X BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 



not more so than of any previous age. The froth and effervescence of the moment 

 pass away, and only the substantial qualities come down to us from distant genera- 

 tions ; while the noise and excitement, and the superficial ambitions and agitations 

 of the present hour, obtrude themselves upon us, and hide from us the more modest 

 and enduring pursuits in which the ablest and best minds among us are engaged, 

 and by which our age will be known among future generations. It is therefore 

 very refreshing, and a great encouragement, to become acquainted with a man like 

 Dr. Pickering, — so thoughtful, so able, so profound, so laborious, and far-reaching 

 in his investigations, traversing distant continents and unknown seas, or exploring 

 the records of distant ages, to extend and perfect our knowledge of the ways and 

 works of God. 



Dr. Pickering was married, in 1851, to Sarah S., daughter of the late Daniel Ham- 

 mond, Esq., of this city, and leaves no children. His name and memory will always 

 be dear to those who knew him ; and his works will always be a helpful legacy to 

 those who, with the same love of truth, shall be engaged in similar pursuits. 



[At a meeting of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, May 7, 1878, the President, 

 Dr. W. S. W. Ruschenberger, read the following:] 



It is a custom of this Society to announce the death of every member or corre- 

 spondent when it occurs, without accompanying the announcement with a notice of 

 his career. From this custom may be excepted those members who have been con- 

 spicuous by their success in the cultivation of natural science, or who have won the 

 general approbation of the Academy by generous contribution towards the advance- 

 ment of science, or who have largely aided the progress of the Society by their 

 labors. 



For such reasons, it seems appropriate that the archives of the Society should 

 contain a record to show why his contemporary and fellow-members entertained 

 sentiments of sincere respect and cordial esteem for the late Dr. Charles 

 Pickering. 



The records show that Charles Pickering, M.D., of Salem, Mass., was elected a 

 correspondent of this Society Nov. 28, 1826. He had then just entered the 

 twenty-second year of his age. Early in the following year (1827), he became a 

 resident of Philadelphia, and therefore a member. From that date until 1838, he 

 was rarely absent from any meeting of the Academy. 



At that time, the details of the affairs of the Society were conducted chiefly by 

 standing committees. Dr. Pickering served on the Zoological Committee from 

 Dec. 25, 1827, until January, 1838, — ten years; on the Botanical Committee from 

 Dec. 28, 1828 (of which he was the chairman from January, 1S33), until January, 

 1837, — eight years ; on the Publication Committee from December, 1829, until De- 



