funbar, Charles 7. Sons of the Puritans. C. W Eliot Essay on : Charte a.group of Brief Biographic CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR Briton America Unitarian Charles Franklin Dunbar, born at Abington in July, 1830, was of Scotch descent, as his sandy hair and complexion, his shrewdness, reti- Assoc. , 1908. cence, and quiet humor plainly testified. He was much interested in his family descent, and gave no little time to tracing it both in Scotland and in Massachusetts. In one of his journeys to Scotland he visited the chief seats of the Dun- bar Clan in Morayshire, and found reason to be- lieve that from and after the year 1400 Dunbar was one of the prevailing names in that region. The first Dunbar in Massachusetts was Robert Dunbar of Hingham, who said of himself, in a deposition he made in court in 1659, that he was a servant of Mr. Joshua Foote when Mr. Foote lived in Boston. By a series of careful investi- gations Charles Franklin Dunbar established the [Note: One of G.B.Dorr's profs] strong probability that this Robert Dunbar who was held to the services of Joshua Foote for a term of years as early as 1655, and possibly as early as 1652, was one of Cromwell's Scottish prisoners taken at the battle of Dunbar in 1650, [ 59 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS or at the battle of Worcester in 1651. It is cer- tain that some of the prisoners taken at the battle of Dunbar were sent to the Colony of Massa- chusetts Bay in 1650-51, after having endured frightful sufferings which killed three quarters of the prisoners originally captured. Robert Dunbar, who died in Hingham in 1693 at about sixty years of age, was therefore, in all proba- bility, of very tough fibre. The father of Charles Franklin Dunbar was Asaph Dunbar, who was born in 1779 and died in 1867. Charles was Asaph's youngest child. He had three brothers, all of whom filled out a reasonable span of life, and two sisters, one of CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR whom died in infancy and the other at the age of twenty-one. The father's business was making boots and shoes, and Charles's three older brothers grew up in that business in Plymouth County, but while still young went away to New Orleans to sell there the goods which their father manufactured. One of these three brothers re- turned to New York to establish himself there in the same business. Charles was the only one of the brothers who received a liberal education. He was sent to Phillips Academy, Exeter,- prob- ably because he had always shown a strong de- sire to read and an aptitude for study. The [ 60 ] CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR success with which he accomplished the academic course at Exeter determined his being sent to Harvard College, where he graduated with credit in 1851. The fact that he was sent to Exeter at thirteen years of age determined his subsequent career; and he always felt un- bounded gratitude to that ancient academy, a gratitude which he expressed by serving it for many years as a member of the board of trus- tees. At Harvard College he won the respect and friendship of scores of young men, many of whom have come to the front in one way or an- other during the forty-eight years which have elapsed since he graduated. Some of them were associated with him in after life and he always retained their warm regard and admiration. After leaving college he went for a time to his brothers in New Orleans but soon came back, first to New York and then to Boston, applying himself steadily to business. A threatening of serious trouble in the lungs obliged him to aban- don this indoor occupation; whereupon he bought a farm at Lexington, and entered cheerfully on the quiet out-of-door life of a farmer, for which he developed a strong taste and aptitude. Here he soon recovered his health and strength; so that he took up the study of the law at the [ 61 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR Harvard Law School, and in the office of Eben- tary events and prospects; but the subjects he ezer Rockwood Hoar, and was in due course best liked to deal with were financial, economic, admitted to the Suffolk bar in 1858. Practice or political,- such as the war loans, tariffs, and coming to the young lawyer but slowly, he had banking acts, the suspension of specie payments, ample time to write for the Boston Daily Ad- and the measures taken to collect a great internal vertiser, and, finding this occupation congenial, revenue. The amount and the quality of the he became within a little more than a year editor work he did in the ten years between 1859 and and part owner of that influential newspaper. In 1869 were remarkable, considering that he be- this enterprise he was supported and helped by gan this work at twenty-nine and ended it at the occasional labors of a group of young men thirty-nine years of age. At thirty years of whom he had known at Exeter and in College age he