show the people of his town, that they were unfit for 

 drinking. 



He planned the drainage of the Pequest and upper 

 Passaic meadows and accomplished the first and saw 

 work begun upon the last, thus converting worthless and 

 unhealthy regions into fertile and salubrious fields. He 

 brought within the scope of the geological survey, the 

 botany and climatology of the State, and the development 

 of soils, and called attention to the mild and healthful 

 climate of the pine lands and the sea coast, and made 

 known the agricultural value of the light soils. He also 

 organized the New Jersey weather service. 



By reason of his knowledge of the changes of coast 

 level, as well as of the history of the controversy, Doctor 

 Cook rendered valuable service as a member of the com- 

 mission for the determination of the boundary between 

 New York and New Jersey. 



He was interested in historical investigation. He 

 knew what people had done, and were doing, and all about 

 them ; every locality for him was teeming with historical 

 association. He manifested a lively interest in the His- 

 torical Society of New Jersey, and in the Historical Club 

 at New Brunswick, and was constantly accumulating 

 books and documents relating to Jersey history. 



He was one of the founders of the New Brunswick 

 Free Library, and a member of its Board of Managers 

 until his death. He often visited the library in the even- 

 ing, and, pleased at seeing the rooms filled with readers, 

 would express his conviction, that the library was accom- 

 plishing more for the citizens of the town than any other 

 public institution. 



In 1870 and again in 1878 the writer had the privilege 

 of traveling in Europe with Doctor Cook. It was cer- 

 tainly like being admitted to a new world. He was at 

 home on so many subjects, and with all sorts of people, 



