Am.  Jonr.  Pharm, ) 
July,  1881.  j 
Memoir  of  W.  H.  Pile. 
365- 
In  October^  1875,  lie  contributed  liis  experience  on  the  manufacture 
of  dilute  phosphoric  acid,  narrating  tlie  circumstances  of  an  explosion 
which  occurred  during  the  operation,  and  which  nearly  cost  him  his 
life.  This  was  the  last  of  a  number  of  valuable  papers  contributed 
by  him  to  the  Journal. 
In  1857  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the  American  Pharmaceutical 
Association,  and  during  the  remainder  of  his  active  life  he  took  a  great 
interest  in  its  proceedings,  and  w^as  present  at  nearly  all  of  its  meet- 
ings. AVhile  attending  a  meeting  of  the  Association  in  Toronto,  in 
September,  1877,  he  Avas  stricken  with  paralysis  of  one  side,  an  afflic- 
tion wdiicli  inca])acitated  him  for  farther  active  engagement  in  business 
life.  From  this  time  his  health  was  precarious,  but  he  continued  to. 
manifest  his  interest  in  pharmacy  and  chemistry  by  attending  some  of 
the  meetings  of  the  College,  and  by  his  conversation  with  his  old  asso- 
ciates. 
A  return  of  the  attack  wdiich  commenced  in  Toronto  terminated 
his  life  on  the  14th  of  May  last,  in  the  73d  year  of  his  age. 
The  character  of  Dr.  Pile  cannot  be  better  described  than  is  done 
by  his  friend.  Dr.  Puschenberger,  in  a  note  to  the  compiler  of  this 
memoir. 
Considering  the  narrow  circumstances  of  his  early  life,  and  his 
comparatively  slender  means  and  opportunity  of  early  education,  his 
intellectual  achievement  is  vastly  greater  than  might  have  beeij  reason- 
ably anticipated. 
Besides  his  strictly  professional  attainments  he  acquired  a  very 
respectable  knowledge  of  mineralogy  and  entomology.  He  spoke  and 
wrote  the  German  language  with  ease.  He  studied  music  in  his  youth, 
played  the  piano  quite  well,  and  sang  ballads  for  the  entertainment  of 
the  domestic  circle. 
He  was  pleased  to  take  part  in  what  may  be  termed  parlor  the- 
atricals, as  a  boy,  a  taste  which  was  encouraged,  probably,  by  associa- 
tion with  his  schoolmate,  Edwin  Forrest. 
"  The  prominent  parts  of  his  natural  character  were  perfect  integ- 
rity, generosity,  love  of  accuracy  and  truth  in  all  things,  cheerfulness 
often  under  trying  conditions,  and  a  very  affectionate  disposition.  He 
was  modest,  unpretending  in  reference  to  his  own  abilities,  and  respect- 
fully considerate  of  the  rights,  feelings  and  opinions  of  others.  I  have 
never  been  closely  associated  with  any  man,  either  in  private  or  public 