was wielding an influence which would but he himself gave his whole time and strength now seem almost impossible of attainment at to the paper. He remained in the position of that age. editor for ten years,- all through the Civil A few citations from his editorials will suffice War, and through the early years of recon- to give an idea of the elevation of their tone, struction and gradual pacification. During the and of their moderation, judicial quality, and Civil War he personally. wrote every editorial prophetic insight. article in any way related to the war which ap- As early as July 4, 1861, he thus defined the peared in that newspaper. The Advertiser be- objects of the war for the Union, and the spirit came by common consent the leading paper in of the Northern people:- Boston, and no newspaper since has exercised the same influence in this community. His po- "We are fighting now, as eighty-five years ago, sition brought him into contact with a large pro- to defend a cause in which the grandest principles portion of the leading men of the time in eastern of government and the highest interests of man are involved. Our people now as then have thrown Massachusetts,- with merchants, manufac- aside all remembrances of old divisions, and have turers, politicians, soldiers, lawyers, and preach- united in an enterprise which they believe to be ers. He wrote, of course, constantly on mili- just and holy. Life, fortune, and sacred honor [ 62 ] [ 63 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR are again pledged to the support of the patriotic it is undertaken, or the wisdom of the Providence declarations with which the second war for liberty which rules all things for our good." has been undertaken; and again has Congress as- sembled, prepared to forego the ordinary topics of He early foresaw the fate of slavery as an political strife, to forget as is believed all tests institution. Writing on the last night of the save the one question of fidelity to country, and to year 1861 a survey of the events of the year, he take counsel in singleness of heart for the one great made this prophetic utterance a year before the object." Emancipation Proclamation was issued:- Immediately after the heavy defeat of the 'It leaves our own people with renewed cour- Union troops at the first battle of Bull Run, he age, united beyond all hope in support of the gov- wrote, July 23, 1861: ernment in a most trying case, and fully alive to the importance of closing the war at once. It also "We said at the outset that this reverse had leaves the majority with an unshaken resolution to temporarily defeated the scheme for advancing confine the war to its proper objects, and to sus- through Virginia. Let no man to-day whisper the tain the President in the firm and conservative thought of abating a jot of our vast undertaking. course which he has pursued through the ten Taught by one reverse the nation will rise above months in which he has held office. At the same its misfortune, and press on in its just and holy time, the year has demonstrated to our whole peo- cause. The people who have poured out their ple the great fact, that in the designs of Omnip- blood and treasure so freely will be kindled to new otence the South has been led through its own folly efforts. Our present misfortune will disclose to write the doom of slavery. Heavier and heavier to all the true secret of our weakness, and will are the blows which descend upon that institution, teach all that the advance for which some have so and more and more significant are the proofs that long clamored is not to be accomplished in a single the South built upon a weak foundation, when, effort. With a full knowledge on all hands of the within this very year, it announced slavery as the nature of our undertaking, and with such further cornerstone of its fabric, political and social." preparation as must now be made for this grand enterprise, we can doubt its final success as little Near the close of the year 1862 Secretary as we can doubt the justice of the cause in which Chase communicated to the Committee on Ways [ 64 ] [ 65 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR and Means the draft of a bill to provide the showing that he had a clear vision of the wide necessary resources for the prosecution of the scope and far-reaching consequences of the pro- war. The second section authorized the Sec- ject - retary of the Treasury to borrow nine hundred "It has been taken for granted that this meas- million dollars in any of the modes heretofore ure will provoke a violent opposition, which, never- authorized for making loans. The bill also theless, as yet has not manifested itself in any very contained the details of the national bank definite shape. It is nowhere denied that the Sec- scheme. Mr. Dunbar's comments on this bill retary's plan insures several very decided advan- are in part as follows: - tages; it looks rather to the establishment of a sound currency for the country upon a permanent 'The most important feature of this bill, so far basis than to any immediate results. If it be said as regards the immediate emergencies of the coun- that it will be time enough to legislate to this end try, is the second section, and this it seems to us when we have got out of the war and the financial has been well conceived. Should this power be difficulties incident thereto, it may be answered granted by Congress, we trust that the secretary with at least equal force that the necessity of re- will use it with liberal forethought. Armed with form will then be less generally apparent. 