Benjamin Silliman. 7 
Henry’s Chemistry and Bakewell’s Geology, for the use of his 
pupils, and also published a work on Chemistry, in two volumes. 
is long labors for science brought him honors from all parts 
of the world. His name is on the roll of several of the prin- 
cipal scientific Academies or Societies of Europe, and of those 
is own country. He was one of the original members of the 
National Academy of Sciences, and a Regent of the Smithsonian 
Institution, 
Aside from Professor Silliman’s influence as an officer of Yale 
College, and as a well known man of science, his personal hold 
upon the community at large was remarkably strong. This was 
due somewhat to the favor with which his popular lectures were 
received, and to the wide circuit over which he had journeyed. 
It was also owing in part to the pleasure and instruction which 
were afforded by his books of travel. T'wice, as we have stated, 
Professor Silliman visited Europe, the interval between his jour- 
neys being nearly fifty years. Both these visits led to the pub- 
lication of his observations in volumes which were widely read. 
The narrative of his earlier journey especially was received b 
the public with great delight. Few Americans then went 
abroad; and hardly any had published narratives of what they 
had seen. Mr. Silliman’s volumes were fascinating to young and 
old,—and many were the testimonials which he received of the 
interest thus awakened in European institutions and manners. 
His Journal of a Tour to Canada was another contribution to the 
literature of the day. 
But the general influence of Mr. Silliman must be attributed 
to his personal character rather than to any of what may be 
termed the accidental circumstances of his life. He was a man 
of vigorous understanding and sound judgment, Jed on, but 
never carried away, by an enthusiastic disposition, glowing and 
constant. With this was associated sterling integrity, which 
never harbored a selfish or dishonorable purpose, but rejoiced in 
doing and encouraging whatever was right. Every one could 
trust him. These fundamental traits were adorned by the out- 
ward qualities of affability and courtesy, or rather were ex 
in manners at once so dignified and so kind that all with whom 
came in contact were charmed at once, and on closer inter- 
Course were bound to him as friends for life. Such friendships 
F L 4 : 
Sons of his early associates inherited a share in the regard which 
he had bestowed upon their parents. Blending with and enno- 
bling all these virtues, was the child-like simplicity of his Chris- 
tian faith 
A character like this shines the brighter the nearer it is seen. 
In his own family circle, Mr. Silliman has moved for years as 
& patriarch, surrounded by his descendants to the third and 
