therings where the people discussed matters
which concerned the public welfare. In all these he gave
sensible counsel in common affairs and high counsel in high
affairs.

The influence of Adin Ballou, of whom Judge Thayer delighted
to speak in his later years, may be traced in the strong sympathy
the Judge always showed for aspirations, although exhibited
in the most crude and grotesque fashion, for the reconstruction
of society according to the laws of a newer and more spiritual
life. Mr. Ballou, a man of clear intellect, stainless life,
sweet and amiable temper, undertook with about thirty companions
and disciples to form a community which should have the Beatitudes
for constitution, charter and by-laws. This community was
established at Hopedale, now a separate town, then part of
Milford, formerly part of Mendon. Some of the most important
members of this body withdrew from it, doubting its ability to
maintain itself financially, and it was abandoned. But if
its sweet and gracious influence on the social life in its
neighborhood be any measure of its success, it was highly
successful.

Hopedale became famous afterward as the dwelling-place of
George Draper, one of the most eminent manufacturers and sagacious
and public-spirited citizens--founder of the Home Market Club--
the reputation and honor of whose name has been still more
extended by his sons, the eldest of whom is the admirable
soldier, Representative to Congress and Minister to Italy,
General William F. Draper.

Judge Thayer was named for Adin Ballou, although he afterward
dropped the middle name. Mr. Ballou gives his estimate of
his namesake in the following letter:

HOPEDALE, MASS., Aug. 20, 1888.
HON. GEORGE F. HOAR,--

_My Dear Sir,_--

Your lines of 11th inst. were duly received. I am very glad
to learn that a Biography of Hon. Adin Thayer is in process
of preparation, and that the work is in such competent hands.
I reckoned him among my highly esteemed personal friends,
and was painfully shocked by the news of his lamentable death.
I knew his grandfather before him, his father and mother,
and the whole family connexion more or less intimately. They
were often attendant on my public ministrations, and I have
been with them, during my long life, on many occasions of
interest, joy and sorrow. They have all been persons of strong
common sense, downright honesty and solid worth. Judge Thayer
descended from a sturdy, intelligent and