276 MEMORIAL OF JOSEPH HENRY. 



the occasion : " If I go, I shall probably exchange permanent fa«ne 

 for transient reputation." 



With the assurance of the Trustees of the College of New Jersey, 

 that should he fail to realize his programme, or should he satisfac- 

 torily accomplish his apostolic purpose, his chair should always be 

 at his command, with a hearty welcome back, Henry, neither spurred 

 by over-confidence, nor depressed with undue timidity, though filled 

 with anxious solicitude for the future, accepted the appointment 

 tendered to him. He removed with his family to Washington, 

 December 14, 1846, and at once commenced his administration of 

 the duties assigned to him by the Regents of the Institution. 



Summoned thus to the occupancy of a. new and untried field, and 

 to the discharge of essentially executive functions, he from the first 

 displayed a clearness and promptness of judgment, a singleness and 

 steadiness of aim, a firmness and consistency of decision, combined 

 with a practical sagacity and moderation in adapting his course to 

 the exigencies of adverse conditions, which stamped him as a most 

 able and successful administrator. Without concealment and with- 

 out diplomacy, his distinctly avowed principle of action was steadily 

 and patiently pursued. * With honest submission to the controlling 

 'Act of Congress, he made as honest avowal of his desire and of 

 his endeavor to have' that legislation modified. Hampered by pro- 

 visions he deemed unwise and injurious, he yet skillfully managed 

 to reconcile contestant interests, and to secure the entire confidence 

 and concurrence of the Regents. Henceforth his purpose and his 

 effort were to be directed to the unique object of encouraging and 

 fostering the development of what has so flippantly been designated 

 "useless knowledge;" and merging self in the comnuinity of physi- 

 cal inquirers and collaborators, to become the high-priest of abstract 

 investigation; — prepare(,l to lend all practicable assistance to that 

 small but earnest band of nature-students, who inspired by no aims 

 of material utility, seek from their mistress as the only reward of 

 their devotion, a closer intimacy, a higher knowledge of truth. f 



*See "Supplement," Note J. 



fHENBY has finely said: "Let censure or ridicule fall elsewhere,— on those 

 whose lives are passed without labor and without object; but let praise and honor 

 be bestowed on liira who seeks with unwearied ))atience to develop tlje order, 

 harmony, and beauty of even tlie smullest part of God's creation. A life devoted 



