86 BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 
After leaving college, in 1837, he became his father’s assistant 
in chemistry and his other departments, a position just then left 
vacant by the resignation of Mr. J. D. Dana, who had received 
an appointment to the department of Geology and Mineralogy | 
in the Wilkes Exploring Expedition. 
The Laboratory gave him opportunities for experiment and 
study of which he assiduously availed himself; and by the 
year 1842 he had, without outside help, of which the country 
afforded then almost nothing, acquired sufficient knowledge of 
general and analytical chemistry and mineralogy to enable him 
to instruct others on these subjects, and he received a few - 
students in what would now be called very narrow quarters in 
the old laboratory of the college. One of the earliest of these 
private pupils was Mr. John P. Norton, afterward Mr. Silliman’s 
associate, who studied with him in 1842 and 1848, and later 
spent two years in laboratories in Edinburgh and Utrecht. 
Another was Mr. T. Sterry Hunt, who commenced his studies 
with Mr. Silliman in 1845,—then a young man of 20 years, 
having some knowledge of chemistry and a zeal for science, 
which he brought with him from his home in Norwich (Con- 
necticut), that commended him strongly to both the Sillimans. 
This was the commencement of work in advanced chemistry 
in the College; but it was outside of the College curriculum 
and had uo recognition from the College authorities, In 1846 
a memoir to the Corporation by himself; adopted and seconded 
by his father, urging the official recognition and organization of — 
a new department of advanced science, led to the establish- 
ment of the “ Department of Philosophy and the Arts.” The 
“School of Applied Chemistry” was organized under this 
department, and placed in the charge of Mr. Silliman, 28 
Professor of Chemistry applied to the Arts, and Mr. John P. 
Norton, as Professor of Agricultural Chemistry. The school 
took possession of the old Presidential residence on the college - 
ground, which the professors, without salaries from the college _ 
