Nat the Navigator - A Life of Nathaniel Bowditch. For Young Persons

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Title: Nat the Navigator - A Life of Nathaniel Bowditch. For Young Persons
Author: Bowditch, Henry Ingersoll
Language: English
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[Illustration: DR. BOWDITCH’S STUDY IN LATER YEARS.]

_NAT THE NAVIGATOR._

A LIFE
OF
NATHANIEL BOWDITCH.

FOR YOUNG PERSONS.

[Illustration: The House in which he lived when a little Child.]

BOSTON:
LEE AND SHEPARD.
1870.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, by
LEE AND SHEPARD,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of the District of
Massachusetts.

ELECTROTYPED AT THE
BOSTON STEREOTYPE FOUNDRY,
No. 19 Spring Lane.

* * * * *

BOSTON, December, 1869.

Moved by feelings I could scarcely comprehend, while, at the same time,
they were most sweet to me, I was led to talk with the pupils of the
Warren Street Chapel on the Sunday afternoon after my father died. The
subjects were his active and good life and happy death. I am aware that
some of my nearest friends thought it strange that my heart, on the
occasion of his death, was filled with a kind of joy rather than with
sadness. To them I could merely say, that an event so calm, and under
such circumstances of suffering as he then was, suggested to me nothing
like real sorrow. I wished my young companions to feel as I did, and
that, in their minds, a quiet death following a good life should be
clothed with beauty, and that they might thus be led to believe that,
in accordance with the Scotch proverb, “A gude life makes a gude end.
At least it helps weel.” Horace Mann was present during the address.
Being deeply interested in the education of the young, he requested me
to prepare for his Common School Journal a sketch similar to that I
had spoken. In accordance with that desire, a memoir was prepared, and
after its publication the Warren Street Chapel Association requested
that it should be put, with some revision, into this form. And as it was
originally prepared for, and dedicated to, the pupils of that institution,

SO I NOW DEDICATE IT

ANEW TO THE

GIRLS AND BOYS OF WARREN STREET CHAPEL.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

CHAPTER I.

_From 1773 to 1784—under 10 years of age._

Birth.—Childhood 11

CHAPTER II.

_From 1784 to 1795—between the ages of 10 and 21._

His apprenticeship, his habits.—Studies Chambers’s
Cyclopædia.—Results of his studies; gains the respect of
all.—Dr. Bentley, Dr. Prince, and Mr. Reed, do him kindness; by
their means allowed access to “The Philosophical Library.”—He
makes philosophical instruments.—Calculates an Almanac at
the age of fourteen.—Studies algebra: delight he experienced
from this new pursuit.—Learns Latin.—Reads works by Sir Isaac
Newton.—Studies French 23

CHAPTER III.

_From 1784 to 1796—age, 10-22._

Apprenticeship continued.—Favorite of his companions.—Learns
music; neglects his studies for a time.—Gets into bad society;
his decision in freeing himself from it.—Engages in a survey
of the town of Salem.—Sails on his first voyage to the East
Indies; extracts from his Journal during this voyage; arrival
at the Isle of Bourbon; return home 37

CHAPTER IV.

_From 1796 to 1797—age, 23-4._

Second voyage.—Visits Lisbon.—Island of Madeira; festival and
games there.—Anecdotes of his skill as an accountant.—Doubles
Cape of Good Hope.—Albatrosses.—Arrival at Manilla.—Extracts
from Journal.—Curious boat.—Earthquake.—Voyage home 46

CHAPTER V.

_From 1797 to 1800—age, 24-7._

Marriage.—Third voyage; visits Spain.—Dangers.—Earl
St. Vincent’s fleet.—Arrival at Cadiz.—Observatory at
Cadiz.—Sails for Alicant.—Passage through the Straits of
Gibraltar.—Privateers; chased by one; anecdotes of Mr. B.’s
love of study shown then.—Hears news of the death of his wife;
consoles himself with mathematical studies.—More troubles with
privateers.—Leaves Alicant.—Advantages derived from his visit
to Spain.—Fourth voyage; to India.—Extracts from Journal on
viewing a ship that was engaged in the slave trade.—Arrival at
Java; introduction to the governor; respect formerly paid to
him.—Anecdote of English navy officers.—Goes to Batavia and
Manilla.—Observations of Jupiter while becalmed near the
Celebean Islands.—Voyage home 62

CHAPTER VI.

_From 1800 to 1803—age, 27-30._

Second marriage; character of his wife.—Mr. Bowditch engages
in commerce for two years.—School committee.—East India
Marine Society; a description of the annual meeting of this
society.—Mr. Bowditch becomes part owner of ship Putnam, and
sails for India.—Anecdote, occurrence a few days after leaving
Salem.—Studies during the long voyage.—Begins to study and make
notes upon La Place’s “Mécanique Céleste.”—Arrival off Sumatra;
difficulties there.—Boarded by English man-of-war.—Revisits
Isle of France.—Journal extracts about modes of procuring
pepper; seasons for it, &c.—Incident on approaching Salem
harbor.—Decision of Mr. Bowditch 80

CHAPTER VII.

Review of the labors, &c., performed by Mr. Bowditch, during
these voyages.—Habits while at sea; studies; desire to teach
others; kindness to sailors and to the sick.—Discovers errors
in a book on navigation.—Origin of “American Practical
Navigator;” success of it; industry of Mr. Bowditch upon
it.—Investigates higher branches of science.—“Mécanique
Céleste.”—Mr. Bowditch reads history.—Learns Spanish, French,
and Portuguese languages.—Anecdotes.—Chosen member of American
Academy.—Receives honors from Harvard College 99

CHAPTER VIII.

_From 1803 to 1817—age, 30-44._

Mr. Bowditch translates a Spanish paper; is chosen President
of a Fire and Marine Insurance Office.—Habits of life.—Becomes
interested in politics.—Federalists and Democrats.—Great
excitement.—Division between him and old friends in
consequence of his zeal.—Feelings of Mr. Bowditch when war
was declared.—Decision of character.—His charity.—Earnestness
in aiding others; ludicrous instance of the effects of
this.—Boldness towards a truckman.—Zeal for improving the
libraries; unites the two.—Dr. Prince’s church.—Performance
of duties of President of Insurance Office.—Answer to an
overbearing rich man.—Appointed Professor of Mathematics at
Harvard College; same at West Point.—His modesty.—Hints
about leaving Salem 115

CHAPTER IX.

_From 1803 to 1823—age, 30-50._

Papers published by Mr. Bowditch in the Memoirs of the Academy;
account of some of them.—Total eclipse of the sun in 1806;
effect of it.—Anecdote of Chief Justice Parsons.—Meteor that
fell over Weston, Ct.; account of its curious appearance;
effect of these papers upon his fame in Europe.—Chosen member
of most of the learned societies of the Old World.—Quits Salem
to become connected with larger institutions in Boston 131

CHAPTER X.

Sketch of the life of La Place, author of the “Mécanique
Céleste.”—Newton’s labors.—Halley’s comet.—The importance of
astronomy to navigation.—Comets; Dr. Bowditch translates the
Mécanique Céleste; difficulties attending the undertaking;
objects he had in view; first volume analyzed; Newton’s error
pointed out 149

CHAPTER XI.

Commentary continued; second volume.—Discussion between
the English and French mathematicians; Dr. Bowditch’s
criticisms.—Errors in La Place in regard to the earth,
&c.—Third volume; motions of the moon.—Fourth volume; many
errors discovered in it.—Halley’s comet.—Curious phenomena
of capillary attraction 169

CHAPTER XII.

_Death, March 17, 1838, aged 65._

Sketch of the life of La Grange, the equal of La Place; love
Dr. Bowditch had for La Grange’s character; comparison between
him and La Place; also between him and Dr. Bowditch.—Conclusion
of the Memoir 176

NAT THE NAVIGATOR.

CHAPTER I.

_From 1773 to 1784—under 10 years of age._

Birth.—Childhood.

Nathaniel Bowditch, whose history I shall relate to you, was one whose
character and actions presented many circumstances which cannot fail of
being interesting to you. He died more than thirty years ago, in Boston;
and, from having been a poor and ignorant boy, he became a man known all
over the world for his great learning, while at the same time he was
beloved for the goodness of his heart and the integrity of his character.
May the perusal of his history excite some of you to imitate his virtues
and his energy.

[Sidenote: BIRTHPLACE.]

[Sidenote: EARLY SCHOOL DAYS.]

He was born in Salem, a town about fourteen miles from Boston, the
capital city of our State of Massachusetts. His birthday was March 26,
1773. His father was at first a cooper, and afterwards a shipmaster.
He and his wife were exceedingly poor, and they had many children. Nat
was the fourth child. He had two sisters and three brothers. When he
was about two and a half years old, his parents removed to a very small
wooden house in Danvers, about three miles from Salem; and here the boy
attended school for the first time, and began to show those generous
feelings, and that love of learning, which he displayed so much in
after-life. A few years ago the old school-house in which he learned to
spell and read remained entire. It was an old-fashioned building, with
a long, slanting roof, which, at the back of the house, nearly reached
the ground. Its single chimney, with many curious and pretty corners,
then rose in the middle of the roof, as it had for ninety years. Around
the dwelling is a grass plat, upon which he used, when a child like
yourselves, to play with his schoolmates. It was planted with shrubs,
such as the farmers most need. The house in which he lived still stands
nearly opposite that in which the school was kept. This house formerly
had but two rooms in it, and all its furniture was of the simplest kind.

[Illustration: HIS FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE.]

[Sidenote: BROTHERS AND SISTERS.]

I visited the relations of the schoolmistress. She died many, many years
ago; but her niece, when I asked about Nat Bowditch, told me how her aunt
used to love him for his earnestness in pursuing his studies, and for his
gentleness, while under her care. He was “a nice boy,” she used to say.
While in Danvers, his father was most of the time at sea, he having been
obliged to give up his trade and become a sailor when the Revolutionary
War broke out.[1] Nat lived, during his father’s absence, very happily
with his mother and his brothers and sisters. During the whole of his
after-life, he used to delight to go near the small house in which he
had dwelt so pleasantly. The family was “a family of love.” He had a
brother William, to whom he was very much attached. He was more grave and
sober than Nat; for the latter, with all his devotion to study, was full
of fun, frolic, and good nature. But William was equally, and perhaps
more, gentle. The brothers frequently studied together from an old family
Bible, and on Sundays, when they were quite small, their grandmother,
who was a very excellent woman, used to place this large book, with its
wooden covers and bright brazen clasps, upon the foot of her bed; and
hour after hour did those two boys trace, with their fingers upon the
map, the forty years’ wanderings of the Israelites, before they came into
the long-looked-for land of Canaan.

[Sidenote: GRANDMOTHER’S BIBLE.]

[Sidenote: HIS MOTHER.]

I have said that Nat frequently went to look upon the house in which he
had lived; and so he often called upon the family in which this old Bible
was kept, in order that he might see the volume which he had so loved
when a boy. It reminded him of the delightful home of his childhood,
where his dear and worthy mother tried to make him good, in order that
he might become an honor to her and to the people. His mother was one
who was extremely kind; yet she was by no means afraid to correct her
children, if she found them doing wrong. Nat sometimes suffered,
because, like every boy, he sometimes did wrong; but generally the mother
found that he could be easily guided by her love. I seem to see her now,
taking her little son, and leading him to the window of the cottage in
Danvers, to see the beautiful new moon just setting in the west, while,
at the same time, she kisses and blesses him, and talks to him of his
absent father, and they both send up earnest wishes for his safe and
speedy return. She was very careful to instil into all her children the
importance of truth. “Speak the truth always, my boy,” said she. She
likewise loved religion, and she was very liberal in her feelings towards
those who differed from her upon this subject. Nevertheless, believing
that the Episcopal kind of worship was the most correct, she educated
all her children in that form. An anecdote which Nat, when he became a
man, often related, will show you how much influence her instructions in
this particular had upon him. Among the Episcopalians the prayers are
read, and the people repeat, aloud, some answer. One day Nat called his
brothers and sisters around him, and, taking his mother’s Book of Prayer,
with a sober face began to read aloud from it, while his brothers made
the answers. They had continued some minutes amusing themselves in this
way, when their mother entered the room. She was very much troubled at
first, as she supposed they were ridiculing the services she held as
sacred. “My sons,” said she, “I am pleased to see you read that book; but
you should never do so in a careless manner.” They told her that, though
playing, they did not think to do any harm, or to show any disrespect.

[Sidenote: EARLY POVERTY.]

[Sidenote: CHEERFULNESS UNDER IT.]

The family was very poor; so poor, indeed, that sometimes they had
nothing to eat, for several successive days, but common coarse bread,
with perhaps a little pork. Wheat bread was almost never allowed to any
one of them. Their clothing, too, was at times very thin. Frequently,
during the whole winter, the boys wore their summer jackets and trousers.
At times, Nat’s schoolmates used to laugh at him because he wore such
a thin dress, when they were wearing their thickest winter clothing.
But he was not afraid of their merriment, nor made angry by it; on the
contrary, he laughed heartily at them for supposing him unable to bear
the cold. He knew that no good would be gained by complaints, and that he
would distress his mother if he made any; he therefore bore contentedly
his want of clothing, and tried even to make himself merry with those who
ridiculed him.

[Sidenote: LOVE OF ARITHMETIC.]

[Sidenote: DIFFICULTIES.]

At the age of seven years, and after returning to Salem, he went to
a school kept by a man named Watson. Master Watson was one who had
sufficient learning for those times; though the boys who now go to school
in Boston would think it very strange if a master did not attempt to
teach more than he did. None of the scholars had a dictionary. Master
Watson was a good man, but he suffered much from headache, and therefore
he was liable to violent fits of anger; and when thus excited, as it
generally happens in such cases, he was guilty of injustice. An instance
of this, young Bowditch met with, not long after he entered the school.
From early life, Nat had liked ciphering, or arithmetic; and thinking
that at school he would be able to learn something more about this than
he had previously gained from his brothers, while at home, during the
long winter evenings, he requested the master to allow him to study
it. As he seemed too young, this request was not granted. But, being
determined to study what pleased him so much, he obtained a letter from
his father, in which Mr. Bowditch requested Master Watson to allow his
son to pursue his favorite study. The schoolmaster, on receiving the
message, was very angry, and said to his pupil, “Very well. I’ll give
you a sum that will satisfy you;” and immediately prepared a question
that he thought Nat would be unable to answer, and which he could not
have answered had he not studied at home. But the boy had learned before
sufficiently to enable him to perform the task; and, having done so, he
ran gayly to the desk, expecting to be praised for his exact performance
of duty. You may imagine his surprise at being saluted with these words:
“You little rascal, who showed you how to do this sum? I shall punish
you for attempting to deceive me.” The poor lad’s heart swelled and beat
violently. He blushed and trembled from fear of punishment, but still
more at the suspicion which his instructor had expressed, that he had
been guilty of telling a lie. Filled with anger and alarm, he stammered
out, “_I_ did it, sir.” But his master would not believe him, and was
about to strike him, when an elder brother interfered, and stated that
Nat knew very well how to perform the task, for he himself had previously
taught him enough to enable him to do it. Our young arithmetician thus
escaped the punishment; but he never could forget that he had been
accused of falsehood. His pious and truth-loving mother had so firmly
fastened in his mind the holiness of truth, that he rarely, if ever,
thought of deviating from it; and during his life he considered that
any one who even suspected him of falsehood had done him the greatest
injury. How well it would be if all of our boys loved truth as he did!

[Sidenote: APPRENTICED TO SHIP-CHANDLER.]

This was the only serious difficulty he met with while at this school.
He was the same lively lad at everything he undertook as he had been
previously. He was beloved by his comrades for his good nature, and was
always engaged in useful employment or innocent amusements. When he was
about ten years of age, his father became poorer than ever; and moreover,
in consequence of loss of regular employment and of the little property
which he possessed, he gave himself up to habits of intoxication. From
having been a brave man, he became a coward, and, unable to look at the
distress of his family, made their poverty many times more burdensome
by habits which wholly unfitted him for active duties. Under these
circumstances, his son, at the age of ten years and three months, left
school, and soon afterwards was bound an apprentice to Messrs. Ropes and
Hodges, who kept a ship-chandler’s shop in Salem.

[Sidenote: EARLY CHARACTER.]

As this was one of the important times in his life, I think I will
finish this chapter with only two remarks, for the boys and girls who may
be reading this. You see a lively and good-natured boy, who, before he
was ten years old, showed great love of truth, much perseverance, a warm
desire for study, particularly of arithmetic; and lastly, you perceive
him under the influence of a good mother, who tries to excite in him all
just and holy sentiments. Particularly does she point out to him truth as
one grand aim of his existence. Now, I wish you to remember these facts,
and see where they eventually led him; and if you remember, you may be
induced to imitate him, at least in some respects.

CHAPTER II.

_From 1784 to 1795—between the ages of 10 and 21._

[Sidenote: CHANGE OF ABODE.]

[Sidenote: WORK AT THE SHOP.]

[Sidenote: THOUGHTFULNESS FOR OTHERS.]

Doubtless it was with a sorrowing heart that Nat left his own dear home
and his kind mother to take up his abode among strangers; for he was to
live at the house of his employer, Mr. Hodges. But if he did feel sad,
he was not one to neglect a duty in consequence of sorrow. The shop in
which he was employed was situated very near the wharves, in the lower
part of the town of Salem. We do not see many such stores now in Boston;
though something similar is sometimes found in small country towns. In
it a great variety of goods was sold, especially everything which would
be useful to a sailor. Pork and nails, hammers and butter, were kept in
adjacent barrels. The walls were hung with all the tools needed in the
seafaring life. There was a long counter in it, at one end of which Nat
had his little desk. When not engaged with customers, he used to read and
write there. He always kept a slate by his side, and, when not occupied
by the duties of the shop, he was usually busied with his favorite
pursuit of arithmetic. In the warm weather of summer, when there was
little business, and the heat was uncomfortable, he was often seen, by
the neighbors, engaged in ciphering, while resting his slate upon the
half door of the shop; for in those days the shop doors were made in two
parts, so that frequently the lower half was shut, while the upper was
open. Thus he was always actively employed, instead of being idle, as is
too frequently the case with boys in similar circumstances. Even on the
great holidays of Fourth of July and “General Training,” he did not leave
his studies for the purpose of going to see the parade, but remained at
the shop, laboring to improve himself; or, if the shop was closed, he
was in his little garret-room at his employer’s house. Study and reading
were beginning to be his only recreation. Frequently, after the store
was closed at night, he remained until nine or ten o’clock. Many long
winter nights he passed in a similar manner, at his master’s house by the
kitchen fire. While here, he did not become morose or ill-natured; but
frequently, when the servant girl wished to go to see her parents, who
lived one or two miles off, he took her place by the side of the cradle
of his master’s child, and rocked it gently with his foot, while busily
occupied at his books. I think this was one of the sweetest incidents
in his early days. It was the germ of his benevolence in after-life. A
truly great man is kind-hearted as well as wise. Nat began thus early
his course of genuine humanity and science. So must you do if you would
imitate him.

[Sidenote: HIGHER STUDIES.]

As he became older, he became interested in larger and more important
works; and of these, fortunately, he found an abundant supply. His
employer lived in the house of Judge Ropes, and Nat had permission
to use the library of this gentleman as much as he wished. In this
collection he found one set of books which he afterwards valued very
much. He tried to buy a copy of it when he was old, having a similar
feeling towards it that he bore towards his grandmother’s Bible. It
was Chambers’s Cyclopædia. As you may judge from the name Cyclopædia,
these books, consisting of four very large volumes, contained much upon
a great many subjects. It is like a dictionary. He read every piece in
it, and copied into blank books, which he obtained for the purpose,
everything he thought particularly interesting, especially all about
arithmetic. Previously, he had studied navigation, or the methods whereby
the sailors are enabled to guide their ships across the ocean. In this
Cyclopædia he found much upon this subject; also upon astronomy, or the
knowledge of the stars and other heavenly bodies; and upon mensuration,
or the art with which we are enabled to measure large quantities of land
or water.

[Sidenote: ALMANAC FOR 1790.]

