Fair (properly MS'^, yaphch', KaXuc). Travellers inform us that in hot countries the greatest difference imaginable subsists 1)etween the complexions of the women. Those of high condition seldom go abroad, and are ever accustomed to be shaded from the sun with the greatest attention, and their skin is conse- quentlj' fair and beautiful. But women in the lower ranks of life, especialh' in the country, l:eing, from the nature of their employments, more exposed to the scorching rays of the sun, are in their complexion re- markably tawny and swarthy. Under such circum- stances, a high value would of course be set by the Eastern ladies upon the fairness of their complexions, as a distinguishing mark of their superior quality, no less than as an enhancement of their beauty. This notion appears to have olitained as earl}' as the time of Abraham (Gen. xii, 11-13). Thus, also, how natu- ral is the bride's self-abasing reflection in Cant, i, 5, 6, respecting her tawny complexion among the fair daughters of Jerusalem, who, as attendants on a royal marriage, were of the In'ghest rank. Roberts observes, in reference to the daughters of Job being very fair (Job xlii, 15), "The word fair may sometimes refer to the form of the features as well as the color of the skin ; but great value is attached to a woman of a light comi)lexion. Hence our English females are greatl}' admired in the East, and instances have oc- curred where great exertions have been made to gain the hand of a fair daughter of Britain. The acme of perfection in a Hindu lady is to be of the color of gold." (See Wemyss, Symbol. Diet. s. v.) See Beauty.
FAIRBANKS
450
FAIRS
Fairbanks, Erastus, LL.D., governor of Vermont, was liorii at Jirimlield, jMass.,Oct. I'SjlTDi. He obtain- ed such education us the district school afforded, and at seventeen himself taught a district school. From his j-outh he was diligent in self-culture. In 1812 he re- moved to St. Johnsbury, Vt., and in March, 1814, he united with the Congregational Cluirch in that place. From this time to the end of his life the interests of religion and tlie Church were paramount to all others in his life and haliits of thought. After various vicis- situdes in trade, he began in 1830 the manufacture of the patent " jilatform scale," which is now in use all over the world, and from the sale of which he laid the foundation of a large fortune. The village of St. Johnsbury grew in population, wealth, and virtue, so as to have become a model place under his skilful guidance. "Drunkenness and disorder were things unknown ; industry, intelligence, and thrift were uni- versal." In 1828 he became a deacon of the Congre- gational Church. In 1836 he was elected a member of tlie State Legislature, in 1844 and 1848 presiden- tial elector, and in 1852 and 18G0 he was chosen gov- ernor of the State of Vermont. In the execution of his official duties he was conscientious and faithful, and acquired and retained, in an unusual degree, the confidence of all parties. During his second term of office the civil war broke out. "His firm having a great amount of property in the South which must be lost in case of war, it was for his pecuniary interest to keep peace. But this had no weight with him. Day and night he toiled raising troops, where, three months before, not even a knapsack was to be found, and send- ing regiment after regiment of the brave Green Moun- tain Boys forward to the seat of war." The Legisla- ture conferred upon him almost unlimited power in the discharge of his duties, and placed at his sole disposal a million of dollars, and at the close of his official term in 1861 passed votes of approval of his labors, ability, and patriotic devotion. He never touched even the salary to which ho was entitled. He was for many years a corporate member of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, and both in this field and in that of home missions he de- voted time, talents, and money freely to the cause of God. His personal literary culture was diligently carried on during his life, and in 1860 the University of Vermont conferred on him the degree of LL.D. He died Nov. 20, 18G4. To trace the thirty-four years of his life from 1830 to his death "is to record the daih' acts of a life devoted to ever}' good and noljle work. Rare must be the talent which could organize and di- rect such a business in the face of so many obstacles, in an inland town, remote from business centres, and guide it safely through all the financial embarrass- ments to which the country has been subject. But a fact far more rare and interesting is that, in the midst of so many cares, time abundant was always found, and means equalh' abundant, not only for aiding in every good work, liut for leading in new benevolent movements, for which many, with far less to do, thought tliey could find no time." "His munificent contributions to benevolent purposes and objects were proverbial long Ijefore his death, and in connection w'ith 'good words and works' the name of Erastus Fairbanks had, to the people of his state, come to be as familiar as household words. In public life he was honored and confided in as a capable, honest, and reli- able man ; and in the walks of social and private life he was esteemed as a kind neighbor, a sincere friend, and a Christian gentleman." — Congretjational Quarter- ly, If^Cu, ^io.l.