CHAPTER XXVI. 



HIS CLOSING YEARS: THE WAR: HIS RELIGIOUS 

 THOUGHTS. 



The Agreeableness of his Home : His Occupations. Progress of Science 

 in Yale College. The Scientific School. Benefactions of Mr. Shef- 

 field. Honors from the Scientific Association. Tributes of Respect. 

 His Patriotic Interest in the War. Letters to Miss Eliza Quincy: Rem- 

 iniscences of Lafayette ; Emancipation ; Character of the Rebellion ; Con- 

 duct of France and England; the Death of President Quincy. Letters 

 to Rev. Dr. Sprague. Letters to Miss Maggie Lindsley, of Nashville. 

 The New Year (1861). Death of Judge Williams and President Fel- 

 ton. Birthday (1862). New Year (1863). Birthday (1863). 

 Commemoration of his Grandfather, (Mr. Fish,) at Stonington. Letter 

 from Dr. Hitchcock. Letter from Mr. S. F. B. Morse. Birthday 

 (1864). Death of Dr. Knight. 



THE situation of Professor Silliman in the last 

 years of his life was happier than usually falls to the 

 lot of men. Though never rich, he was free fi^om 

 want and provided with competent means of sup- 

 port.* His health, considering his advanced age, was 

 remarkably sound. He was seldom confined to the 

 house by any bodily indisposition. His home was 

 as pleasant as the love and care of a devoted wife 

 could make it. On the one side of him was his son, 

 Mr. Silliman, and on the other, his son-in-law, Mr. 

 Dana, the house of each being separated from him 



* His income was increased by the salary which he received as Presi- 

 dent of the " American Mutual Life Insurance Company," an office which 

 he held for about fifteen years, and resigned January 1, 1863. The duties 

 of this station were not onerous, and they were fulfilled to the entire satis- 

 faction of the Company. 



