250 Memoir of the Life of Eli Whitney. 



course with the best society. He had an energy of character, which 

 carried him through difficuhies, too formidable for ordinary minds. 



. " With these advantages, he entered on the career of Hfe. His 

 efforts were crowned with success. An ample competency was the 

 reward of his industry and skill. He had gained the respect of all 

 classes of the community. His opinions were regarded with pecul- 

 iar deference, by the man of science, as well as the practical artist. 

 His large and liberal views, his knowledge of the world, the wide 

 range of his observations, his public spirit, and his acts of beneficence, 

 had given him a commanding influence in society. The gentleness 

 and refinement of his manners, and the delicacy of his feelings in 

 the social and domestic relations, had endeared him to a numerous 

 circle of relatives and friends. 



" And what were his reflections in review of the whole, in con- 

 nection with the distressing scenes of the last period of hfe ? " All is 

 as the flower of the grass : the wind passeth over it, and it is gone." 

 All on earth is transient ; all in eternity is substantial and enduring. 

 His language was, " I am a sinner. But God is merciful. The only 

 ground of acceptance before him, is through the great Mediator." 

 From this mercy, through this Mediator, is derived our solace under 

 this heavy bereavement. On this, rest the hopes of the mourners, 

 that they shall meet the deceased with joy, at the resurrection of the 

 just." 



In his person, Mr. Whitney was considerably above the ordinary 

 size, of a dignified carriage, and of an open, manly and agreeable 

 countenance. His manners were conciliatory, and his whole ap- 

 pearance such as to inspire universal respect. Among his particular 

 friends, no man was more esteemed. Some of the earliest of his 

 intimate associates were also among the latest. With one or two of 

 the bosom friends of his youth, he kept up a correspondence by letter 

 for thirty years, with marks of continually increasing regard. His 

 sense of honor was high, and his feelings of resentment and indig- 

 nation occasionally strong. He could, however, be cool when his 

 opponents were heated ; arid, though sometimes surprised by passion, 

 yet the unparalleled trials of patience which he had sustained, did 

 not render him petulant, nor did his strong sense of the injuries he 

 had suffered in relation to the Cotton Gin, impair the natural serenity 

 of his temper. 



But the most remarkable trait in the character of Mr. Whitney, 

 aside from his inventive powers, was his perseverance ; and this is 



