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what he did not execute thoroughly. He united 

 amplification and condensation to such a degree, that 

 he could call in his forces, and concentrate them at 

 will ; and the base of his operations was always so 

 wisely chosen, that he could bring them to bear in a 

 given point, whenever the emergency required. Those, 

 who thought he unwisely extended the range of his 

 inquiries, and because they were men of one idea, fan- 

 cied that all men were like them, did not understand 

 the man. He had a department in his brain for each 

 topic he pursued, and had so systematized his plans, 

 that he could either put you in possession of all that 

 was profound in either, or else give you the authority, 

 that was essential to its completeness. I dwell upon 

 this, because it is possible, that some of the learned 

 men of our day may have supposed, that want of 

 thoroughness must have been the characteristic of a 

 mind so boundless in its excursions. Superficiality 

 was a thing he detested; and I am here to-night to 

 vindicate his character in this respect. If superficial, 

 show in what he was ; or else, for decency's sake, for- 

 bear to immolate him on a theory, which, however it 

 may hold true in ordinary cases, is utterly false as the 

 measurement of extraordinary genius. 



The admirable Crichton, the great Scotchman, grad- 

 uated at twelve, was master of arts at fourteen, spoke 

 and wrote ten different languages, was familiar with 

 science in all its departments, and died at twenty- 

 three. Perhaps he was the nearest approach to our 

 lamented friend, of whom there is any record made. 



Professor Alexander was skilled in the art of letter- 

 writing. His penmanship was beautiful. If the letter 

 was on business, it was so clear and lucid in order, 

 and so rich in detail, that nothing was left to be 

 desired ; and then there was always some delicate 

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