6 
1883.) 241 {Robinson. 
OBITUARY NOTICE OF HENRY SEYBERT. 
By Moncurr Rosrnson. 
(Read before the American Philosophical Society, October 5, 1888. 
of 
Mr. PrestpENT AND GENTLEMEN: 
I have occasionally, when asked to write an obituary 
notice of a departed friend, felt, as a prominent citizen 
in the earlier days of our Republic is said to have 
replied, when asked if he would accept a nomination 
to the Presidency, “The office” (his reply was) “is one 
not to be sought or declined.” ‘The eminent and vir- 
tuous citizen who, sixty years ago, made this reply, 
made it in view of the immense responsibility of the 
office. But, Mr. President, more or less responsibility 
attaches to the performance of all the duties of life, 
and the writer of a brief sketch of the life of a de- 
parted fellow-citizen, for the information of the public, 
is obliged to recollect the motto “de mortuts nil nisi 
verum,’ as well as that “de mortuis nil nist bonum,” 
None of us, sir, are infallible, or free from the frailties 
which pertain to our humanity, and we should act 
tenderly and affectionately, as well as truly, in dealing 
with either frailties or mistakes, especially when, as in 
the case of our departed friend, they were only pecadt- 
arities not amounting to a fracture, or a flaw, or evena 
blemish, in the escutcheon of a life of blended useful- 
ness and goodness. 
The friend, Mr. Seybert, of whom you have re- 
PROC. AMER, PHILOS. 800. xxi. 114. 28. PRINTED NOVEMBER 7, 18838. 