'Why full powers, he will be able to feed the market with don't you mend your roof?' asked a traveler of a such securities as are most popular, at times when negro in whose leaky hut he had taken refuge dur- prices are favorable. Unrestricted by needless ing the shower. '''Cause it rains' was the an- trammels, he can avail himself of the most favor- swer. 'But why don't you mend it at some time able proposals which may be suggested from time when there is no rain?' '''Cause then it don't to time by those who have money to loan, or who leak.' This sort of logic will hardly justify Con- can present well-considered plans for meeting the gress in refusing a careful attention to Mr. wants of the Treasury with the least cost to the Chase's plan, notwithstanding the statement pa- nation." raded in advance, that 'the majority of the Ways Of that very important part of the bill which and Means are hostile to Mr. Chase's scheme," and related to the establishment of the national bank that this sentiment of disapproval cannot possibly system he speaks as follows, in his few words be changed.' " 66 ] [ 67 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR After the great victories at Gettysburg and The most distinctly marked event in the con- Vicksburg, July 3-5, 1863, Mr. Dunbar wrote duct of the war for the year, however, is unques- as follows on the 8th of July: tionably the Proclamation of Emancipation issued on the 1st of January, 1863. Of this measure it "We speak of these events as of extreme polit- can now be said, that it has equally disappointed ical importance, because they have now for the its advocates and its opponents. It has failed to first time fairly established the ascendency of the effect the dissolution of the rebel power which was national power over the rebellion. Hitherto the so confidently predicted as certain to be its instan- struggle has been often a drawn game, and even in taneous effect, and has left the actual work of our moments of success has left the military emancipation to be performed by the steady ad- strength of the rebels so formidable as to keep vance of military operations. On the other hand, their hopes alive. The handwriting is now on it has failed to make that disastrous division among the wall in characters which the rudest may read, the loyal which was predicted by many of its op- warning the rebels that henceforth theirs is a hope- ponents. The mass of the people have acquiesced less cause, and that from this time their efforts in it as a military measure taken in good faith. must decline. We may now, at any rate, count But we must remark, they have done this the more upon the moral effect of defeat and loss of faith readily since on independent grounds the policy of in their cause, and may hope for the appearance of emancipation has gained favor in the popular mind those discontents and divisions to which despond- rapidly during the year." ency gives rise, and which precede the final ruin of a cause which, like the rebellion, has no root in Speaking of the extraordinary sales of 5-20 sound principle." bonds in the summer and autumn of 1863, he writes as follows - Looking back on this statement after an in- terval of thirty-seven years, we are struck with Throughout the country these bonds have been its absolute accuracy. eagerly sought, with the noblest demonstrations of In his review of the year 1863, on the 31st of confidence and affection towards the government in December, his comments on the Proclamation of defense of which the money is contributed. The Emancipation illustrate the perfect balance of success with which the government now deals with his judgment - a debt of great magnitude has inspired the country [ 68 ] [ 69 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR with faith in its ability to cope with the future, convulsed the continent with their efforts, or so heavy as are the burdens promised by the Secre- appalled the spectators of a strife as terrible and tary of the Treasury." unrelenting as that of the elements. Indeed, this is an elemental strife, which we have seen ap- How far-seeing is the following paragraph, proaching its climax and crisis,- a strife which, which occurs in the same review of the year in the words of a philosophic observer who was 1863 lately among us, is waged not only