2 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



to time for scientific lectures in other places. Among 

 them the City of Pittsburg offered strong claims, which 

 were presented by W. W. Wilson, Esq., in a correspondence 

 on behalf of his fellow-citizens. I felt myself drawn that 

 way by the interesting historical associations, and the rich 

 geological and picturesque features of that grand region. 

 No definite pecuniary offer was made. I was to take my 

 chance of success ; and, presuming that the lectures would 

 pay the expenses of the journey, I gave an affirmative 



answer to the proposal of Mr. Wilson It was a 



source of satisfaction to my good wife and my children, as 

 well as to myself, that I was not to travel alone. My kind 

 friend, Mr. Robert Bakewell, the skilful artist, to whom I had 

 been long indebted for many most useful as well as beauti- 

 ful drawings, illustrative of geology, was willing to accom- 

 pany me to Pittsburg, to which he was drawn by his 

 brother* and his family, who had made that city their 

 temporary home. Mr. William L. Kingsley, also, youngest 

 son of my friend and colleague, Professor James L. Kings- 

 ley, decided to accompany us over the mountains on his 

 way to the River Ohio. 



Mr. Silliman proceeded to Washington, by the 

 way of Philadelphia and Baltimore, and thence to 

 Pittsburg. 



I find the following in a rough sketch of part of the 

 course, under date of Saturday, May 6 : " My second 

 week concluded with great mercy. I am well, and have 

 sustained my anxious but now successful labor. Great 

 interest is excited ; the regular attendance is about six 

 hundred ; people go an hour or more beforehand, and, 

 although the lectures are from an hour and a quarter to an 

 hour and three quarters long, they listen patiently, and are 

 very decorous, and as attentive as ever. Three lectures 



more, and my work will be done 



* The Rev. William L. Bakewell. 





