148 The American Geologist. March, 1891 
sighted sagacity that planned, and his indomitable will that helped 
to completion, the railroad that tapped the hidden 'wealth of Bar- 
clay mountain. He it was who has done so much since to develop 
the coal industry at other points in that region. The cause of 
education, religion, every deserving charity, found in him a liberal 
patron — a ready and efficient helper. His hand was in every good 
work. Very often it was unseen and unknown, but it was not the 
less helpful. The last act of his life was an act of charity. 
Many hearts whose load he has lightened on life"s weary pathway, 
will hear of his death with deep and abiding sorrow." 
' ' But while we count the loss that has come to many of us 
with such benumbing force, let us not forget the gain — the profit 
of this busy life. One of the sublimest. as well as the most 
practical solutions of the problem of life, is that which regards it 
as a S} T stem of producing, and of man as a producer, who, if his 
life work has been faithful and active, leaves behind an addition 
to the common stock of the world's goods, which, first or last will 
lie distributed for the benefit of the human race. The broadest 
and best moral to be drawn from our toil is included, so far as it 
relates to this world, in the duties and offices and end of the toil 
itself; in the good it drops." 
So it happens that the life of a self-made man, like James 3iac- 
farlane, who has just passed over to the great majority of men of 
toil, is filled with example for profit. Beginning at the foot of 
the ladder, he came when young, to our town, not endowed with 
the capital of wealth, but with the capital of brain, with honest in- 
tention, a quick eye for business, a ready hand for his work, and 
unswerving and unchangeable integrity. These were the qualities 
which he wrought into his accomplishments. He dies, not 3-et 
full of years, but leaving behind more material monuments of his 
industry than many great rulers, and more than all else, an exam- 
ple for the young men of this country, which will not soon be lost. 
He has left us a sign by which men ma}' conquer, and deserve to 
conquer in the battle of life, and win a victory, not for themselves 
alone, but for their kind." 
"His life was gentle ; and the elements 
So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up 
And say to all the world. 'This was a man. 1 " 
Mr. Macfarlane was married in 1S47, to Miss Mary Overton, of 
