Memoir of Bishop Elliott [pp. 390-402]

MEMOIR OF BISHOP ELLIOTT.
talk or with his rich, soft, hearty laugh ringing out at some merry
jest, and being conscious that a living grace was added to the
picturesque scene within the bounds of the venerable school.
It must be left to his biographer to speak fully of his career as
a Professor, and of the manner in which he performed the duties
of his chair. We can only say that the number of those who
learned to love, honor and revere him there, is the whole number
of those whose names stand upon the roll of those bright days
of the proud old College, as well as all who watched and cherished its progress at that time. Hle yearned to make it a school
of high learning, a rich source of truth and refinement, and the
centre of a generous and intellectual citizenship to the State.
" Will you let other States breed your scholars?" exclaimed
he, on one occasion to one of the classes, "and will you be content to be hewers of wood and drawers of water to them?" In
his own person he showed them how high and gracious and precioIIus a thing was the pure gift of learning and the culture of
letters, the charm and the power of the scholar.
In the lecture room his clear and vigorous analysis, and his
rich, polished, and often passionate words, taught them how to
think and how to utter their thoughts. His hopeful voice cheered
everybody. And he here exhibited a marked characteristic of
his whole life. He deeply and gladly sympathized with every
aspiration after a higher culture, however humble. He encouraged each to do his best, although that best might be but little.
To him the aspiration itself was a grace, the effort itself was
elevating. To him there was every imaginable difference between the high aims of even the weak, and the dull recklessness
of aimless strength. He dearly loved books, to be among them
and to handle them. He was a connoisseur in print and paper
and binding. He took an eager and active interest in the new
library building, whose foundation was laid under his auspices.
He sedulously watched and pushed forward its construction.
And when it was finished and all was ready, carefully were the
books carried under his eye from the old room where they had
stood so long, to a fitter resting place. RTight gladly he called
his pupils around him to help him to receive and arrange them.
When the great boxes which contained the recent importations
of the best and richest English editions of the best and greatest
authors-brought there by the prodigal bounty of the State to
her favorite institution-were opened, his enthusiasm broke forth,
and he dwelt with all a scholar's delight upon their exquisite
beauty and inestimable value. And when all the work of arrangement was nearly done, he turned to the group around him
and said, in his own rich tender tones, "Now, young gentlemen,
I will expect in after years, each one of you who can afford it to
bring some work of art, some statue, bust or picture to adorn
these alcoves." It was thus he taught the young novices of his
school to love books, and art, and letters and learning. And
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