410 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
nor money, nor any other reward, but simply the privilege of 
gaining knowledge and of storing it up in convenient forms 
for the service of others ;”’ that “the love of knowledge was 
the one passion of his life,” and that “he asked no richer 
satisfaction than to search for it as for hidden treasure.” He 
was singularly retiring and reticent, very dry in ordinary 
intercourse, but never cynical; delicate and keen in percep- 
tion and judgment; just, upright, and exemplary in every 
relation; and to those who knew him well communicative, 
sympathetic, and even genial. In the voyage of cireumnavi- 
gation he was the soul of industry, and a hardy explorer. 
The published narrative of the commander shows that he took 
a part in every fatiguing excursion or perilous ascent. Per- 
haps the most singular peril (recorded in the narrative) was 
that in which this light-framed man once found himself on 
the Peruvian Andes, when he was swooped upon by a condor, 
evidently minded to carry off the naturalist who was contem- 
plating the magnificent ornithological specimen. 
Dr. Pickering married in the year 1851, and leaves a widow, 
but no children to inherit his honored name. 