But he was not satisfied with merely studying what others did. He made
several dials and curious instruments for measuring the weather, &c. He
likewise, at the age of fourteen years, made an Almanac for 1790, so
accurately and minutely finished, that it might have been published.
Whilst engaged upon this last, he was more than usually laborious. The
first rays of the morning saw him at labor, and he sat up, with his
rushlight, until late at night. If any asked where Nat was, the reply
was, “He is engaged in making his Almanac.” He was just fourteen years of
age when he finished it.[2]

[Sidenote: BEGINS ALGEBRA.]

[Sidenote: HIS DELIGHT IN IT.]

August 1, 1787,—that is, at the age of fourteen,—he was introduced to a
mode of calculating which was wholly new to him. His brother came home
from his school, where he had been learning navigation, and told him
that his master had a mode of ciphering by means of letters. Nat puzzled
himself very much about the matter, and imagined a variety of methods of
“ciphering with letters.” He thought that perhaps A added to B made C,
and B added to C made D, and so on; but there seemed to him no use in
all this. At length he begged his brother to obtain for him the book.
The schoolmaster readily lent it; and it is said that the boy did not
sleep that night. He was so delighted with reading about this method,
or algebra, as it is called, that he found it impossible to sleep. He
afterwards talked with an old English sailor, who happened to know
something about the subject, and received some little instruction from
him. This person afterwards went to his own country; but just before he
left Salem, he patted Nat upon the head, and said, “Nat, my boy, go on
studying as you do now, and you will be a great man one of these days.”
You will see, before finishing this story, that the prophecy of the old
sailor was amply fulfilled.

[Sidenote: DRS. PRINCE AND BENTLEY AID HIM.]

[Sidenote: DR. KIRWAN’S LIBRARY.]

[Sidenote: COPIES BOOKS.]

But all this labor, this constant exertion, combined with his kind and
cheerful disposition, must, you will readily believe, have given him
friends. He became known as a young man of great promise; as one more
capable than his elders of deciding many questions, particularly all
those in which any calculations were to be made. Consequently, when about
seventeen or eighteen years old, he was often called upon, by men much
older than himself, to act as umpire in important matters. All these
he attended to so willingly and skilfully, that those whom he assisted
became very much attached to him. He thus gained the respect not merely
of common persons, less learned than himself, but his industry, his
fidelity to his employers, his talents, attracted the notice of men well
known in the community. Among these were two clergymen of Salem. At
the church of Rev. Dr. Prince he attended for divine worship; and Dr.
Bentley rarely passed the store without stepping in to talk with his
young friend. Nat availed himself of the learning of Dr. Bentley, and
often visited his room in order to converse with him. Dr. Prince, the
other clergyman above alluded to, had studied much the subjects that
the apprentice was pursuing, and he was very glad to see a young man
zealous in the same pursuits. There was another individual who kept an
apothecary’s shop; and it was he, who, with the aid of the two clergymen,
opened to our young student the means of continuing his favorite studies
with more success than he had ever anticipated. Mr. Reed—for that was his
name—likewise gave him permission to use all his books, of which he had
a great many. But the chief means of study, to which I allude, was the
permission to take books from a library which had been formed by a number
of gentlemen of the town. The kindness of the proprietors of this library
was never forgotten by the young apprentice; and in his will, made fifty
years afterwards, he left a thousand dollars to the Salem Athenæum, in
order to repay the debt of gratitude which he felt he had incurred. But
you may want to know something about the formation of this library, and
the books of which it was composed. Some time during the Revolutionary
War, alluded to in Chapter I., Dr. Kirwan, an Irishman and a learned man,
put the greater part of his library on board a ship, in order to have
it carried across the Irish Channel. While on the voyage, the vessel
was taken by an American ship of war, and the books were carried into
Beverly, and were afterwards sold at auction in Salem. Of all in the
world, these books were perhaps those most needed by the apprentice. He
had been studying those sciences chiefly, concerning which there were
very few works printed in America; and suddenly he found himself allowed
free access to all the important books which had been printed in Europe
upon these same subjects. You may readily imagine how eagerly he availed
himself of the opportunity thus afforded him. Every two or three days
he was seen with a number of volumes under his arm, going homeward; and
on his arrival there, he read and _copied all_ he wanted to study at
that time, or refer to afterwards. He made, in this way, a very large
collection of manuscripts, which formed a part of his library. Thus, by
his own exertions, he, at the early age of eighteen, became acquainted
with the writings of most of the learned men of Europe; and he did this
at the time when he was engaged almost constantly in his store, for
he made it a strict rule never to allow any study or reading, however
interesting, to interfere with his duties to his employers. He rarely
forgot this. The following incident impressed it so strongly upon his
memory, that it influenced all his subsequent life.

[Sidenote: ATTENTION TO BUSINESS.]

One day a customer called and purchased a pair of hinges at a time when
the young clerk was deeply engaged in solving a problem in mathematics.
He thought he would finish before charging the delivery of them upon the
books; but when the problem was solved, he forgot the matter altogether.
In a few days the customer called again to pay for them, when Mr. Hodges
himself was in the shop. The books were examined, and gave no account of
this purchase. The clerk, upon being applied to, at once recollected the
circumstance, and the reason of his own forgetfulness. From that day he
made it an invariable rule to finish every matter of business that he
began, before undertaking anything else. Perhaps some of you may remember
the story; and when you think of leaving anything half finished, you may
repeat to yourselves, “Charge your hinges, and finish what you begin.”

[Sidenote: STUDIES LATIN.]

Having been instructed in the elements of algebra, Nat soon found that
there were books written upon it in other languages, which he knew
he ought to read, if he intended to learn as much as he could about
algebra. One of these books was written in a tongue which is called a
dead language, in consequence of its having ceased to be spoken by the
people of the country in which it was originally used. It was in Latin.
This language usually requires many years of study, if one wishes to read
it well, even when he has good instructors. Our hero, however, never
thought of the difficulties he had to surmount, but commenced, alone, the
study of it, June, 1790, that is, when seventeen years old. He was soon
in trouble. He could not understand his Latin book on mathematics. He
asked many who had been at college, but they were puzzled by the peculiar
expressions as much as he was. At length, however, by the aid of his
friend Dr. Bentley, and afterwards of a German who gave him lessons, he
succeeded in mastering the greatest work in modern times, written by
Sir Isaac Newton, who, you know, was one of the most famous philosophers
who have ever lived in this world. Nat discovered in one part of it
a mistake, which, several years afterwards, he published; but he was
deterred from doing so at first, because a very much older person than
he, a professor in Harvard College, said that the apprentice was mistaken.

[Sidenote: STUDY OF FRENCH.]

[Sidenote: GOOD RESULTS.]

But Latin was not the only language that he learned. Finding in the
Kirwan library many books upon mathematics written in French, he
determined to learn that tongue likewise. Accordingly, at the age of
nineteen (May 15, 1792), he began to study it. Fortunately, he was able
to make an arrangement with a Frenchman living in Salem, who wished
to learn English. Mr. Jordy agreed to teach the apprentice French, on
condition that Nat would teach him English. For sixteen months they met
regularly, a certain number of times a week; and the consequences were
very important to the youth’s future success in life. One circumstance
took place, during this study of French, which I think it important to
mention. Nat, desiring only to learn to _read_ a French book, supposed
that it would be unnecessary to spend time in learning accurately to
_pronounce_ the words. These, as is the case in the English tongue, are
often pronounced very differently from the manner in which we should be
led to speak them, if we judged from their mode of spelling. His master
protested against teaching without reference to the pronunciation; and,
after much arguing, Nat yielded to the wishes of his instructor, and
he studied the language in such a way that he could converse with a
Frenchman, as well as read a French book. You will soon see the good that
resulted.

CHAPTER III.

_From 1784 to 1796—age, 10-22._

[Sidenote: STUDY AND BUSINESS.]

[Sidenote: A GOOD COMPANION.]

Though so interested in his studies, Nat tried, as we have seen, never to
neglect a known duty. Whenever any one came to the store, he was ready
to leave study in order to attend to him. And he did this cheerfully,
and with so bright a smile that all were pleased to meet him. His young
companions loved him, for he was not one of those vain persons who think
themselves more important than others because they are more learned. On
the contrary, what he knew himself he liked to impart to others. He was
a member of a juvenile club for the discussion of different subjects. In
this association his opinion had much weight, because he rarely spoke,
and never unless he had something of importance to say.

[Sidenote: LOVE OF MUSIC.]

Some of his comrades were very fond of music. He had originally a great
taste for it. Music, at that time, was less cultivated than it is now;
and generally, those who practised it were fond of drinking liquor,
and often became drunkards. Nat’s love of the flute led him, at times,
to meet with several young men of this class. In fact, he was so much
delighted with their company, that he began to forget his studies. Day
after day he spent his leisure hours in their society; and, for a time,
all else was neglected. At length he began to think somewhat in this way:
“What am I doing? forgetting my studies in order to be with those whose
only recommendation is, that they love music? I shall be very likely to
fall into their habits if I continue longer with them. I will not do
so.” He soon afterwards left their society.

The simple, old-fashioned flute on which he played at these meetings is
still preserved. It is a silent monitor to his descendants, urging them
to performance of duty, in spite of the allurements of pleasure.

May every boy who reads this remember it, and try, if ever led into
temptation as the apprentice was, to say, “I will not,” with the same
determined spirit that he did.

The time was fast approaching when he was about to leave the business
of shopkeeping, and enter upon the more active duties of life. It is
true that, to a certain extent, he had been engaged in active life ever
since entering his apprenticeship. At the age of ten he had left the home
of his mother, and had been obliged to depend much upon himself. His
father’s habits had finally prevented him from being of service to the
family. The mother had died; the family had been broken up; and Nat had
thus, at an early age, been thrown upon the world. After having remained
with Ropes & Hodges until they gave up business, he entered the shop of
Samuel C. Ward, which was a similar establishment; and there he remained
until he was twenty-one years old. He then quitted, forever, this
employment.

[Sidenote: SURVEY OF SALEM.]

In 1794, by a law of the state, every town was obliged to have an
accurate survey and measurement made of its limits. Captain Gibaut and
Dr. Bentley were appointed by the Selectmen in Salem to superintend this
business. Believing that the calculating powers of the apprentice would
be useful to them, he was made assistant; and during the summer of 1794
he was occupied with this business. Thus we see how his studies already
began to be useful to him. For his pay, he received one hundred and
thirty-five dollars. Towards the end of the summer, Mr. Derby, a rich
ship-owner in Salem, wished Captain Gibaut to take command of a vessel
to Cadiz, and thence round the Cape of Good Hope to the East Indies.
Captain Gibaut consented, and he asked Nat to go with him as clerk.
Nat agreed to the terms; but, owing to some difficulty with Mr. Derby,
Captain Gibaut resigned to Captain H. Prince. Young Bowditch was unknown
to the latter; but at the suggestion of Mr. Derby, who had heard of the
talents and industry of the clerk, the same arrangements were continued
by Captain Prince.

A new era in his life was now beginning; and let us look a moment at him.
He is now twenty-one years of age. He is already more learned than many
much older than himself, in consequence of his untiring industry and his
devotion to study and to duty. Yet he is modest and retiring. He is still
full of fun and frolic at times, and always ready for acts of kindness.
Above all, he is a good youth; no immorality has stained him. His love of
truth had been given him by his mother; and since her death he has loved
it still more. It is to him a bright light, as it were, to guide him.
Cannot we foresee his career?

[Sidenote: FIRST VOYAGE TO INDIA.]

On January 11, 1795,—that is, when he was a few months more than
twenty-one years of age,—he sailed from Salem in the ship Henry. Though
he went as clerk, he was prepared to undertake the more active duties
of sailor and mate of the vessel. Thinking that he should be too much
occupied to be able to read, he took very few books; and therefore he
devoted much more time to observations of the heavenly bodies, the state
of the weather, &c., while at sea, and upon the manners and habits of the
nations he visited. Though he had not been educated as a sailor-boy, his
studies had led him to understand the most important part of a seaman’s
life, the art of guiding the vessel from one shore to another, across
the ocean. In other words, he had studied much on navigation, and copied
books upon that subject.

[Sidenote: JOURNAL—MOTTO.]

The Journal which he kept during the voyage is quite long. One of the
first lines you meet, on opening the book, is the motto which he chose
for himself. It is in Latin, and means, that _he would do what he thought
to be right, and not obey the dictates of any man_. He notes the events
of every day, most of which are similar; but occasionally something
unusual occurs.

[Sidenote: SLAVERY.]

February 7, 1795, he writes thus: “At ten A. M., spoke a ship,
twenty-five days out, from Liverpool, bound to Africa. We discovered her
this morning, just before sunrise, and supposed her to be a frigate.”
They discovered soon that it was a negro slave-ship, and he exclaims
thus: “God grant that the detestable traffic which she pursues may soon
cease, and that the tawny sons of Africa may be permitted quietly to
enjoy the blessings of liberty in their native land.”

“February 22. We remember with gratitude that this is the anniversary of
the birth of our beloved Washington—the man who unites all hearts. May he
long continue a blessing to his country and to mankind at large!”

During the passage to the Isle of Bourbon, situated, as you know, east
of the southern extremity of Africa, he frequently alludes to his native
land in terms of respect and love. On May 8, the ship arrived in the
harbor of Bourbon. Perhaps you may like to see his description of the
town.

[Sidenote: BOURBON.]

“May 9. After dinner, Captain P., Mr. B., and I, went to see the town.
It is a fine place. All the streets run in straight lines from the
shore, and cross one another at right angles. There is a church here,
with a priest to officiate. I went into it. We afterwards went into
the republican garden. It is a beautiful place, though at present much
neglected. The different walks are made to meet in the centre, and
form the figure of a star, each one of the rays of which is formed by
thirty-four mango trees, placed from twelve to fourteen feet apart. All
the houses of the island are built very low; they have no chimneys. They
are two stories high (about ten feet), have lattice windows, outside
of which are wooden ones to keep off the sun and rain. The floors are
made of the wood of the country, on which they rub wax, as the women of
America do on their furniture. It makes them very slippery.” There are
other places of which he speaks, and in them he finds flower-gardens in
abundance, intermixed with groves of coffee and orange trees, &c.

He afterwards alludes to the poor slaves, who, it appeared, suffered as
much there as they do in some other places at the present day.

[Sidenote: HABITS THERE.]

He visits the people of the place, and finds them superstitious and
vicious. Alluding to the vice he found there, he writes, “I was reminded
of the beautiful words of Solomon, in the Proverbs.” This was not the
only occasion on which he remembered his Bible; and it seemed always to
have a kindly influence over him. On one occasion, several young men
argued with him about its truth; and, having heard them patiently, he put
his hand over his heart: “Talk no more about it. I know that the Bible is
true; that it is capable of doing to me the greatest good. I know so by
the feelings I have here.”

After remaining in this place until July 25, he set sail for home, and
arrived in Salem January 11, 1796, having been absent exactly twelve
months.

CHAPTER IV.

_From 1796 to 1797—age, 23-4._

[Sidenote: AT SEA AGAIN.]

[Sidenote: SECOND VOYAGE.]

After remaining at home about two months, he again sailed in the same
ship, and with Captain Prince. On the 26th of the following March, they
prepared to sail from Salem harbor; but, being prevented by contrary
winds from getting out of the bay, the anchor was dropped during the
night, and on the following morning, under fair but strong breezes,
Mr. Bowditch was again on his way across the wide Atlantic. His course
was towards Lisbon, situated at the mouth of the River Tagus, in
Portugal. The first part of the voyage was unpleasant, because cloudy
and stormy weather prevailed most of the time; but during the latter
part, under pleasant and mild breezes from the south, the ship rode gayly
onwards, and, on the morning of April 24, the vessel was within sight
of Lisbon, with its beautiful and romantic country behind it. Lisbon is
the chief city of Portugal, and presents a very superb appearance when
viewed from a vessel which is entering the harbor. It is the principal
commercial place in the kingdom. Its inhabitants are among the richest.
In consequence of its being the place of residence of the kings of
Portugal, many magnificent country-seats, or villas, are seen on all the
vine-covered hills of the adjacent country.

The stay at this city was short, and the opportunities for visiting
the interesting places in it very limited. Mr. Bowditch seems not to
have been particularly pleased with its appearance. At the time he was
there, probably, much less attention was paid to the cleanliness of the
streets than there is now. But he spent the 28th and 29th of April in
walking about the city, and says in his Journal, that he “found nothing
remarkable.”

[Sidenote: LISBON, INCIDENT.]

It was at Lisbon that Mr. Bowditch discovered the advantage of having
learned to _speak_ French, to which I alluded at the close of the second
chapter. Though a Portuguese port, the custom-house officers understood
French; and no one on board but he could speak any other language
than the English. The consequence was, that he acted as interpreter,
which was, of course, a great help to the captain. This incident made
a deep impression upon his mind; and in after-life, when a person in
conversation expressed a doubt about the importance of any kind of
knowledge, because for the time it seemed useless, he would reply, “O,
study everything, and your learning will, some time or other, be of
service. I once said that I would not learn to _speak_ French, because I
thought that I should never leave my native town; yet, within a few years
afterwards, I was in a foreign port, and I became sole interpreter of
the ship’s crew, in consequence of my power to speak this language.”

[Sidenote: MADEIRA.]

[Sidenote: GAMES.]

On the 30th, having taken on board a quantity of wine, they again were
ready for sea; but, owing to bad weather, they did not sail until the 6th
of May, when the ship dropped down the river. On the 6th it was on its
way to the Island of Madeira, which is a small island, situated about
three hundred and sixty miles from the northern part of Africa. At eleven
o’clock, May 15, the island was discovered; and, under full sail, the
ship swept along the shore until nine in the evening, when they hailed
a pilot, who came on board, from the town of Funchal. Mr. Pintard, the
American consul of the place, greeted them very cordially. The ship spent
six days there, taking in more wine,—for which the country is famous,—and
sailed from it on Thursday morning, May 26, 1796. During this residence
at Mr. Pintard’s, Mr. Bowditch saw some feats of horsemanship, about
which you may like to hear. They are thus described in his Journal: “A
ring being suspended by a small wire, about ten feet from the ground, at
the entrance of the gate of the public garden, a horseman attempted to
strike it, and carry it off, while upon full gallop. If he gained the
prize, he was attended by the master of ceremonies, mounted on a small
colt fantastically adorned with ribbons, &c., with a most deformed mask,
who generally gave him a reward fully proportioned to the merit of the
action; perhaps a whistle, a small flower, or some little image. During
the next day, no business was done by the inhabitants; but the whole of
it was devoted to amusements similar to those of the preceding. Again
there were masquerades, and some of the richest men in the place joined
with the crowd, masked like the people. Others were very richly dressed,
like Turks, East Indians, &c. One of them wore a head-dress worth, it was
said, forty or fifty thousand dollars.” From this description, slight as
it is, we may see the difference in the customs between these inhabitants
of Madeira and the Americans.

[Sidenote: ANECDOTE.]

Captain Prince relates the following anecdotes, which occurred during
their residence at Madeira. I shall use Captain Prince’s words.

“I was one day walking with an American shipmaster at Madeira, who, in
the course of conversation, asked me who that young man (alluding to Mr.
Bowditch) was. I replied, that he was clerk of the ship under my command,
and remarked that he was a great calculator. ‘Well,’ said the gentleman,
‘I can set him a sum that he can’t do.’ I answered that I did not believe
it. The gentleman then proposed a wager of a dinner to all the American
masters in port, that he could set him such a sum. The wager was accepted
by me, and we repaired to the hotel, where we found Mr. B. alone. The
gentleman was introduced, and the question stated to Mr. Bowditch, with
the interrogatory, Can you do it? The reply was, Yes. The great sum which
had puzzled the brains of the gentleman and all his friends at home, for
a whole winter, was done in a few minutes. I remember the question. It
was this: To dig a ditch around an acre of land, how deep and how wide
must that ditch be, to raise the acre of land one foot?

[Sidenote: KNOWLEDGE OF NAVIGATION.]

