Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-12-24
lContinued from first page.)

Let me speak next of Mr.. Battells
puJlic-SpiIitcdHcSS and | need say but a
word in this connection, for his public
benefactons are from the nature of the
case, far better know to us than his pri-
vate charities. The village, the church,
and the college, all recognize their debt
of gratitude to him for his helping hand
in every good work. In recent years he
has made a large contribution toward
the building of the stone bridge across the
river; he has beautified the grounds about
the church with lawnsand shrubbery and
stone walks and solved the difficult ar
chitecturAl problem of suitable apr oach-
rs to the building on the side-hll in
front; for over ten years he has contrib
uted yearly liberal sum toward the ex-
pense of keeping the college library open
daily.
But Mr.. Battells interest in public
improvements dates back to his earliest
life. In fact it was a trait of character
that he Inherited from his mother, a
woman of great energy and public enter
prise. The magnificent elms that make
the village of Norfolk one of the most
beautiful in New England were of her
planting. The park in our village lying
between the church and the town hall,
given by Gamaliel Painter, was dreary
waste until Mr.. Battell organized the
movement to grade and enclose 1t and to
plant trees and to construct walks. In
the triangular grass-plat in front of the
church is a thrifty hickory or bitter
walnut, one of the most beautiful of our
forest trees, but rarely seen in cultiVa-
ton because so difficult to transplant.
1t is pleasure TO us as we pass it from
tn fO n utf cd
by Mr.. Battell over forty wears ago.
But Mr.. Battell's thoughts and inter
ests went far beyond the bounds of his
own community and his immediate circle
of acquaintance. He was all his life
diligent scholar, an enthusiastic student
of New England history, Il staunch sup
porter of all that was noble in Puritan
doctrine and character. During these
latter days he has walked in out among
us as one who had come down TO US
from former generation. 1t was his
mission in life-it seems to me-tO re-
mind us of what was great and good in our
past history. For this reason he studied
the lineage of our New England families.
For this reason he was so inSistent on
the elaborate celebration of Forefather's
Day. The turmoils and political anXieties
of the present disturbed not the serenity
of his spirit. The sOrdid drudgeries of
daily life came not near enough to weary
him. No evil passion of hatred or
jealousy or dependency could find
entrance into his breast. He led the
quiet life Of the philosopher. contem-
plating what was purest and noblest in
the achievements of the past, communing
with high ideals of life and conduct,
dwelling constantly in the atmosphere
of lofty thought and pure sentiment.
His simple presence in our midst during
these past years has been blessing; we
have felt the better when he has met us
on the street with his courteous smile;
our thought of him has given an added
dignity to human life and character.
For some men we honor for what they
have done; Mr.. Battel we honor most
for what he ,rdS-the patriotic scholar
and the perfect gentleman.
This sentence ana some that follow are
quoted from the writer's account of Mr.. Bat
tell in the history OF Addison county.