238 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



He was thoroughly versed in the theology of the times and its history, — 

 a study which early attracted his attention from the naturally devotional 

 tendency of his nature and the earnest desire ever impelling him to lofty 

 themes of inquiry and contemplation. His fervently devotional s])irit, 

 in all the diversified scenes of life, found utterance in the divine music 

 of the Book of books, and the hardly less moving strains of later lyrical 

 inspiration, all familiar to him as household words. 



But he was entirely unostentatious of his rich possessions ; and no 

 one, from ordinary intercourse with him, would suspect their fulness, 

 excepting as seen in the refinement, purity, elevated moral tone, and 

 serene, comprehensive wisdom pervading his life and conversation, 

 which the highest mental and moral culture can alone produce. He 

 Avas indeed liberal in communicating his knowledge whenever sought ; 

 and earnest in constant efforts to secure as widely as possible for others 

 the blessings of the cultivation which he so well knew how to appre- 

 ciate. He was a zealous and eflicient leader in all enterprises for ex- 

 tending and advancing education and popular instruction ; the founder 

 of the Salem Lyceum, when the system of popular lectures was intro- 

 duced ; an earnest and judicious worker in the establishment of the 

 Salem Athenaium, and, with his friend, Dr. Bowditch, chiefly instru- 

 mental in procuring for it the means of its present prosperity. He 

 was at the time of his decease the President of the Essex Institute, 

 devoted chiefly to the advancement of the study of natural history, and 

 had a few years previously bestowed upon it about five thousand valua- 

 ble books from the treasured library which he had been so long and with 

 such pains collecting. For very many years he served as Overseer of 

 the University, fulfilling his duties with active zeal and loving care, and 

 retaining to his last hours a deep interest in all that pertained to her 

 nsefulness or glory. He was for a long period one of the most atten- 

 tive and useful members of this Academy, until advancing age and 

 distance of residence precluded his habitual attendance ; and he was 

 selected to pronounce the well-remembered eulogy upon the decease of 

 its President, Mr. Pickering. In fine, he was the uniformly recognized 

 patron and beneficent friend of aU benevolent and educational institu- 

 tions within the scope of his labor or influence. 



The intellectual and spiritual elements of Judge White's character 

 are fully illustrated in the chosen occupations of his life. This was 

 peculiarly transparent, illuminated with the mild and genial radiance 

 of mingled wisdom, piety, refinement, benevolence, and love of truth 



