Patterson.] J-UO [Nov. 18, 



were Genealogical Records of his father's and mother's families. It has 

 been well said by Daniel Webster, that "men who are regardless of their 

 ancestors and of their posterity are apt to be regardless of themselves. 

 Our ancestors belong to us by affectionate retrospect ; our descendants by 

 affectionate anticipation." Some such sentiment must have encouraged 

 Mr. DuBois in the labor involved in the preparation of these Records. 

 They were written with perfect good taste and truthfulness, and set a good 

 example in a branch of literature then novel, but in these latter days not 

 uncommon. 



I have now traced the principal occasions bringing Mr. DuBois before 

 his fellow-men, but cannot bring this notice to a close without referring to 

 some other particulars, bearing upon his character as an officer and a man. 



From the beginning he was highly esteemed at the Mint. It was his 

 ambition to acquire a knowledge of every branch of the service, and with 

 his capacity and opportunities this end was attained. He early became the 

 trusted friend and counsellor of his colleagues, and was able to serve them 

 in many ways, perhaps most of all with his ready pen. As time passed, 

 and forty-eight years of experience was given to him, he was recognized 

 by all as the Nestor of the Mint service. 



And here I pause to draw a lesson, from the example of Mr. DuBois's 

 life, as to the value of- a properly organized civil service. In the depart- 

 ment with which he was connected, political tests were never obtruded, 

 and permanence of tenure followed on merit. On no other basis could his 

 services have been claimed or retained. They would have been transferred 

 to a private sphere, probably to his pecuniary gain, certainly to the public 

 loss. Under a more rational policy, he was content to give to the Govern- 

 tnent the devotion of a life-time. Proud of the service in which he was 

 engaged, he sought to fix it at a high standard. If he lent it reputation by 

 his labors and varied talents, he felt that this was for himself a sufficient 

 reward. And he sought further to elevate the service through the new men ' 

 brought into it, giving to their instruction an intelligence and patience 

 which they gratefully remember. But if he spared not himself, and gave 

 freely of his time, his talents, and his experience, he was nevertheless ^ 

 sparing for the Government, cautious irk public expenditure, scrutinizing 

 the smallest details, and never permitting an extravagance. 



We have seen that Mr. DuBois appeared on many occasions as an author. 

 It is to be regretted that these were not more frequent, for his style had 

 singular merit. Whatever was the matter treated, he attracted and held 

 you to the end. There was a certain quaintness, a vein of humor, Miiich 

 cropped out in the most unexpected way, and all the more charming from 

 the contrast with the otherwise dry theme under discussion. 



In personal appearance Mr. DuBois was tall and spare, showing marks 

 of the delicate health to which he was subject from early manhood. His 

 features were regular, his eyes dark and brilliant, his countenance habit- 

 ually grave, but easily lighted to kindly expression in the intercourse with 

 friends. He was deterred by the vocal difficulty, of which I have spoken, 



