126 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



which so. admirably qualified hira to be the moderator of opinions 

 in a body comiwsed of zealous and independent workers in nearly 

 every department of scientific research. 



Resolved, That while we are called to sit in the shadow of a great 

 bereavement, which naturally casts its- deepest gloom on those who, 

 like ourselves, were daily admitted to the privilege of his personal 

 friendship and to the precious opportunities afforded by his sagacious 

 and logical suggestions and wide erudition, as well as by his ready 

 co-operation in every enterprise which had for its object the exten- 

 sion of knowledge or the promotion of human welfare, we at the 

 same time feel that we should be culpably insensible to the surviving 

 radiance of the bright example he has set us, if even here, in the 

 presence of his unfilled grave, we did not testify and record our 

 solemn thanksgiving for the length of days accorded to our revered 

 friend and illustrious exemplar, permitted as he was to extend his 

 useful life beyond the period usually allotted to man, and not only 

 filling that life with abundant labors which have reflected the 

 highest honor on science, but also adorning it with the moral 

 virtues and Christian graces which made him as lovely for the 

 beauty and simplicity of his nature as he was remarkable for the 

 strength and dignity of his.high and noble character. 



Resolved, That when we transfer our thoughts from the precincts 

 of this Society, within which he has shed so long and so graciously 

 the mild light of his high and varied intelligence, to that wider 

 arena in which he moved as minister and interpreter of nature, 

 plucking out the heart of her hidden mysteries, — as teacher of 

 ingenuous youth, quickening in their minds an ardent love of 

 knowledge, — as apostle of science, deeply imbued with reverence 

 for his holy calling, — as unselfish worker for the Government, 

 serving it even unto death in so many fields of useful and unre- 

 warded activity, — and above all, when we refer to his long and 

 beneficent career as Director of the great institution to which 

 Smithson gave his name, but to which Henry has given the 

 distinctive direction and specific character which compose the chief 

 element of its glory in the past and constitute the highest pledge 

 of its usefulness in the future, we are filled with admiration not 

 only for the variety and depth of his lore, and for the amplitude 



