2 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



to time for scientific lectures in other places. Among 

 them the City of Pittsburg offered strong claims, which 

 were presented by W. W. Wilson, Esq., in a correspondence 

 on behalf of his fellow-citizens. I felt myself drawn that 

 way by the interesting historical associations, and the rich 

 geological and picturesque features of that grand region. 

 No definite pecuniary offer was made. I was to take my 

 chance of success ; and, presuming that the lectures would 

 pay the expenses of the journey, I gave an affirmative 



answer to the proposal of Mr. Wilson It was a 



source of satisfaction to my good wife and my children, as 

 well as to myself, that I was not to travel alone. My kind 

 friend, Mr. Robert Bakewell, the skilful artist, to whom I had 

 been long indebted for many most useful as well as beauti 

 ful drawings, illustrative of geology, was willing to accom 

 pany me to Pittsburg, to which he was drawn by his 

 brother* and his family, who had made that city their 

 temporary home. Mr. William L. Kingsley, also, youngest 

 son of my friend and colleague, Professor James L. Kings- 

 ley, decided to accompany us over the mountains on his 

 way to the River Ohio. 



Mr. Silliman proceeded to Washington, by the 

 way of Philadelphia and Baltimore, and thence to 

 Pittsburg. 



I find the following in a rough sketch of part of the 

 course, under date of Saturday, May 6 : " My second 

 week concluded with great mercy. I am well, and have 

 sustained my anxious but now successful labor. Great 

 interest is excited ; the regular attendance is about six 

 hundred ; people go an hour or more beforehand, and, 

 although the lectures are from an hour and a quarter to an 

 hour and three quarters long, they listen patiently, and are 

 very decorous, and as attentive as ever. Three lectures 



more, and my work will be done 



* The Rev. William L. Bakewell. 



