HENRY HOBSON RICHARDSON. 539 



tion, but to rouse the public to a keener sense of tbe need of knowledge 

 and training in the arts. When we recognize the great increase of 

 interest in these subjects within the last twenty years, we must grate- 

 fully acknowledge the service given by one who was its most constant 

 and efficient promoter. 



Charles Perkins was fortunate in his life. He had never known 

 illness, he had been free from harassing cares, he had given himself to 

 occupations in which he was deeply interested, surrounded in his home 

 by those who were always ready with intelligent sympathy and aid. 

 He had not indeed satisfied his early ambitions, nor even pursued 

 them to the end. He had not been a creator in art. It was not for 

 the task of comparing obscure examples of sculpture and searching in 

 musty archives for forgotten details, it was not for the often wearisome 

 toil of the School Committee, that he had made the long preparation of 

 his early manhood. But he had taken hold of the tasks and the duties 

 which came to his hand to do, and he had found happiness in doing 

 them with all his might. And probably no preparation he could 

 have made would have better fitted him for the work he was to do. 

 But he was more than fortunate. He devoted his life to the increase 

 of knowledgfe, and to the advancement of his own people along his 

 chosen path ; and he so lived that all who knew him were eager to 

 bear witness to his high and delicate sense of honor, the purity of his 

 character, his fidelity in friendship, and the kindness of heart which 

 his charming manner so happily expressed. 



On the 25th of August, 1886, at Windsor, Vermont, he was thrown 

 from a carriage and was instantly killed. He left a widow, two sons, 

 and a dausrhter. 



o 



HENRY HOBSON RICHARDSON. 



The death of Mr. Richardson on the 26th of April, 1886, took 

 from his profession a great master, and from his friends a man of 

 most noteworthy and interesting character. 



He was born at Priestley's Point, St. James Parish, Louisiana, on 

 the 29th of September, 1838. His father, Henry D. Richardson, was 

 a planter of American birth, but his earlier ancestors were Scotchmen, 

 who however had moved to England before the family came to this 

 country. His mother was Catherine Caroline Priestley, who was a 

 daughter of Dr. Priestley, the famous theologian. It is easy to 

 believe that all these circumstances of his origin contributed some- 

 thing which can be recognized in the character of the distinguished 

 architect. 



