362 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



objects of interest, whether curiosities in nature or historical 

 localities ; he had a ready anecdote, or narrative of a con- 

 versation, or a battle, which, told in his animated manner, 

 always impressed itself upon the memory of the young. 



His very thoughtful, deferential love for our mother was 

 an example to her children ; nothing which would con- 

 tribute to her comfort or pleasure was forgotten, even when 

 he was most engrossed in his professional labors. 



It was his pure Christian character which made him 

 what he was in each relation of life, and which enforced 

 the moral and religious instruction he ever gave as oppor- 

 tunity occurred. 



Mrs. Hubbard writes of her father as follows : 



Among my earliest recollections of my dear father, his 

 unwearied patience and affectionate care of his little chil- 

 dren, is vividly impressed upon my memory. Some of us 

 suffered from childish ailments, causing painful, wakeful 

 nights. Well do I remember how tenderly we were soothed, 

 and how patiently everything was done for our comfort, no 

 matter at what cost of much-needed rest for himself. 



The beautiful Bible stories were first learned from his 

 narration ; a treat it was when we could draw from him 

 Daniel in the den of lions, and Joseph and his brethren. 

 Another treat too, was to have papa hear our Sabbath even- 

 ing recitation of the Assembly's Catechism, he would 

 make it so plain and almost pleasant to us. 



Never, I am sure, can any of us remember that he spoke 

 to us in anger ; his reproofs were so tender that, while they 

 almost broke our hearts, we felt more than ever drawn to 

 him in love. 



His constant watchful care for our religious interests, we 

 can never forget ; his earliest present to us was a Bible, 

 the older ones each as the fourth birthday came, receiving 

 it, inscribed to us, from our affectionate father. 



He was, in all his busy life, an early riser, and whoever 



