214 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



After the warm welcome of friends had subsided, and 

 the enthusiasm of travelling had ceased, a mental col 

 lapse ensued. I felt a sinking of spirits, and ennui, which 

 was foreign from my natural character, began to make its 

 approaches. What remedy should I seek, and what sub 

 stitute should I find, for the exciting and engrossing scenes 

 in which I had been so long engaged, for I had then no 

 home, " sweet home," of my own. Occupation was my only 

 resource, and this, happily for me, was demanded imme 

 diately in the line of my profession. The boxes of appa 

 ratus and preparations had arrived, and it had been re 

 quested in my letter that the opening of them might be 

 reserved for myself. Accordingly, without wasting time, I 

 took hammer and chisel in hand, and with some assistance 

 removed the covers and explored the treasures that had 

 been packed in London. 



At the period of my arrival from England, June 1, 1806, 

 the summer term was already begun, and but five weeks 

 remained for the then senior class before their final exami 

 nation. I therefore commenced lecturing without loss of 

 time, and carried the subject of chemistry as far as pos 

 sible in the short period at my command. In this class, 

 also, there were distinguished men, among whom were Gov. 

 Bissell, Judge Carlton of Louisiana, Nathaniel Chauncey, 

 Isaac M. Ely, Alfred Hennen of New Orleans, Jabez W. 

 Huntington, Henry Strong, Dr. Wm. Tully, et alii. 



Introduction to the Cabinet of Col. George Gibbs. This 

 gentleman, as I was informed, had in 1805, brought over 

 from Europe a splendid collection of minerals, augmented 

 from time to time by magnificent additions, only a part of 

 which had as yet been opened. He himself had again gone 

 abroad, and was still absent. My brother, through a com 

 mon friend, obtained for me an introduction to Miss Ruth 

 Gibbs, a sister of Col. Gibbs, who very kindly permitted 

 me to inspect and examine such minerals belonging to her 

 brother's collection, as were open and accessible. 



