14 CALEB COOKE MEMORIAL TABLET. 



here ; my function is less broad. For those of the pass- 

 ing generation who knew our friend there is no need of 

 word or tablet to keep his memory fresh. The laurel, 

 perennial green, the shells reversed, the bird of wisdom, 

 seeing through the darkness, these are fitting emblems, 

 were emblems needed, of the memory of our loss. But 

 for that greater multitude which follows on, to which his 

 life will be a myth and his life-work will be only merged 

 in the mighty aggregate of modern scientific thought, let 

 this slab remain, while this noble monument, the Pea- 

 body Academy, shall stand, to attest that only those who 

 serve are worthy, and that by the side of wealth which 

 grandly endows science, is to be commemorated with 

 equal gratitude that life-consecration which makes science 

 and its grand endowment possible. 



At the close of Mr. Rantoul's address, Dr. Henry 

 Wheatland, Vice President of the Peabody Academy of 

 Science, accepting the memorial, responded in behalf of 

 the trustees, as follows : 



It is much to be regretted that on this occasion our 

 honored President is not here to respond in fitting terms 

 to your appropriate remarks at the unveiling of this me- 

 morial given by many friends, in recognition of the rela- 

 tions of Mr. Cooke to this institution. 



The President has been for several months in Europe 

 and will probably remain until the spring or early sum- 

 mer when I hope that he will return with greatly im- 

 proved health, which had been much impaired by arduous 

 and exhaustive labors on the bench of the Supreme Court. 



Some thirty years ago, a tall, red-haired youth, not 

 out of his teens, came to the rooms of the Essex Insti- 

 tute and desired to be a member. He was elected May 

 11, 1853, and continued his membership from that time 



