136 The American Gedlogist. September, 1903. 
bellishment of dress reminded one of Abraham Lincoln ; which 
comparison was strengthened by his rich and musical voice. 
His phrases were choice, clearly enunciated and full of imag- 
ery, and his lectures comprehensive and graceful. When, 
warming with interest in what he was saying as often hap- 
pened, his sad expression melted into one of enthusiasm and 
smiles, the atmosphere around his auditors seemed lightened 
as when the sun breaks through a cloud. Like the late lament- 
ed Dr. Joseph Leidy he hated the intrigues and animosities 
inseparable from holding one's head above water even among 
the illuminati, but unlike Dr. Leidy he was not uniformly suc- 
cessful in keeping out of such unpleasantnesses, and when once 
in he rendered yeoman's service with tongue and pen for the 
side he thought in the right, which was most frequently the 
winning side. 
He seemed a born interpreter of phenomena, so vividly his 
imagination pictured the course of events which led to them ; 
and it is not surprising that the evolution of language from 
the simplest ideographs and symbols of the earliest races en- 
chained him. Thus he threw himself with heart and soul into 
Egyptology and evolved a world of curious interest from the 
mystic letters BAR. His hieroglyphs, which decorated as 
borders several apartments of his house, 1008 Clinton St., Phil- 
adelphia, were beautifully done, as was every map, page of 
manuscript, or illustration from his pen or brush. 
His friends were devoted to him, as he to them, so that al- 
though many sorrows and disappointments crossed his path, 
their constancy and still more the gentle elevating influence of 
his wife and daughters, gave him a balance of happiness for 
which the average man might be justly grateful, though it was 
well deserved. 
He died peacefully in Milton, Mass., on June 1st, 1903. 
He was among the first geologists to contribute to our 
understanding of the rock oil problem ; he was one of the or- 
iginal members of the National Academy of Sciences; presi- 
dent of the American Association for the Advancement of 
Science, 1884); U. S. Commissioner to the "Exposition Uni- 
verselle," 1867; author of "Man. his origin and destiny from 
the platform of the sciences," "Coal and its topography," etc. 
On February 13th, 1849, ne married Susan Inches Lyman 
of Northampton, Mass., by whom he had two daughters, all 
of whom survive him. 
