PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 355 



For him it seemed enough tliat what was once establisiied, 

 would not be willingly let die ; that the medium or the occasion 

 of communication was of comparatively little consequence, if but 

 a new fact or principle were thrown into proper currency, and 

 duly accepted as part of the world's wealth : and beyond all ordi- 

 nary men he seemed to feel the insigniticance of personal fame as 

 compared with the infinite value of truth. For such a man the 

 most appropriate monument would be a full collection of his 

 writings, produced in a worthy and appropriate style of publica- 

 tion. 



PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER. 



Of Henry's personal appearance, it is sufficient to say, that his 

 figure, above the medium height, was finely proportioned ; that 

 his mien and movement were dignified and imposing ; and that on 

 whatever occasion called upon to address an assembly, 



"With grave asppct he rose, and in his rising seemed 

 A pillar of state: deep on his front engraven 

 Deliberation sat, and public care." 



His head and features were of massive mould ; though from the 

 perfect proportion of his form, not too conspicuously so. His 

 expansive brow was crowned with an abundant flow of whitened 

 hair; his lower face always smoothly shaven expressed a mingled 

 gentleness and firmness ; and his countenance of manly symmetry 

 was in all its varying moods, a pleasant study of the mellowing, 

 moulding impress of long years of generous feeling, and a worthy 

 exponent of the fine and thoughtful spirit within : wearing in re- 

 pose a certain pensive but benignant majesty, in the abstraction 

 of study a semblance of constrained severity, in the relaxation of 

 friendly intercourse a genial frank and winning grace of expres- 

 sion. Like his intimate personal friend Agassiz, he seemed to 

 stand and to move among men as the very embodiment of unfail- 

 ing vigorous health and physical strength, and only a year ago, he 

 walked with as erect and elastic a carriage, — with as firm and 

 sprightly a step, as any one here present. 



It is difficult to attempt even a sketch of Henry's intellectual 

 character, without allusion to his moral attributes; — so constantly 

 did the latter dominate the former. It may be said that the most 

 characteristic feature of his varied activities was earnestness, and 

 this as usual was the offspring — as much of a moral as of a mental 

 purpose. 



His mind was eminently logical ; and this rational power was 

 exhibited in every department of his theoretical or his practical 

 pursuits. He never showed or felt uneasiness at necessary deduc- 

 tive consequences, if the premises were well considered or appeared 

 to be well founded. If presented with the problem of an untried 



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