“One day, Mr. Bowditch and myself received a visit from a Mr. Murray,
a Scotchman, who was at that port, having under his charge a valuable
cargo of English goods, and who made many inquiries concerning the
Americans. He asked particularly what passage we had made against the
north-east monsoon, and remarked that it was very surprising that the
Americans should come so far, and undertake such difficult voyages, with
so little knowledge as they possessed of the science of navigation. In
reply to his remark, I told him that I had on board twelve men, all of
whom were as well acquainted with working lunar observations for all the
practical purposes of navigation, as Sir Isaac Newton would be, should
he come on earth. Mr. M. asked how my crew came by that knowledge. I
told him, in the same manner that other men came by theirs. He thought
it so wonderful, that (as he afterwards told me) he went down to the
landing-place, on Sunday, to see my _knowing_ crew come on shore. During
all this conversation, Mr. Bowditch remained silent, sitting with his
slate pencil in his mouth, and as modest as a maid. Mr. Kean, a broker,
who was also present, observed to Murray, ‘Sir, if you knew what I know
concerning that ship, you would not talk quite so fast.’ ‘And what do
you know?’ asked Murray. ‘I know,’ replied Kean, ‘that there is more
knowledge of navigation on board that American ship (the Astræa) than
there has been in all the ships that ever came into Manilla Bay.’”

[Sidenote: TEACHES THE SAILORS.]

Mr. Bowditch, during this and the previous voyage, had been in the habit
of teaching navigation to the sailors; so that it is probable that,
considering the number of persons then on board who really understood
practical navigation, Mr. Kean was not so extravagant in his remark as at
first sight he seems to be.

[Sidenote: LUNAR RAINBOW.]

May 26, as we have already said, he sailed for India. On July 1, the
Island of Trinidad was within sight. They did not stop there, but
keeping on their course steadily, two days afterwards crossed the
Tropic of Capricorn, in the Southern Hemisphere. On the 17th, during
the night, it having rained during the day, the young sailor observed,
what we rarely see in this part of the world and on land, but which is
not uncommon at sea, a beautiful lunar rainbow. It is caused in the same
manner as those rainbows which are seen after a summer shower in the
daytime, when the sun is just coming out brightly, and the clouds, which
cause the bow to be formed, are passing away afar off in the opposite
part of the heavens. But the difference between the solar and lunar
rainbows is very great. The solar is grander and has more brilliant
coloring, while the lunar bow has a more delicate outline and lighter
tints.

August 1, the Journal says, “All the latter part of these twenty-four
hours, fine breezes and pleasant, smooth sea. Ever since crossing the
Cape [of Good Hope], we have seen a great number of albatrosses, but no
fish.” These birds are the largest of marine birds. They at times fly
and swim (for they are web-footed) to a great distance from land, living
upon the fish and other things which may fall in their way. It is said
that, as they come gently rising over the waves of the sea, they present
a very pleasing sight to the sailor who has been for many months upon the
ocean, separated from living things.

[Sidenote: PHOSPHORESCENT LIGHT.]

For some weeks afterwards, the ship met with severe weather, until
September 7, when, according to previous expectation, they saw the land
of the Island of Java. The day before their arrival at that place, a
curious phenomenon was observed, the account of which I will copy from
the Journal. “At seven P. M., the water, as for the two nights past,
became of a perfect milk color, through the whole extent of the horizon.
We drew a bucket of it in order to determine whether there was anything
in it to account for the curious phenomenon. When seen by candlelight,
nothing could be observed; but, when carried into a dark place, it
appeared full of small, bright, cylindric substances, of the nature of a
jelly, about the size of a small wire, and a quarter of an inch long.
Some large jellies floated on the water at the same time, and looked
like long pieces of wood. The sky all this time was perfectly clear; not
a cloud to be seen. About three A. M. the water began to take its usual
color. Next morning we examined the water which had appeared so shining
in the night; but nothing could be discovered in it, although it was
viewed in a very dark place. In the forenoon the sea appeared somewhat
colored, of a greenish hue; but some of it, being taken up and carried
from the light, appeared colorless.”

[Sidenote: ISLAND OF JAVA.]

[Sidenote: ARRIVAL AT MANILLA.]

The next morning the high lands of the Island of Java came in sight on
the horizon, at the distance of about twenty miles towards the east.
The Journal kept during his passage through the Straits of Sunda is
interesting, because the greatest care was necessary to keep the ship
off from the shoals which abound there. The current runs at times very
swiftly, the strait being between the large islands of Sumatra and
Java, and on the 9th, the force of this current, and strong headwinds,
compelled the captain to cast anchor two or three times. Finally, on the
17th, the ship was fairly out of the Straits of Sunda and Straits of
Banca, having been ten days, during sultry weather, toiling, with much
danger, amid coral reefs and shoals. The remainder of the voyage along by
the coast of Borneo to the city of Manilla, the capital of the chief of
the Philippine Islands, was more speedy. At six in the morning of Sunday,
October 2, 1796, the Island of Luzon was in sight towards the east, about
eighteen miles off. That same evening they cast anchor in Manilla Bay, it
being a little more than six months since the sailor had left his home in
Salem.

[Sidenote: COSTUMES OF THE PEOPLE.]

The following are some extracts from his Journal while in the city.
Under date of October 4, he says, “No coffee can be procured here; the
Spaniards, not being very fond of it, cultivate the cocoa instead. The
common drink of the natives is sweetmeats and water, which beverage, they
say, is wholesome and agreeable. Large quantities of wax are produced
here; but it is very dear, owing to the great consumption of it in the
churches, of which there are a great number in Manilla and its environs.
There are a few bishops in the island, and one archbishop, whose power is
very great. The priests are very powerful, every native wearing the image
of the Virgin Mary, a cross, or some such thing. No books are allowed
to be imported contrary to their religion. The commandant who makes the
visit examines every vessel.... The inhabitants of the city and suburbs
are very numerous, amounting to nearly three hundred thousand. In the
Philippines there are about two or three millions. A great number are
Chinese; and in general they are a well-made people. Their common dress
is a shirt, and trousers, or jackets and trousers. The women have great
numbers of handkerchiefs about them, so as to be entirely covered. The
natives are well used by the Spaniards, the King of Spain, in all his
public papers, calling them his children.” From these extracts you may
judge of Mr. Bowditch’s mode of studying a people when residing with
strangers. He afterwards speaks of their games, &c.

[Sidenote: SINGULAR BOAT.]

The following description of a boat appears on record of October 5: “At
twelve, set sail for Cavite in one of the passage-boats, which is very
inconvenient for passengers; being nearly three hours before arriving
at Cavite, during which time I was basking in the sun. Their boats and
manner of sailing are very curious. Having generally light winds, they
make their mat sails very large, and the boats, made of the bodies of
trees, are very long and narrow; so that there would be great danger of
upsetting, if it were not for “out-riggers,” which they have on each
side, consisting of two bamboos about eight or ten feet long, whose
ends are joined to another long bamboo, running lengthwise of the boat.
The lee one, on a flaw of wind, sinks a little in the water, and, being
buoyant, keeps the boats from upsetting; and on the weather [that is,
towards the wind] ones the persons in the boat are continually going out
and in, according to the force of the breeze. In a fresh breeze there
will be six or eight men at the end of the bamboo, there being ropes
leading from the top of the mast to different parts of the bamboo, to
support them as they go. By this means they keep the boat always upright,
and make it sail very fast, in a good breeze going five or six knots.”
After this, a good account is given of the mode of counting used by the
Malays.

[Sidenote: EARTHQUAKE.]

“November 5. About two P. M. there came on, without any preceding noise,
a very violent shock of an earthquake. It commenced towards the north,
and ran very nearly in a southerly direction. It continued nearly two
minutes; everything appeared in motion. When it happened, the captain and
myself were sitting reading, and we immediately ran out of the house.
All the natives were down on their knees, in the middle of the streets,
praying and crossing themselves. It was the most violent earthquake known
for a number of years. It threw down a large house about half a league
from the city, untiled one of their churches, and did considerable
damage to the houses about the city and its suburbs. Nothing of it was
felt on board the shipping.”

[Sidenote: HOME AGAIN.]

On Monday, December 12, having sold their wines and laden their vessel
with sugar, indigo, pepper, and hides, the party set sail from Manilla,
heartily tired with the vices and superstitions of the place. Retracing
their course through the Straits of Sunda, with much difficulty they
regained the Indian Ocean, and then, setting full sail, they once more
looked towards home.

In coming round the Cape of Good Hope, the wind was very favorable.
During their passage, several ships were met with, all of whom told them
of home, and of the beginning of troubles between America and France, and
England. Finally, at six A. M., they saw Cape Ann towards the north-west,
and at two P. M., May 22, 1797, the vessel was riding at anchor in Salem
harbor, having been about half round the world, and nearly fourteen
months from Salem.

CHAPTER V.

_From 1797 to 1800—age, 24-7._

Marriage.—Third voyage; visits Spain.—Dangers.—Earl
St. Vincent’s fleet.—Arrival at Cadiz.—Observatory at
Cadiz.—Sails for Alicant.—Passage through the Straits of
Gibraltar.—Privateers; chased by one; anecdotes of Mr. B.’s
love of study shown then.—Hears news of the death of his wife;
consoles himself with mathematical studies.—More troubles with
privateers.—Leaves Alicant.—Advantages derived from his visit
to Spain.—Fourth voyage; to India.—Extracts from Journal on
viewing a ship that was engaged in the slave trade.—Arrival
at Java; introduction to the governor; respect formerly paid
to him.—Anecdote of English navy officers.—Goes to Batavia
and Manilla.—Observations of Jupiter while becalmed near the
Celebean Islands.—Voyage home.

[Sidenote: TRADES FOR HIMSELF.]

[Sidenote: FIRST MARRIAGE.]

During these two voyages, Mr. Bowditch had been engaged in trade for
himself; and having thereby gained a little property, he wished to remain
at home and enjoy the blessings of domestic life, from which he had
been separated at the age of ten years, when he left the abode of his
parents. In accordance with this wish, on the 25th day of March, 1798,
he married an excellent and intelligent woman, named Elizabeth Boardman.
But in a few months he was again called to a seafaring life. His young
and beautiful wife was already beginning to show symptoms of that disease
which eventually removed her from her husband and friends. It was a hard
struggle for the tenderly attached couple to separate; but duty called
the husband, and obedience to duty was always his watchword. Accordingly,
by August 15, 1798, he was prepared for sea, in the same ship, with
the same owner, Captain Derby, and his friend Captain Prince. On this
occasion he went as joint supercargo. It was on the 21st of August—nearly
five months from the date of his marriage—that he bade adieu to his wife.
He never saw her again. Full of devotedness to him, she, however, urged
him to do what he thought right, unconscious that she should never more
embrace him. During his absence she died at the age of eighteen years.

[Sidenote: VOYAGE TO SPAIN.]

One of the objects of the present voyage was to go to Cadiz, the chief
southern port in Spain. It was rather dangerous at this time for any
vessel to sail towards Europe, as the revolution in France had taken
place only a short time before, and most of the nations of Europe were
beginning to rise against that country; but as Spain was united with
France, an English fleet was hovering about the Straits of Gibraltar. The
consequence was, that it was of great importance to avoid all vessels,
for fear of meeting a privateer.

On the 19th of September, after nearly a month’s voyage, they came within
sight of the shores of Spain; and at seven A. M. the next day, they
discovered the English fleet, under command of Earl St. Vincent, several
leagues to the eastward of them. On this same day they were boarded by
the captain of an American vessel, who informed them that the privateers
were very numerous in the straits.

[Sidenote: CADIZ.]

By Mr. Bowditch’s Journal we learn the following:—

“On Thursday afternoon, 20th of September, the winds continued light
and variable to the westward. Captain Prince steered directly for Earl
St. Vincent’s fleet, and at two P. M. the Hector, of seventy-four guns,
Captain Camel, sent his lieutenant on board, ordering us to bear down to
him. Captain Prince went aboard, was treated politely, and received a
passport to enter Cadiz.” On the 21st, at four P. M., anchor was cast in
that harbor.

The state in which poor Spain was at this time was miserable enough.
There was but one newspaper in the whole kingdom, and that was printed at
Madrid. Everything was degraded about that once noble and brave-hearted
people. Upon the appearance of Cadiz the Journal says thus: “The streets
of the city, although narrow, are very neatly paved, and swept every day,
so that they are very clean. They have broad, flat stones at the sides.
All the houses are of stone, with roofs but little sloping. There are
fortifications all around the city.”

[Sidenote: BATTLE OF THE NILE.]

“September 29, 1798. This day news came of the destruction of the
French fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, by Lord Nelson.”[3] Of this
event you will read in history at some future time; but it was deemed
very important at that time by the whole world. It was one of the most
formidable checks received by the French after they had begun to overrun
Europe.

This news, of course, was very interesting to our voyager; but, although
excited by the political and military contests of the day, he did not
forget the subject to which, from earliest years, he had devoted himself.
You will perceive from the following extracts from his Journal, that
he now was studying astronomy. In fact, he had been reading, during
his previous voyages, many of the greatest works on mathematics and
astronomy.

[Sidenote: OBSERVATORY AT CADIZ.]

“November 12. During our residence in Cadiz we formed an acquaintance
with Count Mallevante, who, before the revolution, commanded a French
frigate at Martinico, and at present is a post-captain in the Spanish
navy. He carried us to the New Observatory, built on the Island of Cadiz,
where we were shown all the instruments they had mounted. There were not
any of them very new. The person who went with us was named Cosmo de
Churruca. I promised to send him, on my arrival in America, the works
of Dr. Holyoke on Meteorology. I gave him my method of working a lunar
observation, which he was to print at the end of the Nautical Almanac.”

[Sidenote: FRENCH PRIVATEERS.]

“At half past four P. M., got under way, and beat out of the harbor of
Cadiz, in company with three other American vessels, which sailed under
the protection of the Astræa.” They were destined for Alicante, and
consequently their course lay through the Straits of Gibraltar, up along
the south-eastern coast of Spain. On the afternoon of the 14th, they fell
in again with the English fleet, which, with those under their convoy,
consisted of forty-five vessels. As the fleet was steering in the same
direction, they kept company with it, being all bound for the Straits of
Gibraltar. Next day they saw another convoy of twenty vessels, and two
of those accompanying the Astræa joined it. The Astræa was obliged to
fall behind, because the remaining vessel under its protection sailed too
slowly. On the 18th the whole convoy entered the Straits, except one,
which was chased by French privateers, ten of which could be counted in
full view; but, on the approach of the Astræa, the enemy retreated.

[Sidenote: FEARLESSNESS.]

[Sidenote: DANGERS FROM PIRATES.]

The moon was shining brightly on the night of the 19th of November, 1799.
Many times had the bell broken over the silent sea from the ship’s deck,
telling of the passing hours, when suddenly the crew of the Astræa was
called to quarters, for a suspicious sail was seen bearing down towards
them. The cannon, of which nineteen were on board, were all cleared
for action, and every sailor, placed at his post, watched anxiously as
the privateer came rapidly towards them. Captain Prince assigned to
Mr. Bowditch a station in the cabin, through which the powder was to
be passed to the deck. When all on deck was ready, and that deep and
solemn silence which always comes over every part of a ship that is
just approaching the enemy, was beginning to creep over those on board
the Astræa, the captain stepped for a moment into the cabin to see if
everything was in order; and “there sat Mr. Bowditch at the cabin table,
with his slate and pencil in hand, and with the cartridges lying by
his side.” Entirely absorbed with his problem, he forgot all danger,
thus showing that his love of science, even when in imminent peril,
was superior to all feelings of fear. This anecdote, doubtless, will
amuse you. It reminds me of the geometrician Archimedes, who lived two
hundred years before Christ, who, as some of you may know, was slain by
the soldiers of the Roman General Marcellus, when they sacked the city
of Syracuse. Archimedes had labored much for his countrymen during the
siege, but finally, it is said, became so engaged in his studies that
he did not know that the soldiers had taken possession of the town until
they attacked and killed him. Fortunately, in the case of Mr. Bowditch,
no evil ensued. Captain Prince could not restrain himself, but burst into
a loud laugh, and asked Mr. Bowditch whether he could make his will at
that moment; to which question Mr. Bowditch answered, with a smile, in
the affirmative. Captain Prince adds, “But on all occasions of danger he
manifested great firmness, and, after the affair of the privateer (which,
by the by, did not molest us), he requested to be stationed at one of the
guns, which request was granted him.”

[Sidenote: SORROW RELIEVED BY STUDY.]

In this way they continued cruising along the beautiful Mediterranean,
but perpetually exposed to danger. Now they come within sight of the high
lands of Malaga, and shortly they fly away from some pirate on the broad
sea. Now they are quietly sailing along under the warm and sunny skies
of an Andalusian climate, and again, in the course of a few hours, are
driven by the current and tempest far away to the south-west. Finally,
after a tedious passage, the ship was moored, on Friday evening, November
23, in the harbor of Alicante. After considerable difficulty and delay
because the city authorities were afraid of disease being brought into
the place by the crews of the ships, they were at length allowed to go
on shore. Here melancholy tidings awaited our voyager. By a Salem vessel
that had arrived at Cadiz, news came of the death of his wife some time
in the preceding October. He made no complaints, however, but quietly
sought to interest his mind in his favorite pursuit of astronomy. He
always did so whenever any trouble came upon him. In this way he consoled
himself, and was not a burden to others by allowing his sorrows to
disturb them.

[Sidenote: INSOLENCE OF PRIVATEERS.]

January 24, 1799, having finished loading the ship with brandy, they
would have sailed, had not the wind prevented. On February 11th they were
still detained by head winds; but now, to their discomfort, they saw a
French privateer cruising off in the bay at the mouth of the harbor. It
was evidently waiting to intrap some one of the American vessels. On the
next day the daring of the privateer commander arose to such a height,
that he rowed in his barge all around the American fleet, and insulted
some of the seamen. Towards evening of February 13, Mr. Bowditch narrowly
escaped serious difficulty with them, as the privateer barge and the
American boat coming from shore came in contact; but the former received
the most damage, and Mr. Bowditch got safely on board the Astræa. On
the 14th, the brigand of the sea departed, and his ship was soon seen
gradually losing itself in the distance over the blue Mediterranean.

[Sidenote: TO INDIA.]

On the next day the convoy sailed. It consisted of five vessels, and by
twenty-four hours of favorable breezes they were brought within thirty
miles of the coast of Barbary; and, after some trouble in consequence
of being obliged to take in tow those of the convoy which sailed more
slowly, the Astræa was fairly out from the Straits of Gibraltar by
February 24, that is, three days from the time of leaving Alicante.

During half the passage home, some of the convoy were in company with
them. They had rough seas; but on the 6th of April, at ten o’clock at
night, Mr. Bowditch arrived in Salem harbor, having been absent nearly
nine months.

This visit to Spain was of service to him in many respects. He there
obtained many books on astronomy and navigation, and some celebrated
works on history, all of which he studied with care on his voyage home.
He, moreover, had gained some knowledge by his visit to the Observatory.

[Sidenote: STUDIES DURING THE VOYAGE.]

He was not destined to remain at home a long while; but the Astræa having
been sold to a merchant in Boston, Mr. Bowditch sailed with Captain
Prince from that city on the 23d of the following July, bound for India.
It was a long, and to most persons a tedious voyage that he was about to
undertake; but to Mr. Bowditch it was the means of improvement. While
the ship was sailing quietly along, or sinking lazily from one swell of
the sea to another, or being tossed about by the most violent gale, Mr.
Bowditch was still laboring at his books. During this voyage, as during
the preceding, he did not perform much duty, except when in port, and,
consequently, on board ship he had a great deal of time to be devoted
to study. And he worthily filled every moment with reading and study
to improve himself or others. During this voyage, as in previous ones,
he taught the sailors practical navigation. Very few incidents worth
mentioning occurred during the voyage; but on the 15th of September,
1799, we find the following in his Journal: “The ship in sight yesterday
soon proved to be an English Guineaman. As we came up with him he fired
a gun to leeward, which we returned. As we came nearer, he fired one to
windward. We returned the compliment and nearly hulled him. When within
hail, he ordered our boat out, which Captain Prince refused, telling him
to come on board if he wanted anything. Finally, he requested Captain
Prince to haul out our boat, as his was calking, which we could plainly
see. Mr. Carlton went on board with the clearance, and the surgeon came
aboard of us, and, after examining our papers and acting in a manner
becoming a Guineaman, they made sail.”

