over, in these respects. It was not doubted
that he would be equally honorable as president of the college, should
his health endure.

"'That he would have been, had he been able to retain his place,
everybody well understood, as well from his auspicious beginning, as
his distinguished qualities. He made a deep impression upon the
college during the short period of his actual service.

"'But his sensitive nature had received a great shock in the breaking
up of his many and most endearing relations at Newburyport and the
country around. He began here with health seriously impaired, and in
great depression of spirit. The change of scene, of society, labor,
and responsibility, was too much for his disordered frame. He sought
relief by travel. But he gained little or nothing, and was driven to
the conclusion that his life could probably be saved only by
resignation. He could not consent to make such an office as he held a
sinecure, or to see the college labor through its severe adversities
without greater vigor of administration than his infirmities admitted.
With great conscientiousness and magnanimity, he chose to put himself
at a seeming disadvantage, rather than to risk the interests of the
college upon what he judged to be the doubtful chances of his
recovery.

"'He left with the profound respect and sincere regret of the Trustees
and Faculty. Their confidence in him was unshaken; and they never
doubted, that, had he been more favorable to himself, and borne his
new burdens with less solicitude, till he could regain his health, he
would have been as distinguished here as elsewhere, and raised the
college to a corresponding usefulness and dignity.

"'Most men judge superficially and unwisely in such cases. So far as I
know, the most competent judges of Dr. Dana's relations to Dartmouth
see nothing that does not redound to his honor. It is understood that
he accepted the presidency with great reluctance, on account of his
other responsibilities and attachments, and with distrust of his
physical ability to perform its duties; that, while he performed them,
it was with characteristic ability and effect; and that, when his best
efforts to regain his health failed, and he saw reason to fear, that,
even if his life should not be a sacrifice, his increasing infirmities
would be to the disadvantage of a struggling institution, he
generously, and entirely of his own accord, resigned. To my
apprehension, all this is signific