WILLIAM WILLIAMS MATHER. 409 



As he observed in a letter to a personal friend, who differed 

 from him in regard to a geological question : * I am not wed- 

 ded to any theory, but seek the truth and when found adopt 

 it.' " He was not inclined to court popularity, neither was his 

 manner forbidding. Letters preserved by his family and 

 friends give abundant evidence of the gentleness of his dis- 

 position, the firmness of his principles, and his high sense of 

 honour. 



The supremacy of his will-power over physical pain is il- 

 lustrated in the following anecdote : " While making an exam- 

 ination of coal lands near Pomeroy in Ohio, he was wounded 

 in the second finger of his right hand. This wound induced 

 a partial paralysis, and required an amputation of the finger. 

 The cause of it was supposed to be a snake bite. As soon as 

 he was convinced by the examination that amputation was in- 

 evitable, he directed the surgeon to procure a block, a chisel, 

 and a mallet, and, placing his finger on the block, told him to 

 sever the finger at one blow. This was attempted, but proved 

 a sad failure. The chisel was too thin and highly tempered, 

 and the edge crumbled. Nevertheless he directed the surgeon 

 to go on, and several blows were required before a complete 

 severance could be made ; although in this painful operation 

 the bone was crushed instead of being cut, he bore it without 

 flinching." 



The substantial national reputation as a geologist won by 

 William W. Mather was the result of the steady and conscien- 

 tious application of a natural aptitude. " Not possessing the 

 genius which dazzles," says his friend Austin, " he had the 

 intellect which, continually improved by exercise, achieved 

 valuable results by patient and conscientious industry. What 

 duty demanded, that he performed regardless of consequences, 

 either to himself or others. Not indifferent to fame, he never 

 sought it by doubtful or devious courses. His object was 

 not to enhance his reputation, but faithfully to do the work 

 before him. Through the whole of his active and laborious 

 life of thirty years in the cause of science, in all the various 

 and important public positions which he occupied, no breath of 

 censure assailed his integrity, which was a law of nature with 

 him, rather than a choice or a principle." 



27 



