5212 Memoir of Rev. John Prince, LL. D. 



or be changed for those of agriculture and science ? How often have I 

 wished 1 had power to turn all hearts to the rules of Christianity, and 

 correct every passion and sentiment which does not accord with it. 

 Then I would next turn every ship of war into a telescope of equal 

 magpitude and power, and send its commander on a cruise to make 

 discoveries in the ocean of the universe. But, stop ! we must not 

 anticipate the order and method of Providence, who, in his time, 

 will, I doubt not, produce this revolution in favor of human nature." 



Dr. Prince was eminently learned in almost every department of 

 Natural Philosophy. And what he knew, it was his great delight to 

 communicate. His visitors were introduced, through his admirable 

 apparatus and specimens, to the wonders of Astronomy, Optics, 

 Pneumatics, Botany, Mineralogy, Chemistry, and Entomology. 

 Indeed there is nothing beautiful, brilliant, dazzling, or rich, in any 

 department of the outward world, which the ingenuity and skill 

 of man has yet been able to explore, that he did not spread out 

 before them. And all was illustrated, explained, and set forth, 

 with a facility, a clearness, a sprightliness of manner, which never 

 failed to charm the admiring listener. As an experimental lecturer 

 and operator, in his own parlor and surrounded by his private friends, 

 he was never surpassed by any public professor of science. The 

 delightful amenity and simplicity of his manners and spirit were in 

 admirable harmony with the genius of science itself, and he never 

 explored the glorious mysteries and glittering recesses of nature, 

 without discerning, and causing all others to discern and adore, tra- 

 ces of the power and wisdom of its author. Wherever he walked 

 with science there he walked with God. Whenever he led another 

 into the hidden halls of nature's temple, he taught him to pay glad 

 and admiring homage to the enshrined divinity. 



Dr. Prince brought his scientific skill and learning to contribute 

 to the diffusion of useful instruction and refined entertainment in a 

 great variety of ingenious methods. He was as much interested in 

 man, as in nature. His knowledge of the history and usages of na- 

 tions was very extensive. All the arts of civilized and social life 

 had engaged his study. In architecture, painting, and the fine arts 

 generally, his taste was highly cultivated. His collection of engra- 

 vings and specimens was very extensive and curious. By means 

 of optical instruments he was enabled to make a most satisfactory 

 display of all these treasures of knowledge. In the course of a win- 

 ter's evening, his delighted visitor, sitting all the while quietly in his 



