American colleges, and have seen in how short a time the favorite seat of 

 learning can change from place to place . . . have seen flourishing institu- 

 tions reduced to comparative inefficiency by the loss of great scholars and 

 vigorous investigators of science. It is questionable whether Harvard is not 

 already suffering in this direction, whether there is not too profuse an expen- 

 diture upon class-teaching, and whether the outlay to supply the loss of the 

 higher and the more inspiring instruction, which is given by such men as 

 Felton and Agassiz and Wyman and \Vinlock, is not unfortunately restricted. 

 Enthusiasm, which is the highest clement of successful instruction, can best 

 be imparted near the fountain-head, where the springs of knowledge flow 

 purest, and where the waters are undiluted by the weakening influence of 

 text-book literature." 



Those who stood near Professor Peirce in these later years know well 

 that he did not share the cool indifference, still less the irreverent aversion 

 to the Father of souls, which has been a growing evil among men of science. 

 He did verily believe in the human soul, and of course in the divine soul ; 

 and he saw no reason and had no wish to avoid the consequences of that be- 

 lief. It was no doubt with this thought in mind, as well as from his admira- 

 tion for Professor Harris and others concerned in the Concord School of 

 Philosophy, that he welcomed it so cordially and counselled them so wisely 

 respecting it. He alone of the Cambridge professors was consulted in 

 advance concerning it ; and perhaps he was the only one among them who 

 could then have foreseen, as he did, its mission and its probable success, or 

 who would have lent his name and voice to the undertaking. For this, and 

 for many evidences of friendly support in causes that appeal but faintly to 

 populaf recognition, at least in their early stages, some of us cherish with 

 renewed affection the memory of this public-spirited man. 



Of his special work in science, others can better speak, or have already 

 spoken. But it may here be said that he never overvalued his services in this 

 direction : he was willing to be esteemed for less than he had done, and 

 could join most heartily in the praise of others who perhaps owed their im- 

 pulse to him. Modest and magnanimous,, but not unobservant, his ambition 

 for personal distinction was early and easily satisfied ; and he thus rid himself 

 of what is to most men of science a perturbing, and too often an ignoble, ele- 

 ment of discomfort. America has nothing to regret in his career but that it 

 must now be closed ; while her people have much to learn from his long and 

 honorable life. F. B. S. 



CONCORD, Oct. 7, 1880. 



