THE INCORPORATORS 113 



research. He lectured almost entirely from notes, which, as 

 a rule, were not afterwards elaborated for the press. His best 

 and most important works, in addition to the paper mentioned 

 above are, " The Fundamental Principles of Mathematics " ; 

 " The Origin of the Forms and the Present Condition of the 

 Clusters of Stars and Several of the Nebulae," and " Certain 

 Harmonies of the Solar System." American astronomy owes 

 much to the diligence with which he pursued his study of that 

 branch of science and to his long-continued efforts in the train- 

 ing of youth. 



Stephen Alexander had a scholarly interest in a great variety 

 of subjects. He was a linguist of more than common attainments 

 and was well versed and deeply interested in literature, history, 

 philosophy, theology, mathematics, and several other branches 

 of learning. He also wrote very good poetry. He died in 1883. 



(From C. A. YOUNG, in Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of 

 Sciences, vol. 2, 1886, pp. 249-259.) 



ALEXANDER DALLAS BACHE 

 Born, July 19, 1806; died, February 17, 1867 



Professor Bache was in every way a remarkable man. His 

 scholarship was without a flaw, he had a deep sense of responsi- 

 bility, and he possessed to an extraordinary degree that rare 

 power of influencing his fellowmen, beating down their opposi- 

 tion and molding them to his wishes, whereby he was enabled 

 to carry out the plans which he conceived for the promotion of 

 the welfare of mankind. He was a great-grandson of Benjamin 

 Franklin, and was born in Philadelphia on July 19, 1806. His 

 mental abilities were conspicuous even when he was in the lower 

 schools. At the early age of 15 years he entered the U. S. 

 Military Academy at West Point as a cadet, and was graduated 

 in 1825 at the head of his class of which he was the youngest 

 member. He was immediately appointed an assistant professor 

 and afforded opportunities to extend his studies. At the end of 

 a year he was at his own request detailed to assist Colonel Totten 

 who was then engaged in the construction of Fort Adams at 



