of
science, now covered with cypress? Those who have trod its hallowed
walks, will never forget his instructions, nor the benevolent
effusions of his heart. Where, in the ranges of cultivated society, is
one to be found, qualified with those rare endowments, which can
supply the chasm made by his death?'"

We insert in its appropriate place the contract made with Professor
Smith by President Wheelock.[40]

[40] See Appendix.

His first wife was Mary, daughter of Rev. Ebenezer Cleaveland, of
Gloucester, Mass., his second wife was Susan, daughter of David Mason,
of Boston, Mass.

* * * * *

Prof. Sylvanus Ripley, who filled the chair of Divinity from 1782 to
1787, was the son of Jonathan Ripley, and was born at Halifax, Mass.,
September 29, 1749.

In introducing him to the favorable notice of Mr. Wheelock, previous
to the commencement of his religious life, Rev. William Patten says:
"Gracious exercises alone excepted, I know not a more promising young
man."

Some extracts from President Wheelock's "Narratives," relating to
Prof. Ripley's missionary labors, are worthy of attention.

"Mr. Sylvanus Ripley, who finished his course of collegiate studies
here last fall, very cheerfully complied with the openings of
Providence, to undertake a mission to the tribes in Canada, and
accordingly prepared for that purpose, and set out with Lieut. Thomas
Taylor, whom he had made choice of for his companion in that tour, as
he had been long a captive with the French and Indians in those parts,
and was well acquainted with the customs of both, and with their
country, and could serve him as an interpreter. He sat out July 17,
well recommended to the Lieut.-governor and Commander-in-chief, and
others of that province, by his Excellency Governor Wentworth, and
others. The special design of his journey was to see what door, or
doors, was, or might be opened for him, or others, to go as
missionaries among them, to open a way for intercourse between them
and this school, and obtain a number of suitable youth, if it may be,
to receive an education here; in the choice of which, he will have
special respect to the children, whose parents were in former wars
captivated by the Indians, and were naturalized, and married among
them."

"September 26, 1772. A delay of sending the foregoing narrative to the
press, gives an opportunity to oblige my friends with a short account
of the success of Mr. Riple