Memoir of William Maclure. 11 



Mr. Maclure's liberality however was not confined to a single 

 institution : the American Geological Society, established as we 

 have already mentioned at New Haven, partook largely of his 

 benefactions, both in books and specimens ; and in reference to 

 these repeated contributions Professor Silliman has expressed the 

 following brief but just and beautiful acknowledgment : " This 

 gentleman's liberahty to purposes of science and humanity has 

 been too often and too munificently experienced in this country, 

 to demand any eulogium from us. It is rare that affluence, libe- 

 rality, and the possession and love of science unite so signally in 

 the same individual."* 



Since the year 1826 the Academy had occupied an edifice in 

 some respects well adapted to its objects ; but the extent and 

 value of the library, suggested to Mr. Maclure the necessity of a 

 fire-proof building. In order to accomplish this object, he first 

 transferred to the Society a claim on an unsettled estate for the 

 sum of five thousand dollars, which was followed in 1837 by a 

 second donation of the same amount. Meanwhile, having ma- 

 tured the plan of the new Hall of the Academy, and having 

 submitted his views to the members, he transmitted in 1838 an 

 additional subscription for ten thousand dollars. 



Thus sustained by the splendid liberality of their venerable 

 President, the Society proceeded without delay in the erection 

 of a new building. The corner-stone was laid, with due form, 

 on the 25th of May, 1839 ; on which occasion an appropriate ad- 

 dress was delivered by Professor Johnson. The edifice thus aus- 

 piciously begun, was conducted without delay to completion ; 

 and the first meeting of the Society within its walls was held 

 on the 7th day of February, 1840. 



Mr. Maclure had fervently desired and fully expected to revisit 

 Philadelphia; but early in the year 1839 his constitution suffer- 

 ed several severe shocks of disease, and from that period age and 

 its varied infirmities grew rapidly upon him. Under these cir- 

 cumstances he became more than ever solicitous to return to the 

 United States, to enjoy again the companionship of his family 

 and friends, and to end his days in that land which had witness- 

 ed alike his prosperity and his munificence. 



He made repeated efforts to accomphsh this last wish of his 

 heart ; and finally arranged with his friend Dr. Burrough, then 

 United States Consul at Vera Cruz, to meet him at Jalapa with 



* American Journal of Science, Vol. iii, p. 362. 



