68 A Century of Science 



regarding impulses, was our friend, that I believe 

 it would be quite like him to chide us for thus 

 drawing public attention to him, as he would 

 think, with too much emphasis. But such mild 

 reproof it is right that we should disregard; for 

 the memory of a life so beautiful and useful is a 

 precious possession of which mankind ought not to 

 be deprived. 



Edward Livingston Youmans was born in the 

 town of Coeymans, Albany County, N. Y., on the 

 3d of June, 1821. From his father and mother, 

 both of whom survived him, he inherited strong 

 traits of character as well as an immense fund 

 of vital energy, such that the failure of health a 

 few years ago seemed (to me, at least) surpris- 

 ing. His father, Vincent Youmans, was a man of 

 independent character, strong convictions, and per- 

 fect moral courage, with a quick and ready tongue, 

 in the use of which earnestness and frankness per- 

 haps sometimes prevailed over prudence. The 

 mother, Catherine Scofield, was notable for bal- 

 ance of judgment, prudence, and tact. The 

 mother's grandfather was Irish ; and while I very 

 much doubt the soundness of the generalizations 

 we are so prone to make about race characteristics, 

 I cannot but feel that for the impulsive one had 

 almost said explosive warmth of sympathy, the 



