234 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



teresting instruction, drawn from observations which I have 

 never made, or in countries which I have never visited. I 

 know not a better guide for young travellers, or a work bet- 

 ter suited to enlighten those who would gain a knowledge 

 of foreign lands in the quiet repose of their firesides. 

 Where will you go next ? You have not yet encompassed 

 the globe, though you have taken long strides, and stood on 

 some of its highest peaks. What think you of the won- 

 derful East, &c. ? " Laus a laudato viro. 



His bodily vigor did not lead him to forget that 

 many additional years of life here were not to be 

 expected. 



My Birthday ) August 8, 1854. It is a solemn crisis when 

 an individual has lived seventy-five years in this world! 

 How few are favored with so long a lease of life ! How 

 few are permitted to enjoy unimpaired health and mental 

 power at so advanced an age ! I am surprised at myself, 

 almost alarmed, lest I should be lulled into an undue confi- 

 dence in life. The frequent and warm salutations which I 

 receive, and the strong manifestations of surprise at my 

 appearance as regards vigor and the absence of the decays 

 of age, are adapted to make one put off the fear of death, 

 and indulge in dreams of still longer life. I endeavor to 

 repress this confidence, and to realize that the day is far 

 spent, and that the night of death may be near at hand. The 

 religious views which I have expressed on many of these 

 recurring anniversaries remain unchanged. If I have a 

 hop.- full of immortality, I trust I shall be willing to put off 

 tliis mortal coil, whenever God shall call me home. I wait 

 his call, which may be sudden. 



On the 13th of June, 1855, he concluded all his 

 courses of lectures in College, and uttered his feel- 

 ings in the following 



