52 History of Hingham. 



of importance to him in the professorship. On his return to this country 

 the failure of his sight compelled him to resign his professorship, and to 

 retire to private life. Always engaged in some philanthropic object, he 

 turned his attention to the condition of aged and destitute clergymen. He 

 collected statistics, and formed a society for their relief. It has been emi- 

 nently useful, dispensing its blessing with a liberal hand. He devoted 

 much of his time to Sunday-schools, and was an efficient officer of the 

 Sunday-school Society. 



"Mr. Brooks was sincere in his friendship, candid in his judgment, 

 genial, cheerful, and affable. He was averse to all controversy ; he 

 avoided theological polemics, and was a peace-maker, adding to a life of 

 practical benevolence the graces of a Christian character." 



Mr. Brooks's pastoral connection was dissolved Jan. 1, 1839, 

 after a ministry of a few days less than eighteen years. He died 

 in Medford, July 7, 1872. 



The following letter from Mr. Brooks in relation to the introduc- 

 tion of anthracite coal into Hingham is worthy of preservation : 



To Hon. Solomon Lincoln : — 



My Friend, — Knowing you are the only person who could pardon me 

 for sending a bill of coal, 1 dated Nov. 15th, 1825, 1 would let my expla- 

 nation be my apology. 



In 1825 all anthracite coal was called Lehiyh coal. The difficulty of 

 igniting it gave rise to grave objections and nimble wit. One person 

 proposed to bore a hole into the centre of the mine, then to creep in 

 and be perfectly safe in the general conflagration. I read something 

 about the coal and believed it would be just the thing for my study ; I 

 therefore purchased of Messrs. Lyman & Ralston, of Boston, a sheet- 

 iron pyramidical stove, lined with fire-brick, and one ton (then 2,000 lbs.) 

 of coal. That good-natured captain, Peter Hersey, Jun., brought the 

 stove and coal to Hingham in his packet, on the 15th day of November, 

 1825, and arrived about 4 o'clock, p. m., of that day. I have the im- 

 pression that this was the first piece of anthracite coal introduced into the 

 town, and perhaps into the county. 



Like most strangers, on first introductions, my ton of coal met with 

 some singular treatment. The passengers on board the packet interested 

 themselves in handling it ; breaking it, or rather in trying to break it ; in 

 guessing about its properties ; in wondering how heat could be got out of 

 it ; and finally in concluding to try to burn some in the open cabin fire- 

 place. The packet had a light head-wind, and therefore the curious and 



i Boston, 15th Nov. 1825. 

 Mr. Chas. Brooks, 



Bought of Lyman & Ralston, 71 Broad Street. 



1 small Sheet Iron Stove $13.00 



1 ton (2,000 lbs.) Lehigh Coal 8.00 



Trucking 50 



$21.50 



Rec'd Pay't, Lyman & Ralston, 



By S. D. L g. 



Note. — This was the first anthracite coal brought into Hingham ; and this stove 

 the first one used for burning it. C. B. 



