224 A Century of Science 



indicating perhaps the kind of taste and skill so 

 conspicuous afterwards in his grandson. In Sam- 

 uel the clerical profession skipped one generation, 

 to be taken up again by his son, Rev. Francis 

 Parkman, a graduate of Harvard in 1807, and for 

 many years after 1813 the eminent and beloved 

 pastor of the New North Church. Dr. Parkman 

 was noted for his public spirit and benevolence. 

 Bishop Huntington, who knew him well, says of 

 him : " Every aspect of suffering touched him ten- 

 derly. There was no hard spot in his breast. 

 His house was the centre of countless mercies to 

 various forms of want ; and there were few soli- 

 citors of alms, local or itinerant, and whether for 

 private necessity or public benefactions, that his 

 doors did not welcome and send away satisfied. 

 . . . For many years he was widely known and es- 

 teemed for his efficient interest in some of our most 

 conspicuous and useful institutions of philanthropy. 

 Among these may be especially mentioned the 

 Massachusetts Bible Society, the Society for Pro- 

 pagating the Gospel, the Orphan Asylum, the 

 Humane Society, the Medical Dispensary, the So- 

 ciety for the Relief of Aged and Destitute Clergy- 

 men, and the Congregational Charitable Society." 

 He also took an active interest in Harvard Uni- 

 versity, of which he was an Overseer. In 1829 



