398 Memoir of William Maclure. 



In leaving Philadelphia for New Harmony, Mr. Maclure 

 induced several distinguished naturalists to bear him com- 

 pany, as coadjutors in his educational designs; and among 

 them were Mr. Say, Mr. Lesueur, Dr. Troost, and a few 

 others who had already earned an enviable scientific repu- 

 tation. 



For various reasons, which need not be discussed in this 

 place, the School did not fulfil the expectations of its 

 founder, who was at length constrained to relinquish it ; and 

 the less reluctantly as the approach of age, and the increas- 

 ing delicacy of his constitution, admonished him of the ne- 

 cessity of seeking a more genial climate. We accordingly 

 find him, in the autumn of 1827, embarking for Mexico in 

 company with his friend Mr. Say. They passed the winter 

 in that delightful country ; and employed their time in ob- 

 serving and recording the various new facts in science which 

 there presented themselves ; and on the approach of sum- 

 mer they returned to the United States. 



Mr. Maclure was so pleased with the climate of Mexico, 

 and so solicitous to study the social and political institutions 

 of that country, that he determined to return the same year ; 

 and with this intent he visited Philadelphia, proceeded 

 thence to New Haven, and presided for the last time at a 

 meeting of the American Geological Society in that city on 

 the 17th of November, 1828. Of this institution he had also 

 long been President, and took an active interest in its pros- 

 perity, which was strengthened by his regard for his friend 

 Professor Silliman — a man whom we all esteem for his zeal- 

 ous and successful exertions to advance the interests of Sci- 

 ence, as well as for his extensive acquirements and his many 

 virtues. On this occasion Mr. Maclure declared his inten- 

 tion to bring back with him from Mexico a number of young 

 native Indians, in order to have them educated in the Uni- 

 ted States, and subsequently diffuse the benefits of instruc- 

 tion among the people of their own race. This benevolent 



