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Art. XV. Eulogium on the Life and Services of 

 Simeon De Witt, Surveyor General of the state 

 of New-York, Chancellor of the University, <^c. 

 By T. RoMEYN Beck, M. D. Delivered, by ap- 

 pointment, before the Albany Institute, April 23 

 1835. 



Fellow Members of the Institue, 



How true is the remark of the moralist that mutabili- 

 ty is the lot of man. A short year has only elapsed, 

 since our departed friend was amongst us and took an 

 active interest in our concerns. Now we are assembled, 



I feel myself hardly worthy of conducting your thoughts 

 on this affecting occasion. No one regrets more than 

 myself that the gentleman unanimously selected for this 

 office, was unable to fulfil his engagement.* He would 

 have brought to the task talents, which rank him high 

 in the service of his country, the first dawnings of which 

 were cherished and fostered by the friend he now mourns. 

 I can only follow with unequal steps. Yet an effort 

 however brief, however imperfect, may find some favour, 

 when it attempts to trace and improve the life of a pa- 

 triot, a scholar and a christian. 



Simeon De Witt, our late venerable vice-president, 

 inherited a name of high and rare distinction. In an 

 age fertile of heroes and great men, amidst wars and 

 tumults, in contest with England under Cromwell, with 

 France under Louis XIV., the immortal John De Witt 

 maintained the honor and glory of his native land, de- 

 veloped its resources, extended its commerce and gave it 



North Western Boundary— now engaged m the national work of a Surrey 



