220 Notice of the late Sheldon Clark. 



scope.* The letter of the class is annexed. I cannot do better, 

 therefore, than to allow him to speak for himself by a quotation 

 from his answer ; — omitting his glowing acknowledgments to the 

 class, he says, 



"Oxford, Nov. 29th, 1832. 

 " Respected Friends — Man is a child of circumstances. While 

 some are born to ease and plenty, seldom meet with disappointments, 

 are surrounded by benevolent friends, always ready to assist, to com- 

 fort, and to afford them the most ample means of enjoying the highest 

 degree of mental culture ; others are born to poverty and servitude, 

 unassisted, even by their nearest relatives, and denied the privilege of 

 obtaining a good common school education, and are often dispirited by 

 disappointments. 



" It was my destiny to belong to the latter class. Early in life I 

 had a tender father, who was in possession of a large amount of prop- 

 erty. He intended, and often promised, that I should have a liberal 

 education — but, alas, before I was old enough to prepare to enter Col- 

 lege, he died, and the estate proved to he insolvent. 



" Thus all my fond hopes of having a liberal education were frus- 

 trated, and I was left fatherless and penniless in a hard, unfeeling, sel- 

 fish world, to provide, by my own industry, to satisfy those positive 

 wants congenial to poor human nature. It fell to my lot to live, till I 

 was of age, with my grandfather, a hard working, parsimonious farmer, 

 but I was allowed the privilege of reading occasionally, on Sundays, 

 stormy days, and in the long nights of winter. From these opportu- 

 nities of reading, I was soon convinced that the power, the honor, and 



* " Yale College, Nov. 17th, 1832. 



" Respected Sir — After enjoying the rare privilege of looking through the large 

 telescope, some acknowledgment to the liberal and high-minded donor, was deem- 

 ed proper and requisite. 



" Not because we supposed the simple expression of our feelings would add 

 lustre to the deed; but, that you. Sir, might know that your generosity was not 

 bestowed on individuals ungrateful for the gratification which they have expe- 

 rienced, and the enlargement of their views in " the sublime science." 



" Actions distinguished for generous munificence, and designed to accomplish a 

 useful and exalted object, claim the admiration of all ; but from those who receive 

 the benefit, they demand not only admiration but gratitude. And considering the 

 circumstances, where shall we look for one which displays this noble quality in a 

 stronger light? Where for one intended to effect a nobler object than the extension 

 of scientific knowledge ? 



" These, Sir, are the sentiments the undersigned committee for the senior class 

 would express, at the same time wishing you all manner of happiness. 



Cornelius Van Santvoord, 

 Samuel Wolcott, 



"To Sheldon Clark, Esq." John C. Beach. 



