FROM HIS FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON 

 . TO S. WELLS WILLIAMS 



" NEW HAVEN, April 13, 1873. 

 "MY DEAR OLD SCHOOLMATE: 



" Your affectionate birthday greeting the sixtieth 

 birthday ! met with most cordial response in my heart, if 

 not followed by an immediate return of messages. I have 

 never failed, as each year has passed, to recognize with 

 gratitude the goodness from above that gave us Christian 

 homes on the same street in the same pleasant Christian 

 city, where Sunday-schools were a delight, and other 

 Christian influences pointed heavenward. Thence we 

 have journeyed on through threescore years and in re- 

 gions widely distant, as distances are measured on earth, 

 and yet, on that heavenward way, not far apart. Your 

 words at least make me feel that we are near, and nearer 

 than ever before. I have not had, any more than your- 

 self, sad years to look back upon, not even days that 

 seemed dark and gloomy, for the world has been full of 

 delights, and the future full of delightful prospects, even 

 when health seemed to be failing. And still I labor on 

 rejoicing doubting if this year may not be the last to a 

 long-tired head yet rejoicing in my home here, and in 

 the work which my hands and head find to do, and also 

 in bright views of that upper home toward which earth 

 converges. Your beautiful gift, mineralogically interest- 

 ing as well as beautiful, was most acceptable and has been 

 much admired. I need not say that I greatly value it." 



From a number of his scientific friends in Washington 

 this letter came on the golden-wedding day of Mr. and 

 Mrs. Dana, June 5, 1894. 



FROM HIS SCIENTIFIC FRIENDS IN WASHINGTON 



" To Professor Dana, Nestor of American geologists, 

 and to his faithful helpmate for fifty years, his Washing- 

 ton pupils, admirers, and followers send greetings on this 

 their golden-wedding day. Few reach this golden mile- 

 post, still fewer pass it. Among these very few, Pro- 

 fessor Dana, still at work, impresses us profoundly with 



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