FOUR COURSES OF LOWELL LECTURES. 383 



it probable that an overture for my services would be made, 

 I was desirous to impress upon the mind of Mr. Lowell 

 that to give effect to lectures and demonstrations in science 

 a liberal expenditure would be required. 



The invitation followed, and a plan was adopted 

 for the lectures which were to be given. 



Mr. Lowell at first suggested an arrangement for three 

 years, but yielded to my view that the work would be more 

 thoroughly done upon a basis of four years ; the first year, 

 or rather the first winter, to be for geology, and chemistry 

 to be given in the three succeeding seasons ; the non- 

 metallic ponderables for the second year ; the metals for 

 the third ; the dynamics of chemistry, namely, the powers 

 that effect the changes of matter, for the fourth. 



In due time Mr. Silliman presented himself in 

 Boston to fulfil his engagement. 



By the request of Mr. Lowell, the trustee of the Institute, 

 His Excellency Governor Edward Everett pronounced an 

 historical eulogy upon the Founder of the Institute, 

 Mr. John Lowell. On December 31st, 1839, this address 

 was delivered in the Odeon, as an introduction to the lec- 

 tures, and it was repeated in the Marlborough Chapel on 

 the evening of January 2. On the latter occasion, I was 

 present with my son, and we listened with great satisfaction 

 to this beautiful eulogy, which has been published in the 

 collection of " Orations and Speeches on Various Occasions, 

 by Edward Everett," Vol. II. p. 379 (Edition of 1856). 

 Mr. Everett remarked that, with the exception of the be- 

 quest of the late Mr. Stephen Girard of Philadelphia, the 

 sum appropriated by Mr. Lowell was the largest ever given 

 by any private individual in this country, and he was not 

 aware that there is in Europe anything of this description 

 on so large a scale. His will was written before he left 

 this country, and was finished on the ruins of Thebes, and 



