18 M E M I R F 



great number of topics which he handled simulta- 

 neously, or in immediate succession, he touched none 

 without doing himself credit, and producing some 

 new development of light, or happy forms of expres- 

 sion. He lingered for years under consumption of 

 the lungs ; understood fully the incurableness of his 

 melancholy state } spoke and acted with an unfeigned 

 and beautiful resignation toiled at his desk to the 

 last day of his thirty-two years, still glowing with 

 the love of science and the domestic affections." 



Upon all this bright attainment and brighter pro- 

 mise for the future the grave has closed. Divine 

 Providence saw fit to arrest him in the midst of his 

 unfinished labours. We have now to view him in 

 another and far more important relation that which 

 man, as an immortal being, bears to his Almighty 

 Creator. 



Dr. Grodman's generous and enthusiastic devotion 

 to science and learning commands our admiration; 

 and perhaps no more ennobling pursuits can occupy 

 the mind of him who looks not beyond the present 

 state of existence ; but when these are brought into 

 contrast with the solemn and momentous concerns 

 of eternity, they sink into utter insignificance. How 

 then was the subject of this memoir influenced by 

 religious considerations ? 



Unhappily, the philosophical and religious opinions 

 of Dr. Godman were formed originally in the school 

 of the French naturalists of the last century. Many 

 of the most distinguished of these men were avowed 

 atheists, and a still greater number rejected abso- 



