honor, so large an element of what is best in a commercial community, bore in him its perfect fruit. All who knew him felt he was above and beyond temptation. What was right and honest was the very law of his being. His judgment was sound and conservative. He had no taste for speculation, and was too conscientious to use his credit to any hazard of meeting his responsibilities. He did his duty to the public as a wise and faithful director in various institutions that are important to the welfare of the community.
In private life Mr. Perkins' character was of singular charm. He was warm-hearted and affectionate, most faithful in his friendships, delighting in liberal hospitality, and unswerving in his efforts to make everybody about him happy -- a pleasant task, which his cheerfulness and humor made easy to him.
Mr. Perkins had been in poor health since March, 1898, and for a number of months was under a physician's care, but in the early, hours of November 16th he was taken with a sudden attack of heart failure, and he gradually sank until 5 o'clock, when death came.
Quoting from the Rochester papers at the time of his death:
He may be praised as a man identified for many years with the business of Rochester, able, enterprising and upright; he may be praised as a citizen conscientious in his political convictions, active in his political duties, and yet without a touch of political ambition; he may be praised as a Christian, sincere in his belief and loyal to his church; foremost in works of charity and ready to give the prestige of his name to any good cause; he may be praised for public spirit and for private virtues; and yet, after every such well-won tribute has been paid, there remains something to be said before we touch the key to his character, the pulse of his nature, the impulse of his manhood. There was an indefinable something about him that is difficult for words to suggest, much less express -- a sweetness of disposition, a considerateness in word and act; a lack of self-assertion, and appreciation of others; and this inborn gentleness was never veiled by roughness or uncouthness of manner, as happens in less fortunate men, but ever glowed the brighter through his simple and unfailing courtesy.
He saw the best in everybody; he was never harsh in his judgments, or outwardly stormy in his passion; but