218 Memoir of Dr. Douglass Houghton. 
Thus passed his boyhood. Before its ordinary period was 
elapsed, a career of honorable distinction opened to him. His 
talents and studious habits led to his selection from the county of 
Chautauque, to be educated at the Rensselaer High School, at 
Troy, at that time under the charge of Prof. Amos Eaton, and 
enjoying that high reputation which, under his direction, it sus- 
tained for so many years. Here he graduated and received his 
diploma as Bachelor of Arts, in Oct., 1829. He remained as an 
assistant instructor, and in February of the year following, re- 
ceived from Prof. Eaton the appointment of Assistant Professor in 
the branches of Che istry and Natural History. Prof. Eaton 
stated to the Board that this arrangement was temporary, for he 
was sure Mr. Houghton would receive a higher appointment as 
soon as the proper authorities could act. 
In Nov., 1830, some friends of science in Detroit applied to 
Prof. Eaton to recommend them a person qualified to deliver a 
course of public lectures on chemistry, geology, mineralogy and 
natural philosophy. The Hon. Lucins Lyon was deputed to 
Wait in person upon the Professor. Having heard the request, 
Prof Eaton opened the door of the laboratory, where young 
Houghton was engaged, and calling him by his familiar name of 
Douglass, presented him to Mr. Lyon, as the person he required. 
Small and extremely youthful in appearance, it was some time 
before Mr. Lyon ce be satisfied that the Professor was in 
earnest in this recommendation. But these donbts were speedily 
removed, and well did the young candidate justify the opmion of 
his instructor and friend. Still retaining his professorship, 
gladly obtained leave of absence, and immediately departed for 
Detroit. With his lectures there, commenced his career in Michi- 
. It is no small testimony to his merit, that at a gay military 
post, devoted to amusement, and at an age when few have acquired 
the art of imparting as well as receiving instruction, he succeed- 
ed in captivating all hearts to his favorite pursuits. His lecture 
soon became the preferred resort, even of those who had been 
accustomed to look for enjoyment only in balls and pleasure 
parties. cute 
_ Having pursued the study of medicine, Mr. Houghton w 
in the spring of 1831, admitted to practice, by the Medical So- 
ciety of Chautauque Co. At this period he also received the ap- 
pointment of Physician and Botanist to the expedition to the 
sources of the Mississippi, organized under the direction of Henry 
R. Schoolcraft, Esq., aud his able report on the botany of that 
remote country not only shewed an extensive acquaintance 
that science, but his researches did much to extend our knowl- 
dge of the flora of the Northwest, as well as to establish his 
slice ge 
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