between Aris- The feelings of the French Emperor towards tocracy and Democracy, between Slavery and So- the United States had long been suspected, but cial Justice, but between ferocious Barbarism and were first fully appreciated by our people when his high Civilization. designs in Mexico were fairly unmasked, and when "It is only when we view the contest in this he announced his deliberate design of erecting a light that it is possible to realize completely the throne in that country to be occupied by a prince futility of such efforts at pacification as that which nominated by himself. It was immediately per- has characterized this year, and which was de- ceived that France had created for herself upon feated by the will of the people a few weeks ago. this continent an interest adverse to that of the These raging elements are as far beyond the reach United States. The occupation of the Rio Grande of all such attempts to quiet their agitation as is by our forces, however, together with the estab- the tempest which purifies the physical atmosphere. lished certainty that the Emperor will for the The forces have long been gathering, they are in present find enough to do in dealing with the the full height of their sublime power, and are Mexican people, who do not accede to the fiction not to be stayed until the mission assigned to them that Maximilian is their choice, has finally quieted by Providence is accomplished. A great political all fears as to the course of France for the pres- party thought otherwise, and sought by months of ent." carefully studied effort to still the contention by premature peace; and it finds itself to-day shivered In his review of the year 1864, Mr. Dunbar to atoms, and its candidates swept aside like chaff wrote as follows: - and forgotten. The judgment of the nation and "Never has the struggle seemed so gigantic as its will have risen to the height of the occasion, in this year, never have the contending forces so and have settled irrevocably the devotion of this [ 70 ] [ 71 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR people to their grand task to the very end. In its and trust God to give it victory, when for victory moral aspects, then, the result of the election has the time had come. Through that gloom, or the been the great event of the year and of the war." flushes of hope which at one moment or another Mr. Dunbar was often called upon to express varied it, the nation has stood firm, and at last the end has come. the strongest emotions of the people under cir- "Such are the moral advantages of the victory. cumstances of tremendous excitement. After They make a nation so strong that war in its fu- listening all day to the rejoicings in the streets ture is wholly unnecessary,- it seems hardly pos- of Boston over the surrender at Appomattox, sible. This nation is just,- it can be as generous he wrote at night an editorial in which two out as it is just. It has no entangling foreign alli- of the four paragraphs are as follows - ances, it need have no petty foreign jealousies. God has shown it His mercy in a thousand ways, Four years ago this morning we were obliged and now that He blesses it with Peace, it lias His to say in this place we do not seek to pierce the gloom which now seems to overspread the future.' promise that Peace shall lead in every other angel Four years of that future as they have enrolled of his Kingdom." themselves have shown many another crisis, or At the close of the year 1865 he wrote as agony more acute, but none of gloom so depressing follows, prophesying a period of discussion and as settled on us all in that week of uncertainty. evolution which has not yet ended:- This day is the anniversary of the humiliating cor- respondence between General Beauregard and "The year, we may trust, is the last in the suc- Major Anderson, in which he demanded the sur- cession of years which by striking and exciting render of Fort Sumter as a foregone necessity. events compete for the leading place in our annals. To-morrow is the anniversary of the day on which The period of great deeds is perhaps over; we now he opened his fire. These four years have called have remaining questions of magnitude to be de- upon the nation to show its steadfast endurance. bated and settled, or to be suffered to work to- They have called for that loyalty to institutions wards their own solution by process of time, and which does not seek to pierce the gloom of the not concentrating their fierce interest into single future. They have bidden the nation stand firm great transactions, of which we have known so on the eternal principles of its government, many since 1860. The question as to the future [ 72 ] [ 73 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR of the freedmen is not to be settled by the turn of up work for a time, he sold his interest in the any crisis, but by many discussions, the long-con- tinued operation of opinions, and the progress of