Life and Character of Nathaniel Bowditch, 37 



simple fact that my work had reached the hands of one on the 

 outer verge of civilization, who could understand and estimate it, 

 was more gratifying to my feelings than the eulogies of men of 

 science and the commendatory votes of Academies.' " 



He was a singularly modest man. He made no pretensions 

 himself and there was nothing that he so much despised in others. 

 He was remarkably simple in all his manners and intercourse 

 with the world. He put on no airs and assumed no superiority 

 oh the ground of liis intellectual attainments, but placed himself 

 on a level with every one with whom he had any concern. He 

 reverenced integrity and truth wherever he found them, in what- 

 ever condition in life. He felt and showed no respect for mere 

 wealth or rank. He fearlessly rebuked, to his face, the mean and 

 purse-proud nabob, and " condescended to men of low estate." 



Dr. Bowditch used to relate a little anecdote concerning himself,^ 

 which strongly and beautifully illustrates the childlike simplicity 

 and naturalness of his character. 



In the year 1824, when General Lafayette, in his progress 

 through the country, among other places, visited Boston, the may- 

 oralty of the city was filled by the Honorable Josiah Quincy. 

 Dr. Bowditch, in common with all the world, had a curiosity to 

 behold the entrance of the nation's guest into the city ; and ac- 

 cordingly accepted an invitation from a friend, whose house was 

 in Colonnade Row, to take a station on his balcony. - But finding 

 that the chariot wheels tarried, and the General delayed his com- 

 ing, he thought that he should have time to go down to his office 

 to transact a little business, and return in season for the spectacle. 

 But, in the mean time, the procession had arrived and passed on, 

 and was fast advancing to State street. He concluded, therefore, 

 to wait where he was, and, in order to get a nearer and better 

 view, took his stand on the steps of the United States' Bank. 

 On the appearance of the barouche in which Lafayette was seated, 

 Dr. Bowditch remarked, that he was glad to see Mr. duincy at 

 his side ; he was the proper man for that place, being the son of 

 one of the earliest and best of the patriots of the Revolution. 

 " As the shout of the multitude rose unto heaven," he said, " I 

 know not how it happened, but I could not keep my place ; my 

 hat would not stay on my head, nor could I hold my tongue. 

 And to my astonishment, I found myself, all at once, in the midst 

 of the croM^l hj the side of the chaiiot, and shouting with the 



