356 BULLETIN OF THE 



case, — while avowing the necessity of reserve in predicting results, 

 he seemed to have an almost intuitive appreheusion of the opera- 

 tion of natural law. If confronted with an unfamiliar phenomenon, 

 whether in the experience of others, or in his own observations, 

 his imagination was fertile in the susTgestion of test conditions for 

 eliminating varying influences. While few have ever held tho 

 function of hypothesis in higher estimation as an instrument of 

 research, no one ever held hypothesis in more complete sub- 

 jection. 



As a lecturer and instructor, he was always most successful. 

 Free from all self-consciousness, — without attempting oratorical 

 display, his expositions — in simple, direct, and conversational 

 language, were so lucid, satisfying, and convincing, that they 

 enlisted from the start and secured to the close, the attentive 

 interest of his auditors. 



In his sympathy with the pursuits of the rising generation of 

 physicists was ever manifested a disposition to frequent consulta- 

 tion and interchange of views with them ; as if (aware of the usual 

 tendency to mental ossification with advancing years,) he thus 

 sought by familiar association to drink at the fountain of perennial 

 youth. And surely no one was ever more successful in retaining 

 ife's coveted greenness in age ; — not more in the geniality of his 

 .'iffections and in his undimnud faith, hope, and charity, for man- 

 kind, — than in his intellectual freedom from undue prejudices, and 

 in his readiness calmly to discuss or adopt new theories. 



And tills leads to the reflection that in the seeming contrasts of 

 his nature were combined qualities which formed in him a resultant 

 of character and of temperanunt as rare as admirable With this 

 trreat mobility of aptitude and of circumspection, this adaptability 

 of mental altitude, he yet possessed an unusual firmness of resolu- 

 tion. With a manly sturdiness of conviction he presented an un- 

 varying equability of temper and of toleration ; and with perfect 

 candor as perfect a courtesy. With a characteristic dignity of 

 figure of presence and of deportment, he ]ireserved an entire free- 

 dom from any shade of arrogance. With a warm and active 

 charity, he still displayed a shrewd perception of character ; and 

 while ever responsive to the appeals of real distress, his insight 

 into human nature protected him from being often deceived by the 

 wiles of the designing. Intolerant of charlatanism and imposture, 

 he was capable of exhibiting a wonderful patience with the tedium 

 of honest ignorance. Possessing in earlier life a natural quick- 

 ness of tem[)er, and always a high degree of native sensibility, his 

 perfect self-control led the casual acquaintance to regard him as 

 reserved and unimpressible. Of him it may be truly said iu 

 simple and oft-quoted words : 



" His life was gentle ; and the elements 



So mixed in liim, that Nature mipht stand np 



And say to all the world — This was a jia>' !" 