[Sidenote: SLAVE SHIP FROM GUINEA.]

[Sidenote: ABOLITION OF SLAVERY.]

In order to understand this allusion to the Guineaman, you should
know that, at the time we are reading of, the greater part of English
merchants, especially those of Liverpool, were engaged in the horrid
traffic called the Slave Trade. Immense numbers of vessels were annually
sent from Liverpool and other places in England for the sole purpose of
sailing to the coast of Africa, there to get a cargo of the poor natives,
whom they carried to the West Indian Islands and America, in order that
they might be sold, as slaves, into perpetual bondage. Men, women, and
children, were taken indiscriminately, and crammed together, like bales
of cotton or any other goods, between the decks of the vessels. You may
imagine that those who could engage in such abominable proceedings must
have lost all the feelings of humanity. They were used to blood and
rapine; hence you can understand the reason why Mr. Bowditch uses the
term of reproach that he does. I thank Heaven—and I feel sure you will
agree with me—that, by the efforts of devoted men and women in England
and elsewhere, that trade has been formally abolished by Great Britain,
and that every man who now sets his foot on British soil becomes free.
Thank God, also, that our late civil war has destroyed every vestige of
American slavery, and that we can claim, that no slave can now breathe on
the soil of England or America. But to return to the Astræa.

[Sidenote: BATAVIA.]

On December 17 they arrived at Batavia, the chief city of the Island of
Java. The following will give you some idea of the place and persons in
it:—

“Upon our arrival, after making our report to the custom-house, we
proceeded to the Saabandar, who introduced us to the governor and the
governor-general, who is commander-in-chief, and formerly lived in
all the splendor of an Asiatic monarch. At present the outward marks
of respect are far less than they were twenty or thirty years ago. In
former times he was attended by his guards, preceded by two trumpeters.
Every carriage was forced to stop, and the persons within obliged to
dismount, under the penalty of one hundred ducatoons (about one hundred
and sixty-seven dollars). Captain —— refused even to stop his carriage,
and forced his coachman to drive on. The officers of an English squadron
lying at Batavia, in order to show their contempt of the procession,
formed a party similar to that attending the governor, only, instead
of the aids with their staves, one of the officers bore a staff with a
cow’s horn tipped with gold, and another an empty bottle. The rest of the
officers of the fleet met this procession, and made their respects to
it, as the natives did to the governor. At present, all these practices
are brought into contempt, so that none now stop for any officers of
government.”

[Sidenote: THE PLANET JUPITER.]

The Astræa remained but four days at Batavia, the captain finding that
he could not fill his vessel with coffee, as he intended. Consequently,
after taking a fresh supply of provisions and of water, they weighed
anchor, and bore towards the north, with the intention of visiting
Manilla, as on his second voyage. Traversing the Straits of Macassar,
they passed slowly up through the China Sea, and anchored in Manilla Bay
on the 14th of February, 1800. During this passage we find Mr. Bowditch
still occupied in the study of science. When floating, becalmed, among
the islands, during the quiet night, he is observing the appearance of
the planet Jupiter, and studying the motions of its beautiful satellites.
As he was thus occupied, he thought of the immense power of that Being
who first put the bright planet in its appropriate place, and caused it
to revolve around our sun, while its own little satellites, like four
moons, were to keep it company, silently and grandly, in its mysterious
course.

[Sidenote: DEATH OF WASHINGTON.]

After remaining at Manilla long enough to get a cargo, the ship was
prepared for home. On the 23d of March it sailed, and during a passage
of six months very little occurred to interrupt Mr. Bowditch’s daily
labors. It arrived on the 16th of September, 1800. About a fortnight
before this,—September 2, a ship was observed to windward, which bore
down upon them. By the captain they were informed of the melancholy
news (as Mr. Bowditch says in his Journal) “of the death of our beloved
Washington. Thus,” continues he, “has finished the career of that
illustrious man, that great general, that consummate statesman, that
elegant writer, that real patriot, that friend to his country and to all
mankind!”

During these different voyages Mr. Bowditch gained more property. Having
obtained, likewise, what was much better, a reputation, among his
fellow-citizens, as a man of great learning, perseverance, extraordinary
skill in the transaction of business, and unyielding uprightness, he
determined to remain at home. He therefore bade farewell to the sailor’s
life, as he supposed, forever.

CHAPTER VI.

_From 1800 to 1803—age, 27-30._

[Sidenote: SECOND MARRIAGE.]

[Sidenote: CHARACTER OF HIS WIFE.]

On the 28th of October, 1800, Mr. Bowditch married his cousin, Mary
Ingersoll. She was destined to live with him thirty-four years, and
was the source of much of his happiness in life. She was a person in
some respects as remarkable as her husband. She was possessed of
excellent judgment, unwearying kindness and love. She had also an elastic
cheerfulness which scarcely anything could subdue, and very strong
religious feelings. She was constantly trying to aid him. Instead of
seeking for enjoyment in display, she preferred economical retirement,
and great but respectable frugality, in order that her husband might
pursue more thoroughly and easily his favorite studies, and might
purchase books of science. Instead of collecting beautiful furniture, she
called her visitors to see the new works of learning that her husband
had imported from foreign lands. Yet, with all this devoted love, with
all this reverence for his talents and virtues, she remained his true
friend, and never shrunk from fully expressing her own opinion upon every
matter of duty; and if, perchance, she differed from him, she maintained
her side of the question with the zeal of a saint. It has been often
said, that, had Mr. Bowditch been united with a woman of a different
temperament, he would have been an entirely different person. He loved
study, it was true; but none enjoyed more than he the delights of a
family circle. None needed more than he did the kindness of a wife and
children. She lived with him thirty-four years, and on the 17th of April,
1834, she died of consumption, after long and severe suffering.

[Sidenote: REPUTATION AT HOME.]

[Sidenote: EAST INDIA MARINE SOCIETY.]

But I am anticipating my story. For two years after his arrival from his
last voyage, Mr. Bowditch remained at home, and engaged as a merchant
in commerce. We find him generally, in connection with his old friend
Captain Prince, trying his fortunes by adventures of money sent to
different parts of the world. In 1802 he owned one sixth of a small
schooner and its cargo, valued at nine hundred and eleven dollars. During
this long residence in town, his fame had increased. He had become
known among his fellow-citizens as an “able mathematician.”[4] He was
therefore appointed to offices of honor and trust. He was a member of
the school committee of the town. This boy, who had been obliged to
leave school at the age of ten years and three months, was now, at the
age of twenty-five years, appointed to superintend the instruction of
others. He was secretary of the East India Marine Society of Salem.
This society had one of the most interesting collections of East Indian
curiosities that can be found in America. It is now in the possession
of the Essex Institute. The East India Marine Society was composed of
the most influential men in Salem. No one could be enrolled among their
number unless he had sailed, as captain or supercargo of a vessel,
around either Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope. It was intended as a
benevolent society, for the relief of the families of deceased members,
and also for the promotion of the art of navigation. Mr. Bowditch was
one of its most active members. In the early part of this century, the
society was accustomed, on the days of its annual meeting, to have a
public procession. A description of one of these processions may not
be uninteresting to you. I quote the words of an eye-witness[5] of a
celebration that occurred two years later than the period of which I am
speaking; but the date is unimportant, as the ceremony was the same.
“January 4, 1804. This day was the annual meeting of the East India
Marine Society. As the clergy attend in turn, this occasion afforded me
an opportunity to enjoy the day with them. After business, but before
dinner, they moved in procession, but the ice limited the distance.
Each of the brethren bore some Indian curiosity, and the palanquin was
borne by negroes dressed nearly in the Indian manner. A person dressed
in Chinese habits, and masked, passed in front. The crowd of spectators
was great. Several gentlemen were invited to dine. Instrumental music
was provided in the town, for the first time, and consisted of a bass
drum, bassoon, clarinet, and flute (!), and was very acceptable. There
was no singing.” ... “It is a most happy arrangement,” continues this
writer, “to deliver all the papers of this company into the hands of Mr.
Nathaniel Bowditch, lately returned from his voyage to India, that they
may be prepared for public inspection.”

In July, 1802, Mr. Bowditch bought a part of a small vessel engaged in a
sealing voyage; but he lost, by this adventure, half of his investment.
In September of the same year, he, with three others, bought the new ship
Putnam, built a short time previously, at Danvers. This purchase probably
caused a change in his determination of never going to sea again.

[Sidenote: SAILS HIS LAST VOYAGE.]

[Sidenote: ANECDOTE.]

[Sidenote: STUDIES MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE.]

On the 21st of November he sailed as master, and owner of one small
part of the whole ship and cargo, valued at fifty-six thousand dollars.
Though he went in the capacity of captain, he was determined to do
nothing more than direct the course of the ship. He meant to leave to
the officers under him all the labor usually expected of commanders. He
made an agreement with two skilful persons to take upon themselves these
duties. He did so in order that he might be able to pursue his studies
more uninterruptedly than would have been possible, had he been obliged
to watch every favorable breeze, or the first appearance of a gathering
storm. But, as we shall see, whenever real danger called him to duty, he
then stood firm, and gave his commands like one who was satisfied that
the time had come for him to do so. A few days after leaving the port of
Beverly, he was seen walking “fore and aft” the vessel, with rapid steps,
and deeply absorbed, apparently, in the solution of a problem. The wind
had been blowing freshly for some time; and, while he was meditating,
and forgetful of everything else, the mate of the vessel had been hoping
that he would see the severe squall which was threatening, and was, even
then, skimming fiercely over the troubled water. He feared to suggest to
Mr. Bowditch the importance of taking in sail, because the discipline
on board ship prevents an inferior officer from interfering with the
superior, when the latter is on deck. At length, aroused by the danger
of the vessel, he ventured the remark, “Captain, would it not be better
to take in the topgallant sails?” These words aroused Mr. Bowditch from
his reverie, and he instantly ordered all hands to duty, and fortunately,
by his activity and energy, was enabled to furl the extra sail before
the gust struck the vessel. But this event taught Mr. Bowditch a lesson;
and he gave strict orders to the two officers mentioned above to waive
all ceremony with him, and to take the command of the ship whether he
was on deck or not. This rule was afterwards always observed, except
on difficult occasions; and then Mr. Bowditch assumed the authority of
commanding officer. On these occasions, by his calmness and sagacity
he gained the respect and confidence of those in employment under him.
Before the termination of this voyage, we shall see a striking example
of this. But now let us proceed on our expedition with him, and again
cross the Atlantic, pass around the Cape of Good Hope to the islands
of the Indian Ocean. But I should premise, that, as he had become more
acquainted with mathematics and philosophy, he had imported from Europe
most of the great works on these subjects; and he now was prepared to
devote himself more closely than ever to the darling object of his
life—the attainment of a knowledge of the truths of science. He was
determined, on this voyage, to undertake the thorough study of one work
on the heavens—a book which he had understood was above anything ever
before written by man on that subject. Imagine, if you can, the zeal and
delight with which he must have approached this book upon a subject that
had interested him from earliest years. Doubtless he thought not, then,
of the fame he was to gain from it. The name of it you will like to know.
I shall speak of it again; but, meanwhile, I will merely mention that
it was called “A Treatise on the Mechanism of the Heavens,”—_Mécanique
Céleste_,—and was written, in French, by a mathematician named La Place,
the greatest scientific man, after Newton, of modern times. But this was
not the only work Mr. Bowditch took with him. He had many of the most
important works which had been published on the same subject, they having
been imported for him by a bookseller named Blunt, in payment of services
rendered.

[Sidenote: STUDIES AT SEA.]

These various studies of course influenced his Journal. He was an
observer of passing events; but he recorded less of them than on the
preceding voyages.

By the first record, it appears that on “Sunday, November 21, 1802, at
one o’clock P. M., sailed from Captain Hill’s wharf, in Beverly. At two,
passed Baker’s Island lights, with fine and pleasant breeze.” This fair
weather lasted but a few days, and by far the greater part of the voyage
was uncomfortable, in consequence of the prevalence of rain and wind. On
January 25, 1803, he saw the islands of Tristan d’Acunha, and, whilst
coursing along under easy sail, took several observations of them, and
made a chart of their various positions.

[Sidenote: ARRIVAL AT SUMATRA.]

[Sidenote: VISIT TO ISLE OF FRANCE.]

[Sidenote: PEPPER ISLANDS.]

On the 2d of May he arrived among the Pepper Islands, near the coast of
Sumatra. He found several American captains there, all actively engaged
in loading their vessels with pepper. He had considerable difficulty
in making any arrangement with the Rajahs of different places; but at
length, having touched, without success, at several ports, he began
to load at Tally-Poo, on the 9th of May. There he continued until the
18th of July, when, by his Journal, it appears that, having wasted a
number of days, expecting that more pepper would be brought to the
shore, he at last was informed by the Rajah he would not be allowed any
more. Knowing that he should meet with equal trouble at every place
on the coast, he concluded to quit it, and call at the Isle of France
on his homeward passage. During their voyage, amid the various shoals
and islands which abound here, they met with no inconvenience and no
interruption, save that they anchored once or twice, towards night, and
on the 25th of July were obliged to heave to, under the fire of two
English ships of war, one named the Royal George, the commander of
which took the liberty of searching, for the purpose of seeing whether
there were any Englishmen on board.[6] The officer on this occasion was
very polite, and the Putnam soon resumed its course, and in seventy-two
hours more was on the open sea, under full sail, with the aid of the
steady trade-winds of that place and season. On the 24th of August the
vessel was in sight of the Isle of France. He there met his old friend
Bonnefoy, whom he had left there on his first voyage, in 1795, and
likewise many American friends. After purchasing some bags of pepper, and
taking on board some provisions, which employed his time for four days,
he sailed, for the last time from any foreign port, on Wednesday, August
31, 1803. The voyage homeward was very disagreeable, in consequence
of much severe weather. Nothing remarkable happened to enliven the
scene; but Mr. Bowditch disregarded the storms and waves. His mind
was calm and tranquil, for he was daily occupied with his “peaceful
mathematics.” He wrote in his Journal but seldom. There is, however,
the following account of the Pepper Islands. “There are several native
ports on the north-western coast of Sumatra, where the Americans trade
for pepper—Analaboo-Sooso, Tangar, Tally-Poo, Muckie, &c., and several
smaller ports, including about fifty miles of the coast. On your arrival
at any of these ports, you contract with the Datoo for the pepper, and
fix the price. If more than one vessel is at the port, the pepper which
daily comes to the scales is shared between them, as they can agree,
or they take it day by day, alternately. Sometimes the Datoo contracts
to load one vessel before any other one takes any, and he holds to his
agreement _as long as he finds it for his interest, and no longer_; for
a handsome present, or an increase in the price, will prevent any more
pepper from being brought in for several days; and the person who has
made the agreement must either quit the port or offer an additional price.

[Sidenote: PEPPER TRADE.]

“The pepper season commences in January, when they begin to take from the
vines the small kernels at the bottom. In March, April, and May is the
height of the crop, at which time the pepper taken from the top of the
vines is larger and more solid than that gathered at an earlier period.
Many suppose that the pepper is all gathered in May; but I was in some of
the gardens in July, and found at the top of the vines large quantities
which would be ripe in a few days. The young crop was in considerable
forwardness at the bottom of the vines. Some calculate on two crops, but
from the best information I could procure there is only one.

“The pepper is generally weighed with American scales and weights,
one hundred and thirty-three and a third pounds to a _peccul_. What
is weighed each day is paid for in the evening, the natives not being
willing to trust their property in the hands of those they deal with. And
they ought to be dealt with in the same manner, it not being prudent to
pay in advance to the Datoo, as it would be often difficult to get either
the pepper or the money again from him. Spanish dollars are the current
coin, but they do not take halves or quarters. They have a pang or piece,
of which we could get but eighty for a dollar at Tally-Poo, though at
other places they give one hundred or one hundred and twenty for the
same.”

[Sidenote: NEARING THE COAST.]

[Sidenote: DANGERS OF THE COAST.]

[Sidenote: SKILL IN NAVIGATION.]

[Sidenote: ENTHUSIASM OF THE SAILORS.]

[Sidenote: HOME.]

During the whole voyage, as I have already stated, the weather had been
very uncomfortable. The approach to the American coast is at all times
hazardous during the winter. The bold and rocky shore, the intense cold
and severe snow-storms, which make the day shorter even than common,
are so many terrors for the sailor. You may judge of the anxiety of the
crew of the Putnam, when, after a tedious absence of more than a year,
they at length, towards the middle of December, 1803, after a long
period of stormy weather, came upon the shoal grounds off Massachusetts
near Nantucket. The sleet and rain had been driving over the ocean
for many days. No sun appeared to guide them by day; no star lighted
up the night. Groping, as it were, in darkness, they coasted along up
the shore, yet not within sight of it, now throwing their sounding-line
upon Nantucket, and soon afterwards upon George’s Shoal. There seemed
no end to the storm. At length, on the 25th of December, they had
approached, according to Mr. Bowditch’s reckoning, from observation
made two days before, near to the outer part of Salem harbor. The night
was fast closing in. Mr. Bowditch was observed to be on deck, anxiously
looking towards the bow of the vessel, as if trying to see something
that would enable him to know more exactly the position of the vessel
and the precise course it was running. With clear and decided tones,
he gave his orders. The seamen heard him, and obeyed promptly. “There
is something in the wind,” whispered one; “the _old man_[7] is above.”
“Stand every man at his post,” is the command; “and look out for land
ahead.” Fierce gusts of wind swept over Massachusetts Bay, bearing the
vessel irresistibly onwards. The snow-storm beat heavily, and at every
moment the darkness increased. At length, for a moment, the clouds of
drifting snow-flakes parted, and Mr. Bowditch and his mate, who were
watching, saw distinctly the light of Baker’s Island. “Light, ho! on
the larboard bow,” was passed from one to the other on board that ship,
in which were many almost breathless with suspense. It was but for a
moment, and again all was obscured. “I am right,” said Mr. Bowditch; “the
direction in which we are now steering will carry us soon into Salem
harbor.” His prediction was fulfilled, and it was an extraordinary proof
of his skill in navigation. He had had no opportunity for observing the
sun or moon for two or three days; yet, so accurately had he marked his
position in the ocean at the last time of observing, that, by steering
in the direction pointed out by the chart, and observing the rate at
which the vessel moved, he had been able to calculate so exactly, that,
after seventy-two hours of darkness, as it were, he came up within sight
of the light-house almost as easily as if he had been steering in open
day, with the object distinctly in view. The old tars could not restrain
their expressions of admiration; and as, at nine o’clock in the evening,
they dropped anchor in safety from the gale that was now beating with
tenfold violence outside of the island, they whispered with one another,
so that he overheard them, “The _old man_ has done well to-night.” It was
the 25th of December, and throughout Christendom the Christmas festival
in commemoration of the birth of the Saviour had been celebrated, and
friends had all been gathered. Sadness marked their countenances at one
home, from which the husband and friend was absent, though long expected.
As the blasts beat through the streets, and as the family clustered
around the bright, shining fire upon the hearth-stone, as the wind
whistled through the casement, the thoughts of the wife were turned from
the fireside to the rough ocean on which her husband was tempest-tossed.
Many weary weeks had she watched; but day after day had the sun gone
down, and, like Rachel, she could not be comforted. She feared that he
was lost. One after another of her friends had left her late at night,
and finally she was alone. Suddenly she springs up from her seat, aroused
by the sound of quick knocking at the street door. She recognizes the
tap, and in a few moments she is hanging on his neck from whom she was
destined never to be long separated, until death removed her from him for
four years, at the end of which time he was placed by death in quietness
at her side.

CHAPTER VII.

[Sidenote: A REVIEW.]

[Sidenote: HABITS AT SEA.]

[Sidenote: TEACHES THE SAILORS.]

[Sidenote: CARES FOR THEM WHEN ILL.]

