The Life of George Peabody: Containing a Record of Those Princely Acts of ...

Front matter

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Preface

AMERICA has been rich in great men whose intellectual superiority or moral excellence bade them tower above the masses^ or whose vast possessions^ wisely used, as in the case of the subject of this Memoir, entitled them to high place in the regard of a grateful and appreciative people. And it is now conceded, that

« Among the few, the immortal names That were not bom to die,"

is to be read in glowing characters the name of George Peabody. A wide interest attaches to the events of his life and the record of his noble deeds, because he showed so truly that he valued wealth on account of the power it gave him to do good, and benefit others than himself and his immediate family or nearest relatives. His life is an example^

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in some gr/ind respects; and is therefore worth reporting to ftiture generations.

We do not present him as a perfect man, nor yet as one who professed to be perfect. He was remarkably unassuming ; and by his deeds, more than by his words, must he be judged. If we had a larger store of materials, in the shape of letters and private memoranda, the voliune might be larger; but the gist of the whole matter — the points of his character most desirable to be known in order to awaken the emulation of others — can be presented in the compass of this smaller volume. Besides, a large volume would probably be commensurate with the artistic skill of those employed to prepare it, and therefore be too expensive for the million. To obviate this difficulty, this book is prepared, and also because we hope to do good by helping to spread abroad the record of a life that was in some respects unique, but noble, and a benevolence worthy of world-wide imitation.

As a ^member of the Essex Institute (whose headquarters are in Salem, Mass., near the birthplace of Mr. Peabody), the writer takes the pen with an emotion of gratitude to one who manifested so great an interest in the objects of our

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PBBFACB. 7

association, and whose munificence, as will be shown in the following pages, so enhanced our means of prosecuting historical and scientific research, as to make his name illustrious, and his memory fragrant, among us forever.

OOl^TEIifTS.

iNTBODUCnOlf IS

OHAPTBB I.

EARLT DATS.

The Boy fbreshadowliig ^e Man. ~ Ancestry. ~ Birthplace. ~ Ohltdhood. « -The Young Store-Keeper.— Newbnryport 81

CHAPTER n.

OUT IN THE irOBLD.

The Oommerdal AssiBtant. — Business-Habits. — Love-Htory; — Ooing Bonth • ^ CHAPTER m.

PATRIOTISM.

The Citizen Soldier.— The First Partnership. — The TroTelling Hembw of the Firm. — Life in Baltimore 66

CHAPTER IV.

LONDON UFE.

Removal to London. — Disinterestedness. — EJndness to Americans. — Saving the Credit of his Country at the Crystal Palace ..•••• 68

CHAPTER V.

GREAT AND GOOD GIFTS.

Help to find Sir John Franklin.— Donation to Danvers.— The Peabody Listitnte in Peabody. — The Public Reception of the Benefactor .... 80

10 CONTENTS.

OHAPTEB VI.

GOOD OUTS CONTINUED.

The DoDation to Thetford, Vt.— Grandfather Dodge. ~ The Wood-sawlog Story 102

OHAPTBB Vn.

8TILI1 GIVING.

Feabody Institmte at Baltimore. — Letter of Mr. Peabody. — Prooeedings In Begard to the Donation. ~ Mr. Peabody'sBemarkB • . • • • 116

CHAPTEB Vm.

GREATER BENE7ACTI0NS.

Amelioration of the Condition of the Poor in London.— Magnificent Beqneet of Mr. Peabody. —Descriptioki of the Buildings 124

OHAPTEB IX.

APPRECIATION.

Seoomd Visit to his Native Land. — The Freedom of the City of London. — The

Qneen'sLetter.— The Queen's Portrait.— The Peabody Statue ... 142

CHAPTEB X.

MR. PEABODT IN AMERICA.

The Flood of Letters. —The Gift for Education in the South. —Mr. Peabody's Letter.— What the Money is doing 164

CHAPTEB XI.

MORE GIFTS FOR SCIENCE.

Money for Museums at Yale and Harvard.— Correspondence in Beference to theseDonations.— The Value of the Gift 166

CHAPTEB XTT.

STILL HELPING EDUCATORS.

Peabody Academy of Science in Salem.— Essex Institute.— Mr. Peabody's Letter.— His Love for his native County of Essex 183

CONTENTS. 11

CHAPTER XTTT.

TET GIVING CHEEBFDLLT.

HassacbuBeits Historical Society. — Eenyon College, and Mr. Peabody's Don*- tionto^it.— Documents in Regard to the Acceptable Oifta • ... SOI

CHAPTER XIV.

ITLIAX. DETOnON.

Memorial Chnrcb at Georgetown.— Mr. Peabody's Love for bis Mother. ~ Hymn for the Dedication, by John G. Whittier.— Gifts to his Family and Friends 906

CHAPTER XV.

BETUBN TO ENGLAND.

Mr. Peabody's Speech at the National Peace Jubilee.— Illness of Mr. Pe»* body.— Return to England.— Sir Curtis Lampson. ..... 817

CHAPTER XVI.

DEATH OF MR. PEABODT.

The Lightning News. — The Comments of the Press. — Respect shown to Mr. Peabody'sMemory.— Portraits of Mr. Peabody 228

CHAPTER XVn.

FDNEBAIt IN ENGLAND.

Westminster Abbey. — Transportation of the Remains to America. — Descrip* Hon of the JBhip " Monarch.*'— Poem suggested by the Funeral Procession on the Ocean 288

CHAPTER XVm.

FUNERAL IN AMERICA.

Reception of the Remains in America. — Prince Arthur of England. — Mr. Winthrop'sEulogy.— The Funeral in Harmony Grove . . . . . 246

12 CONTENTS.

CHAFTBB XDL

Newman Hall on Q«orge Peabody . — Tributes Arom VariooB Soorces. — Poetio Tribute Arom **The London Evening Standard."— The Polpifs Voice in PralBe of his Benefloenoe. — list of hia Donations 209

CHAPTER XX.

THOUGHTS BDGQE8TED.

The Lessons of George Peabody's Life. ~ Money is Power. — A Consecrated Purse is that of Fortonatns • • • . 2B0

ILLLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Mr. Peabody • . FronHspiece.

Birthplace of George Peabody 86

Peabody and Danvers Institutes . • 85

P^body Square, Islington, London 12D

PeabodyStatne, London; and Peabody Institute, Baltimore • • • . ^40