mn, 
Robert Warington. Xxlll 
most useful of his writings is, undoubtedly, a little volume entitled “The 
Chemistry of the Farm.” The amount of appreciation with which it has 
been received, and the good which it has done, may be measured by the fact 
that it 1s now in its fifteenth edition, and is accepted as the text book on the 
subject throughout the world, and as a model of what a text book of that 
sort should be. 
Warington continued to reside in Harpenden till the end. His habits and 
tastes did not predispose him to take any active part in village management, 
but whenever he thought that his knowledge might be of service to the 
community he did not hesitate to yive what assistance he could. 
Educational or charitable work, however, always enlisted his sympathies, 
and engaged his active support; whilst his strong religious convictions, 
euided by his clear judgment and absolute sincerity, rendered his church and 
philanthropic work peculiarly valuable. He certainly had an unusually high 
sense of public duty, and, persistently throughout life, did what he could 
to make his fellow-creatures better and happier. Missionary work always 
held a prominent place in his heart, as also did the training of the young, 
whether in religious or secular subjects; and, during the last few years of his 
hfe, much of his time and care was devoted to the Church day-schools. He 
was greatly interested in all work amongst the poor and needy, and was 
a liberal supporter of any organised charity which appealed to his judgment. 
Partly owing to his isolated boyhood and youth, and partly to his lack of 
robust health, life went harder with him than it otherwise would have done, 
_ for the characteristics thus developed stood in his way, and often prevented 
his gaining the sympathy and appreciation which he was so ready to give 
to others. 
Warington was elected to the Chemical Society in 1863, and to the 
Royal Society in 1886. He served for two periods on the Council of the 
Chemical Society, and for one period as vice-president. For many years he 
was on the library committee of this Society, and did much useful work for 
the Fellows during the reorganisation and cataloguing of the books. For 
this, his extensive acquaintance with chemical literature rendered him 
specially fitted. 
Warington was married twice. His first wife was a daughter of 
G. H. Makins, F.R.C.S., formerly chief Assayer to the Bank of England, and 
one of the Court of Assistants at the Society of Apothecaries. His second 
wife was a daughter of Dr. F. R. Spackman, who had for many years been 
medical practitioner at Harpenden. He has left five daughters by his first wife. 
In 1906, his health gave way, and he had a serious illness which necessitated 
a very difficult and dangerous operation. For this he prepared with singular 
equanimity and courage. The operation was successful; but though he 
nominally recovered from it, he never regained his strength, and, eleven 
months afterwards (March 20, 1907), he passed away. 
With the death of Warington, the first generation of great Rothamsted 
workers is brought to an end. Their work, whether published in the form 
