XXXV 



Mr. Pickering was a grateful and devoted son of the Univer- 

 sity, vi'hich so justly appreciated his merits, and which, at a subse- 

 quent period, bestowed upon him its highest honors. For many 

 years he was an efficient member of the Board of Overseers, al- 

 ways ready to exert his influence to advance the usefulness and 

 reputation of his Alma Mater. His last admirable report, as one 

 of the visiting committee, in 1840, embodies views and principles 

 of university education which ought never to be overlooked or for- 

 gotten.* 



We need not dwell here upon his learning as a jurist, or upon 

 his excellent qualities as a practising lawyer. These have been 

 portrayed and exhibited on an occasion before referred to, in the 

 best manner for extending their influence in the profession of which 

 he was so bright an ornament. We should remember, however, 

 that, while pursuing his extensive literary researches, and perform- 

 ing numberless intellectual labors for the public and for individuals, 

 he was incessantly engaged, to the last year of his life, in the ar- 

 duous duties of his profession, — duties which not unfrequently im- 

 posed upon him a drudgery as irksome as it was laborious. He 

 felt the full weight of it, and but for those interesting questions 

 which led him to examine principles, his profession, as he some- 

 times remarked, would have been nothing but labor and drudgery. 

 Having ascended to the fountain-head of jurisprudence, and stored 

 his mind with great principles, he took delight in tracing these in 

 their practical appHcation. In this view, he regarded his profession 

 as a most honorable one. The friends of humanity and learning, 

 however, will not cease to regret that the " labor and drudgery," 

 which others might have well performed, should have taken so 



* Note B. 