Thus finished Mr. Bowditch’s career as a sailor, after he had been about
eight years engaged in this pursuit. Let us now review a little, and see
what he was doing during these voyages, and how he occupied his time. He
was very regular in his habits. During the first two voyages he attended
to the duties of mate of the vessel. This, of course, prevented him from
studying as much as he otherwise would have done. He, moreover, as we
have seen, took fewer books with him. But during the next two voyages,
the captain excused him from the watches, and he was able to read with
less interruption. After the deck had been washed in the morning, he
walked for half an hour. He then went into the cabin to study, until the
time arrived at which he was to observe the sun. This was done every day
at noon, in order to tell whereabouts in the ocean a vessel is at the
moment of the observation. Having finished this, he usually dined. After
this he slept a few moments, or took a walk, and then studied again until
tea time. After supper he was again at work until nine, when he used to
walk for some time, cheerfully talking with his comrades. Afterwards he
usually studied until late at night; and in order not to disturb his
fellow-passengers, he did not keep a light in the cabin, but frequently
stood upon the cabin stairway, reading by the light of the binnacle lamp,
where the compass was kept. Whenever the vessel arrived at a port, he
was still engaged, but in a different way, perhaps. The instant he was
freed from the duties of weighing pepper on the coast of Sumatra, he went
to his books. No time was wasted, either in foul or fair weather. It made
no difference to him whether the ship was resting motionless upon the
water, or tossing upon the heaviest swell, he was always a worker. But
there was yet another and still more pleasant trait in his character.
He not only loved study himself, but he was determined to persuade all
others to love it also. During his first voyage, he used to go to the
forecastle, or sailor’s cabin, and carry his books of navigation, and
teach the seamen how to guide a ship by the rules found in these books.
He then went on deck, and explained to each one the method of using the
quadrant and sextant, two instruments used by a sea captain. There was an
old man formerly living in Salem, who, when speaking of this disposition
of Mr. Bowditch, said, “I was the steward onboard the vessel, and Mr.
Bowditch frequently scolded me because I did not come to study with him
more steadily.” It is a fact that every sailor on board the ship during
that voyage became afterwards captain, and probably some of them would
never have risen so high, had it not been for the kindness of their
friend. I like to think of this trait in his character. He delighted in
learning for its own sake, and he was always pleased when he could find
some one upon whom he could bestow all his acquirements. He had no mean
standard of comparison between himself and his fellows, but desired to
give and receive as much good as it was possible for him to bestow or
accept.

He was beloved for this by all: but his kindness of heart led him not
merely to teach those who knew _less_ than he, but he did all he could
to relieve them when ill. One of them wrote in a letter answering my
inquiries, after alluding to Mr. Bowditch’s willingness to teach others,
“But kindness and attention to the poor seasick cabin-boy are to this day
[April, 1838] uppermost in my memory, and will last when his learning is
remembered no more.” He might have been as learned, without displaying
this regard for others. But he would not then have had such tributes of
love as was displayed by this old sailor, who remembered his kindness
rather than his instruction.

[Sidenote: STUDY OF MATHEMATICS.]

[Sidenote: BOWDITCH’S NAVIGATOR.]

[Sidenote: ORIGIN OF IT.]

[Sidenote: SUCCESS.]

[Sidenote: FAVORABLE NOTICE.]

But let us examine his particular studies pursued while at sea. We have
already seen that from a boy he had liked simple arithmetic, and on
becoming older had studied deeply into mathematics—a kind of learning
similar in character to arithmetic, only much more difficult and
important. During the long voyages to India, he had ample opportunity
for following this branch of science; consequently we find that he was
chiefly occupied with that subject. On the first voyage he discovered
many errors in a book on navigation, some of which were so important,
that in consequence of them, not a few vessels had been shipwrecked.
This erroneous work was originally published in London, by a man named
Hamilton Moore, and it was almost the only one in use among seamen. It
had been reprinted in America, in 1798, by Mr. Blunt, then living in
Newburyport. One edition had been published, and a second was about
to be issued, in 1799, when Mr. Blunt learned, by means of a mutual
friend, that Mr. Bowditch, during his two first voyages, had detected
many of these errors, and was willing to inform him of them. Mr. Blunt
immediately made application to the young navigator, and received the
assistance he wanted. Finding that Mr. Bowditch had within him the
means of rendering essential service, Mr. Blunt proposed to him, when
starting on his fourth voyage,—that is, to India,—to examine all the
tables, and see what number of errors he could find. Mr. Bowditch agreed
to the proposal, and during this voyage his time was much occupied with
this task—a very wearisome, but, as it proved eventually, a profitable
one, as it regards reputation and pecuniary success. The mistakes
were so numerous that he found it much easier to make a new work, and
introduce therein his own improvements: so that Mr. Bowditch, before
the termination of the voyage, decided to make some arrangement for
this purpose. The consequence was, that, instead of publishing a third
edition of Moore’s Navigator, in 1802, the first edition of the “American
Practical Navigator” was published by Mr. Bowditch, under his own name,
Mr. Blunt being proprietor. Thus was laid, at the age of twenty-nine, the
foundation of a work on navigation that has kept constantly before the
public, as one of the best of the kind, either in America or England.
It passed through its tenth edition a short time before Mr. Bowditch’s
death.[8] It soon superseded entirely Mr. Moore’s, and was early
republished in London. And it was not only obtained by every American
seaman, but even English ships sought for Bowditch’s Navigator as their
safety during their long voyages. Many amusing anecdotes are related in
reference to this book. An American captain once took passage in an
English ship from the Isle of France for St. Helena. After, being a few
days out, the passenger, about noon, brought on deck his “Navigator” (one
of Bowditch’s editions) for the purpose of using it. While thus engaged,
the English captain of the vessel walked up and looked at the work.
“Why,” says he, “you use the same work that we do. Pray, where did you
get that?” And great was the surprise of the Englishman, when he learned
that the author of the book he was using every day of his life was the
near neighbor and friend of the person he was talking with. Little did he
imagine that he was dependent upon the efforts of a son of an American
cooper for the information by which he was enabled to go from sea to sea
in comparative safety. But how is it that this work has been able to
remain so long one of the best works of the kind? Because Mr. Bowditch
bestowed very great pains upon it, and with every new edition made all
the improvements possible. He moreover brought all his learning to bear
upon it. To use a common phrase, he put, for the time being, his “whole
heart into” making it as perfect as possible. In the explanations of the
rules he was simple, so that the most ignorant could understand them.
But, in addition to all this, as we have already stated, he introduced
all the new methods which he himself had discovered. One of these was
favorably noticed by a celebrated French astronomer, in a Journal
published in 1808.

[Sidenote: PEACEFUL MATHEMATICS.]

But, although his attention was much devoted to this book on navigation,
he evidently considered it as of little moment, compared with more
important objects. During the long voyages he had been studying the
higher branches of the mathematics and their applications to the
calculation of the motions of the heavenly bodies. The interest he felt
in these pursuits had a most pleasing effect upon him. If he were sad or
disturbed, he found quiet and cheerfulness in “his peaceful mathematics.”
As arithmetic had been the darling pursuit of his boyhood, so now the
curious and intricate problems of mathematics, and the sublime theories
of the planets, occupied his best leisure hours. We have seen that, long
before going to sea, he studied French for the purpose of reading a
work on mathematics. He continued to read with much interest the works
of that country. Some of you may know that about the close of the last
century, at the revolution in France, all the nation was aroused; every
branch of learning and of art received new life. The consequence was,
that many men of the highest genius arose, and, being patronized by
government, they put forth to the world extraordinary works of learning.
Most of these, when upon astronomy, Mr. Bowditch procured for himself,
by means of the publisher of the “Navigator.” He was still engaged in
extracting from various works, or, in other words, in filling up his
volumes of manuscripts, though now, from the increase of his property,
he was enabled to buy the originals; and of course his manuscripts were
chiefly his sea journals, and the notes made by himself upon the various
authors he read. But he did not confine himself entirely to science. He
read history, and some works of a literary character, but he never spent
much time upon inferior books. “Why read anything you cannot speak of?”
he used frequently to say. He likewise studied the Spanish, Italian, and
Portuguese languages.

[Sidenote: METHOD OF STUDYING LANGUAGES.]

[Sidenote: GERMAN VOCABULARY.]

His mode of learning languages is instructive. As soon as he determined
to study one, he bought a Bible, Grammar, and Dictionary in that tongue.
After learning a few of the pronouns and auxiliary verbs, he began to
translate, and usually commenced with the first chapter of the Gospel of
St. John, because in the few first verses there are many repetitions.
Having studied them thoroughly, he proceeded to other portions of the
Bible, with which he was most acquainted. He always carried to church
a Bible in the language he was studying, and used it, instead of an
English one, during the services. But he had another plan, which is very
useful to one who has a bad memory. I will now explain to you one of
his vocabularies, or collections of words, with their meanings attached
thereto, so arranged that he could refer much more easily to them than
to a common dictionary. He did not learn German until a long time after
the period of his life of which we are now speaking; but as the German
vocabulary is the most perfect, I will describe it. It is made upon two
large sheets, one foot broad, and more than a foot and a half high,
which, with the inside of the covers, make six pages. The pages are
divided into columns about one and a half inches wide, that is, large
enough to admit, in very small writing, a word with its signification
by its side. Of course the columns are divided for the letters of the
alphabet, in a manner proportioned to the number of pages of each letter
in the dictionary. Having thus prepared his book, whenever he found that
he was obliged, for want of memory, to look at the dictionary more than
once for the meaning of a word, he wrote it in his vocabulary, and, by
the act of writing, strengthened in some measure his memory of that
word; and, moreover, he could find it immediately, and not lose time as
in turning over the leaves of a larger book. The number of words thus
seen at a glance, as it were, is remarkable. In the above-described six
pages, there are eleven thousand German words, all written distinctly,
but in small letters, and without any repetitions, and with as many
abbreviations as he himself chose. I have been thus minute upon this
subject, not because I think that all ought to make vocabularies, but
because some may be benefited by so doing. Moreover, I wished to speak to
you of them as proofs of his perseverance.

[Sidenote: ACADEMY OF ARTS.]

[Sidenote: HARVARD COLLEGE HONORS.]

Two important events took place during this period of Mr. Bowditch’s
life, which it becomes our duty to record. On the 28th day of May, 1799,
he was chosen a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This
society was the first which bestowed upon him the honor of membership
of its body. It is composed of men of science, combined for the purpose
of improving themselves and the community in knowledge. He continued a
member of this body during his life; and in May, 1829, just thirty years
after becoming a member, he was chosen its president, in which office he
was continued until the day of his death.

[Sidenote: RESULTS OF GOOD USE OF TIME.]

Another honor, and one which was more pleasant to him than any received
at any time afterwards, was bestowed during this period. In 1802 his ship
was wind-bound in Boston, and he left it for the purpose of attending the
annual commencement at Cambridge College. He knew but few individuals
there, though he had corresponded with some of the professors; and one
of the corporation of the college, Chief Justice Parsons, was one of
his kindest friends. He went alone, and, while listening in the crowd
to the names of those upon whom the honors were conferred, he thought
he heard his own pronounced; but he supposed that he might have been
mistaken, inasmuch as the notice was given in Latin. But how great was
his emotion, when he heard from a friend that his suspicions were well
founded! It was to him the proudest day of his life. And we, who know his
humble origin, his simplicity and modesty, can in some measure understand
the thrill of pleasure that ran through him, when he found himself thus
noticed by the first and oldest university in the land. And why was he
thus noticed? Because he had well improved the hours of his life; because
his days and nights had been spent in activity and earnest study. In
after-life, when his fame was established, and the great societies of
Europe bestowed upon him their diplomas, he always looked upon them as
of small moment, compared with this his first, earliest proof of esteem
from his fellow-men. I will take this opportunity to state that very many
years afterwards he was elected one of the corporation of the college.
This he deemed his highest honor, and his estimate was a just one, for
it placed him among the select few who manage the whole affairs of the
university—a place doubtless coveted by many, but to which few are
called.

[Sidenote: NEW SCENES.]

Having now completed his sea life, let us enter upon his new scene of
energy and benevolence as a citizen and father; and our next chapter will
include several years of his residence at Salem.

CHAPTER VIII.

_From 1803 to 1817—age, 30-44._

Mr. Bowditch translates a Spanish paper; is chosen president
of a Fire and Marine Insurance office.—Habits of life.—Becomes
interested in politics.—Federalists and Democrats.—Great
excitement.—Division between him and old friends in
consequence of his zeal.—Feelings of Mr. Bowditch when war
was declared.—Decision of character.—His charity.—Earnestness
in aiding others; ludicrous instance of the effects of
this.—Boldness towards a truckman.—Zeal for improving the
libraries; unites the two.—Dr. Prince’s church.—Performance
of duties of president of Insurance Office.—Answer to an
overbearing rich man.—Appointed professor of mathematics at
Harvard College; same at West Point.—His modesty.—Hints about
leaving Salem.

[Sidenote: KNOWLEDGE OF SPANISH.]

[Sidenote: ADVANTAGE OF STUDY.]

[Sidenote: PRESIDENT OF INSURANCE COMPANY.]

[Sidenote: REGULAR HABITS.]

Mr. Bowditch, on his arrival from sea, met with one of those events to
which he always referred when any one doubted the expediency of any
kind of knowledge. In his voyages to Portugal and Spain, he had become
acquainted with the Spanish language. It so happened that no one else
in Salem was acquainted with it, and an important paper came to the
care of a sturdy and sensible old sea captain; but it was unfortunately
unintelligible to him, for it was written in this same unknown tongue.
A friend suggested to him that probably Mr. Bowditch would decipher it
for him. The document was handed to Mr. Bowditch, who in a few days
returned it with a free English translation accompanying it. The old
sailor was delighted, and immediately supposed that any one who knew so
much about a foreign language must be a very superior person, and capable
of performing any duties. Moreover, he was delighted with the apparent
generosity of Mr. Bowditch, in making the translation without charge to
his employer. It happened at this time that an insurance office in Salem
was in need of a president. The captain was one of the directors of this
institution, and used all his influence in promoting the election of
his young friend. This influence succeeded, and in 1804, when he was
thirty-one years old, we find Mr. Bowditch installed as president of the
Essex Fire and Marine Insurance Company. In this office he continued,
with entire success, until 1823, when he removed to Boston, and took
charge of other similar but much larger institutions. The relief was
great which he experienced from not being obliged to seek subsistence
for his family by continuing in the sailor’s life. The duties of the
office in which he now engaged _seemed_ to occupy all his time; yet
he did not neglect science. He arose at six in the morning during the
year, and took a walk, either before or after breakfast, of at least
two miles. Afterwards he studied mathematics until nine, and he then
went to the office, where he continued until one. After another walk he
dined, and after a short sleep he again visited his office until tea
time. From tea time until nine in the evening he was at the same place
occupied with business. He was not, however, all the time, during office
hours, actually engaged in the necessary work incident to his position
as president; but he was constantly liable to interruption, as much as
he had been when an apprentice. Yet he found leisure enough for study by
early rising and by regular habits. He used to say, “Before nine o’clock
in the morning I learned all my mathematics.” He kept some of his books
on science at his office, and whenever a moment of leisure occurred,
spent the time in reading them. At home he had no private room for many
years; and, as his family of young children grew up around him, he
studied at his simple pine desk, in the midst of their noise and play. He
was never disturbed, except when they failed in kindness to one another,
and then he could never work until quiet was restored. In truth, the
influence of his studies was felt by his children, whose greatest reward
was to receive from him, in token of his approbation, the drawings of
various constellations upon their arms or forehead. It was a sad day for
them when they did not receive from his pen the representation of the
Belt of Orion, the Great Bear, or of some other beautiful constellation
in the heavens.

[Sidenote: POLITICAL EXCITEMENT.]

[Sidenote: PARTY POLITICS.]

But, in addition to the duties of his office, he became interested in
the political affairs of the day. After the revolution, and the new
government of the country went into operation under the presidency of
General Washington, there had been but little political excitement in
Essex County. There were no great parties, which were destined soon
afterwards to spring up and excite the bitterest animosity between
individuals who had been from birth the warmest friends. It would be
impossible, were it useful, to tell all the causes that led to the
formation of the two great sects in politics, called the Federalists and
Republicans. Suffice it to say, that even during Washington’s connection
with the government, the seeds of this division were beginning to
spring up, and, upon the accession of John Adams, as his successor, the
political rancor between these two parties increased with tenfold energy,
until at length the republican party triumphed in the election of Thomas
Jefferson to the office of President of the United States. In Salem the
violence of party spirit rose as high as in any city of the Union. It
would have been surprising, with his desire for aiding any public cause,
if Mr. Bowditch had not been influenced by the excitements of the day. We
frequently find at the bottom of a page, or at the end of some theorem,
brief memoranda of the results of an election. He was, moreover, for
two years a member of the State Council. He was likewise proposed by
the Federalists as a representative to the General Court, but at that
election they were defeated.

[Sidenote: PEACEFUL MATHEMATICS.]

We have scarcely any idea of the violence with which the two parties
contended. Persons who had been, during life, sincere and devoted
friends, were separated by this virulence. Mr. Bowditch suffered as
much as others on this account, and two of his longest and best-tried
friends he did not have any intercourse with for many years. Dr. Bentley
and Captain Prince were these persons, and with both of them you
are already acquainted. It was not until 1817, when President Monroe
visited these Northern States, that harmony was restored between the
two great divisions, and friends once more embraced each other. But,
in the midst of all this excitement with politics, Mr. Bowditch never
neglected the duties of his office, or his studies. In fact, the pursuit
of learning had, as before, a sweet influence over his character. It
still gave calmness when circumstances around him tended to disturb him.
An illustration of this you may find in what follows. In 1812, after
a long series of supposed insults and wrongs from Great Britain, the
American government declared war against that power. Mr. Bowditch was
much distressed by the news, and for two days was so much overcome that
he was unable to study. Friends who knew him had never seen him look
so sad before on any public emergency. He could speak of nothing but
the disasters that he foresaw war would entail upon his country. On the
morning of the third day he got up, and, going down into the parlor,
said to his wife, “It won’t do for me to continue in this way. I _will
not_ think any more about it.” Saying this, he retired again to his
books. The difference in his whole manner was very perceptible. He rarely
afterwards allowed himself to be disturbed by the unfortunate state of
affairs. Such should always be the benign influences of the study of
science and of Nature’s laws.

[Sidenote: CHARITY.]

[Sidenote: ANECDOTE.]

[Sidenote: A RIDICULOUS JUDGE.]

[Sidenote: KINDNESS TO ANIMALS.]

Amid all these various engagements, he was full of sympathy for others.
Wherever he saw he could aid with his counsel, he did so; and many widows
and orphans have felt the influence of his charity. This charity showed
itself chiefly in a desire to improve others. There was scarcely one
of those connected with him in friendship upon whom he did not devote
some time for their instruction. To one young lady he taught French,
and another studied Italian with him. If a young man needed funds, he
knew upon whom he could call with a certainty of substantial aid, even
if he had no money of his own to give away, for throughout life it was
one of the remarkable attributes of Mr. Bowditch’s character, that he
could persuade many to open their hearts to the poor, who, upon other
occasions, were deaf to the common feelings of humanity. For one young
person of this kind Mr. Bowditch obtained a subscription sufficient to
enable him to continue at the university, whereas his young friend would
have been unable to do so without assistance. He was always so zealous
in these undertakings, that one scarcely felt under any obligations to
him. It was his delight to help, and every one saw that his heart was
engaged in the cause. His zeal for humanity was at times immoderate, and
the following laughable law case occurred in consequence of it. One day
he was informed that a little girl, who lived with him, had been run over
by some careless driver; and a crowd, which he could perceive at a little
distance from him, was a collection of individuals drawn together on her
account. He immediately ran forward, and getting to the outside of the
circle, began very energetically to make his way into it. In doing so,
he pulled one of the bystanders so forcibly, that the individual, as it
will appear in the sequel, was offended. Arriving, however, by dint of
hard pushing, at the object of his search, he took his little domestic
with him, and led her safely home. On the next day he was much surprised
at receiving a summons from a justice of the peace, to appear before him,
to answer to the charge of assault and battery upon the individual above
mentioned. He answered the call and paid his fine of a few dollars; but
the judge, who had been notorious for always making both parties suffer,
when it was possible for himself to gain thereby, said, on receiving
the fine, “But you say that Mr. —— _pushed_ you, after you had _pulled_
him.” “I did, sir.” “Very well; then, if you wish to complain of him,
I will fine him likewise.” The ludicrous nature of the whole action
struck Mr. Bowditch so forcibly that he was not unwilling to increase
the folly of it. The plaintiff was then fined, and the affair was ended.
It is but right to say, that the judge was considered, previously to
this, one entirely unfit for the office. Probably no other would have
issued a summons on such an occasion, and the plaintiff was not unjustly
punished for having called upon such a person to aid him in prosecuting
an individual who, in exerting himself to help another, had slightly
disarranged the dress of a bystander.

