EULOGY

Dupl.

ON

JOHN PICKERING, LL. D.,

PRESIDENT OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES.

DELIVERED BEFORE THE ACADEMY,

OCTOBER 28, 1846,

BY DANIEL APPLETON WHITE,

FELLOW OF THE ACADEMY.

Published by Order of the Academy.

CAMBRIDGE:

METCALF AND COMPANY,

PRINTERS TO THE UNIVERSITY.

1847.

じ

Pickering

EULOGY.

MR. PRESIDENT, and GentlemEN OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES,

AMONG all the works of God, I know of no object of contemplation more delightful than a beautiful human character, pure and lovely, ennobled by Christian virtues, and adorned by the accomplishments of mind. Such was eminently the character of our late beloved associate and President, JOHN PICKERING, whose death we have been called to deplore, and whose distinguished worth we have come together to contemplate and honor. The reluctance which, as some of you know, I felt at becoming your organ on this affecting occasion, arose from my conscious inability to do justice to his profound erudition; but the charm of his character overcame my reluctance, and if I can succeed in drawing a faithful portrait of his life and virtues, I shall rely on your goodness to pardon the imperfect sketch I may give of his talents and learning.

That noble-hearted man, the late Judge Lowell, in commencing his eulogy on the first President of the

American Academy, recognizes the obligation "to trace the path of the great, the virtuous, and the wise, through all their exertions for the benefit of mankind, and to portray their characters as an example to the world." This, doubtless, is the highest purpose of eulogy, and most worthy both of the living and the dead. The memory of great and good men is most truly honored by that which, at the same time, most benefits the world, — the study and practice of their virtues.

You will allow me, therefore, Gentlemen, in seeking to pay this true honor to the memory of one who so richly deserved it, whose life was so invariably virtuous, and who rendered himself so eminently wise and useful, to give especial attention to those virtues and exalted principles which enabled him to achieve his unsullied fame, and which may enable others, stimulated by his example, to pursue a like honorable career. Such a manner of proceeding on this occasion well accords with the high ultimate design of the American Academy;" to cultivate every art and science which may tend to advance the interest, honor, dignity, and happiness of a free and independent people." Of all arts conducing to this great end, the most important, certainly, is the art of human improvement, and the most excellent of sciences is the science of a good life. And both are best studied from original models of excellence. Biography, still more than history, is philosophy teaching by example

the lessons of wisdom; but, to fulfil its office, it must teach in the spirit of philosophy, and unfold the means and inculcate the principles upon which progress in excellence essentially depends. The life which is now presented for our contemplation, if exhibited with that truth and simplicity which were so remarkably its ornaments, would beautifully illustrate the lessons of wisdom, and make her ways as clear to the studious mind, as they are pleasant to the upright in heart. We care little for the mere possession of talents or genius; real merit is above them both. And where shall we look for one who in the meritorious use of talents is greater than our departed friend? Such a life as his cannot be traced too minutely, from its dawn to its close. Genius and eloquence have already, on various occasions, bestowed a rich and glowing eulogy on the learned jurist, the man of science, of letters, and of worth, leaving us, in echoing the voice of praise, little more to do than to enforce its justness, and to gather what instruction we may from the virtues which have called it forth.* The simple truth, Gentlemen, bestows the highest eulogy on our lamented President, while it affords us the truest consolation and the best instruction.

* See the noble tribute to the memory of Mr. Pickering, contained in the Law Reporter (Vol. IX., p. 49), from the gifted pen of Charles Sumner, Esq.; also his admired Address before the Phi Beta Kappa Society of Harvard University, at their Anniversary, August 27, 1846.