1890.] 2ol [Merrick. 



and general enjoyment of what was really bright and clever in literature, 

 in persons, in social and domestic life," which made him, in his own home, 

 the centre of a group of young people, delighting himself and them with 

 witty things of all kinds. 



With such characteristics, it is easy to believe, that when called to a 

 more prominent position, he carried with him the general and earnest re- 

 grets of Faculty and students at the severance of the tie. While still at 

 Hartford, he was in 1855 honored by his Alma Mater with the degree 

 ofD.D. 



In 1860, he was elected by the Trustees of the University of Pennsyl- 

 vania to be Provost of that Institution, and immediately moved to Phila- 

 delphia, in which city, in West Philadelphia, he resided till his death. 

 The University was at that time housed at Ninth and Chestnut streets, now 

 the site of the post-office, and although venerable in age, was but the germ 

 of its present self. As yet it had only the Collegiate, Medical and Law 

 Department and a very limited staff of professors. Here also his duties 

 were of a mixed character, including besides the government of the Col- 

 lege, a professorship (Intellectual and Moral Philosophy) which brought 

 him into close contact with the students. 



Immediately prior to his election, the University had been for some 

 months subsequent to the resignation of Provost Yethake, in temporary 

 charge of the Vice-Provost, the late Prof. John F. Frazer. 



It had, however, been among the traditions of the University until Pro- 

 vost Vethake's incumbency, that it should be in charge of a clergyman, 

 and the Trustees, in pursuance of this policy, selected Dr. Goodwin as his 

 successor. 



His inaugural address marked a new era in the history of the University, 

 and he at once assumed a commanding position in the Faculty and among 

 the undergraduates. The favorable impression then produced, was con- 

 firmed and strengthened, as the daily intercourse of College life showed 

 him to be at once rigorous in the performance of his duty and in exacting 

 the same qualities from the young men under his charge, while they 

 found him kind and genial upon personal contact within and without the 

 College walls. 



When, in the judgment of the Trustees, it became expedient to enlarge 

 the scope of instruction, by adding to the liberal and classical courses, a 

 scientific department, Dr. Goodwin feared that the change would not 

 prove successful under the conditions then existing ; and this feeling, it is 

 supposed, influenced him in retiring from his office in 1368, when called 

 upon to become Dean of the Philadelphia Divinity School. 



It is the testimony of all who were conversant with the history of the 

 Institution during his eight years' incumbency, that he produced a lasting 

 and most valuable impression upon the characters of the students, leading 

 them to habits of concentration of mind and of exactness of expression, the 

 influence of which has been of the highest value in their subsequent career. 



Upon his retirement the University testified its sense of his abilities and 

 learning, by conferring the honorary degree of LL.D. 



