PROFESSOR SALISBURY'S INFLUENCE 



distinguished Oriental scholar, should have provided the 

 means for enlisting in the service of Yale College two of 

 its most distinguished professors, the philologist Whitney 

 and the geologist Dana. Naturally President Dwight * 

 associated these names in his memorial discourse, and 

 praised the liberality of that friend whose gifts made it 

 possible for Dana and Whitney to serve Yale College a 

 friend " who now in serene old age survives them both, 

 having witnessed with deepest satisfaction the rich fruits 

 of their work." 



This benefaction determined the future career of the 

 naturalist. Henceforward, attention to his college duties, 

 editorial cares, the preparation and revision of scientific 

 works, correspondence wide-spread and incessant, jour- 

 neys about home, and field investigations in geology and 

 mineralogy occupied his time. The education of his 

 children and attention to his garden and shrubbery (in- 

 cluding a noteworthy regard for some famous pear trees), 

 walks and drives, were his recreations. In early life, 

 backgammon, and later his interest in music, occupied 

 his leisure. The absorbing problems of the civil war and 

 the consequent difficulties of the period of reconstruction 

 never failed to excite his interest and call out his patriot- 

 ism, and it is almost needless to add that he was hearty 

 and outspoken in his Union sentiments. 



It was some years after his appointment when the " Sil- 

 liman Professor of Natural History " first appeared at 

 his desk, for the work on the reports occupied his time 

 and absorbed his strength. Professor Silliman's duties 

 had been divided a part of them given to his son, Ben- 

 jamin Silliman, Jr., who was made Professor of Chemis- 

 try, and a part of them reserved for his son-in-law, 

 henceforward to be known as Professor Dana. Until the 

 latter was ready to assume his new responsibilities, the 

 lectures on geology were given by the elder Silliman. 



* Memorial address at Yale University, June 23, 1895. 

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