PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 355 



For him it seemed enough that what was once established, 

 Avould not be willingly let die ; that the medium or the occasion 

 of communication was of comparatively little consequence, if but 

 a, new fact or principle were thrown into proper currency, and 

 duly accepted as part of the world's wealth : and beyond all ordi- 

 nary men he seemed to feel the insignificance of personal fame as 

 compared with the infinite value of truth. For such a man the 

 most appropriate monument would be a full collection of his 

 writings, produced in a worthy and appropriate style of publica- 

 tion. 



PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER. 



Of Henry's personal appearance, it is sufficient to say, that his 

 figure, above the medium height, was finely proportioned ; that 

 his mien and movement were dignified and imposing ; and that on 

 whatever occasion called upon to address an assembly, 



"Witli grave asp^^ct lie rose, and in his rising seemed 

 A pillar of state: deep on his front engraven 

 Deliberation sat, and public care." 



His head and features were of massive mould ; though from the 

 perfect proportion of his form, not too conspicuously so. His 

 expansive brow was crowned with an abundant flow of whitened 

 liair; his lower face always smoothly shaven expressed a mingled 

 gentleness and firmness ; and his countenance of manly symmetry 

 was in all its varying moods, a pleasant study of the mellowing, 

 moulding impress of long years of generous feeling, and a worthy 

 exponent of the fine and thoughtful spirit within : wearing in re- 

 pose a certain pensive but benignant majesty, in the abstraction 

 of study a semblance of constrniued severity, in the relaxation of 

 friendly intercourse a genial frank and winning grace of expres- 

 sion. Like his intimate personal friend Agassiz, he seemed to 

 stand and to move among men as the very embodiment of unfail- 

 ing vigorous health and physical strength, and only a year ago, he 

 walked with as erect and elastic a carriage, — with as firm and 

 sprightly a step, as any one here present. 



It is difficult to attempt even a sketch of Henry's intellectual 

 character, without allusion to his moral attributes ; — so constantly 

 did the latter dominate the former. It may be said that the most 

 characteristic feature of his varied activities was earnestness, and 

 this as usual was the offspring — as much of a moral as of a mental 

 purpose. 



His mind was eminently logical ; and this rational power was 

 exhibited in every department of his theoretical or his practical 

 pursuits. He never showed or felt uneasiness at necessary deduc- 

 tive consequences, if the premises were well considered or appeared 

 to be well founded. If presented with the problem of an untried 



129 



