HIS DOMESTIC CHARACTER. 359 



I never saw him angry ; but his indignation at matters 

 requiring such feeling was prompt, and showed itself in 

 decisive words and acts ; his impulses were quick, but 

 always generous and noble, and they formed a very pleasing 



part of his character His religion was a constant 



flame, brightening his own path, and giving light to all 

 around him. 



The love of esteem was an evident trait of Mr. 

 Silliman. It was manifested from early life. Every 

 reader of these volumes will notice the satisfaction 

 he took in the appreciation accorded to his labors, 

 and in his extending fame. It would be a grave 

 error, however, to conclude that he had a sensibility 

 to admiration, which amounted to a weakness. He 

 had too much self-respect to turn out of his path to 

 seek applause ; he was as far as possible removed 

 from the spirit of envy and detraction ; and the desire 

 of esteem was not the mainspring of his exertions. 

 On the contrary, he was as frank as he was courteous, 

 in avowing his opinions to those who differed from 

 him, and he would instantly risk or sacrifice his pop- 

 ularity rather than desert a principle. While he was 

 thus established in his integrity, he neither felt nor 

 affected a cynical indifference to the favorable opinion 

 of his fellow-men ; and the pleasure which their ap- 

 probation and respect gave him, was more apparent 

 in his case than in that of men who are less apt to 

 expose their feelings. 



When we cross Mr. Silliman's threshold and see 

 him in his own family, the most attractive side of his 

 character is presented to view. Here the force and 

 gentleness that were blended in his nature, appeared 

 in his mild but firm sway over his children. Here 



