94 LEADING AMERICAN MEN OF SCIENCE 



awe, increasing to admiration after we had seen something of 

 the apparatus and the experiments. There was an air-pump, 

 an electrical machine of the cylinder form, a whirling table, a 

 telescope of medium size, and some of smaller dimensions; a 

 quadrant, a set of models, for illustrating the mechanical powers, 

 a condensing fountain with jets d'eau, a theodolite, and a magic 

 lantern the wonder of Freshmen. These were the principal in- 

 struments; they were of considerable value: they served to impart 

 valuable information, and to enlarge the student's knowledge of 

 the material world." 



The professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosphy at this 

 time was Josiah Meigs, who afterwards won further distinction 

 as President of the University of Georgia, and still later, as 

 Professor of Experimental Philosophy in Columbian University, 

 Washington. He was a man of great ability and belonged to 

 a family, of which other members have won distinction, among 

 them, Dr. Charles D. Meigs and General M. C. Meigs. His 

 lectures at Yale, during seven years, were delivered from the 

 pulpit of the College Chapel. To him, Silliman attributes his 

 earliest impressions in respect to Chemistry. The lecturer had 

 read Chaptal, Lavoisier and other French writers; from these he 

 occasionally introduced, says his pupil, chemical facts and prin- 

 ciples in common with those of Natural Philosophy. Thus, he 

 continues, was created "in my youthful mind a vivid curiosity 

 to know more of the science to which they appertained. Little 

 did I then imagine that Providence held this duty and pleasure 

 in reserve for me." 



The turning-point in Silliman's life occurred in 1801. He 

 had been invited to take up his residence in Georgia, under 

 favorable auspices, and while he was considering this proposal, 

 he met President Dwight "one very warm morning in July," 

 as he says, "under the shade of the grand trees in the street in 

 front of the College buildings, when, after the usual salutations, 

 he lingered, and conversation ensued. I felt it to be both a 

 privilege and a duty to ask his advice." "I advise you not to 

 go," was the reply of his chief, "for these reasons among others." 