Mr. Bowditch’s desire to aid the unfortunate was exhibited on
another occasion, when a poor, overladen horse was the object of his
commiseration. A truckman had been violently beating the animal, in order
to induce him to pull along a very heavy load, which was too large for
his strength. Mr. Bowditch had watched the driver for some time, and at
length he stepped earnestly forward, and in abrupt and decided tones
ordered him to desist. The truckman was much superior to Mr. Bowditch in
personal strength, and was, at first, disposed to ridicule the attempt
of his inferior to restrain him. Full of indignation, Mr. Bowditch cried
out, “If you dare touch that horse again, and if you do not immediately
go and get another to assist him, I will appeal to the law, and you will
see which of us two will conquer.” The man yielded, and Mr. Bowditch went
home.

[Sidenote: MARINE SOCIETY.]

The public institutions of the town felt his influence. The East India
Marine Society, of which I have already spoken, improved very much
under his auspices as president. It had fallen considerably during high
political times, and, when he was chosen chief officer, he instilled such
zeal among the younger members of it, and obtained so many new members,
that it revived; and soon after his removal to Boston, the splendid hall
was erected, containing the most remarkable collection of East India
curiosities, of which I spoke in Chapter VI.

[Sidenote: SALEM LIBRARIES.]

In the libraries he had always felt very much interest. You already
know what reason he had for being devoted to the Philosophical Library,
for from it he drew most of his knowledge of science. But there was
another, which had been in existence much longer than this, called the
Social Library. The books contained in these two collections were almost
wholly distinct in their characters. In one only works of science were
to be found, while the other was chiefly devoted to literature. Mr.
Bowditch saw that both of them united would be of great service to the
community, for it would not merely combine the books, but the energies
of the proprietors. Consequently it appears that he, with another of the
Philosophical Library proprietors, was chosen a committee for the purpose
of providing for a union. This was happily effected (1810), and the Salem
Athenæum arose from the combination. The rooms over his office were
chosen as the place for their deposit, and for many years he was one of
the most active of the trustees.

There was another institution with which he was intimately connected
during the whole of the time he lived in Salem. I allude to the church
in which his early friend, Rev. Dr. Prince, officiated. He was one of
the committee of the parish, and, though never a member of the church
strictly so called, he was a constant attendant upon the services, and
had great influence in keeping up the harmony and supporting the true
interests of the congregation.

[Illustration: DR. BOWDITCH’S RESIDENCE AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.]

[Sidenote: DEFENDS THE WEAK.]

In the performance of his duties as president of the insurance company,
he was faithful and prompt in action. He was frequently placed in
circumstances which required great decision of character. At times a
disposition was shown to deceive him; at others, a richer stockholder
would attempt to gain advantages over a poorer one. I well remember an
anecdote in which it is said a purse-proud rich man tried to browbeat Mr.
Bowditch into doing an act which Mr. Bowditch thought would be unjust to
another poorer one. The nabob pleaded his riches, and amount of his stock
in the office, and intimated that he would have his way. “No, sir, you
won’t. I stand here in this place to see justice done, and, as long as
I am here, I will defend the weak.” He seldom met with difficulties of
this kind, for few dared approach him with the intention to be unjust or
untrue. Nothing aroused him so much to an almost lion-like fierceness as
any appearance of wickedness in the transaction of public business. He
had much wisdom, likewise, in the selection of risks, so that the office,
while under his control, succeeded admirably and he left it prosperous.

[Sidenote: PROFESSORSHIP OF MATHEMATICS.]

[Sidenote: EXTREME MODESTY.]

During his residence in Salem he was often invited to seats of honor
and trust. We have already mentioned his political course. In 1806, by
the agency of Chief Justice Parsons, then in the corporation of Harvard
College, he was appointed professor of mathematics in that university.
In 1818 he was requested by President Jefferson, in very flattering
terms, to accept of a similar office in the University of Virginia. In
1820, he was called upon by the secretary of war of the United States, to
consent to an appointment at the Public Military School at West Point.
All of these he refused, as not congenial to his mind. He always declined
talking in public. He would teach all who came to him, but he could not
deliver a public course of lectures. His extreme modesty prevented. For
it will be remembered that he was as remarkable, from his youth, for his
modesty, amounting, in early life, to diffidence, as he was for his other
qualities. Moreover, it should be stated that, at times, he had a certain
hesitation in his mode of speaking, which probably would have prevented
him from addressing easily a public audience.

In 1818, he was urged to take charge of an insurance office in Boston,
but he preferred living in his native place.

CHAPTER IX.

_From 1803 to 1823—age, 30-50._

[Sidenote: EMPLOYMENT IN POLITICAL TIMES.]

[Sidenote: TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN.]

[Sidenote: MR. BOWDITCH OBSERVES IT.]

[Sidenote: EFFECTS OF THE ECLIPSE.]

It should be remembered, that, during these stormy political times, Mr.
Bowditch was chiefly engaged in making his notes on the great work to
which we have already alluded, La Place’s “Mécanique Céleste,” and that
it was between the years 1800 and 1820, that is, during this same time,
that he wrote twenty-three papers, which were published in the Memoirs
of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Of some of these last I
will give you an account. Of the others, were I to mention them, you
could understand but little. They relate chiefly to observations made
upon the moon; the comets of 1807 and 1811; the eclipses of the sun
which took place in 1806 and 1811; measurements of the height of the
White Mountains, in New Hampshire; observations on the compass; on a
pendulum supported by two points; and the correction of some mistakes
in one of the books studied first by him in early life, called Newton’s
“Principia.” A few of these papers I will try to explain to you, at
least in part. I commence with his observation upon a total eclipse of
the sun, which occurred June 16, 1806. I shall quote nearly the words
of the observer. “On the day of the eclipse the weather was remarkably
fine, scarcely a cloud being visible in any part of the heavens. I
made preparations for the observations in the garden adjoining the
house in which I reside, near the northern part of Summer Street, in
Salem. Having been disappointed in procuring a telescope of a large
magnifying power, I was obliged to make use of that attached to my
theodolite, which gave very distinct vision, though its magnifying
power was small. An assistant was seated near me, who counted the
seconds from a chronometer, and thus enabled me to mark down with a
pencil, the time when the first impression was made on the sun, without
taking my eye from the telescope till four or five seconds had elapsed,
and the eclipse had sensibly increased, after which I examined the
second and minute hands of the chronometer, and took every precaution
to prevent mistakes. Four or five minutes before the commencement of
the eclipse, I began to observe that part of the sun where the first
contact [of the moon’s shadow] was expected to take place; and eight
minutes twenty-eight seconds after ten o’clock, I observed the first
impression. As the eclipse advanced, there did not appear to be so great
a diminution of the light as was generally expected; and it was not
till the sun was nearly covered that the darkness was very sensible.
The last ray of light disappeared instantaneously. The moon was then
seen surrounded by a luminous appearance of considerable extent, such
as has been generally taken notice of in total eclipses of the sun.” A
number of stars became visible. The observer mentions that the light
in the garden was not entirely gone; but in the house candles were
needed, as if it were evening. At thirty-two minutes eighteen seconds
after eleven o’clock,—that is, at a little more than an hour from the
beginning of the eclipse,—the first returning ray of light burst forth
with great splendor. I have heard that the effect upon those who saw it
was surpassingly grand. Suddenly the light of midday seemed to break in
upon the quiet of evening. So completely were all the animal creation
deceived, that the cows returned lowing homeward, and the fowls sought
their roosts, and quietly placed their heads under their wings. All human
beings were looking in mute amazement, and deep silence prevailed, as
the dark shadow of the moon came stealing over the surface of the sun
at noon. There was something fearful when the sun was wholly covered.
Suddenly a bright ray shot forth mid heaven, and fell upon the earth,
and with it arose a loud shout from the assembled crowd. Aged men[9] and
women joined in the chorus, and saluted again the beautiful sunlight.

This paper, though short, is one of the most important he ever wrote. In
a note to it he first mentions publicly a mistake he had discovered in
the “Mécanique Céleste.”

[Sidenote: METEORS.]

[Sidenote: OBSERVATIONS OF ONE OF THEM.]

In 1815, Mr. Bowditch published another paper, which I may be able to
explain to you in some degree. You have all heard of falling stars,
or meteors, and probably most of you have seen them frequently, when
walking at night, when the sky is clear. Some of these are very small;
they seem at a great distance. They suddenly appear in our heavens,
and as suddenly disappear, and perhaps nothing more is heard or seen
of them. Others, on the contrary, appear larger, and fall to the earth
after having traversed a great portion of the heavens. On the 14th of
December, 1807, one of the most curious exploded, and fell over Weston,
in Connecticut. Mr. Bowditch, in his Memoir, writes thus:—

“The extraordinary meteor which appeared at Weston, in Connecticut, on
the 14th of December, 1807, and exploded with several discharges of
stones, having excited great attention throughout the United States,
and being one of those phenomena of which few exact observations are
to be found in the history of physical science, I have thought that
a collection of the best observations of its appearance at different
places, with the necessary deductions for determining, as accurately
as possible, the height, direction, velocity, and magnitude of the
body, would not be unacceptable to the Academy, since facts of this
kind, besides being objects of great curiosity, may be useful in the
investigation of the origin and nature of these meteors; and as the
methods of making these calculations are not fully explained in any
treatise of trigonometry common in this country, I have given the
solutions of two of the most necessary problems, with examples calculated
at full length. The second problem is not, to my knowledge, given in any
treatise of spherics. The observations of the meteor, which, after many
inquiries, were found to have been made with sufficient accuracy to be
introduced in the present investigation, were those made at Wenham, about
seven miles north-easterly of Salem, by Mrs. Gardner, a very intelligent
lady, who had an opportunity of observing it with great attention; those
at Weston, by Judge Wheeler and Mr. Staples; and those at Rutland, in
Vermont, by William Page, Esq.” After giving the requisite solutions,
he proceeds: “Some time after the appearance of the meteor, I went
with Mr. Pickering to Mrs. Gardner’s house, at Wenham, where she had
observed the phenomenon. She informed us that on the morning of the
14th of December, 1807, when she arose, she went towards the window of
her chamber, which looks to the westward, for the purpose of observing
the weather, according to her invariable practice for many years past.
The sky was clear, except a few thin clouds in the west. It was past
daybreak, and, by estimation, about half an hour before sunrise, or seven
o’clock. The meteor was immediately observed just over the southern part
of the barn in her farm-yard, nearly in front of the window; its disk
was well defined, and it resembled the moon so much, that, unprepared as
Mrs. G.’s mind was for a phenomenon of that nature, she was not at first
aware that it was not the moon, till she perceived it in motion, when her
first thought (to use her own words) was, ‘Where is the moon going to?’
The reflection, however, was hardly made, when she corrected herself, and
with her eye followed the body with the closest attention throughout its
whole course. It moved in a direction nearly parallel to the horizon, and
disappeared behind a cloud northward of the house of Samuel Blanchard,
Esq. She supposed the meteor to have been visible about half a minute.

“The attention of Judge Wheeler was first drawn by a sudden flash of
light, which illuminated every object. Looking up, he discovered, in
the north, a globe of fire just then passing behind the cloud which
obscured, though it did not entirely hide, the meteor. In this situation
its appearance was distinct and well defined, like that of the sun seen
through a mist. It rose from the north, and proceeded in a direction
nearly perpendicular to the horizon, but inclining by a very small angle
to the west, and deviating a little from the plane of a great circle, but
in pretty large curves, sometimes on one side of the plane and sometimes
on the other, but never making an angle with it of more than four or
five degrees. Its apparent diameter was about one half or two thirds the
apparent diameter of the full moon. Its progress was not so rapid as that
of common meteors and shooting stars. When it passed behind the thinner
clouds, it appeared brighter than before; and when it passed the spots
of clear sky, it flashed with a vivid light, yet not so intense as the
lightning of a thunder-storm. Where it was not too much obscured by thick
clouds, a waving, conical train of paler light was seen to attend it,
in length about ten or twelve diameters of the body. In the clear sky
a brisk scintillation was observed about the body of the meteor, like
that of a burning firebrand carried against the wind. It disappeared
about fifteen degrees short of the zenith, and about the same number of
degrees west of the meridian. It did not vanish instantaneously, but
grew, pretty rapidly, fainter and fainter, as a red-hot cannon-ball would
do if cooling in the dark, only with much more rapidity. The whole period
between its first appearance and total extinction was estimated at about
thirty seconds. About thirty or forty seconds after this, three loud and
distinct reports, like those of a four-pounder near at hand, were heard.
Then followed a rapid succession of reports less loud, so as to produce a
continued rumbling. This noise continued about as long as the body was
in rising, and died away, apparently, in the direction from which the
meteor came. Mr. Staples observed that when the meteor disappeared, there
were apparently three successive efforts or leaps of the fire-ball, which
grew more dim at every throe, and disappeared with the last. From the
various accounts which we have received of the appearance of the body, at
different places, we are inclined to believe that the time between the
disappearance and report, as estimated by Judge Wheeler, is too little,
and that a minute is the least time that could have intervened.

[Sidenote: OBSERVATION OF THEM.]

[Sidenote: THEIR NATURE.]

“The observations made at Rutland were procured by the kind offices
of Professor Hall, of Middlebury College, Vermont, to whom Mr. Page
communicated his valuable observations, in a paper expressed in the
following terms: ‘I was at the west door of my house, on Monday morning,
the 14th of December, 1807, about daylight; and perceiving the sky
suddenly illuminated, I raised my eyes and beheld a meteor of a circular
form, in the south-westerly part of the heavens, rapidly descending to
the south, leaving behind it a vivid, sparkling train of light. The
atmosphere near the south part of the horizon was very hazy; but the
passage of the meteor behind the clouds was visible until it descended
below the mountains, about twenty miles south of this place. There were
white, fleecy clouds scattered about the sky, but none so dense as
to obscure the track of the meteor. I now lament that I did not make
more particular observations at the time; and I should probably, until
this day, have considered it to be what is commonly called a “falling
star,” had I not read in the New York papers an account of the explosion
of a meteor, and the falling of some meteoric stones near New Haven,
Connecticut, which, by recurring to circumstances then fresh in my
recollection, I found to be on the same morning that I observed the
meteor at Rutland. I am indebted to my learned friend Dr. Samuel Williams
for his aid and directions in ascertaining the situation of the meteor
when I first observed it, and its course, and also for the order of my
observations: Form, circular; magnitude, less than a quarter of the
diameter of the moon; color, red, vivid light; tail, or train of light,
about eight times the length of its diameter, at the least, projected
opposite to its course.’”

I quote these to give you some idea of the appearance of this meteor, and
likewise of Mr. Bowditch’s diligence. From the examination of all the
accounts given him, he came to the conclusion that the body moved at the
rate of more than three miles per second, and at the height of eighteen
miles above the surface of the earth. With regard to the magnitude of the
body, the results were less accurate; and the probability is, that all
the body did not fall, but merely passed through the air, and continued
on its course into unknown regions of space.[10]

[Sidenote: EUROPEAN FAME.]

[Sidenote: ACADEMIC HONORS.]

The other papers I shall not mention, because they are upon subjects
difficult to be comprehended. The last appeared in the volumes of the
Memoirs of the Academy published in 1820. All these papers were read by
the astronomers and mathematicians of Europe, and the consequence was,
that Mr. Bowditch was chosen a member of many of the learned societies
instituted there for the promotion of science. In 1818 he was chosen into
the Royal Societies of London and Edinburgh, and in the year following
was enrolled on the list of the Royal Irish Academy. While I am upon
this subject, I would state that he afterwards was elected associate
of the Astronomical Society of London, of the Academies of Berlin and
Palermo, and had a correspondence with most of the astronomers of Europe.
The National Institute of France was about choosing him one of its
candidates for the position of foreign member, only eight of which are
chosen from the whole world. He died before any election was held.

[Sidenote: LITERARY LABORS.]

In addition to the papers to the Academy, Mr. Bowditch published several
articles in reviews, &c. One of them is an interesting history of modern
astronomy, which is intended to give us an account of the lives and
doings of the most celebrated astronomers of modern times. Such were his
principal literary labors, and the greater part of them were performed
during his residence in Salem.

The article on modern astronomy was prepared a few years after his
removal to Boston. To that removal let us now turn. In 1823 overtures
were made to him to control two institutions in Boston, one for life
insurance, the other for marine risks. The offers were too liberal for
him to refuse. His duties to his family compelled him to accept them. On
his determination being known, his fellow-citizens paid him a pleasant
tribute of respect and love by inviting him to a public and farewell
dinner.

[Sidenote: REMOVAL TO BOSTON.]

As the family left Salem, Mr. Bowditch and his wife often thought that,
after remaining eight or ten years at Boston, they would return, in order
that their bodies might be laid by the side of those of their ancestors.
But new friends awaited them in Boston; new ties were formed there; and
although they always looked to their native place as the seat of many of
their most beloved associations, they both lived in Boston until their
deaths.

His engagements of a public nature, during his residence in Boston, were
similar to those he had whilst at Salem. For many years he managed both
of the institutions to which he had been called. But the directors,
finding that the duties of one were sufficient to occupy all his
attention, broke up the Marine Insurance Company, and Mr. Bowditch (or
Dr. Bowditch, as he was now generally called, having received the degree
of Doctor of Laws from Harvard University in 1816) devoted himself to
the life insurance office. This he raised to be one of the greatest
institutions in New England. By an alteration in the charter, proposed
by Dr. Bowditch, this became, in fact, a great savings bank, where
immense sums are now yearly put in trust for widows and orphans. The
only difference in his habits, caused by his removal to Boston, was an
enlargement of his sphere of labor. All objects of public utility still
engaged his attention.

The system of popular lectures, of which we have now so many, commenced
with the Mechanic Institution of which he was the first president. He
was zealous for the improvement of the Boston Athenæum, and was very
influential towards getting for it large sums of money, and in making it
more liberal in its rules.

[Sidenote: SERVICES TO HARVARD COLLEGE.]

An honor was conferred upon him, after his arrival in Boston, which he
thought as high as any ever received. Having had two honorary degrees
from Harvard University, and having been one of the board of overseers
of that institution for many years, he was finally chosen a member of
the corporation, or council of seven men, who guide the whole of the
concerns of that important institution. How different the commencement
and termination of the career of the poor son of a cooper, who at ten
years of age left school, and yet at the end of life was one of the chief
directors in the first literary institution in America!

CHAPTER X.

[Sidenote: MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE.]

In a former part of this story of Dr. Bowditch’s life, you will remember
that I stated that on his last voyage he commenced his notes upon the
“Mécanique Céleste” of La Place. It was on the first day of November,
during his disagreeable voyage homewards, in 1803, that he wrote his
first note to the work which was destined to occupy much of his time from
that moment until his death, thirty-five years afterwards, in Boston.
This work certainly deserves some of our attention, if he thought it
worthy of receiving the attention of so many years of his life. A brief
account of the life of the author of the original work may interest you,
and will serve as an introduction to the book itself.

[Sidenote: LA PLACE.]

[Sidenote: SKETCH OF HIS LIFE.]

