Annual Address. 



19 



selfish or unworthy object, enabled him at all times to 

 command the respect and confidence of the authorities of 

 the state, and made him their trusted adviser in all cases 

 where the interests of learning were involved. To the 

 geological survey of the state, he gave his earnest and 

 efficient support. The elaborate and admirable instruc- 

 tions for its conduct were largely his work, or prepared 

 under his direction. The mineralogical department was 

 specially committed to his charge, and completed under 

 his direction ; and the general superintendence of the 

 publication of the Natural History of the state was also 

 committed * to him. As the secretary of the board of 

 Regents, from 1841 till the time of his death, the common 

 school and academical system of the state had the benefit 

 of his experience and vigilant oversight. The State Library, 

 now one of the best in the country, the pride of the state 

 and one of the attractions of our city, was from the first, 

 the object of his greatest interest, and may be said to have 

 been the special work of his own care and labor. As the 

 principal of the Albany Academy for three and thirty 

 years, many of us knew him in more intimate and endear- 

 ing relations — not only in his direct and formal teachings, 

 but in the not less valuable lessons of his industry, his 

 manliness, his scorn of meanness and his quick sympathy 

 with all that was generous, high-spirited and honorable in 

 character or conduct. I think he was the most system- 

 atically industrious man I ever knew ; and he was, also, 

 a living example of a man devoted to science and letters 

 for their own sake. As the successive ranks of his pupils 

 passed out from his teachings, to take their own places in 

 life, few there were who did not regard him with affec- 

 tionate reverence, and who did not look back upon any 

 manifestations of his approval and commendation as 

 among the happiest remembrances of their school days. 

 If to have wrought diligently and successfully through life 



