358 LIFE OF BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 



drew towards each other, he to them, they to him. Any 

 one who knew him could see this ; but I witnessed a striking 

 exemplification of it two years ago, during one of his visits 

 to this city. He had asked me to take him to see our iron- 

 clads, and we went, first to see the Keokuk and Roanoke, 

 at the Novelty Iron Works, then to the Green Point Works, 

 also, while there, to Francis' Life-boat Manufactory, and then 

 across New York to one of the new monitors lying in the 

 Hudson. I give here the whole excursion, for it will show 

 his bodily activity at that period of life, since notwithstand- 

 ing my repeated cautions as to fatigue, he was still leading 

 on ; but my chief purpose was to say, that, in every omnibus 

 which we entered, if there were children he immediately 

 noticed them, and quickly made them his friends. Such 

 scenes were quite characteristic of the Professor, and I have 

 seen a great many of them in the course of our numerous 

 excursions together. 



In this connection I may as well remark on his uniform 

 politeness to all the workmen, in "every workshop which we 

 entered ; not a condescending politeness, such as we may 

 sometimes see used by men in high stations, and which is 

 more offensive far than no notice at all, but that which a 

 true gentleman will exhibit towards every one. 



During these thirty-seven years, I have known Professor 

 Silliman, I believe, thoroughly, for he laid himself open to 

 me as probably he did to few persons, and he was indeed 

 always a very transparent person. I have seen him in all 

 situations and under all circumstances, domestic and public ; 

 have seen him honored and applauded, and have stood by 

 him in his trials ; and I believe that in all that intercourse 

 I never knew him to do a wrong act or say a wrong word, 

 or, as far as I could judge, think a wrong thought. This is 

 saying a great deal ; and perhaps some would smile at the 

 extent of the eulogy ; but those who knew him will believe 

 that there is no extravagance in the remark. His life was 

 in exact accordance with his death. Both were beautiful. 



