Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-04-23

obeulsi giving ebpbCldl dllenLlOn 10
comets and meteors. 1t is safe to say
that while he had charge of this work
for the journal, no paper in the whole
country surpassed il in the trust
worthiness OF its astronomical reports.
Up to 1885, he was employed by the
Appletons TO write the years
astronomy for their annual encyclo-
pedia. The perusal of single one OF
these articles gives convincing proof of
his wide acquaintance with astrono-
mers and their work. He discussed
fully the progress in all lines of the
science and in all countries. In astro-
nomical science he will never die. Miss
Clerke, in her History of Astronomy
in the Nineteenth Century mentions
him in some six different places. Many
of the noted astronomers knew him
personally and loved him. Some years
ago while Proctor was visiting in this
country, he lectured in indianapolis.
After the lecture he was invited to 20
to neighboring town and lecture the
following night. Proctor said; mo;
l came to America so see Daniel Kirk
wood. To morrow is my opportunity and
| am going to Bloomington to see him. -
II "
By far tho largest number Of those
who knew DIR. Kirkwood intimately
knew him as the genial. kind hearted,
sympathizing teacher. In tho 30 years
spent in tho class room, he came in
contact with many thousand men and
women, and SO far as is known, every
one of them loved him. The new
student who entered DIR. Kirkwood's
class for the first time felt, when he
looked into that happy face and those
Dyes twinkling with good humor and
kindly sympathy, that he. had found
friend. And he had DIR. Kirkwood
taught at time before evolution had
brought the college curriculum to ita
present condition. He taught required
work. Many of those in his classes
took the work from compulsion and
not from choice. Perhaps his great
sympathy may have sometimes made
him too lenient with the latter class
To the interested student he was an
inspiration. He had unusual ability
in making the most difficult objects
clear ana simple. He was able to see
almost instantly the students real
difficulty and to clear it up at single
stroke. His blackboard diagrams and
solutions were models Of neatness and
beauty. He never tolerated either
slovenly thinking or working.
He had habit in the cassro of
doing many things by signs. III he
wished the work erased from the
board, he indicated it by a system of
motions, and 30 il he wanted door
opened or closed, or window raised
or lowered One spring day he wanted
window lowered. He pointed out
student and then motioned to tho win
dow. The student did not understand
and SO he repeated the motion more
vigorously than before. The student
still failing TO understand, the gesticu-
lations became more emphatic. Finally,
thinking that something must be done,
the student rushed to the window and
| jumped out. So far as is known from
history or tradition, this ia the only
time in Kirkwood's professional life
when the joke was on him. Few men
OF SO great reputation were so modest
as Dr. Kirkwood. He never gave him
| anxious TO help others forward.
| Modesty formed one of the most at
traGtive elements of his character. 1t
| was this that endeared him to the
common people. His neighbors loved
him because he was to them common
man and not the great astronomer. His
modesty also prevented him from get
ting into acriminous disputes with
| other scientists. He would suffer
wrong rather than lenounce any one.
In his personal relations with
men he was the very soul of honor If
he ever wronged fellow. man or did an
ungentlemanly act, il has never been
heard of. The writor we'll remembers
his first visit to Bloomington. lie
went into barber Hhop, and il being
rainy day, there was gathered there
quite crowd of men of all classes. BY
chance the conversation turned to men.
Every man found his ideal in Daniel
Kirkwood. Not oven the disappointed
cynic found in him anything to crti-
else. No man ever received a higher
tribute of praise. His life was so pure
and true that in him the student the
philosopher and the common man all
found their ideal.
In religion he was PRESBYTERIAN.
He WAS an active and helpful member
of the church. Although strong be-
lever in the Westminster confession,
his broad mind had charity for all who
in any way tried to follow the Naza-
rene. His study of the stars but
strengthened his belief in God. To
his mind, with it's faith strengthened
by an almost infinite grasp of the
mightIest works of God unbeIIef was
impossible, and he could hardly under
stand now honest unbelief could exist
in another. Once in a classroom after
finishing a beautiful demonstration, a.
student asked, "ls that always true?'
"Yes, said he, "as true as that there
is a God in heaven. - But" SAID
the student, "what would you say to
him who does not believe in God?"
Strengthening up to his full height
and with glittering eye, he said. "I
would try to keep my temper and get
away as quickly as possible. Z" No
stronger argument for the Christian
religion was ever made in the city of
Bloomington than the simple everyday
life of this noble man.
1t is fitting in closing to givo three
estimates of his life. A student OF
his, now well-known professor, said
in lecture few years ago: ''Tho
specific lessons of the class room. the
formulae and thenrema of nv COLLAGE
course have long since been forgotten.
but there is one thing worth more than
all else, that will abide forever-the
lesson IN true living given me by my
daily contact with that noble astrono.
mer, Daniel Kirkwood. " An old neigh.
Dor says;" kirkwood with the strongest
intellect, save one. of all the men [
have known, combined the simplicity
OF child and realized in his actuaI
life his ideal of beauty of character
and purity of soul. Nothing gave him
more happiness than to be brought into
relation with men and to he of service
to them. Whatever the world has
gained from KirkWool AS n tnncbor ,s