 not sacred time with the Quakers, but they generally hold 

 meetings on that day, and partake, to a degree, of the gen 

 eral reverence for the Sabbath entertained in most Christian 

 countries. 



The lectures on anatomy and surgery by Dr. Caspar 

 Wistar enjoyed a high reputation, and I was not willing to 

 resist the temptation to attend them, especially as I ex 

 pected eventually to be connected with a medical school in 

 New Haven ; and chemistry, moreover, sustains important 

 relations to anatomy. The lectures of Dr. Wistar were 

 highly instructive and interesting. He combined perfect 

 dignity with deep feeling and enthusiasm, which enabled 

 him to throw a charm over his subject, revolting as many of 

 its demonstrations appear to an unprofessional novice. So 

 great was his command of his class, that no levity was mani 

 fested by them on occasions when it would have been with 

 difficulty repressed by a professor of an opposite character. 

 He had an able demonstrator, by whom the recent subjects 

 were skilfully prepared. The structure of our wonderful 

 frame was most ably demonstrated in all its parts. Their 

 combination and use were fully explained, and the reasons 

 that must have influenced the Creator in the adaptation of 

 every part to every other were made manifest. Dr. Wis- 

 tar's treatment of his classes was paternal and kind, and he 

 took a deep interest in their improvement. On one occa 

 sion he was demonstrating the structure and functions of 

 the eye and the theory of vision, when a student left the 

 theatre. The Professor made an abrupt pause, and, with 

 evident and strong emotion, added : " Gentlemen, this is 

 the first time I ever knew a student to go away during the 

 demonstration of this most interesting organ." Many of 

 these things have remained for half a century so deeply 

 impressed on my mind, that they now appear vividly, 



