400 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



When I found my voice failing, I called to my aid Mr 

 Goodrich, who had read over, the evening before, a part of 

 the manuscript, so as to be ready for such an emergency. 

 My friends have expressed quite as much satisfaction in 

 the performance, as I could wish ; and more than, in my 

 own conviction, the piece will give when read apart from 

 the excitement of the occasion. In reply to some of your 

 questions, I am able to state, that the ode first sung in the 

 house was written by young Mr. Bacon, who graduated last 

 Commencement ; the hymn at the conclusion was written 

 by Rev. Mr. Bacon, who selected likewise the words of the 

 Anthem, which were set to music by Mr. Fitch. 



Mr. Croswell was invited to read the Scriptures, but for 

 some reason declined ; and this service was performed by 

 Mr. Bennett. You must excuse my saying so much of 

 what relates more or less directly to myself. I know the 

 interest you took in this anniversary ; and have supposed 

 that these details would not be unacceptable. The his 

 torical discourse is about going to press. 



FROM PROFESSOR KINGSLEY. 



NEW HAVEN, March 24, 1841. 



DEAR SIR, Your letter of Monday was quite refresh 

 ing. Not that I have felt any apprehensions about the suc 

 cess of your lectures, especially after your former experience 

 in Boston ; yet it is gratifying to have it under your own 

 hand, that you have reason to believe that " Mr. Lowell 

 and the public are satisfied." The attentions you have re 

 ceived must have made your time pass more pleasantly, 

 and perhaps may be considered as evidence not only of 

 personal regard, but of kind feeling, or at least of the 

 absence of all unkind feelings, towards our College. I am 

 sure that there is here no hostility to Cambridge ; indeed, 

 I have always considered the prosperity of that institution 

 as highly favorable to the prosperity of ours. I have ob 

 tained a copy of Mr. Quincy's history, and of course do not 