Pierre Simon La Place was born on the 23d of March, in the year 1749,
at Beaumont, on the borders of the beautiful and fertile country of
ancient Normandy, situated in the north-western part of France. He was
the son of simple peasants in that country, and from his earliest years
was remarkable for the extraordinary powers of memory, and intense
love of study, with which he was endowed. In early life every branch
of learning was delightful to him. He seemed eager to gain knowledge
merely, without regard to the object of his study. But he soon began to
distinguish himself upon the subject of theology. This pursuit, however,
was soon ended, and by some means, of which no details now remain, his
mind was led to mathematics, and from that moment he was devoted to
them. After spending his youth at his native place, and having taught
mathematics there, he, at the age of eighteen years, went to Paris, to
seek a wider sphere in his pursuit of knowledge. Bearing several letters
of recommendation as a youth of great promise, he presented himself at
the abode of D’Alembert, who at that time was the first mathematician
of France, and contended with Euler, at Berlin, for the honor of being
the first in the world. But the letters upon which the youth depended
so much proved of no use. D’Alembert passed them by in silent neglect,
without even deigning to receive at his own house the bearer of them.
But La Place was fully bent upon success, and relying upon the force of
his own genius as a more powerful recommendation than any letters, he
sent to D’Alembert an essay, written by himself, upon a very abstruse
subject relating to mechanics. The professor, struck with its elegance
and the great learning displayed by it, soon afterwards called upon the
writer, and addressed him in these words: “You see, sir, that I think
recommendations are worth but very little; and for yourself they are
wholly unnecessary. By your own writings you can make yourself better
known than by any other means. They are sufficient. I will do all I
can for you.” In a few days after this conversation, the young man
was appointed professor of mathematics in the public military school
at Paris. From this period until the end of his life he was occupied
upon the science which he was thus called, at this early age, to teach
publicly at the capital of France. He became daily more acquainted with
the great men of the nation, and was himself making additions to the
scientific acquirements of the age, thus giving eminent proofs of his
genius. He was chosen member of the French Academy, a society of learned
men united for the purpose of advancing the cause of learning, and he
stood soon very high amongst them.

[Sidenote: MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE.]

[Sidenote: GENIUS OF LA PLACE.]

His chief work, the “Celestial Mechanics,”—“_Mécanique Céleste_,”—he
began to publish in 1799, and finished the fourth volume in 1805.[11]
This placed him much above all his contemporaries. In it he had not only
combined many things which he himself had discovered, but likewise gave a
history, as it were, of all that had been done by geometricians from the
time of Sir Isaac Newton until his own day. La Place found many things
detached, but his genius proved that many apparently discordant facts
could be explained by Newton’s theory of universal gravitation. His labor
must have been immense. All Europe rang with the fame of this production,
which was said to be beyond anything ever performed before by man. The
echo of its fame reached America, and Dr. Bowditch obtained the volumes,
as they were successively published. The first two he received in part
payment for his labors on the “Navigator.”

Soon after his arrival home from his fourth voyage, Dr. Bowditch was
taking his accustomed walk towards the lower part of the town of Salem,
and met his old friend, Captain Prince. They entered into conversation,
and Dr. Bowditch remarked that he had, a short time before, received a
book from France, which he had long wished for, having heard that it was
superior to anything ever before written by man, and which very few were
able to comprehend. This work was that to which I have been alluding,
and it now renders Dr. Bowditch’s own name familiarly known among
mathematicians.

[Sidenote: SYSTEM OF THE WORLD.]

Later in life, La Place published a work called the “System of the
World.” In this, which, comparatively speaking, is not difficult to be
read by almost any one, he attempts to give a plain and simple statement
of all that is known in regard to those wise and magnificent laws,
whereby this solar system is kept together in perfect harmony, while at
the same time it is sailing onward through fields of space.

[Sidenote: LA PLACE A SENATOR.]

[Sidenote: DR. BOWDITCH’S LABORS.]

La Place, however, was not a truly noble man, because he was not strictly
just. It is said that he was willing to attribute to himself the
discoveries of others. On Napoleon Bonaparte’s becoming first consul in
France, La Place was made one of the ministers of the state; but he was
soon found to be better fitted for study than for the practical duties
of a public office. Accordingly he retired after a few weeks’ service,
but was made a member of the Senate, of which he became president.
After finishing his political career, he published other works of
great moment; but of those I shall not speak. About the year 1827 he
was seized with an acute disorder, which soon terminated his life. His
last words are remarkable, as conveying the same truth that every wise
man has upon his lips at the hour of death. As he reviewed the amount
of his learning, which was in one respect greater than that of any man
living, he exclaimed, “What we know here is very little, but what we are
ignorant of is immense.” Every man is compelled to become silent and
modest as he sees death approach. La Place was like other common men. He
died as a man, and was buried, and the men of science felt sad that one
so learned and of so strong an intellect should have departed. Endowed
by the Almighty with the loftiest powers of intellect, he stood alone,
and commanded the respect, if he did not always gain the love, of his
associates. Dr. Bowditch, though he regarded La Place as the greatest
mathematician that had ever lived, had little real sympathy with his
character.

[Sidenote: LAWS OF GRAVITY.]

[Sidenote: HALLEY’S COMET.]

[Sidenote: GRANDEUR OF MAN.]

[Sidenote: MOON’S MOTIONS.]

We must now try to give you a short account of the “Mécanique Céleste,”
and of Dr. Bowditch’s labors upon it. The original work consists of
five volumes, but Dr. Bowditch lived to finish the translation of and
commentary upon only the first four. There are about fifteen hundred
pages in the original, while there are three thousand eight hundred and
eighteen in the American translation. The object of the original work
may be known from the following introductory remarks by La Place, on
the occasion of printing the first volume, in 1798: “Newton, towards
the end of the last century, published his discovery of the laws of
gravity, or of the power by which the solar system is held together.
Since that period, geometricians have succeeded in bringing under this
law all the known phenomena of the system of the universe. I mean to
bring together those scattered themes and facts upon this subject, so as
to form one whole, which shall embrace all the known results of gravity
upon the motions, forms, &c., of the fluid and solid bodies that compose
our solar system, as well as of those other similar systems that are
spread around in the immensity of space.” You probably all understand
from this quotation the general object of the “Mécanique Céleste.” La
Place likewise informs us that the work is divided into two parts. In the
first he proposes to give the methods for determining the motions of the
heavenly bodies, their forms, the motions of the oceans and seas upon
their surfaces, and finally the movements of rotation of these spheres
about their own axes. In the second part, he promises to apply the rules
which he has given in the first to the planets and the satellites which
move around them, and likewise to the comets. The first part is found in
the first two volumes, the second part occupies the last two. From these
few remarks you will perceive the immense task imposed upon himself
by La Place, and at the same time the grandeur of it. How wonderful,
that a simple man can attempt to mark out the course of the heavenly
bodies, which we see clustering around us at night! But how much more
wonderful does man become, when we find he has the _power_ to foretell
to us the return of comets that have never been seen by any one living
now—comets that have been, during our lives, travelling into the far-off
fields of space! Strange that a simple man can prophesy, to a day, their
return! Many of us now living remember a beautifully bright and clear
comet, which in 1835 appeared, as had been predicted, after an absence
of seventy-six years. It was called Halley’s comet, after its first
discoverer. At first it seemed like a bright speck in the heavens towards
the north; but the next night it was larger. It seemed to approach, with
fearful rapidity, from evening to evening, and, sweeping in majesty
across our western sky, disappeared gradually in its progress towards the
sun, around which it whirled, and again appeared, more faintly visible
than before, just over our eastern horizon, as if to give us one more
glimpse of itself, a strange messenger of the Almighty, before it passed
off on its far-distant journey, not to return until those who were then
young and free as air, are all laid quietly in the grave, or have become
enfeebled and decrepit by the approach of age. Truly, great is God, who
made the comet; but to me man also seems full of grandeur, when I find
him capable of even _foretelling_ the exact passage of such a body.
Yet La Place enables any man to prophesy this; and in his “Mécanique
Céleste” we may find all the methods of investigation necessary for this
object. But he likewise tells us the forms of the planets; he enables
us to measure the ring which surrounds the planet Saturn, and enables
us to decide, at least in some degree the form and mass of the sun. In
this same work he treats of those curious phenomena, which, as we see
them daily, we think of little moment—the flow and ebb of the sea, or,
in other words, high and low tides,—and the causes of them. He treats
of the motion of the earth about its centre, and of the same motions in
the moon and planets. These are the chief objects of the first and second
volumes. The third volume, as we have already hinted, contains questions
of great intricacy, and of immense importance; namely, the exact motions
of the planets around the sun, as affected by all the attractions exerted
upon them by the various bodies of the universe; and the still more
important motions of our moon around the earth. I say important, because
the exact knowledge of the course of this body is of the greatest moment
to every sailor who attempts to go from one country to another over the
trackless ocean. By means of observations upon this planet, the seaman
can sail over distant waters for many months, and be able to return,
when he may wish, to his own home in safety. Hence the importance of
the astronomer to the simple navigator of our planet. The history of
Dr. Bowditch is another proof of the truth of this statement. By his
accurate knowledge of astronomy, by his ability to follow La Place in
his investigations of all the motions of the solar system, he was enabled
to produce a work on navigation which is sought for wherever the English
language is spoken, as it combines the best methods of using the results
of pure astronomy in the art of navigation. The “Practical Navigator”
would never have maintained its hold upon the community as it has done,
if Dr. Bowditch had not been as skilful in mathematics and astronomy as
in the details of navigation.

[Sidenote: JUPITER’S SATELLITES.]

[Sidenote: PLANET NEPTUNE.]

But to return to the “Mécanique Céleste.” The fourth volume contains
similar investigations, namely, the motions of the satellites, or moons,
about the other planets. Our moon’s motions about the earth, and the
revolutions of Jupiter’s satellites are the most important. Jupiter has
four satellites. These were the first that the invention of the telescope
by Galileo revealed to man; and by their frequent revolutions around
the planet, they have in their turn shown to us many of the laws which
govern the whole planetary system, besides many curious and interesting
facts in regard to their own forms and masses. From the eclipses or
disappearances of the first satellite, when it passes on the side of the
planet opposite to that at which the observer from the earth is looking,
it has demonstrated the velocity of light. Finally, the author treats of
the seven moons, or satellites, of Saturn, and likewise of those of the
planet Herschel, about which much less is known.[12]

[Sidenote: POWERS ACTING UPON COMETS.]

After attending to these subjects, La Place investigates the powers
which act upon comets, which tend to turn from their courses those
bodies, which, as I have before said, are flying in very many directions
throughout the universe, and which are liable to be moved out of their
direction by the actions of some planets near which they may come. This
was the case with a comet in 1770, whose course was wholly changed by
the planet Jupiter drawing it towards its own body. To investigate the
various laws of these disturbing forces is one subject of this volume.
Some other subjects are treated of, but of these I shall now not speak.

[Sidenote: NOTES ON MÉCANIQUE CÉLESTE.]

From this brief account of the “Mécanique Céleste” you may judge of the
difficulties which the original writer had to overcome in making it, and
of the immense labor requisite. But La Place frequently supposes that
a proposition is perfectly intelligible to his reader because it is so
to him. Having such a powerful mind, he is able to see at a glance that
for which any one else would require a long demonstration, before he
could become thoroughly master of the subject. The consequence of this
is, an obscurity in the work, which has made it doubly difficult of
comprehension. Several years ago, but a long time after Dr. Bowditch
had read and made notes upon the whole work, an English writer said that
there were scarcely twelve men in Europe capable of comprehending it.
Dr. Bowditch, feeling that it was the most valuable work upon astronomy
published in modern times, had undertaken the translation of it, and
had made notes thereupon, for the purpose of “amusing his leisure
hours.” Upon its being known that he had finished the task, the American
Academy offered to publish it. Dr. Bowditch would not allow this, and
reserved the publication until he was able to do so at his own expense.
Let us see, now, what service Dr. Bowditch intended to perform by his
translation and commentary. His first object was to lay before America
the greatest work on the science of astronomy ever published. Secondly,
his aim was to bring that work down to the comprehension of young men,
and students of mathematics, by filling up the places left by La Place
without demonstration. Thirdly, he meant to give the history of the
science of astronomy for the interval between the publication of the
original work and that at which the translation appeared. Fourthly, he
wished to collect together all the discoveries which he had made during
the forty years of his life that he had devoted to science. His first
aim was gained by the translation. His second was completely successful,
for he was assured by correspondents, both in America and Europe, that
he had enabled several to read the immortal work of La Place, who never
would have done so had not Dr. Bowditch published his Commentary. The
royal astronomer at Palermo says, in a printed work published after
the first two volumes of the translation had reached him, “Bowditch’s
Commentary should be translated into Italian;” and Lacroix, a celebrated
French mathematician, advised a young Swiss to read La Place in the
American edition rather than in the original. But what pleased the
commentator more than anything else, were the frequent letters from young
men residing in various parts of America, expressing gratitude for the
benefits they had received from his work. When I think of these, I am
reminded of the epithet bestowed upon Dr. Bowditch since his death, and
by one well capable of judging, namely, “Father of American Mathematics.”
He has given a tone to the study of science which will be long felt.

In regard to the third object, all critics allow that he was eminently
successful in giving the history of science up to the time proposed.

Upon the fourth point, we might refer, first, to the immense increase of
bulk of the work, as a proof, but I prefer to mention a few details; and
in order to this, let us examine the Commentary, and let it speak for
itself. But it must be remembered, that, in making this examination, I
must omit many circumstances, because you would not understand or feel
interested in any greater detail.

[Sidenote: ERRORS IN IT.]

[Sidenote: PERMANENCE OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM.]

[Sidenote: ERROR IN PRINCIPIA.]

In the first volume he points out two errors of La Place, one of which
relates to the motion of the earth; and the other is of much importance.
It relates to the permanency of our solar system, as it is commonly
called. You all doubtless know that the sun is situated in the centre,
and the planets, with our earth, revolve around this luminary, which
gives light and heat to all. Now, these bodies revolve in certain fixed
“nearly circular” directions, and La Place thought that they would always
continue to do so, and that Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter,
Saturn, and Herschel would forever continue to wheel around in their
accustomed orbits. Dr. Bowditch proves, however, that though this may
be true of the three larger planets,—Jupiter, Saturn, and Herschel,—it
is not equally certain, _from the proofs given by La Place_, that our
earth, or any of the other smaller planets, may not fly off into regions
far remote from those in which they have been revolving for ages. This
error had been made the subject of a paper to the American Academy at an
earlier period of his life. But it must not be supposed that there is
any proof that the solar system will not continue to exist for many long
ages. On the contrary, there is no doubt that it will last millions of
years. Dr. Bowditch merely wished to assert that La Place’s argument and
calculation did not prove as much as the French mathematician thought
they did. In this volume Dr. Bowditch likewise alludes to a topic which
he had made the subject of a communication, a long time previously, to
the American Academy; I refer to a mistake in Newton’s “Principia,”
which he discovered when quite young, and had sent an account of to the
president of Harvard College. This gentleman referred the question to the
professor of mathematics, who believed the youth was mistaken. Doubtless
he thought it very strange that a simple youth should presume to correct
anything published by so eminent a man as Newton. The error of the
professor will become less singular when you learn that the same mistake
escaped the notice of all the commentators on the “Principia,”—that
is, for more than a century,—and that the cause of the original
communication being made to the Academy was the attempt of Mr. Emerson,
an Englishman, to prove the correctness of the English philosopher. Every
one, I believe, now allows that Dr. Bowditch was correct, and that a
considerable error would result, in calculating the orbit of a comet,
from using Newton’s calculations.

CHAPTER XI.

Commentary continued; second volume.—Discussion between
the English and French mathematicians; Dr. Bowditch’s
criticisms.—Errors in La Place in regard to the earth,
&c.—Third volume; motions of the moon.—Fourth volume; many
errors discovered in it.—Halley’s Comet.—Curious phenomena of
capillary attraction.

[Sidenote: CRITIC OF IVORY AND POISSON.]

[Sidenote: “I HAVE GOT IT!”]

In the second volume of the Commentary, Dr. Bowditch makes very copious
notes, in which he shows a perfect knowledge of the works of the chief
mathematicians of Europe. He stands as critic between two of the eminent
men of science of that day—Messrs. Ivory and Poisson, the former an
Englishman, the latter a Frenchman; and in reference, likewise, to a
difficult subject, namely, the revolution or the turning of a fluid mass
upon its own axis, as our earth does. He not merely agrees with Mr.
Poisson, but, by a very simple illustration, proves the total inaccuracy
of Mr. Ivory’s views. I well remember the earnestness with which he
studied this subject. Day after day, he returned to the task of finding
out some “simple case,” with which to prove to the satisfaction of others
the truth of his own view. At length, when he did discover it, he jumped
up in ecstasy, and, rubbing his hands and forehead with delight, walked
about the library-room, crying out, “I have got it!”

Dr. Bowditch in this volume points out five errors or omissions made by
La Place, some of which are very important. One refers to the form of
our earth, and had been previously communicated to the Academy. There is
another of some moment, relative to the time occupied in the revolution
of one of Saturn’s rings, La Place having made it longer than was true.

Finally, on the subject of the motion of the earth about its centre of
gravity, he points out an error, in which La Place gives to two numbers
only one third of their true value.

[Sidenote: OLBERS AND GAUSS.]

In the third volume, occupied as it is with the motions of the planets
and of the moon, and with all the phenomena accompanying these, Dr.
Bowditch shows much learning, and his power of bringing modern science
to the thorough study of any topic. As in the previous volume, he labors
without fear upon subjects treated of with much earnestness by La Place,
Poisson, and Pontecoulant, in France, and Plana in Italy.

On the theory of the motions of the moon,—a very difficult and
interesting subject,—Dr. Bowditch makes very copious notes; and the
volume terminates with an appendix of more than two hundred and fifty
pages, in which he gives the history of modern astronomy, in reference
to the calculations of the movements of planets and comets. In this he
speaks of Olbers and Gauss. The former, from having discovered three
planets since the beginning of this century, was called “The fortunate
Columbus of the Heavens.” The latter was one of the most remarkable men
in the world for the rapidity with which he was able to perform the most
tedious and troublesome calculations.[13]

[Sidenote: ERRORS IN LA PLACE.]

We come now to the last volume, in printing the thousandth page of which
he died. It was the most difficult to him of the whole, and probably
will raise him higher, in the estimation of the scientific world, than
either of the others. In the first place, I would remark, that either
from the difficulty of the subject, or from the inattention of La Place,
an unusual number of errors was discovered. No less than twenty-four
errors or omissions are pointed out. Many of these seem insignificant,
but often, as may be supposed, they materially affect the calculation.
Most of them refer to the derangements and the motions of Jupiter’s
satellites—a subject which occupies three hundred and fourteen pages of
the volume. The keenness of Dr. Bowditch’s criticism is again perceived
while treating upon a subject in dispute between Plana and La Place. Dr.
Bowditch points out one mistake, and Poisson another, whereby Plana’s
views are proved to coincide entirely with La Place’s, instead of being
opposed to them.

[Sidenote: NOTE ON HALLEY’S COMET.]

I find a note upon Halley’s comet, to which I alluded as presenting
a grand spectacle in our western sky a few years since, and I cannot
forbear mentioning the coincidence. Dr. Bowditch, when making his notes
upon the subject of the motions and revolutions of comets, speaks of
Halley’s comet, and mentions all that is known about it, and its probable
appearance. This note was prepared some time before it was printed. It
terminates thus: “Since writing the preceding part of this note the comet
has again appeared, and, _at the time of printing this page, is visible
in the heavens_, not far distant from the place corresponding to the
elements of Mr. Pontecoulant.”

[Sidenote: CAPILLARY ATTRACTION.]

[Sidenote: LA PLACE AND POISSON.]

