HIS SERVICES TO SCIENCE. 327 



elements of mechanical science to those who could 

 not attend lectures in the day-time. He assisted me 

 in obtaining the means to illustrate the experiments 

 to be made, and introduced me to his Assistant in 

 Yale College, Mr. Charles U. Shepard, who assumed 

 the position of curator of Franklin Hall. Professor 

 Silliman and Professor Olmsted gave courses of 

 lectures to the people of this city. The beneficial 

 effects were manifest by the erection of steam-engines, 

 and the perfecting of machinery, greatly aiding in 

 the development of mechanical skill in its application 

 to the useful arts. These benefits have long been 

 manifest in all departments of business. This was 

 the first time, I believe, that College Professors had 

 gone out to lecture to the people upon natural and 

 mechanical science." 



One who does the work which Professor Silliman 

 did for the cause of science, is, perhaps, liable to 

 receive less than justice from those who come after 

 him. The branches of knowledge which he has cul 

 tivated attain to so high a grade of progress that the 

 period of his activity is looked upon as a day of 

 small things. Mistakes and deficiencies, inevitable 

 in the infancy of a science and specially natural to 

 one who is performing the work of a pioneer, are 

 liable to be magnified beyond their just importance. 

 But liberal and thoughtful minds will not be betrayed 

 into the error of undervaluing the arduous work 

 which paves the way for a long era of progress ; nor 

 will such minds be inclined to carp at the labors of 

 men to whom they owe so large a debt. When the 

 duration of Professor Silliman's career and the varied 

 channels in which his scientific exertions were directed, 



