280 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



The first effort appears to have been made in New 

 Haven. 



As a preliminary to a public meeting, a hand-bill was 

 prepared, in which the case was concisely but clearly and 

 forcibly stated, with an invitation to the citizens to attend a 

 public meeting at a time and place named, to hear a dis- 

 cussion of the merits of the case. The hand-bill was ex- 

 tensively distributed in the town, and the meeting, which 

 soon followed, was well attended, and was warmly addressed, 

 not only by gentlemen of the College, but by some of our 

 prominent citizens. Among them was the Rev. Dr. Cros- 

 well, Rector of Trinity Church. Although not an alumnus, 

 nor sympathizing in the religious organization of the Col- 

 lege, he addressed the assembly with powerful arguments, 

 which were, perhaps, rendered more effective by touching a 

 string of policy, and no one knew better than he how to do 

 it. He gave an intimation that if New Haven did not come 

 forward and secure the Gibbs Cabinet, Hartford might 

 secure it, as the people of Hartford were always prompt 

 and liberal in cases where their local interests were con- 

 cerned, and they too had a college. 



The public meeting in New Haven was immediately 

 followed by personal applications to the citizens. The per- 

 manent officers of the College subscribed first, and then 

 dividing the town into districts, each solicitor called upon 

 individuals and asked for their donations. This canvass 

 was laborious, and such duties are always irksome ; but 

 when the object is a public one, and not personal, we do 

 not feel that we are chargeable with selfishness, which is 

 a great relief. President Day zealously led in the canvass, 

 and all the gentlemen put forth such efforts as were con- 

 venient to them. It is obvious, however, that no one could 

 be expected to labor so much as the head of the depart- 

 ment. I was indeed most ably and zealously assisted by 

 Prof. Chauncey A. Goodrich, who was always zealous and 



