318 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



be called a euthanasia. For many days before, it 

 seemed to all that " heaven shone about him." 



The disease of which Professor Silliman died was 

 probably an affection of the heart. The illness from 

 which he had apparently rallied, so that his family 

 were relieved from immediate anxiety respecting 

 him, was considered by his physician to be a mani 

 festation of this disease. 



The funeral of Professor Silliman took place on 

 the 28th of November. After a brief religious ser 

 vice at his house, his body was carried to the Centre 

 Church, where for several hours an opportunity was 

 afforded to see his face for the last time. It was 

 observed that the look of remarkable benevolence 

 and sweetness which his features had worn in life 

 did not fade out in death. The public services were 

 attended by a large concourse, including represent 

 atives of a number of literary institutions. Prayer 

 was offered by Rev. Dr. Bacon, and a Commemora 

 tive Discourse was delivered by President Woolsey. 



The traits of Mr. Silliman's mind and heart have 

 been so fully brought to light in the foregoing pages, 

 that on this topic little more need be said. It is 

 not claimed and he would have been the last to 

 claim that he had that rare insight of genius 

 which divines the secrets of Nature. Yet no one 

 could have done the work that he did without the 

 possession of more than ordinary powers of mind. 

 His whole turn was more practical than speculative. 

 His perceptions were quick, his judgments sound, 

 and all his mental operations were marked by good 



