University of Maine - Prism Yearbook (Orono, ME)

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With the exception of a year’s work as assistant chemist in the t’nited States Department of Agriculture, during the investigation « : certain sugar problems which the chief chemist. Dr. Peter Collier, was then studying. Professor Valentine’s life, after his return from (iermanv in 1880, was spent as professor of Agriculture at his Alma Mater. The record of these fourteen years of faithful and valuable service is written in tile development of the College during that time, for as a member of the faculty, as the head of an important department of instruction and in the public relations which lie sustained through his position in the College and his consequent membership of the Board of Agriculture. Professor Balentine brought to his duties a fund of information and a soundness of judgment that were always felt in the direction of substantial progress. As an instructor of young men he was popular and successful. In his public utterances and in his work as an investigator he was conservative. He never sought to win public favor or professional notorielv by sensa- tional statements, or through conclusions not supported by sufficient data. As a counselor he was especially strong, for he was able to hold himself to cool and unbiased judgment. It would seem like fulsome eulogy to recount here ali the attributes of mind and heart which endeared this man to those who were liis most intimate associates, and why should this be done? A more enduring record has been made. Friendship and Love have written all these things in living volumes,—the hearts of those that mourn. There, sacredly guarded by unfailing Memory, these inscriptions shall remain as hid treasures until soul is revealed to soul in that clearer light which shines beyond Death’s portal.

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effort rather than the abundance of facilities is the prime factor in a student’s success, and that there is no promise »f great attainment to him who fails to cultivate the true spirit of the scholar, and contents himself with the mere skeleton of enforced duties. W hen in College, Professor Balentiue was popular among his fellows and those days of intimate association saw the beginning of friendships which the later years of busy life have only served to broaden and deepen. He did not escape the frequent college nickname, which is sometimes given in unkindness but more often savors of good will or even affection, and so in his circle of friends he was known as “ Horace.” Though quiet in manner, he was not a stranger to those occasions when college fun is rampant, but such diversions from the monotony of college duties he always tempered with discretion, and both the “boys” and the faculty felt that he could be trusted to maintain the honor of the student body and the good reputation of the institution. Professor Balentiue was the first graduate of the College to connect himself with experiment station work, and was also a meml er of the first staff of the first Experiment Station established in America. This came about from the fact that the Director of this Station. Dr. V. O. Atwater, was professor of chemistry in the Maine State College in 1X74. and Pro- fessor Balentiue. who was one of his pupils, was invited later to take up the double relation of post graduate student in W esleyan I'niversity and assistant in the Experiment Station located there. This relation was continued for two years, interrupted for four months by teaching in Lawrence I'niversity, Kansas, when lie went to Germany, then the Mecca of students of Agricultural Chemistry, for further study. There, one year's training chiefly in organic chemistry, under Professor Limp- richt of Greifswald. and another year’s work with Dr. Maerckerof Halle, both as student and as assistant in the laboratory of the Halle Experi- ment Station, rounded out an already quite extended preparation for the work of the teacher or investigator. This large expenditure of time and effort which he gave to preparation for a subsequent field of labor is. justified by what he accomplished. 16

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“ 'riic miml of the scholar, il you would have it large ami liberal, should come in contact with other minds. It is better that his armor should be somewhat bruised by rude encounters, even, than hang forever rusting on the wall. —I.ongfcUoxe: Hyperion. Ilk. , C i. s. 18