236 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



In the following paragraph reference is made to a 

 young Italian, who was for some time a dear and 

 cherished inmate of his house, was aided by him in 

 various ways, and regarded him with almost filial 

 gratitude. 



October, 1855. My brother left us on Tuesday the 2d. 

 The Faculty party * recurred at our house on Monday even- 

 ing, October 1st, and my brother was induced to remain to 

 attend it. The night was stormy, with wind and rain ; but 

 we had about fifty persons, instead of eighty, who were ex- 

 pected. The evening passed most agreeably, and a high 

 literary entertainment was given, by reading about one hour 

 from Sig. Guglielmo Gajani's MS. work, now in prog- 

 ress, on Italy. It is written beautifully, in good English, 

 needing, however, some friendly criticism, which it is receiv- 

 ing at our hands. Mr. Gajani was introduced to us a year 

 ago ; came to this town from New York to pass the hot 

 weeks, and by invitation, came to us four or five weeks ago, 

 and has lived here ever since. We have had much pleas- 

 ure and satisfaction in his society, and he will proceed to 

 Boston (fully introduced) to give a course of lectures. 



Among the obituaries which now become more 

 and more frequent in the Diary, are notices of the 

 venerable Dr. Williston, and of Commodore Morris. 



Death of Rev. Payson Williston, D. D. This venerable 

 gentleman died January 20, 1856. He was graduated in 

 Yale College in 1783. He was, I believe, the oldest sur- 

 viving graduate of Yale, having been out of College sev- 

 enty-two years. He was a particular friend of my late 

 brother of the Noyes' branch, and I recollect his person as 

 lie was many years ago. His father was the Rev. Noah 

 Williston, was graduated in Yale College in 1757 ; and was 

 * A social party consisting of the College Faculty and their families. F. 



