Life and Character of Nathaniel BoiodAtch. 35 



science of departed sages and philosophers, who seem to look 

 down upon him benignantly from their quiet places, and sponta- 

 neously and silently to give forth to him their instructions. On 

 entering this, the noblest repository of scientific works in the coun- 

 try, I almost fancy I hear him saying with Heinsius, the keeper 

 of the library at Ley den, "I no sooner come into my library, 

 than I bolt the door after me, excluding ambition, avarice, and all 

 such vices : and, in the very lap of eternity, amidst so many di- 

 vine souls, I take my seat with so lofty a spirit and such sweet 

 content, that I pity all the great and rich who know not this hap- 

 piness." 



It may be here remarked, that although mathematics was his 

 chief and favorite pursuit. Dr. Bowditch still had a taste and love 

 for general literature. He was fond of Shakspeare and Milton, 

 and remembered and could repeat whole passages from their 

 works. He loved, too, the poetry of Burns and our own Bryant 

 and Sprague. Many of his favorite pieces he not only had by 

 heart, but also had them written down, for convenience' sake, on 

 the covers of his mathematical common-place book. I recollect, 

 among others, thus copied off, " The Cotter's Saturday Night," 

 a selection which evinced at the same time his good feeling and 

 his good taste. I also recollect observing on the covers and blank 

 leaves of his copy of Newton's Principia many commendatory 

 verses on Newton, selected from Voltaire and other French poets. 



But I must hasten on to speak, as briefly and comprehensively 

 as I can, of what is the most important part of every man — name- 

 ly, his moral and religious character — the qualities of his heart, 

 and his principles of action. 



Dr. Bowditch was a man of unsullied purity, of rigid integrity, 

 and uncompromising principle. Through life, truth seems to 

 have been at once the great object of his pursuit, and his ruling 

 principle of action. " Follow Truth," might have been the 

 motto on his escutcheon. '■'■Truth! Truth! Truth!'''' were among 

 his last words to one whom he dearly loved. He was himself 

 perfectly transparent. A child could see through him. There 

 was no opaqueness in his heart, any more than in his intellect. 

 It was as clear as crystal, and the rays of moral truth were trans- 

 mitted through it without being refracted or tinged. In all his 

 intercourse and transactions he was remarkably frank and candid. 

 He revealed himself entirely. He had no secrets. He kept noth^ 



