Ja m es Macfa rlane. — White. 147 
with his accurate geological knowledge, were of invaluable service 
to the survey. 
Of the most kindly, sj-mpathetie and appreciative nature, he 
also did much for geolog}* in the words and acts of encourage- 
ment he always freely gave to the tyros in this science. Every 
new idea was welcomed, and was sure of a careful and judicial 
hearing at his hands. 
The following tribute to his memory, by the Reporter-Journal of 
Towanda, in its issue of October 15th, 1885, so fittingly describes 
Mr. Macfarlane as a man and a citizen, that it finds an appropri- 
ate place here : 
• • No man, perhaps, in our communit}', will be more missed in 
the place of his home, and certainly none whose death will be so 
generally mourned abroad. His busy life brought him in contact 
with leading business men of this and adjoining states, and with 
men prominent in letters and science the country through. No 
man of our town had so wide a circle of acquaintance, and none, 
we may safety assert, had attained so eminent a place among the 
scholars and scientists of the land. By all his death will be long 
and sincerely mourned. But here, in Towanda — his home, where 
he was best known by his neighbors and fellow-townsmen, all of 
whom were his friends and to all of whom his death comes with 
the shock of a personal bereavement, will his death be longest 
and most deeply felt. For years he has gone out and in among 
us. His familiar form, his cheery voice, his genial manners and 
kindly words have been a part of our lives — a help, a very com- 
fort and inspiration. His life, although crowded witli work as very 
few r lives are, was not given wholly to study and research. The de- 
mands of family and friends were paramount, and work was never 
so pressing that he could not put it aside to devote himself to 
them. In the social circle he was a leading spirit. His gentle 
manners, his ready wit and kindly humor, joined to a mind stored 
with riches gathered from every department of literature, made 
him the prince of entertainers, and the best of companions. In 
the circle of kindred spirits where he was wont to meet from 
time to time, there is :i vacancy that cannot lie tilled." 
"The death of such a man i- a loss to our eommunitj 
which no man may measure. In projects tending to the material 
improvement of our town he was foremost. It was his far. 
