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statesman is given to the world ; — a service of filial piety, which 

 it was in the heart of our lamented friend to render, but which 

 now, alas ! must be performed by another. 



In November, 1801, Mr. Pickering, with his noble library, after 

 a stormy and perilous voyage of forty-five days, arrived in Boston. 

 Few scholars ever had a more brilliant return from abroad, or a 

 warmer welcome home. One disappointment, however, awaited 

 him on his arrival ; — he did not meet his revered father, who was 

 far away in the interior of Pennsylvania, out of office, enjoying 

 the purest reward of laborious patriotism, — the veneration of his 

 country and — an honorable poverty. This led to another disap- 

 pointment. Mr. Pickering, in the purchase of his precious library, 

 relying upon his father's advice and resources, had incurred a debt, 

 which he had now no means of discharging but from the library 

 itself. To part with any portion of this cost him a struggle, but 

 the moment he saw it to be his duty the struggle was over. He 

 sold more than two thousand volumes by public auction, under such 

 favorable auspices as enabled him to cancel his debt, and to retain 

 the residue of his books, to him probably the most valuable part. 



Thus a smiling Providence returned, but not to him only ; the 

 friends of learning shared it with him. The distribution of such a 

 collection of books, together with his own bright example, gave an 

 important impulse to the pursuit of ancient learning. The classic 

 Buckminster soon after imported, on his return from Europe, a 

 similar collection, which, at his deplored death, were in like man- 

 ner dispersed through our literary community. The germ of the 

 Boston Athenaeum, too, may, doubtless, be traced to the sale of 

 Mr. Pickering's library and the effective impulse which it sent 

 abroad. 



Colonel Pickering, ever watchful to secure for his son the highest 



