The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-22
From The Boston !Seatiaci.
DEATH OF DIR R0WDITCH


II is painful duty 10 announce the death OF one
of our most distinguished citizens, NATHANIEL
BOWDITCH is no more He departed this life, at
his residence, in this city yesterday between IL and
o'clock, after severe and painful illness of four
or five weeks aged o. His malady was disease
Of the stomach. For two three weeks his illness
has been topic of deep interest 10 our citizens and
for several days past, his physicians have deemed
his recovery hopeless ..
DIR. Bowditch possessed one of the most gifted in
elecs of this any other age, and his will go
down to pcsteriy one OF the most ustrous in the
annals OF science Like Franklin, he was self
taught, and his works have exalted the char cer of
his country, in the estimation of foreign nations
HiswoTk on navigation, has been for years the I'M
erring manual of Navigators OF all nations TO illu-
inmate their way across the trackless ocean. The
English Navy and our own, as well as our CONNER
cial Marine have for years made his book their con-
slant guide, in navigating the boundless deep. AT
this moment while he sumbers.with the dead, the
abors OF his brilliant intellect serve 10 guide tens of
thousands oil tempest tost mariners 10 their destined
ports.
His last great work, the translation and illustration
of the 1scaanique Celeste" Of LA PLAcE,--a work
on the Celestial Mechanism remains unfinished.
The third volume has been published, and we learn
that the fourth volume is now ready for the press
He had proposed to complete il in five quarto vo-
tunes. This great work was designed for the sci
entifc portion OF mankind and the volumes already
published have received the unqualified admiration
and commentator OF all scientific men in both hems-
phcres. Ii has placed him in the foremost rank OF
science. AT an early stage Of life, he displayed an
uncommon fondneSs and aptitude for mathematical
studies and his deep researches in this great and in
tricae branch Of knowledge, has carried him far
beyond his contemporaries. As profound mathe-
matician he has left no superior and probably no
equal.
DR.. Bowdtch was formerly of Salem, but for the
las fifteen years he has been resident Of this city,
and the accomplished Actuary of the Massachusetts
Hospital Life Insurance Company. Hrs mathemati-
cal turn of mind rendered him admirably adapted TO
the preparation of the profound tables used in that
cxcelentinSuon, TO estimate the chances OF living
or general calculations on the average Of the dura-
ton of human life. The station which he occupied
in that institution, cannot be made good.
Notwithstanding his superior Intellectual endow-
mentS, he was modest and unassumng in his deport-
III nt,-kind and benevolent in his feelings,-acces-
sibe 10 all classes Of sociey,-public spirited and
charitable on all occasions. His character was that
Of one OF our best citizens f.a
Nathaniel Bowditch is no more. He will be seen
no more among his family and friends no more in
The social walks, and among his fellow citizens,--no
in the land Of the living But although he has
died in the midst Of his usefulness, he has not lived
in vain. His life and character will atiold bright
example for the imitation Of Others and his scientific
works will remain, as an imperishable monument of
intellect that has shed lustTe the age in which
he lived. With this hasty sketch we must leave TO
ADLER pens the TASK of poftraying the character and
attainmenS OF the illuStriouS dead.