newspaper for a sum which amounted to a com- immigration, of industry, and of ideas. Financial petency for himself and his family. This was questions, of which we have so many of importance, really a value which his own mental gifts and are as little to be determined by any special action, moral character had imparted to the newspaper. but cast their shadow far over 'the coming years. There is no more satisfactory way in which a The foreign questions, of which the closing year man can earn a competent support for his fam- leaves us a supply not trifling in importance if ily before he is forty years of age. All through scanty in number, are as little likely, we may hope, his life Mr. Dunbar was a careful, frugal, and to assume such form as to bring back the unhealthy successful man of business, although he gave excitements which have long been familiar, but will but a very small portion of his time to that side rather relapse into the ordinary course of interna- of life. tional litigation, or be settled by causes and in- In order to recover from the nervous ex- fluences which in power are far above the counsels haustion which he experienced in 1868, he made of emperors. In short, we now enter in public matters upon a period of discussion; and if results two journeys to Europe, the first alone, but the appropriate to this method of action are wrought second with his family. I had come into the out with half the skill and power which we have Presidency of Harvard College in 1869, and one seen displayed in the marvelous twelvemonth now of the first measures which the Corporation re- ending, we shall find our prosperity and happiness, solved to prosecute with vigor was the estab- and our development in all that ennobles a people, lishment of a Professorship of Political Econ- settled on a foundation more solid than our fathers omy, and the selection of an incumbent for the ventured to hope for." chair. Mr. Dunbar being well known to all During his administration the Advertiser as a the members of the Corporation, the appoint- property increased greatly in value; SO that ment was offered to him in 1869, and he gave a when in 1869 Mr. Dunbar found it necessary conditional acceptance to take effect two years again to pay attention to his health, and to give later. A quiet life in various parts of Europe restored his health and gave him opportunity [ 74 ] [ 75 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR for the prosecution of studies which prepared in Banking and Currency. Professor Dunbar him further for his new function; and in 1871 also conducted in 1872-73 a required course for he took up the work of his professorship, to Juniors in Political Science, two hours a week which he thereafter steadily devoted himself for during half a year. That year he used as text- more than twenty-eight years. books for the Junior's Fawcett's Political Professor Dunbar was the first Professor of Economy" and the Constitution of the United Political Economy that Harvard University States. In 1873-74 Professor Dunbar had for ever had. That great subject had previously the first time the assistance of an instructor, been one of the numerous subjects assigned to because the required course in the Elements of the Alford Professor of Natural Religion, Political Economy was transferred from the Moral Philosophy, and Civil Polity. Profes- Junior to the Sophomore year,- on its way to sor Dunbar announced for the year 1871-72 a extinction,- SO that this required course had course prescribed to Juniors on Rogers's Po- to be given that year to two large classes. Un- litical Economy" and Alden's " Constitution of der Professor Dunbar's elective course, Bage- the United States," two hours a week for half hot's Lombard Street " appears for the first a year, and an elective course in Political Econ- time. In the next year Professor Dunbar gave, omy for the Senior Class, based on Adam in addition to the prescribed Political Economy, Smith's Wealth of Nations," Bowen's two elective courses parallel to each other, one " American Political Economy," and J. S. being preferable for students of History. The Mill's Political Economy; but these courses rapidly increasing number of students in the de- were announced under the head of Philosophy. partment made it desirable to offer these two The elective course was attended by seventy- parallel courses, SO that neither class should be five Seniors. The next year his elective course too large. One hundred and thirty-one students appears under its proper heading,--Political chose these electives. In 1875-76 Professor Science, the description of the course being Dunbar was conducting three progressive altered to the following: J. S. Mill's Political courses : the prescribed elementary course, a first Economy," McCulloch on Taxation, Subjects elective course on J. S. Mill's 'Political Econ- 76 ] [ 77 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR omy," and the Financial