WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN. 257 



pared would be forty by eighteen feet Colonel Gibbs hav- 

 ing observed the premises, approved of the plan, and no 



time was lost in taking steps to carry it into effect 



While the work was in progress, the Rev. Dr. Ely, one of 

 the most active and efficient members of the College Cor- 

 poration and of the Prudential Committee, said to me, on 

 inspecting the work : " Why, Domine," (his usual style in 

 college matters,) " Domine, is there not danger that with 

 these physical attractions you will overtop the Latin and 

 the Greek ? " I replied : " Sir, let the literary gentlemen 

 push and sustain their departments. It is my duty to give 



full effect to the sciences committed to my care." 



Nothing had been before seen in this country which could, 

 as regards mineralogy, be compared with this cabinet. It 

 kindled the enthusiasm of the students, and excited the 

 admiration of intelligent strangers. It was visited by many 

 travellers, and New Haven was then a focus of travel be- 

 tween North and South. Railroads were unknown, and 

 navigation by steam had hardly begun. The compara- 

 tively slow-moving coaches conveyed the passengers, who 

 were generally willing to pass a little time in New Haven ; 

 and the cabinet of Colonel Gibbs afforded a powerful at- 

 traction, while it afforded also a high gratification. The 

 liberal proprietor of the cabinet was himself highly grat- 

 ified, both by the brilliant appearance of the collection, and 

 by the admiration of the country, and especially by that of 

 such men as the Hon. Josiah Quincy, the lion. Harrison 

 Gray Otis, Hon. Daniel Webster, Col. David Humphreys, 

 and other eminent individuals who were among the vis- 

 itors. Trains of ladies graced this hall of science ; and thus 

 mute and animated nature acted in unison, in making the 

 cabinet a delightful resort. 



Before his new treasures had been deposited on 

 their shelves, Mr. Silliman had been disturbed in his 

 work by the alarms of war. 



VOL. I. 17 



