402 Memoir of William Maclure. 



this Academy cherishes for Mr. Maclure the kindest per- 

 sonal recollections, and a grateful sense of his contributions 

 to the cause of Science. 



Resolved, That as the Pioneer of American Geology, the 

 whole country owes to Mr. Maclure a debt of gratitude, and 

 in his death will acknowledge the loss of one of the most 

 efficient friends of Science and the Arts. 



Resolved, That as the patron of men of science, even more 

 than for his personal researches, Mr. Maclure deserves the 

 lasting regard of mankind. 



Resolved, That a member of the Academy be appointed 

 to prepare and deliver a discourse commemorative of its 

 lamented President. 



Resolved, That the Corresponding Secretary be requested 

 to communicate to the family of Mr. Maclure a copy of these 

 Resolutions. 



Mr. Maclure died before he had accomplished all his 

 views in respect to this Institution ; for, looking forward, as 

 he did, to renewed personal intercourse with its members, 

 he intended to inquire for himself into the most available 

 modes of extending its usefulness. This, as we have seen, 

 was denied him ; but the spirit of Science which was inherent 

 in him, has descended upon his brother and sister ; and to 

 these estimable and enlightened individuals, we owe the 

 consummation of all that their brother had proposed in re- 

 ference to the Academy, which will be hereafter enabled to 

 devote its resources exclusively to the advancement of those 

 objects for which it was founded. 



Thus closed a life which had been devoted, with untir- 

 ing energy and singular disinterestedness, to the attainment 

 and diffusion of practical knowledge. No views of pecuniary 

 advantage, or personal aggrandizement, entered into the 

 motives by which he was governed. His educational plans, 

 it is true, were repeatedly inoperative, not because he did 

 too little, but because he expected more than could be 



