160 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



better known to our readers by his very numerous contributions to 

 meterolog}' and astronomy. He was one of the first to point out the ex- 

 istence of the August period of shooting stars,^^) [jig observatious having 

 been published before reports of European discoveries had reached this 

 country. Our knowledge of a shower in December and of one in April 

 is mostly due to him. His catalogue of showers in past times/'*' which 



stances have been added by those who have since labored in the same field. 



For many years he was a constant observer of the Aurora Borealis, and 

 by his zeal influenced many others to make similar observations. Ha 

 first called attention to the frequent occurrence of this meteor in summer, 

 at a time when the opinion was general that it was chiefly if not entirely 

 confined to the winter months/^) a subject vividly brought to his notice 

 by a remarkable Aurora on the 1st of July, 1837^^). 



Science, with Mr. Herrick, was only the recreation of a laborious life of 

 business. Trained as a bookseller, and for a time conducting that business 

 on his own account, he was in 1843 chosen Librarian of Yale Coli.-^. 

 and, in 1852, Treasurer of the same Institution, holding the latter (>;" 

 until his death. Mr. Herrick was eminent for his knowledge of 1 ^ 

 and precise memory of all that related to them. We copy the fui! 

 from an appreciative notice of Mr. Herrick which appeared' in the '• i' 

 Journal," for June 12th, 1862 : 



" In that varied and miscellaneous knowledge which wascongenial to s 

 person of his comprehensive curiosity, his active habits, and his iron dili- 

 gence, he had scarcely his equal in the University, and the extensive 

 correspondence which he maintained for years with persons of varied 

 pursuits, residing in every part of the country, and in Europe, is both an 

 evidence that his knowledge was extensive and highly prized, and a mon- 

 ument to his industry and his disinterestedness. As a man of busii; ■-■ 



juickness, sagacity, and the rarest intt.-^'i.y' 

 The whole community knew him as one of the few in whom all nii-'" 

 confide, and whom none could possibly suspect His reputatiini iu - 

 respects was such as but few mortals attain or deserve. 



As a friend he was affectionate and true — spending his ser^ici.- 

 care for all that needed them, and often doing this with a ]a\> 

 Few men have cherished so sacredly, and have exemplified so i 

 the saying of the Lord Jesus : " It is more blessed to give than to ; 

 His habits of life, interesting and peculiar as they were, — his gt-n 



nd his good-natured asceticisms, — his charming simpin 

 delight in nature, — his generous readiness to serve his friends, — 

 ness to the poor, — his genuine, yet never malignant, hatred of <^i'; 

 injustice and trickery, — his pining love for his mother, with mai.; 

 less traits, peculiar and unique, were wrought together into a cliiira ' 

 rare interest to the friends who delighted in his society, and never i.o.i--' ■ 

 to wonder at the singular, yet not inharraonius, blending of traits a}l'i" 

 priate to Socrates and the x\postle John." • , 



It was in harmony with his deep modesty of character tliat he orJer^^^ 

 that his funeral should be private, and that no eulogy u[>on his life shou 

 be pronounced. 



