492 
HENRY FRANCIS WALLING. 
but, from his familiarity with the manners and language of 
the Chinese, he was soon appointed a special commissioner 
to again visit the country, with powers to rearrange a com¬ 
mercial treaty with the nation. This important and respon¬ 
sible mission accomplished, in 1857 he for the last time left 
the country and the people with whom for more than twenty 
years he had been so intimately and so honorably asso¬ 
ciated. 
Having made his residence at the city of Washington, Dr. 
Parker was on January 11, 1868, appointed by resolution of 
Congress a regent of the Smithsonian Institution, and at the 
meeting of the board held January 22 he was elected to the 
executive committee of the regents, do fill the vacancy occa¬ 
sioned by the death of Prof. A. D. Bache. This position he 
held till induced by failing health to offer his resignation, 
April 7, 1884, as member of the committee and of the 
board. 
He died at his residence in this city (Washington) Janu¬ 
ary 10, 1888, universally respected for his integrity and ad¬ 
mired for his geniality and sympathetic disposition. His 
remains were buried at Oak Hill cemetery, in West Wash¬ 
ington. 
HENRY FRANCIS WALLING. 
Henry Francis Walling was born in Burrillville, R. I., 
June 11, 1825. He was the son of a well-known man of 
sterling integrity. Both father and mother were members 
of the Baptist church. His maternal grandfather was a 
Baptist deacon, while his grandmother belonged to the So¬ 
ciety of Friends. From her he inherited the gentleness of 
manner which distinguished him and which is so marked 
a characteristic of that peaceful people. 
Early in Mr. Walling’s life his father removed to Provi¬ 
dence, where young Walling was first educated in the pub- 
