Austin Dunham, a prominent citizen, said that " in
nothing had Dr. Bushnell done so much for the
prosperity of the city as in making men ; he taught
them to think large thoughts and to use their
minds." His relation to his city is well described
by Eev. N. H. Egleston in a letter to the " Hart-
ford Courant : " —

" It is his distinction that not only by an un-
equaled professional eminence has he benefited
this place and forever linked its name with his
own, but by the force of his genius he has been
a benefit to the city in so many and such impor-
tant relations. What interest of Hartford is not
to-day indebted to him as a benefactor ? Do we
speak of schools ? The fathers of those who are
now enjoying our unsurpassed appliances for pub-
lic and general education know well that the city
is indebted to no one more than to Dr. Bushnell
for the new impulse given to its schools, now more
than twenty-five years ago, which lifted them to
their present grade of excellence. Do we speak



ESTIMATES 371

of taste and culture ? Who has been a nobler
example and illustration of both, or who has by
his just criticism and various instructions so aided
in their development ?. And so, if we turn to
the business interests of the city, who of its older
residents does not remember how, years ago, at a
time when the impression had become prevalent
that Hartford had reached its growth, — that it
was declining while other cities were outstripping
it in trade and business, and the younger and
more enterprising were beginning to remove to
other and, seemingly, more promising fields of
activity, — Dr. Bushnell lifted himself up in that
crisis, and asserted not only the ability but the
duty of the city to prosper, and how, as it may be
truly said, he woke the city to new life, and gave
an impulse to its business interests which has been
felt to this day ? And so, not to speak of other
illustrations of the fact, this many-sided man has
made himself felt in this city in every direction,
and in respect to every worthy calling and inter-
est, as no other man has ever done. 