410 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



nor money, nor any other reward, but simply the privilege of 

 gaining knowledge and of storing it up in convenient forms 

 for the service of others ; " that " the love of knowledge was 

 the one passion of his life," and that " he asked no richer 

 satisfaction than to search for it as for hidden treasure." He 

 was singularly retiring and reticent, very dry in ordinary 

 intercourse, but never cynical ; delicate and keen in percep- 

 tion and judgment ; just, upright, and exemplary in every 

 relation ; and to those who knew him well communicative, 

 sympathetic, and even genial. In the voyage of circumnavi- 

 gation he was the soul of industry, and a hardy explorer. 

 The published narrative of the commander shows that he took 

 a part in every fatiguing excursion or perilous ascent. Per- 

 haps the most singular peril (recorded in the narrative) was 

 that in which this light-framed man once found himself on 

 the Peruvian Andes, when he was swooped upon by a condor, 

 evidently minded to carry off the naturalist who was contem- 

 plating the magnificent ornithological specimen. 



Dr. Pickering married in the year 1851, and leaves a widow, 

 but no children to inherit his honored name. 



