Editorial. Memoir of Prof. Chapin A. Harris. [Volume: 2, Issue: 5, December, 1860, pp. 274-288]

EDITORIAL.

275

"BRETHREN OF THE DENTAL PROFESSION:
"The duty of transmitting to you the foregoing proceedings of a
meeting of dentists in the City of New York has been intrusted to us.
We perform this duty with a satisfaction equaled only by that which you
will feel, in responding heartily and liberally to the recommendations suggested by this meeting.
"Dr. Chapin A. Harris devoted the business portion of his life to the
advancement of all the interests of the profession with which you are connected. He labored, not only long and faithfully, but also indefatigably
and successfully, to elevate your calling to the dignity of a science.
" He edited, for twenty years, the best periodical which the profession
can boast; he constructed its only Dictionary of Dental Science; he
assisted in establishing our first dental society and college; and he gave
us the best dental text-book which we have known. These invaluay
labors give him a clear title to our gratitude and love. f
"But the meeting for which we act expressed a unanimous desire to
give a tangible expression to this sentiment, which should assume such a
form and character as would be equally gratifying and useful to the
worthy family of the deceased.
"This committee, therefore, confidently appeal to every member of
our profession throughout the world, to co-operate with the dentists of
New York in a testimonial of exalted merit, to be presented to the
family of our deceased brother, and earnestly hope that it may be, in the
universality of the contributions as well as their aggregate sum, a worthy
recognition of the noble service which Prof. Harris has rendered to the
profession and the world.
"The professional writings of Dr. Harris, various and voluminous, are
cosmopolitan. The Dictionary, the Principles and Practice, and parts
of the Journal, now in its twentieth octavo volume, have long been shedding the lustre of their science through the world. With the language
in which he wrote, go the truths which he inculcated; and even out of
that language into the dialects of Europe gush the streams of knowledge
from his prolific pen.
"Prof. Harris gave to his brethren not only his days, but his nights.
He gave them unstintingly the electric forces of his body and the vital
energies of his mind. As the tallest pine peering above its companions
on the mountain top falls first before the storm, so fell our brother,
leaving us to tremble in the shock of his fall.
"And what better can we do than to administer all the consolation
that circumstances allow us to bestow on those who are most afflicted?
"The committee, whose names are appended to this circular, have been
instructed to solicit the means of presenting a money testimonial to the
family of the deceased.
"The committee, therefore, will transfer to Mrs. Harris, in money, all
sums from one dollar upward, that may be contributed to this fund, and
they beg leave to make the following suggestions:
"1. That contributions to the fund proposed be forwarded by mail or
otherwise, with the address of the donors, to Dr. Eleazar Parmly, No. 1
Bond Street, New York, Chairman of the Executive Committee, on or
before the first day of February next, from all parts of the United States;
and before the first day of May, from all foreign countries.
"2. That every dentist who has not purchased the professional works