The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-08-27


Of all our blessings that to-day am per-
miitcd to see for the first tune, upon
this interesting occasion, amt in this
place the scene Of their mutual labors,
over forty years ago, him Of whom have
so often heard, my fathers early friend
aud associate, one worthy of admiration
on account Of bis scholarly ailainments,
and Of reverence for bic moral worth,
On leaving this sphere Of usefulness
for one of different nature aud in some
respects more extended Mr.. Aiken still
took deep interest in the cause Of edu-
cation, lie always retained a thirst for
knowledge, and be frequently took up
the text books with which he had been
familiar In order TO renew his aoquaint-
ance with them. lie loved to assist his
children in their studies. II one Of them
had come across a difficult problem In
arithmetic or algebra which he could not
solve, the iaiher would go to work with
a pleasant oageruess, and when It was
done would laughiugy say, I'VE have
done it, 1t was a real pleasure tohim to
work on some such kuotty problem until
he had "straitened it out" SO also his
interest in the classics continued during
his whole life. aud he was a sharp, but
kindly critic Of composition. "Strike
out all superiluous words" was his ad.
vice. His letters TO his eldest son, now
Professor in Princeton Theological Sem
mary, and lately President of Union
College, when he was q student at
Dartmouth shows how deeply he was
interested in the cause Of education as
well as in the intellectual progress of bis
boy. In one of these letters he says, 81
must take up the tracts you have been
reading from Cicero or acknowledge my
self beat, for have not yet read them
have a strong desire to review some of
my earlier literary readings, being con-
scious Of having neglected, more than is
meet, this department Of letters. And
propose TO take up a course of reading
with you, aud that we make our readings
the subject of our future correspondence
TO such extent as we may find both prof
table, and pleasant. Our glorious old
English language contains mines of in
tcllectual wealth of the value of which
you have scarcely dreamed"
He always took a lively interest in the
welfare Of his Alma Mater, and would
often speak of it with tilial pride. 1t was
great pleasure to him to take up the
! triennial catalogue and look over it, com
menting as he did SO upon the attain
ments, scholarship or characteristics OF
his own classmates, or of the members
of other classes in college at that time.
have also often heard him speak in
admring terms of the scholarship of the
late Judge Benjamin w. Bonney, of New
York, whom he instructed as tutor. A
| "hauso having Loon maue IN Lue uis
| tribution of awards at the commence
ment exercises, In accordance with the
peculiar views Of President Lord, who
endeavored to discourage ambition, as a
selfish and unworthy motive for study,
the parts at commencement being as.
signed by lot, instead of being given ac.
cording to the relative standing in the
class, aud Mr.. Aiken having expressed
his dissent to the desirabIeness of the
change, DR.. Lord addressed to him 9
letter of some twenty pages in length
explaining his position and stating will
characteristic ability and ingenuity hii
theory.
After allowing himself ample time fol
reflection, he replied to this letter look
ing at the subject in all its bearings anC
discussing it with such candor, force and
logic as showed that the man of busines.
could be at the same time the profound
scholar and the sagacious philosopher.
While living at Manchester be pre-
pared two lectures upon Vermont, which
he delivered in Bennington. Though
his duties at Lowell as factory agen
were arduous, they did not prevent him
as we have seen, from oil literary labor
but he found time to prepare and delive
a lecture upon theme which, although
it might not be very popular would i
well handed, certainly prove useful
"The Grounds of Moral Obligation. :
Not a practical mechanic, he nevertheless
soon after entering upon his new posi-
ton, became familiar with the machiner.
and It's workings. Yet this was but
slight part Of his duty. When to cree
mills or provide new machinery, when t
| build boarding houses, TO change fabric
or TO alter warps, when TO increase o
diminish the number Of operatives, thest
; aud other important questions wcr
frequently coming up for decision. II
the discharge Of these arduous duties b.
+ labored oil from year TO year, giving en-
Il tire satisfaction to the corporation, an
showing that lie could excel as muc
4 in the counting room as in the schoo
room.
. After devoting himself to his busiues
2 for several years, his health became F
1 much impaired by two close application
/ that he found season Of rest absolutel
e indispensable.
q lie had been subject nearly all bis lii
e to frequent attacks Of severe neryou
F headache
;. He now became sorely afflicted wit
4 dyspepsia. Ia this emergency the con
G psny of which he was agent, geue,ousl
e offered to give him an opportunity {
: visit Europe, continuing his salary in h
= absepee. Thus he was permitted to g,