Evening star., 1935-01-13

mated from his mental alembic within
the compass Of q few hours. He was
now engaged with the anatomy Of
the egg and now deciphering a Baby
lonian brick: now involved In the
nature OF meteoric stones. now In the
different species Of brassica; nov on
the evaporation Of fresh water. now
on that Of salt, now Offering sugges-
tions on the angie Of the windmill
and now concurring with Michaux on
the beauty of black walnut. In the
morning he might be found compos.
ing songs for the nursery, at noon
dieteticaliy experimenting and writ
ing on fishes or unfolding a new
theory Of terrane formations. and at
evening addressing his readers on
the healthful influence. Of the alkalies
and the depurative virtues of white
washing. At his country retreat at
Plandome he might find full employ
ment in translating, for his mental
diversion. Lancisi on the fens and
marshes Of Rome or in rendering into
English the piscatory eclogues Of
Sannazarius."
This may sound fulsome to the
point almost Of satire. As a matter
OF fact, 1t is an understatement be-
cause the historian, Francis, himself,
lacked sufficient knowledge even to
understand how many things Mitchill
knew and was doing to be able even
to list them. He had himself awak-
ened, after short maps, in order that
he would lose not an unnecessary
moment in pursuing his researches.
His correspondence was worldwide
and OF every sort. His interest in
some strange fish brought him by a
rude fisherman was as keen as in a
learned communication from some
European investigator. It Is literally
true that, like Lord Bacon, he took
all science for his province.
Never Ceased Learning and Teaching.
When. later in life. he was urged
to make another trip abroad. he said:
Il know Great Britain from the
Grampian Hills to the Cliffs of Dover,
and there is no need of my going
to Europe; Europe now comes to me-"
And. similarly, he once remarked:
Show me a fin and I will point
out the fish" These words sound
rather boaStful, but the fact is they
were the simple truth.
He never tired Of inStructing any
one who would listen AS a United
States Senator, as a member of the
New York Legislature. his addresses
on the floor not infrequently would
wander into scientific discourse which
would hold his colleagues rapt. He
was famous for stopping people on
the street and talking to them. He
simply could not stop either learning
or teaching. Witness the tale Of his
wife's houSe-cleaning difficulties. He
collected everything he could, and
some sailor had brought him an ant
eaters skin. 1t had lain in his attic
until Mrs. Mitchill found it too smelly
and fuSty to keep. She ordered it
thrown out. The throwing out fob
was not well done. Returning home,
DR.. Mitchill found some boys playing
with a curious object. He paused,
examined their find, instantly identi-
fed what 1t was and delivered them
scientific lecture on the anteater,
its habitat and habits. Then he told
the boys that while he had one he
would like another and gave them so
cents for the skin. Mrs. Mitchill
made no further attempts. The house
was the most miscellaneous museum
in America.
DR.. Mitchil knew all the great
figures of his 'time-the contemporary
American Presidents and great DO
itical figures as well as the scientific
and literary men. For the period, the
mans attainments and exploits are
no less than amazing.
Even though Columbia University
the Columbia College of which he
once was a professor-together with
other universities has encouraged re-
cent research and the Columbia UNI
verSity Press has published q fairly
comprehensive study Of the man and
his work by Courtney Robert Hall, his
exploits were so inclusive, his field so
wide. that it is likely fresh facts con-
corning this first great American
scientist will continue to appear for
years to come.