OBITUARY. 27 



men pursue the pathway that guided a Fulton to such a niche in the 

 temple of fame, and that made him the benefactor of his race. 



Years, if they had in any degree moderated the ardor of his mind 

 in scientific pursuits, they had by no means extinguished the high 

 purposes of his scientfic studies in early life. Till the sun of life went 

 down so serenely beyond his three score years and ten, leaving not a 

 speck to mar the beauty of the scene, he never lost his first love for 

 his favorite studies, and now, when his venerable form has been 

 removed from among us, it affords a true, although melancholy 

 pleasure to preserve recollections so honorable to a departed friend, 

 recollections tod that may stimulate others to follow in a course of 

 high and noble purposes. 



This is not the place, and this is not the time to refer with any 

 degree of minuteness to his works on scientific subjects or scientific 

 men. They live to speak for themselves. This much, however, we 

 wish and ought to say, that there is a grand practical purpose laid 

 open in them all. His works on scientific subjects and scientific 

 men, were regarded by himself as he meant they should be by every 

 one, as merely stepping stones to conduct the youthful mind to an 

 acquaintanceship Avith the important and delightful subjects of which 

 they treat, and subjects too that promise so much good to the human 

 family. By the labors of such men as James Renwick, the United 

 States has risen to a point of greatness in scientific knowledge, as 

 well as in moral and physical power, that ranks her among the fore- 

 most nations of the earth. 



She has had her warriors and her statesmen that are assuredly 

 inferio]> to few in other lands, and whose wisdom and heroism have 

 been recognized throughout the world, but her men of science and 

 literature have fully contributed their share to raise her to truest 

 greatness and power ; and now, when he has left us, now when his 

 breath can no longer fan the fires that he so delighted to see burning 

 upon the altars of science throughout the land, he has not left us 

 destitute. He has left many noble sons of science who will continue 

 to lay these ofierings on the altars of science, that will keep them 

 brightly burning. The belief of this pleasing thought must be con- 

 firmed in the minds of all who enjoy the pleasure of only occasion- 

 ally attending the meetings of the Polytechnic Association of the 

 American Institute. Even at the risk of offending good taste, it 

 ought to be known, that at these meetings on every subject brought 

 forward for discussions, there is an amount of talent and of know- 

 ledge displayed, that not only highly qualifies and enriches the mind, 

 but fills it with admiration of the men who give so freely their time 

 and the results of their laborious studies, to enlighten their fellow- 

 citizens on such important subjects. 



