LECTURES IX SALEM. 361 



Prince was a venerable man ; he had a commanding per- 

 son, and dressed in the costume of the gentlemen of the 

 old school, with small clothes and stockings, and a white 

 wig. He made us at home among his instruments and 

 in his extensive library, so closely arranged in his apart- 

 ments that we walked among the books through narrow 

 alleys. I)r. Prince was distinguished by an extensive 

 knowledge of natural philosophy, and by great skill in 

 the construction and use of philosophical instruments. 

 He manifested much pleasure in showing us experiments 

 with his fine instruments. As a compliment to myself 

 as a geologist, I suppose, he showed us a mimic vol- 

 cano, an artificial Vesuvius, in fiery eruption, in a 

 darkened room ; an exhibition resembling that of Dr. 

 Bourg's cork models, which I witnessed in London. 



Hon. Mr. Silsbee and Hon. Leverett Saltonstall, 



both eminent in Congress, were among those whom we 

 knew in Salem. Mr. Senator Silsbee, being intimately ac- 

 quainted with maritime affairs, was always Chairman of the 

 Navy Board, and rendered important service in that ardu- 

 ous and responsible station. We experienced much kind- 

 ness from the Silsbee families ; and Miss Silsbee now 

 Mrs. President Sparks was one of the most intelligent 

 and interesting of my female auditors. Hon. Leverett 

 Saltonstall was absent at Washington, as a member of the 

 House of Representatives, until near the end of our course, 

 but he returned in season to enable us to form his acquaint- 

 ance; and in 1839, he visited New Haven with his two 

 daughters, when we had the pleasure to show them partic- 

 ular civilities, and to conduct them to the old Saltonstall 

 House, by the lake of the same name, once the residence 

 of Governor Saltonstall, a distinguished member of their 



family Among the eminent men in Salem who 



honored us by their kindness and friendship, no one is en- 

 titled to stand before Judge White, a person of dis- 

 tinguished literary attainments, a finished scholar, with a 