Legislation of the litical Economy," McLeod's Elements of United States; and an advanced course on Banking," Bastiat's Harmonies Economiques." Cairns's " Leading Principles of Political Econ- In the year 1882-83 Professor Dunbar took omy;" and McKean's Condensation of leave of absence in Europe. His work was car- Carey's Social Science;" and the number of ried on by Dr. Laughlin and a new instructor, students attending his course was steadily in- Mr. Frank W. Taussig, now Professor of Po- creasing. In the following year Professor litical Economy in Harvard University. A new Dunbar became Dean of the College Faculty, half-course was added this year,- a course on an administrative position which he held for six the Economic Effects of Land Tenures in Eng- years. The prescribed course in Political Econ- land, Ireland, France, Germany, and Russia. omy for Sophomores now disappeared. The The next year brought considerable expansion elective courses were fully maintained. Pro- to the Department. Professor Dunbar re- fessor Dunbar had some assistance in the ele- turned to his work; Dr. Laughlin was made an mentary elective course, because of the necessity assistant professor; and Dr. Taussig offered for of devoting a good deal of his time to the ad- the first time a course on the History of Tariff ministrative work of the Dean's office. His as- Legislation in the United States. The number sistant in the year 1877-78 was Mr. Macvane, of courses offered by the Department suddenly now Professor of History in Harvard Uni- expanded to four courses running through the versity. The next year his assistant was Dr. whole year, and three running through half a James Laurence Laughlin, who had the title of year. Economic History appeared for the first Instructor in Political Economy. In 1880-81 time as part of the instruction given by the De- another course in Political Economy was added partment, Professor Dunbar having charge of to the two already. given, Professor Dunbar the course. It was in that year that the plans working in all three courses, but being assisted of Professor Dunbar for the development of in the first two by Dr. Laughlin. The most his department in the University became appar- advanced elective under Professor Dunbar was ent to the academic world. Dr. Taussig soon based on Cairns's 'Leading Principles of Po- became an assistant professor; Dr. Laughlin was 78 ] [ 79 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR promoted to a full professorship at Cornell and secured success. He thus made, in the University, whence he was subsequently trans- course of twenty-eight years, as it were with his ferred to the University of Chicago and a own hands, a complete collegiate instrument for series of young men, all selected by Professor training young Americans in Political Econ- Dunbar, were brought forward in the Depart- omy, the first such instrument ever constructed. ment as teachers. The number of teachers and If it should occur to any one that this growth courses increased until, in 1894-95, this De- was made possible by the general atmosphere at partment, called Economics since 1892-93, em- Harvard, the answer would be that Professor ployed three full professors, one assistant pro- Dunbar had much to do with determining the fessor, and three instructors, and the number of quality of that atmosphere. courses had risen to six full courses and seven In 1886 a timely gift of a fund of $15,000 half-courses. In 1899 the lowest elective course from one of Professor Dunbar's pupils enabled in Economics was opened to Freshmen; so that the Corporation to establish the Quarterly the Harvard student thenceforth had access to Journal of Economics, published for Harvard that subject in all the four years of his college University. They took this step by the advice course. For the present year, 1899-1900, of Professor Dunbar, and on the condition that he should edit the Journal. He acted as editor courses were announced which gave employment to three full professors, one assistant professor, for ten years, and in that time established the and six instructors. In the academic year position of the Journal in this country and in 1898-99 the choices made of courses in Econom- Europe as a valuable medium for economic dis- ics numbered 1263. cussions and researches. The subjects of some Such was the development given in twenty- of the articles which he wrote for this Journal eight years to a subject which certainly. should will indicate the wide range of his studies: In be second to none in value or dignity at an 1886, The Reaction in Politics " in 1887, American university. At every step of the " Deposits and Currency," and a note on process it was Professor Dunbar's sagacity, so- Ricardo's Use of Facts; in 1888, a notice of an briety, and fairness which commanded confidence old tract entitled " The New-Fashioned Gold- 80 ] [ 81 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR smiths," a tract which