204 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



Farewell, my dear friend ; I wish you health and happi- 

 ness, and remain, with every sentiment of esteem and emo- 

 tion of friendship, truly yours. 



TO MR. CHARLES DENISON. 



BRISTOL, September 1, 1805. 



WE received every attention from Miss Her- 



schel, so celebrated for the discovery of some of the sat- 

 ellites of the new planet ; she obligingly explained to us 

 the arrangement of the machinery, and left little for us to 

 wish but the sight of the Doctor himself. This telescope 

 is indeed a wonder. His Majesty has walked through it, 

 stooping however, I presume ; but Bony, I am confident, 

 might go through it erect, with hat and feather standing. 

 I will thank you to tell Mr. Kingsley that the beautiful 

 young lady whom his ardent imagination had painted as 

 star-gazing through her father's magnificent tube, and dis- 

 covering moons with eyes which might well have slain lov- 

 ers, is an ancient maiden lady, hard on threescore, and the 

 sister, not the daughter, of the great astronomer. 



FROM PROFESSOR DAY. 



NEW HAVEN, September 30, 1805. 



OUR good friend, Mr. Davis, has declined ac- 

 cepting his appointment at College. His health appears to 

 be slowly mending. He will probably spend the winter in 

 New Haven, boarding and instructing young gentlemen 

 and ladies. He has not yet fixed upon any business for 

 life. It may be merchandise, but more probably instruc- 

 tion. Dr. Dwight is elected Professor of Divinity with a 

 compensation of five hundred dollars for himself and an 

 amanuensis. I know it will do you good to hear that Mr. 

 Kingsley is elected Professor of Languages and Ecclesias- 

 tical History. You will ask what are to be his duties ; and 

 how is he to be supported ? There is no vote concerning 

 either. But I understand something like this, that he is 

 to have charge of one division of the Junior Class ; that 



