340 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



cially attracted to his lectures the refined and cultiva- 

 ted. The numerous courses which he gave in all parts 

 of the land were almost uniformly successful. He 

 kindled wherever he went a lively interest in the 

 study of physical science. And he was everywhere 

 the object of warm personal esteem and admiration. 

 Especially was this true in Boston. In that city his 

 lectures were thronged by audiences of the highest 

 respectability. Marks of personal regard in the form 

 of hospitality and social attention were showered 

 upon him. The six courses of lectures which he de- 

 livered in as many years in Boston formed, in his own 

 view, the brightest period in the history of his scien- 

 tific labors. We quote from the " Reminiscences." 



After April 1, 1834, a new era opened upon me. Pub- 

 lic courses of lectures by me were called for in many 

 places, most of them out of Connecticut, and this call con- 

 tinued actively for twenty -three years, from 1834 to 

 1857, nor is it quite ended yet, at the close of twenty-five 

 years. Those lectures were given while I was between 

 fifty-five and eighty years of age. ...... I was called 



out in the maturity of my powers, experience, and repu- 

 tation ; and while I enjoy the satisfactory assurance that I 

 have popularized science, these efforts brought important 

 assistance to my -family at a period when my children were 

 requiring aid in their settlement in life. I conceive that 

 in no period of my life have my efforts been more useful, 

 both to my country and my family ; and' as regards pro- 

 fessional labors, there is no part of my career which I 

 reflect upon with more satisfaction. 



The Course of geology in Hartford, in April and May, 

 1834, was the first that I delivered out of New Haven. 

 The overture came through the kind attention of Alfred 

 Smith and Daniel Wadsworth, Esqrs. Their letter, dated 



