BENJAMIN SILLIMAN. 91 
aration of reports on questions connected with the chemical 
arts and manufactures, in which subjects his knowledge was 
remarkably extensive, expert testimony in courts, and other 
matters of practical interest. His reports on these subjects 
have been very numerous and involved a great amount of 
work. One of the latest and most important, was the report 
to the National Academy of Sciences, as chairman of a com- 
mittee appointed by them, on the subject of the use of Sorghum 
as a source of sugar. His position as State Chemist, to which 
he was appointed in 1869, also gave him much to do in the 
line of applied chemistry. 
Professor Silliman took a personal interest in the municipal 
affairs of the town of New Haven, and in his early life, between 
1845 and 1849, he was a member of the Common UVouncil. 
He was one of the fifty original members of the National 
Academy of Sciences, incorporated by Congress in 1863. He 
was also a member of a number of other Scientific Societies at 
home and abroad. 
Professor Silliman was a man of exceedingly generous nature 
and kindly disposition. He was ever cheerful, ever inclined to 
look upon the bright side of life, hopeful and sanguine of suc- 
cess where others might be discouraged; and if his expecta- 
tions for himself and others were not always realized, it was 
largely Owing to this element in his character. In society he 
was most genial, abounding in conversation based on a remark- 
able range of information on general topics and with anecdote 
ready for the entertainment of his guests. Hospitality to 
friends of the College or to men of science or to those of his 
°wn kin and personal intimacy was his delight, and to this 
Some of those present at the recent meeting of the British 
Association can testify. 
During the greater part of his life Mr. Silliman enjoyed 
€xcellent health. He had much more than the ordinary amount 
Vigor, and rarely felt the necessity of considering whether 
