^a: %^ t> A/. v^% IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT»3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 *-IIM iiM • tt 12.2 m 12.0 U i 1.6 V] M Photographic Sciences Corpordtion ^ V \\ % V 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4S03 V^' s:*'ft*wrt«i i^m -A.2sr O IR JL.1! X i'- loiior. ice of Ige, he 'ossils these ts fossils were dedicated to him, viz. : Edmondia Haritii, a fossil shell resembling a clam, and, Gyroccras Harttii, a lohed spiral shell something like a Nautilus. In 1864 he obtained proof of the Pre- Carboniferous age of the gold of Nova Scotia. Prof. C. D. Walcott of the United States Geological survey is now engaged on a revi- sion of the type collection of the Cambrian Fossils of Saint John left by Prof. Hartt at Cornell University. It is his intention to name a new type of Gasteropod, which he has discovered in this collection, Harttia, in honor of Prof. Hartt. He, as already stated, disproved Agassiz's hypothesis of the glacial origin of the Amazon valley. This bold stand in opposition to one so eminent, fortified by evidence the most indisputable, won for him great distinction and placed him in the front rank of the most distinguished Geologists of the day, A sketch that would do full justice to this noted son of Acadia would far transcend the limits prescribed to the discharge of this solemn task. All I can do is to touch the salient points of his life- work and briefly indicate a few of his individual characteristics. His great versatility was the surprise of all with whom he came into contact. He was an accomplished linguist ; had a fine taste for Music ; could draw, sketch, and was a standing authority on the quaint lore and legendary tales of different countries. At the time of his death he could read with ease ten or more languages, and could speak fluently five modern ones. On one occasion he lectured at Kio before the Emperor, his Court and the elite of the City, in Portuguese. One present remarked, he spoke with greater apparent facility tlian he had ever heard him in his own vernacular. But it was in the realms of Science where he exhibited his extra- ordinary powers to the greatest advantage. The readmess with which he could recollect the names and classify Fossils was simply 10 ORATION TO THE MEMORY OF marvellous. In this respect he far outstripped all other students at Harvard. For history and mathematics he had no taste, and their study during his College course was exceedingly irksome to him. Nor did he seem much to care for light literature. He thought time uselessly spent in novel reading. His powers of organization were of a superior desciiption and admirably fitted him for his last great work. His personal magnetism was more than ordinary, as evi- denced by the strong friendships he formed and the ascendancy he acquired over his staff of assistants. They soon learned to catch the fervor of his zeal and the inspiration of his lofty motives. Notwithstanding the ease with which he could master a lan- guage. Prof. Hartt was not a fluent or eloquent speaker. He would often stammer, hesitate and be at a loss for a word. This arose from his studied exactness of speech, and the almost painful brevity with which he sought to convey his ideas. Yet in lecturing, so deftly could he draw, and so skilfully could he illustrate his des- criptions by a rapid sketch, he very much relieved the monotony of his address and often succeeded in rendering his platform efforts comparatively popular. His wondrous versatility, however, did not cause liiiii to swerve from the purpose he set before him in life. After all he was a man of one idea — and tl.at to stand in the front rank of Natural Scien- tists. To this one object he subordinated all his powtrs and dedi- cated his great and varied knowledge. For money, except as a means to an end, he had not the slight- est desire ; nor did he seem to know its value, save when purchas- ing a book or spending it to prosecute his favorite studies. In these days of sordid pelf and grovelling desires what a relief does such and example present ! He was one of the most unselfish of men. idents study Nor t time 1 were t great aa evi- ncy he ) catch a lan- 3 would s arose brevity ring, so lis des- )touy ol" efforts swerve a man Scien- Id dedi- slight- Kirchas- [n these les such )f men. PROF. C. P. HARTT, A. M. 11 To do a noble act, to assist a friend, to speak a kind word either of admonition or instruction, seemed the very essence of his being. These are a few of the cardinal virtues of liim to whose mem- ory yonder statue is erected. Pure in life, unselfish in deed and thought, ready to sacrifice all, even life itself, to broaden the hor- izon of Science and extend the limits of knowledge, what more, I ask, can be added? Sic itur ad astra. My fellow class-mates: — Such then in brief was the work, and such the life of him, with whom for four years we enjoyed daily communion within the walls of our Alma Mater. How barren seems the record of our achievements as contrasted with that of him we mourn. Regret now is useless, save as a stimulus to future exertion. The past is beyond recall ; yet " some work of noble note may yet be done." Let his brilliant career fire us witli a worthy ambition to follow, " with steps however unequal and at a distance however great," the course of so bright an example. But yesterday, in the Church at the foot of this hill, he stood by our side, cheerful and radiant with hope, and recei\'ed from the hands of the late venerable President of this University, his Bach- elor's Degree. To-day, in a Cemetery overlooking Lake Erie, in the land of his adoption, he finds lasting repose, unvexed by the cares and undisturbed by the turmoils of life. From that lonely grave comes a voice, and it bids us in life's stern battle ever to stand for the right, and to emulate him in strength of will — " To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."