XXVll 



collected by him with great care, partly in Portugal and partly 

 during his travels in France and Holland, but principally among 

 the booksellers of London, through whom he found access to some 

 of the rarest treasures both of ancient and modern learning. This 

 library was no unworthy representative of the treasures stored in 

 his mind. He had been as wise and faithful in the use of books, 

 as he was skilful in the selection of them. No one better knew 

 the true value and purpose of books, or made them more effectually 

 the means of practical wisdom and goodness. Not the slightest 

 tinge of pedantry ever appeared in his conversation or manner. 



" Ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes 

 EmoUit mores, nee sinit esse feros." 



Mr. Pickering studied literature and the fine arts both with fideh- 

 ty and delight. Not only music, but poetry, painting, architecture, 

 and especially sculpture, gave him pleasure as lively as it was re- 

 fined. The influence of these favorite pursuits appeared in his 

 disposition, affections, and whole conduct, and, together with the 

 effect of the best society, gave a peculiar charm to his manners ; 

 which were so simple as not to arrest observation, and yet so re- 

 fined as to bear the closest scrutiny, and which, having their foun- 

 dation in his good heart, and being guided by the nicest discrimi- 

 nation as well as true delicacy of feeling, were sure to recommend 

 him to the favorable regard of all, and to the cordial respect of the 

 most worthy. 



We might abundantly show the high estimation in which Mr. 

 Pickering's character and talents were held by his eminent friends, 

 Rufus King and William Smith, were their correspondence with his 

 father at our disposal. But for this we must wait till the long 

 hoped-for biography of this pure, ardent, and able patriot and 



