388 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



the alleys were full, and the third gallery as well as the 

 second was occupied. I had, in two preceding lectures, 

 given a recess of five minutes at the end of the first hour, 

 and I now informed the audience that, as my subjects were 

 very extensive, and would take me into the second hour, I 

 should, as a regular thing give them that relief of five min 

 utes, and to this notice they gave a warm response. This 

 suspension was doubtless felt to be a relief to them, and it 

 was most acceptable to myself. I then retired at once into 

 a private room near at hand, threw myself upon the sofa, 

 closed my eyes, and neither spoke nor was spoken to, until 

 the five minutes were past ; in the mean time the excited 

 respiration and pulsation subsided to their natural condi 

 tion, and a glass of water enabled me to return quite fresh 

 to the audience, and to resume the speaking with renewed 

 energy. The impression of the lecture appeared to be 

 strong and vivid. I concluded that I had won the audi 

 ence, and that with great exertions I might hope to go 

 through successfully. 



I record again that the assistance of my son was invalu 

 able to me in these labors, and a great consolation by his 

 amiable conduct and filial devotion. In our apartment we 

 daily commended ourselves and our friends to the Giver of 

 all good, and invoked a blessing upon our public efforts. 



Thursday. Dinner at Mr. Edward Tuckerman's, Beacon 

 Street. A very delightful occasion in a refined and pol 

 ished family ; conversation of a high moral tone. Among 

 the guests were the Rev. Dr. Stone, of St. Paul's Church, 

 and Prof. Greenleaf, of the Cambridge Law School. Geol 

 ogy was introduced, but not by me, as I never obtrude pro 

 fessional subjects upon mixed circles, or upon any uniniti 

 ated individuals. Dr. Stone has no difficulties as between 

 geology and the Scriptures, and we agreed entirely in our 

 views. The other gentlemen and Dr. Stone will accept a 

 copy of my printed remarks on this subject 