The work, so far as Dr. Bowditch is concerned, finishes with the most
curious and difficult subject of capillary attraction, or that power
whereby a liquid rises in narrow tubes beyond the level of the fluid
outside, as we see familiarly in sponges, and cloths, and in very minute
glass tubes. You may think this subject of little moment; yet La Place
thought it more curious than almost any other, and he earnestly calls
the attention of mathematicians to it. It is a subject so difficult
of investigation, that it requires the keenest efforts of the best
intellects to rightly understand it. After La Place’s investigations
were published, Gauss considered the subject, and arrived at results
similar to those presented by La Place. But in 1831, Poisson, the first
mathematician then living, of whom we have already spoken, put forth
a work in which he announced many new views. This he thought himself
justified in doing, after taking into consideration certain particulars
which La Place had neglected. Dr. Bowditch received the work while
engaged in printing this volume. He ceased printing, and devoted six
months or more to a thorough perusal of the new French work. The result
was, that he proved that without an exception, unless where an evident
error was made by La Place, the principles of this mathematician, when
fairly carried out, would produce all the results which Poisson had given
as new in his work. By this labor Dr. Bowditch proved that Poisson’s
so-called new theory of capillary attraction was founded in error. This
is decidedly the most important work of the translator. It places him
much higher than before in the scale of mathematical rank.

I would willingly give a further analysis, but I forbear, because it
would not be interesting to you. It was in correcting this, his noblest
task, in the full strength of his intellect, that he was destined to die.

CHAPTER XII.

Sketch of the life of La Grange, the equal of La Place; love
Dr. Bowditch had for this person’s character; comparison
between him and La Place; also between him and Dr.
Bowditch.—Conclusion of the Memoir

[Sidenote: BOWDITCH AND LA GRANGE.]

During this history I frequently have spoken of different individuals;
but there is one about whom little mention has been made, but of whose
life I wish to give you a short account, as his character resembles very
much that of Dr. Bowditch. His mind and heart were always regarded by the
American mathematician with feelings of respect and love, such as he felt
towards no other mathematician whose works he had studied. An equal of La
Place, it seems not improper to mention him; and I know you will excuse
the slight interruption in my story when you perceive how the noble
nature of La Grange seems to harmonize with, and to illustrate, as it
were, the life of Dr. Bowditch.

[Sidenote: LIFE OF LA GRANGE.]

[Sidenote: HIS INTELLECT AND MODESTY.]

[Sidenote: LA GRANGE AND LA PLACE.]

[Sidenote: LA GRANGE AND BOWDITCH.]

[Sidenote: DEATH OF LA GRANGE.]

Joseph Louis La Grange, one of the most famous geometricians of modern
times, was born at Turin, January 25, 1736. He was one of eleven
children of parents who became very poor, so that Joseph had in early
life to gain his own subsistence. When young, he devoted himself to
the classics, and read Latin constantly. At seventeen his taste for
abstruse mathematics and geometry first showed itself; and from this
period he continued studying by himself, without aid. In two years he
had acquired a knowledge of all that was known upon the science, and
began to correspond with the scientific men of other lands. In 1755
he sent to Euler, then the greatest mathematician in the world, and
residing in Berlin, an answer to a problem proposed by Euler, ten years
before, to the learned men of Europe, and which they had been unable
to solve. He was appointed professor of mathematics at Turin, at the
age of nineteen years, and soon afterwards originated the Academy of
Sciences at that place. In their Memoirs he published papers in which
he not merely criticised Euler and D’Alembert and others, but brought
forward some very curious new views of science, discovered by himself.
Europe soon resounded with his praises, and he was chosen member of all
the learned societies. In 1766, he was called to the court of Frederick
the Great, King of Prussia, to take the place of Euler, who was summoned
by the Emperor of Russia to St. Petersburg. Frederick wrote to him thus:
“Come to my court, for it is right that the greatest mathematician in
Europe should be near the greatest king.” He accepted the situation thus
offered, and remained there until Frederick died; and soon afterwards
he was invited by the French government to go to Paris. From this time,
with slight interruptions, his fame continued to increase, and every
one delighted to honor him; for his labors did honor to his adopted
country. One of the most beautiful compliments, perhaps, ever paid to
man, was the message sent by the French government to the old father of
La Grange at Piedmont, when that country fell, by a revolution, under
French influence. “Go,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs to his
ambassador, “go to the venerable father of the illustrious La Grange,
and say to him, that, after the events that have just taken place, the
French government look to him as the first object of their interest.”
The answer of the old man was touching: “This day is the happiest of my
life, and my son is the cause of it!” And thrice blessed must be such a
son, for he fills the last hours of his father’s life with peace. When
Bonaparte came into power, new honors were showered upon him. But what
was it that charmed Dr. Bowditch in the character of La Grange? It was
the combination of a giant intellect with extreme modesty and simplicity,
a sincere love of truth, and almost feminine affections. He was a pure
being, whose intellect equalled La Place’s, but who at the same time was
full of the utmost gentleness and strict justice. He was at Berlin during
the earlier part of La Place’s career in Paris. In after-life, the two
were friends. Both were great geniuses; both were capable of the highest
flights of thought, and of bringing down to the comprehension of mankind
the vast and wise laws impressed by God on the system of the universe.
La Place became interested in political life. La Grange stood aside,
quiet and pleased with his own high thoughts. If his fellows wished him
to take upon himself any public duties, he took them cheerfully, and
as cheerfully resigned them. La Place courted honors; La Grange meekly
received them. La Place sometimes assumed the fruits of other men’s
labors to cover himself with their glory. In the heart of La Grange sat
humility, justice, and philanthropic love. In fact, La Grange was full
of the loftiest qualities and genius combined. La Place had the latter.
His genius alone recommended him to the scientific men around him. Such
were two men whose works Dr. Bowditch read with the greatest pleasure. He
often spoke with great feeling of the noble traits in the character of
La Grange. The features and form of the head of Dr. Bowditch resembled
those of the great Italian. I have often thought that, as they were like
each other in countenance, so their dispositions and fortunes in life
were more nearly similar than is usual in this world. Both were born
poor, and early had to seek subsistence for themselves. Each devoted
himself early to the science of mathematics, and both became eminent in
it. Love of truth and a longing for it were strong traits in both; order
and regularity of life, and simplicity of food and regimen, belonged
to them equally. Above all, a sincere reverence for goodness, for true
modesty and delicate refinement, and a fine respect for the female sex,
were strikingly manifest in both. Both were moderate in their desires,
and both had the highest good of humanity at heart. Each sought for quiet
and retirement from the turmoil of life in his “peaceful mathematics.”
As the lives of both were beautiful, so was the serenity of their death
scenes. La Grange was attacked near the end of March, 1813, by a severe
fever, and the symptoms soon became alarming. He saw the danger he was
in, but still preserved his serenity. “I am studying,” says he, “what
is passing within me, as if I were now engaged in some great and rare
experiment.” On the 8th of April, his friends Messrs. Lacépède, Monge,
and Chaptal visited him, and in a long conversation which he entered
into with them, he showed that his memory was still unclouded, and his
intellect as bright as ever. He spoke to them of his actual condition,
of his labors, of his success, of the tenor of his life, and expressed
no regret at dying, except at the idea of being separated from his wife,
whose kind attentions had been unremittingly bestowed upon him. He soon
sank and died. Three days afterwards his body was deposited in the
Pantheon, as it is called, the burial-place for the great men of France;
and La Place and his friend Lacépède delivered their tributes of praise
and admiration over his grave. So peaceful and calm was the death of Dr.
Bowditch, whose life I have been trying to place before you.

[Sidenote: MRS. BOWDITCH.]

Dr. Bowditch’s health had been generally good, though he never was
robust. In 1808 he was dangerously ill with a cough, and by the advice
of a physician, he took a journey in an open chaise. He was driven
towards Pawtucket and Providence, thence in a westerly direction through
Hartford and New Haven to Albany, and back again across the interior of
Massachusetts, as far as the fertile valley of the Connecticut River.
Thence passing upwards, he crossed on the southern borders of Vermont and
New Hampshire to Newburyport, and back to Salem. This journey restored
him, and he never afterwards suffered much from cough, and generally
enjoyed good health until his last illness.

In 1834 his wife died. His heart was borne down by the loss. She had
been to him always a loving and a tender companion, faithful and true
even to the minutest points. She had watched all his labors. She had
urged him onward in the pursuit of science, by telling him that she
would find the means of meeting any expense by her own economy in her
care of the family. She had watched the progress of his greatest work,
which, with his dying hands, he afterwards dedicated to her memory. She
had listened with delight to all the praises that had come to him from
his own countrymen and from foreign lands; and now, when he was full
of honor and yet active in business, she was called to leave him. With
her the real charm of life departed, and many sad hours would have been
the consequence, if his sense of duty and devotion to science had not
prevented them. He attended now more closely to active engagements. He
always spoke of his wife with extreme fondness, and sometimes his tears
would flow in spite, apparently, of his efforts to restrain them. There
was a degree of sadness, however, which was perceptible only to his
family, that settled upon Dr. Bowditch during the last four years of
life, in consequence of this deprivation.

[Sidenote: LAST ILLNESS.]

[Sidenote: FAREWELL TO FRIENDS.]

[Sidenote: LOVE FOR HIS CHILDREN.]

In the latter part of the summer and early days of autumn of 1837,
he began to feel that he was losing strength, and had occasionally
pains of great severity. He continued to attend to the duties of his
office, however, without yielding to his suffering. In January, 1838,
he submitted to medical advice; but it was of no avail. He sank rapidly
under a severe and torturing disease, which, for the last fortnight of
life, deprived him of the power of eating or even of drinking anything,
except a small quantity of wine and water. Until the last moment of his
life, he was engaged in attending to the duties of the Life Office, and
to the publication of his Commentary on the “Mécanique Céleste.” During
this time, after he lost the power of visiting State Street, he used to
walk into his library, and there sit down among his beloved books, and
pass the hours in gentle conversation with his friends, of each one of
whom he seemed anxious to take a last farewell. He received them daily,
in succession, during the forenoon; and towards those whom he loved
particularly he showed his tenderness by kissing them when they met and
when they parted. His conversation with them was of the most pleasant
kind. He told them of his prospects of death, of his past life, and of
his perfect calmness and reliance on God. He spoke to them of his love
of moral worth. “Talents without goodness I care little for,” said he to
one of them. With his children he was always inexpressibly affectionate.
“Come, my dears,” said he, “I fear you will think me very foolish, but I
cannot help telling you all how much I love you; for whenever any of you
approach me, I feel as if I had a fountain of love, which gushes out upon
you.” He spoke to them at the dead of the night, when he awoke, pleasant
as a little child, yet with the bright, clear mind of a philosopher. He
told them of his life, of his desire always to be innocent, to be active
in every duty, and in the acquirement of knowledge, and then alluded to a
motto that he had impressed upon his mind in early life, that a good man
must have a happy death. On one of these occasions he said, “I feel now
quiet and happy, and I think my life has been somewhat blameless.”

[Sidenote: WORDS OF COMFORT.]

It was noon, and all was quiet in his library. A bright ray of light
streamed through the half-closed shutter. He was calm and free from
pain. One of his children bade him good by for a time. Stretching out
his hand and pointing to the sunlight, he said, “Good by, my son; the
work is done; and if I knew I were to be gone when the sun sets in the
west, I would say, ‘Thy will, O God, be done.’” Observing some around him
weeping, while he was quiet, he quoted his favorite passage from Hafiz,
one of the sweetest of the poets of Persia:—

“So live, that, sinking in thy last long sleep,
Calm thou mayst smile while all around thee weep.”

On another occasion, when one who was near him had a sad countenance, he
told her to be cheerful; and then, taking Bryant’s Poems he read the four
last verses of that exquisite little poem called “The Old Man’s Funeral.”
It is so beautiful in itself, that I want you to read it; and perhaps you
may like to see how he thought it applied to his own condition. I have
placed in parentheses his remarks.

[Sidenote: THE OLD MAN’S FUNERAL.]

THE OLD MAN’S FUNERAL.

I saw an aged man upon his bier;
His hair was thin and white, and on his brow
A record of the cares of many a year—
Cares that were ended and forgotten now.
And there was sadness round, and faces bowed,
And women’s tears fell fast, and children wailed aloud.

Then rose another hoary man, and said,
In faltering accents, to that weeping train,
“Why mourn ye that our aged friend is dead?
Ye are not sad to see the gathered grain,
Nor when their mellow fruit the orchards cast,
Nor when the yellow woods shake down the ripened mast.

“Ye sigh not when the sun, his course fulfilled,
His glorious course, rejoicing earth and sky,
In the soft evening, when the winds are stilled,
Sinks where his islands of refreshment lie,
And leaves the smile of his departure spread
O’er the warm-colored heaven and ruddy mountain head.

“Why weep ye then for him, who, having won
The bound of man’s appointed years, at last,
Life’s blessings all enjoyed, life’s labors done,
Serenely to his final rest has passed? [I cannot agree to the next
two lines.]
While the soft memory of his virtues yet
Lingers like twilight hues when the bright sun is set.

“His youth was innocent, [yes, I believe mine was innocent;
not guilty, certainly,] his riper age
Marked with some act of goodness every day, [no, not every
day—sometimes,]
And watched by eyes that loved him, calm and sage, [O, yes, watched
by eyes that loved him; and O, how calm, but I cannot add
sage,]
Faded his late declining years away.
Cheerful he gave his being up, and went
To share [he hopes] the holy rest that waits a life [he hopes] well
spent.

“That life was happy; every day he gave
Thanks for the fair existence that was his; [yes, every morning,
when I awoke and saw the beautiful sun rise, I thanked God
that he had placed me in this beautiful world,]
For a sick fancy made him not her slave,
To mock him with her phantom miseries.
No chronic tortures racked his aged limb,
For luxury and sloth had nourished none for him. [Yes, that is all
true.]

“And I am glad that he has lived thus long,
And glad that he has gone to his reward;
Nor deem that kindly nature did him wrong,
Softly to disengage the vital cord, [O, how softly, how sweetly, is
the cord disengaging!]
When his weak hand grew palsied, and his eye
Dark with the mists of age, it was his time to die.” [Yes, it was his
time to die; remember this; do not look sad or mournful; it
is his time to die.]

[Sidenote: LOVE OF FLOWERS AND MUSIC.]

One of the pleasant effects of his illness was his new love for flowers.
He had never shown any great pleasure in them during life, although
a rose, or lily of the valley, was frequently in his vest during the
summer. One day during his illness, Miss —— sent him a nosegay, in the
centre of which was a white camellia japonica. “Ah! how beautiful!” he
exclaimed; “tell her how much I am pleased; place them where I can see
them. Tell her that the japonica is to me the emblem of her spotless
heart.” Music, too, as it had been his delight in early life, now served
to soothe his last hours. One evening, when surrounded by his family, and
he was free from all pain, the door of the library was suddenly opened,
and his favorite tune of Robin Adair was heard coming from some musical
glasses in the entry. Its plaintiveness was always delightful to him: and
after listening to it till it died away, he exclaimed, “O, how beautiful!
I feel as if I should like to have the tune that I have loved in life
prove my funeral dirge.”

[Sidenote: HIS DEATH.]

It was on the 15th of March, 1838, that, being too feeble to walk, he was
drawn for the last time into the library. On the next day he was confined
to the bed. On that day an incident took place which I cannot forbear to
mention. He had called his daughter his Jessamine, and about twenty-four
hours before his death she obtained for him that delicate white flower.
He took it and kissed it many times. He then returned it with these
words: “Take it, my love; it is beautiful; it is the queen of flowers.
Let it be for you, forever, the emblem of truth and of purity. Let it be
the Bowditch arms. Place it in your mother’s Bible, and by the side of La
Place’s bust, and to-morrow, if I am alive, I will see it.”

In the evening he drew a little water into his parched mouth. “How
delicious!” he murmured. “I have swallowed a drop from

‘Siloa’s brook, that flowed
Fast by the oracle of God.’”

On the morrow, 17th of March, 1838, he died. Had he lived nine days
more, he would have exactly completed his sixty-fifth year. On the next
Sabbath he was laid quietly by the side of his wife Mary. Snow-flakes
fell gently upon the coffin as it was carried into Trinity Church vaults.

There both the bodies remained until a few years since, when they were
removed to Mount Auburn.

FOOTNOTES

[1] You will know better, by and by, about the Revolutionary War. I will
merely state now, that this war was between America and Great Britain,
in order to free ourselves from the power of England. The reason why the
British King had anything to do with America was this: Many years ago, a
number of people came over from England, and settled in this country; and
of course the small colony needed the aid of the government from which it
originated. After a time the people here wanted to govern themselves, and
they therefore went to battle about it, because England would not grant
them all their wishes. This contest, which lasted for several years, was
terminated by the United States becoming free from the power of Great
Britain.

[2] It is now in existence, and was kept in his library during his
lifetime, and for many years afterwards. His library, at the time of
his death, consisted of several thousand books, which, during his long
life, he had collected. Yet, to my mind, the little Almanac is the most
valuable book of the whole, because it was the first evidence he gave of
his perseverance, and of the tendencies of his mind. It is now, with his
other manuscripts, preserved in the Public Library of the City of Boston.

The manuscripts and his whole library were given to the city when the
opening of Devonshire Street, in continuation of Winthrop and Otis Place,
required the removal of the house where they had been preserved from the
time of Mr. Bowditch’s death.

[3] This was the famous battle of the Nile. It won for Nelson the title
of “Baron of the Nile.”

[4] From Rev. Dr. Bentley’s manuscript Journal.

[5] Dr. Bentley’s Journal, above cited.

[6] This and similar acts committed by Great Britain were the prominent
causes of the war between the United States and England in 1812.

[7] An expression of which sailors make use when speaking of the captain
of the vessel, and on this occasion overheard by Mr. Bowditch, as two
sailors whispered one to another, as they passed him on the deck.

[8] It is still (1869) used in the American, and often in the English
marine service. The twenty-eighth edition was only recently published;
about seventy-five thousand copies have been issued since the first
edition was printed under the special direction of Mr. Bowditch.

[9] Chief Justice Parsons, it is said, used to say that moment was one
of the most exciting of his life; and he could not forbear throwing up
his hat and joining in the shout with which the boys saluted the first
returning light of the sun.

[10] Since the first edition of this memoir, the whole subject of
meteoric stones has been more thoroughly investigated by astronomers.
Professor Loomis, of New Haven, says (Elements of Astronomy, 1869,
page 209), “In the year 1833, shooting stars appeared in extraordinary
numbers, on the morning of November 14. It was estimated that they fell
at the rate of five hundred and seventy-five per minute. Most of these
meteors moved in paths, which, if traced backward, would meet in a point
near Gamma, in the constellation Leo. A similar exhibition took place
on the 12th of November, 1799, and there are recorded ten other similar
appearances at about the same period of the year.

“There was a repetition of this remarkable display of meteors on the
morning of November 14, 1866, when the number amounted to one hundred
and twenty-six per minute; also November 14, 1867, when the number of
meteors for a short time amounted to two hundred and twenty per minute;
and November 14, 1868, the display was about equally remarkable.”

Professor Loomis concludes that “these meteors belong to a system
of bodies describing an elliptic orbit about the sun, and making a
revolution in thirty-three years.”

The Weston meteor, or aerolite, observed by Dr. Bowditch, is mentioned
by Professor Loomis, as one of “great brilliancy.” “The entire weight of
the fragments discovered was at least three hundred pounds.... The length
of the visible path of this meteor exceeded one hundred miles. It moved
about fifteen miles per second.”

[11] A fifth was printed several years afterwards, on which Mr. Bowditch
made some notes, and which he meant to have published, but death
prevented him from so doing.

[12] Since the first edition of this memoir, one of the most
extraordinary results ever obtained in astronomy by the use of these same
methods of investigation has been made known. Messrs. Leverrier, a French
astronomer, and Adams of England, calculated very exactly the general
characteristics and course of a planet, which, from the disturbances of
the courses of other well-known planets, was _supposed_ to exist. In
1846, Leverrier requested a German astronomer to point his telescope, at
a certain time, towards a certain part of the heavens, and there was the
long-suspected planet, previously never seen! It was named Neptune. It is
sixty times larger than our earth, and its orbit is nearly thirty times
farther distant from the sun.

[13] Within the last few years numerous other smaller bodies (asteroids)
have been discovered—not less than eighty being now known.

*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Nat the Navigator - A Life of Nathaniel Bowditch. For Young Persons" ***

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