Fraley. ] 154 [Oct. 19; 
positions for twenty-eight years, and the complete suc- 
cess of the Works in their manifold constructions, 
manufacturing processes, and the safety and extent of 
the distribution attest his marvelous skill and ingenuity. 
In the manufacturing department he was eminently 
successful, and the profits as well as the usefulness of 
the Works have become proverbial. While engrossed 
in such labors the Professorship of Mechanics and 
Natural Philosophy became vacant in the Franklin In- 
stitute, and in 1837, Mr. Cresson was unanimously 
chosen by the Managers to fill it. He accepted the 
appointment, and in this new field he soon took a high 
rank among the scientists of the day. His lectures 
were remarkable in the comprehensive clearness and 
simplicity of their style, and for the fullness and com- 
pleteness of their illustrations, and his old students 
speak of them to this day in the highest terms of praise. 
While he was holding this chair, the Controllers of 
the Public schools of Philadelphia determined to reor- 
ganize the City High School, and placed that work in the 
hands of Professor Alexander Dallas Bache. The plan 
adopted by him embraced a department of Mechanics 
and Natural Philosophy, and upon his recommendation 
Mr .Cresson was elected to the Professorship. He 
held this office for about two years, discharging its 
duties with great fidelity and success, but the time 
taken was found to trench too much on his other en- 
cagements, and he resigned it, to the great regret of 
his associated professors and the students. 
