128 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



years. Such a coincidence, it was believed, had never hap- 

 pened before in this country. We were men of different 

 temperaments, but counterbalancing qualities, as happens 

 with contrasted chemical elements, produce a more perfect 

 and firm union. I referred to my venerated, surviving 

 friend, President Day, then present, but refrained from 

 eulogy, which would have been painful to him. I adverted 

 to the breach of our trio, by the death of Mr. Kingsley, 

 and to our separation from Yale College, by the resignation 

 of President Day, and now, by my own, which was made 

 the day before to the Corporation. I added that I did not 

 retire on account of infirmity, as by God's blessing, my 

 health remained unbroken, my eye not being dim, nor my 

 natural force abated. This I acknowledged gratefully, and 

 not boastingly. I resigned because the proper time had 

 come, the same age at which President Quincy, Presi- 

 dent Day, and Professor Kingsley retired; and I followed 

 their example. I wished to go out before I should be com- 

 pelled by infirmity, and to march out of the camp with 

 colors flying. I spoke of the changes that had taken place 

 in Yale College in my time, and of the combined efforts of 

 the Faculty. My son followed, with interesting remarks 

 upon Professor Norton, notices historical and biograph- 

 ical. Professor Olmsted made a brief address upon Pro- 

 fessor Stanley. The chairman made an allusion to the 

 resignation of two of the Professors, when I retired. Pro- 

 fessor Olmsted then addressed the meeting, and gave a 

 history of my department, and of my success in it, and of 



the effect upon the Institution and the country 



When he had finished, I returned into the meeting. Dr. 

 Cox then rose and resumed the theme. I supposed he 

 would be brief, and did not withdraw. He said many grati- 

 fying things upon the effect produced on his own mind by 

 reading my early travels, especially on account of their 

 religious bearing upon his youthful, and as he said, u half 

 heathenish mind." His remarks were touching, and drew 