appears to have been the science: "That the student should learn to source of the generally accepted statement as reason truly is of far more consequence than to the origin of private banking in London in that he should perceive and accept any partic- the seventeenth century. In the same year ap- ular truth, and the real success of the instructor peared " Notes on Early Banking Schemes" is found, not in bringing his students to think from his pen, and an article on " Some Prece- exactly as he does,- which is unlikely to happen, dents Followed by Alexander Hamilton." At and, indeed, unnatural, but in teaching them the end of this last paper, after a learned re- to use their own faculties accurately and with a view of the system advocated by Hamilton, and measure of confidence." In another passage in of the sources of the measures which he recom- the same essay, speaking of the conditions under mended, Professor Dunbar said in conclusion: which an instructor may or may not be silent " No statesman could have a greater task set concerning his own beliefs, he says, " There are for him, and political science can hardly have few men whose weight of authority is such as to in store any greater triumph than this applica- compel any extraordinary caution in the dec- tion of the experience of other men and other laration of their minds." Those two statements nations." In 1889 he wrote for the Quarterly are highly characteristic of Professor Dunbar's Journal an article on the Direct Tax of 1861, habitual attitude towards his own students. the conclusion of which was, " The direct tax One may easily trace through all the activi- provided for by the Constitution has at last ties of Professor Dunbar as a teacher and writer been discredited as a source of revenue, and it the effect on his mind of his ten years' work as has also been too prolific of misconception and the editor of a daily paper during a period of confusion to have any influence henceforth as a startling and far-reaching military, financial, practical measure of finance." A single sen- social, and political events; but it is interesting tence from an essay he published in the Journal to observe that commercial and economic ques- in 1891 on the academic study of political econ- tions began to engage his attention some years omy admirably expresses the true conception before the war. Thus we find in the North of the function of an instructor in any moral American Review an article by him on the Dan- [ 82 ] [ 83 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR ish Sound Dues written as early as 1856, when he up his mind how the land lay and how the was twenty-six years of age. His services as a adversary. was intrenched, he moved on the posi- university teacher grew naturally, out of the tion, in the safest possible way, to be sure, but studies and interests of his early manhood. with energy and persistence. As a rule, his Professor Dunbar was Dean of the old Col- aspect was serene and mild; but on occasion lege Faculty for six years, from 1876 to 1882, his face could become set, and from his blue- and the first Dean of the new Faculty of Arts gray eyes there came a steel-like gleam danger- and Sciences from 1890 to 1895. He therefore ous to his opponent. In his judgment of others gave a large amount of administrative service he was gentle, unless he became satisfied that to the University. As an administrative officer some man he had been observing did not play he was prompt, efficient, and wise. One pecul- fair, or was untrustworthy at the pinch then iarity he had which was rather trying to some he became stern and unrelenting. It was these of the many students and parents of students qualities which made him the successful journal- with whom he came into contact,- he was some- ist that he was at thirty years of age. The times too reticent and silent. He would listen Faculty was always afraid to take a step of patiently to a long tale in which the narrator which he did not approve, and seldom did so, felt great interest, and take it all in, but hardly unless his occasional infirmity of silence had con- utter a word in reply. Sometimes, however, cealed from them his opinion. They felt in after his interlocutor had despaired of getting him a remarkable sagacity combined with quick an answer, he would give a concise but compre- insight and unwavering disinterestedness and hensive reply which showed how sympathetically they found him to be uniformly just. If he he had apprehended the whole subject under dis- now and then betrayed a prejudice, they felt cussion. Ordinarily patient and cautious, he sure that he had good grounds for it, and was entirely capable of quick decision and were much disposed to share it with him. Every prompt action. On a reconnoissance he was cir- one who has seen much of the world will per- cumspect and thorough; but when he once made ceive how rare a combination of qualities was [ 84 ] [ 85 