THE BEGINNING OF HIS WORK AS PROFESSOR. 127 



same blunder would probably not have been made in Phil- 

 adelphia or Boston. 



As far as I could judge, the impression on my pupils of 

 the institution and on the public was favorable. The ex- 

 periments were prepared with great care, and a failure was 

 a very rare occurrence. Although manuscripts fully written 

 out lay before me, I soon began to speak without reading, 

 and found my own feeling freer and easier, and the audience 

 more interested. I always, however, prepared the matter 

 of the lecture thoroughly, and therefore avoided embarrass- 

 ment in the delivery. Even with my immature and limited 

 acquirements I was encouraged to proceed by recollecting 

 other remarks which I heard from Dr. Priestley. Being 

 complimented upon his numerous discoveries, he replied to 

 this effect : "I subjected whatever came to hand to the 

 action of fire or various chemical agents, and the result 

 was often fortunate in presenting some new discovery. In 

 teaching I have always found that the best way to learn is 

 to teach, when you will be sure to study your subject well, 

 and I could always keep ahead of my pupils. Thus while 

 I was teacher, I was still more a learner." 



In September 1804, at a meeting of the President and 

 Fellows of Yale College, it was voted to expend ten thou- 

 sand dollars in Europe during the ensuing year, in the 

 purchase of books for the library, and in the purchase 

 of philosophical and chemical apparatus. Symptoms of 

 dysentery were coming upon me during the examination 

 that preceded the Commencement, and I was hardly able 

 to perform my duty. The disease made such progress that 

 I was entirely unable to attend the public exercises of Com- 

 mencement week, but was confined to my bed at Mrs. 

 Twining's under medical treatment by Dr. Eli Ives. There 

 I accidentally heard of the vote of the corporation, and, 

 immediately I believe, a project occurred to me which I 

 resolved to disclose as soon as I should be sufficiently re- 

 covered to walk abroad ; fearful in the mean time that I 

 might be anticipated. 



