LARDNER VANUXEM. 



277 



wont frequently to hold it up to his children, that they should 

 make it theirs. 



He had the reputation of being visionary and full of unten- 

 able theories. This may have been true to some extent, and 

 it would certainly have appeared to be the case even if not so, 

 for it was often said by his scientific contemporaries that " he 

 lived too soon, being many years in advance of his times ; peo- 

 ple were not prepared for his discoveries and theories, and 

 therefore not able to appreciate them, even the scientific 

 world." He was considered also " a very peculiar man," which 

 was not surprising, in view of his independence of general 

 opinion, in following out what he considered the right or best 

 course in any matter. As an illustration might be given a 

 description of his equipment for the New York survey. It 

 consisted of a four-wheeled wagon with buggy top, covered 

 with white canvas for coolness, with a box at the back large 

 enough to hold his requirements for the season, and working 

 implements. This was drawn by a large, rusty-brown mule, 

 very far from handsome, but strong, trusty, faithful, with pow- 

 ers of endurance much beyond those of a horse. He was often 

 not a little amused at the comments and ridicule that this 

 equipage provoked, but it was the thing that best answered his 

 purpose, so he went on his way and let them laugh. 



The necessity for turning his acquirements to some pecu- 

 niary advantage, was one of the inducements for Prof. Van- 

 uxem to engage in the New York survey. The working for 

 " pay " was one of the things for which he had a great aver- 

 sion, "a feeling," as he writes, "he never could conquer." He 

 wanted to be able to work for the public without charge and 

 not feel that his time belonged to some one who had a right 

 to its control ; he was too conscientious to feel any freedom 

 when under bonds of this sort. 



Physically Prof. Vanuxem was below the average in height, 

 rather slightly built, active, energetic, with great powers of en- 

 durance, and persevering in whatever he undertook. He was 

 always in good health, being " temperate in all things," and, 

 though often furnishing wine for his guests, declining the use 

 of it himself, as he said he wished to keep his head always per- 

 fectly clear. To tobacco in all its forms he had a great aver- 

 sion. One of his theories was that human life was much too 

 short, either because of too much luxury and self-indulgence 



