32 Life and Character of Nathaniel Boioditch. 



pose that politics is the only or the principal avenue to endu- 

 ring fame? Is the science of government the only one worth 

 studying, or are civil honors the only ones worth aspiring to?. 

 It seems to me that the young men of competent abilities among 

 us, .who aim at distinction, those certainly who have leisure 

 and property, might quite as securely seek it in the retired and 

 quiet walks of science and literature, as in the bustling and 

 dusty paths of political life. Are the names of Newton and Mil- 

 ton less eminent than those of Chatham and Fox? Do they 

 not stir the spirit as soon ? ay, even as soon as those of Marlbo- 

 rough and Wellington? Are C'uvier and La Place names less 

 likely to live than those of the statesmen and marshals of France ? 

 Which are the two greatest names in our own annals, the best 

 known and the most honored the world over ? First, Washing- 

 ton ; then Franklin ; and the latter chiefly as a philosopher, from 

 his attainments and discoveries in science. 



The example and success of Dr. Bowditch are full of incite- 

 ment and encouragement to our young men in this particular, and 

 should especially stimulate those who have leisure and fortune, to 

 do something lo enable our country to take a respectable place in 

 science and letters among the other nations of the earth ; so that 

 the stigma shall not adhere to us af being a race of unlettered 

 repubhcans. Let them look, too, at more than one recent and 

 successful attempt among us in the department of history.* How 

 much may they not accomplish ? And into what pleasant fields 

 will they not be led ? Into the various departments of natural 

 history, the difl"erent walks of exact science, the rich and instruc- 

 tive annals of our own country, and the delightful province of 

 general literature and philosophy. Let them labor in this field, 

 which will reward all their efl'orts, instead of delving in a stony 

 and sterile soil. 



I have no fear that the path of politics will be deserted, or that 

 the republic will sufler detriment from the absence of candidates 

 for its oifices and emoluments. Alas ! these will always be too 

 attractive ; and what we chiefly need is some counteracting influ- 

 ence, some striking example, like that of Dr. Bowditch, to con- 



* Mr. Prescott's " Histoiy of the Reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic," 

 already alluded to, and Mr. George Bancroft's '• History of the United States." 

 These are vejy important and honorable contributions to the growing literature of 

 our country; and we rejoice that we can claim them as the works of New-England 

 men. 



