1881.] ^^^ [Brinton. 



a newly acquired property, called at that time Chickiswalungo. The 

 young student found business even more tedious than college routine, and 

 relates of himself at this time, "I developed a taste for rainy weather and 

 impassable roads ; then I could remain undisturbed in the perusal of my 

 books, a supply of which I kept in a back office, where I retired as soon as 

 the sky looked threatening." This taste for rainy days was not fictitious 

 and remained with him during his life. 



In 1835, Mr. Haldeman married Miss Mary A. Hough, a lady whose emi- 

 nent qualities and devotion to his interests greatly aided to render his after 

 success possible. Ably taking upon herself those cares which a growing 

 family entail, she left him leisure for the pursuit of his favorite projects, 

 and it was in consequence of her wish that he wrote his essay on Analyti- 

 cal Orthography, whicli, though not more important than his other works, 

 gained him an European reputation. 



Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Haldeman, with his wife, occupied the 

 residence built for him by his father at Chickies, and became a silent part- 

 ner in the iron business conducted by his brothers. Dr. Edwin and Paris 

 Haldeman. Here books and cabinets accumulated under his laborious 

 hands, only to be scattered again and give place to others when his insatia- 

 ble appetite for knowledge led him into new fields of investigation. For 

 forty-five years he spent most of his time in his library, where in his 

 vigorous manhood he worked sixteen hours a day. For though he accept- 

 ed several professorships and delivered a number of courses of lectures, he 

 did so with reluctance, preferring to be master of his time and to spend it 

 in the quiet of home. 



In person, Mr. Haldeman was of middle height, with small, well formed 

 , hands and feet, a large and remarkably round head, giving great breadth 

 across from ear to ear; high forehead, Roman nose, full lips, black eyes, 

 and in youth a quantity of black hair, which at his death was of snowy 

 whiteness. Long before it was usual in America he wore a moustache and 

 beard, not for adornment but for convenience. In speaking, he had a clear 

 enunciation, penetrating voice, and much readiness at repartee. His 

 movements were rapid, his disposition cheerful, his general liealth excel- 

 lent, and his interest in science unflagging to the end of his life, his latest 

 occupation for leisure moments being the forming of an archaeological col- 

 lection, in which he took great pleasure, and the advancement of the spell- 

 ing reform. 



His death took place suddenly at seven o'clock, Friday evening, Septem- 

 ber 10, 1880. On returning from the meeting of the American Association 

 for the Advancement of Science, held at Boston, August 23d, he com- 

 plained of fatigue, but insisted on occupying his librarj- as usual. A physi- 

 cian being sent for advised rest, but it was only on Friday morning that 

 he could be induced to keep his bed. The physician paid him a long visit 

 on Friday afternoon, and Mr. Haldeman conversed cheerfully for about an 

 hour ; only once he complained of weakness, and fixing his eyes on the 

 doctor, asked, "Do you think this could be the breaking up of my sys- 



