"I do pray, my dear sir, that Divine Providence may not permit you to fail of coming.
"I should be grieved if, on making the trial, you should not find yourself pleasantly situated here. I verily believe that you would find a disposition on the part of the people of the village, including all the college Faculty, to render your situation comfortable and pleasant.
"We shall watch every mail and ask every friend, till we learn the decision, or rather what we may expect the decision to be.
With great respect,
"Your obedient servant,
"R. D. M."[34]
[34] Professor R. D. Mussey.
What is here stated as to President Brown, was also true of President Appleton of Bowdoin College. Each had desired that Dr. Dana should be his successor. No stronger proof could be given of the confidence felt in him, than these concurrent last wishes of two such men. Each had brought to the office he held not merely intellectual preëminence, but a dignity and elevation of character, and a singleness of purpose, rarely equaled; and to each the future welfare of the institution over which he presided was an object of the deepest solicitude.
Dr. Dana's letter of acceptance is as follows:
"To the Rev. and Honorable Board of Trustees of Dartmouth College,
"Gentlemen:—I have received, with deep sensibility, not unmingled with surprise, the notice of the appointment with which you have honored me, to the presidency of the institution under your care.