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR embodied in this modest and retiring man, and wood, a house which commanded a charming will understand how great a loss the University prospect, and was surrounded by fine trees. He has suffered in his death. had earned the luxury of fine prospects, abound- In addition to the solid satisfactions Mr. ing sun and air, and garden grounds, as prod- Dunbar derived from his forty years of pro- uct of the work of his own brain. His tastes fessional work, he had great delights in his and habits were simple, but refined. Luxuries domestic life. He married, soon after leaving and superfluities had no charm for him. He college, Julia Ruggles Copeland, of Roxbury, was fond of driving and sailing, but needed no and he survived his wife only two months. Five elaborate equipment for obtaining these pleas- children were born to them between 1855 and ures. He valued these sports mainly as means 1862, of whom three sons and a daughter sur- of getting into contact with the beauties of na- vive their father and mother. ture by land and by sea. He had the natural I have already mentioned the life of the healthy enjoyment in food and drink, but al- young family at Lexington. When he became ways preferred simple things to elaborate, and editor of the Advertiser, he moved, first, to Rox- was displeased by extravagance or excess. bury; but finding the inevitable exposures of In 1886 he bought the larger part of Bear returning to Roxbury from his office late at Island, off Mount Desert, the smaller part being night (often after the omnibuses had ceased already occupied by the United States as the to run) too great for his strength, he moved site of a lighthouse; and here he built in 1893 to a small house on River Street, at the foot of a cottage for the summer occupation of his Beacon Hill. This house was comparatively family. When visiting friends on the neigh- sunless, and, though close to Beacon Street, boring shore of Mount Desert, he had often had no outlook whatever. It was a great de- marked the beautiful form of this island, and light to him and his wife and his growing chil- admired the exquisite views it commanded in dren to establish the household in 1872 in a several directions. In deciding upon the site spacious house on the hill which rises north of of his house on this island, it was his chief care Brattle Street, Cambridge, not far from Elm- to avoid impairing the aspect of the island from [ 86 ] [ 87 ] SONS OF THE PURITANS CHARLES FRANKLIN DUNBAR the neighboring shores,- a thoughtful result and hardly a path, except little tracks between which he perfectly achieved. All his life he the hummocks and ledges; and there were no had great pleasure in carpentering. He always sounds, except the beat of the waves on the had a carpenter's bench in any house he occu- rocky shores, the singing of birds, and the rush- pied, and delighted in good tools and in using ing of the wind through the trees. One of them with skill. He could build with his own the peculiarities of the climate of the Maine hands fireplaces, corner buffets, desks, tables, coast had singular charm for Professor Dunbar. and other pieces of furniture. At Bear Island On ahmost every summer evening near sunset, he built a large boat-house with chambers in there falls a great calm and stillness. No mat- its upper story, doing most of the work with ter how boisterous the day may have been, near his own hands, after the heavy framing had been sundown there comes a widespread, profound put up. He enjoyed thinning the woods which silence, unspeakably grateful to such a tem- covered the northern shore of the island, and perament as his. The hills of Mount Desert, studying the flora and fauna of his isolated in full view from his island, reminded him of kingdom. A thrifty little spruce, looking as the similar hills built of primary rocks which if it could easily resist all the ice and snow, all his Scottish forbears had looked on in far-away the gales, and all the droughts of that northern Morayshire. clime, a single graceful birch, a mountain ash Outside his family circle his intimate asso- loaded with red berries, or a clump of ferns, ciates were not numerous but his friendships sufficed to give him great enjoyment. With were intense, and his rare and concise expres- reading and writing interspersed, such pleasures sions of affection were overwhelmingly strong. filled his summer days so completely and SO As I look back on this completed life, it seems happily that he seldom wished to leave his island. to me filled with productive labors and large Friends came to stay with him but he seldom services from which caine deep satisfactions. cared to go far from his cottage, unless on a Grave trials and sorrows hallowed it; but its sail or a drive with one of his neighbors of the main warp and woof were both made of in- main island. There was no road on his island, numerable threads of happiness and content. [ 88 ] [ 89 ]