Notice of the late Sheldon Clark. 223 



effect in the class that shall be graduated in 1848, the second in 

 1849 — the boon to be conferred on the best scholar, as ascertained 

 by examination, or by lot in cases of equal merit, among those 

 who apply; each successful candidate to enjoy the income of 

 two thousand dollars for two years, upon condition of pursuing a 

 prescribed course of study, and to reside in New Haven nine 

 months in each year, — upon failure of candidates, the income 

 is to be appropriated in premiums for the encouragement of Eng- 

 lish composition, or other branches of learning among the under- 

 graduates of the college. The donor, very wisely, adds a dispen- 

 sing clause, " that the corporation of the college, in whom he 

 reposes special confidence, may, from time to time, make such 

 change in the foregoing regulations as they shall judge best cal- 

 culated to promote the main purpose for which the donation has 

 been made." Upon these conditions, the donation was accepted 

 by the corporation, and will of course, when the prescribed term 

 is completed, be carried into effect. 



This new instance of liberality gave additional pleasure to the 

 friends of learning and education, and produced an active interest 

 in favor of the retired individual — the hard-working Oxford far- 

 mer, whose example had now placed him at the head of the ben- 

 efactors of an ancient literary institution. 



It appears to be incident to human nature, that he who has 

 done either good or evil, especially in a signal manner, is much 

 more prone to go and do likewise again. Mr. Clark, from his 

 acquaintance with the officers of the college, took a particular 

 interest in that painful catastrophe — the wreck of the Liverpool 

 packet-ship Albion, at Kinsale in Ireland, in April, 1822, which 

 deprived the college and the country of a man who, for his early 

 years, left no superior behind him. With the lamented Fisher 

 was lost the large telescope of the college, which he was taking 

 with him to London, to have it put in the best order, for his ob- 

 servations on his return. Mr. Clark, on being informed of this 

 loss, conceived the idea of replacing this valuable instrument 

 with one still better. It was not for him, like a capitalist in a 

 great emporium, simply to will, and then to draw a check for the 

 amount. His contributions (since he did not, in making them, 

 diminish his patrimonial estate derived from his grandfather) 

 were drawn from the results of his own industry and economy, 

 often rendered in small sums as he could obtain payment for his 



