Piitterson.] bOZ ^Y)ec. 10, 



by one of his eminent associates in tlie Academy, that "he was zealously 

 devoted to the discharge of the duties assigned him, always observing a 

 scrupulous regard for the interests of the contributing artists and pupils of 

 the Academy. His courtuous manners and almost feminine gentleness, 

 made him a great favorite with the lady students especially. He was sin- 

 cere in the utterance of his convictions, honest in action, and sound in 

 judgment. His taste was refined and his ideas elevated. He was, in short, 

 a most valuable member of the Board. His departure from the scene in 

 which he labored so industriously and efficiently, has created a v^acuum 

 not easily filled." 



Mr. Peale was an excellent musician, and I believe a self-taught one. 

 He was endowed with a most agreeable cultivated tenor voice, to which 

 the guitar was the appropriate accompaniment, and on which instrument 

 he became a great proficient. His love of music was a passion, and in 

 private circles and public associations he was foremost in promoting its 

 cultivation. His house was for many successive seasons made charming 

 to his friends, as the resort of the best amateur and professional talent of 

 our city, met together to illustrate, in a manner altogether worthy the 

 choicest instrumental and vocal compositions. Mr. Peale was one of the 

 founders of the Musical Fund Society, to which Philadelphia owes so 

 much as the means of spreading a cultivated musical taste among us. 

 He was among the most active members in promoting its objects in art 

 and charity, and at his decease was President of the Society. 



In manly accomplishments, Mr. Peale was conspicuous, carrying into 

 these the elegant refinement so marked in his character, and lending also 

 the aid of his mechanical genius. The graceful art of archery was par- 

 ticularly attractive to him, and in his efforts to establish it as an addition 

 to our out-door amusements, I cannot but think he showed a taste and 

 judgment in happy contrast to what has been exhibited in the develop- 

 ment of those boisterous and half-savage games, cricket and base ball, of 

 which we now hear so much. He was one of the founders of the club of 

 United Bowmen, and a long series of medals and badges, which he pre- 

 served with some pride, attest a skill in which he was confessed the chief. 

 His love of the art and affection for his fellow-members, was shown to the 

 last, for by his special request his remains were borne to the grave by his 

 associates of the club. 



In another beautiful gymnastic art, that of skating, he was a proficient 

 from his youth to the last years of his life. And it was, I think, an 

 admirable sight to observe him, when past seventy, moving along with 

 firmness and grace, happy in the enjoyment of his younger friends, and 

 never so pleased as when aiding by his hand or counsel the fairer sex. 

 He was President of the Skaters' Club at his death. And I ought to 

 mention here that Mr. Peale was the inventor of Skaters Reel, a simple 

 expedient for rescuing persons breaking through the ice that has probably 

 been the means of saving many lives. 



But the activity of Mr. Peale was by no means limited to his pro- 

 fessional duties, or to art and recreation. He was zealous in good works. 



