XXlll 



Under the continued smiles of Providence, Mr. Pickering found 

 himself, in November, 1799, happily situated in the family of Rufus 

 King, our minister at the court of St. James, surrounded by the 

 most desirable means of intellectual progress and rational enjoy- 

 ment. He was honored by an intimate reception in the family of 

 Christopher Gore, then at London, residing in Mr. King's imme- 

 diate vicinity. He gained the warm friendship of both these emi- 

 nent gentlemen, and met in their respective families the best soci- 

 ety, whether for his taste or his manners. His social pleasures 

 at this time were of a high order, and rendered altop-ether delieht- 

 ful by the simultaneous arrival in London of a classmate of kindred 

 sentiment and taste, who afforded him all that exquisite enjoyment 

 of confidential intercourse which springs from college friendship.* 

 This beloved friend survives to honor his memory and bear witness 

 to his worth. He had access to his inmost thoughts and feelings, 

 and can put the seal of truth to the strongest lines of excellence 

 which I have drawn. I have only to regret that his skilful and 

 delicate pencil was not employed to paint the picture. 



Our consul at London was Samuel Williams, Mr. Pickering's 

 friend and cousin, who freely offered to advance whatever funds he 

 might desire for the purchase of books. His father having encour- 

 aged him to indulge his inclination in such an expenditure, he 

 availed himself largely of Mr. Williams's kind offer, and selected and 

 brought home with him an extensive and choice library, which in 

 the end became a rich acquisition to the literature of New England. 

 Mr. Pickering was the private secretary of Mr. King, and also 

 the instructer of his sons in their vacations from school ; but he 

 found much time for his literary pursuits. These were such as we 



* Dr. James Jackson. 



