The life of George Peabody; containing a record of those princely acts of benevolence which entitle him to the esteem and gratitude of all ..

Front matter

ti

BRYSON LIBRARY

Teachers College

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 born 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,

6 PREFACE.

in some grand respects; and is therefore wqrth reporting to future 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 volume 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

PREFACE. 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.

Chapter I. Early Days

The Boy foreshadowing the Man. — Ancestry. — Birthplace. — Childhood. s The Young Store-Keeper. — Newburyport ......

CHAPTER H.

OUT IN THE -WORLD.

The Commercial Assistant. — Business-Habits. — Love-Story. — Going South . 45 CHAPTER HI.

PATRIOTISM.

The Citizen Soldier. — The First Partnership. — The Travelling Member of

the Firm. — Life in Baltimore 56

CHAPTER IV.

LONDON LIFE.

Removal to Lond'on. — Disinterestedness. — Kindness 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 Institute in reabody. — The Public Reception of the Benefactor . ... 80

10 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

GOOD GIFTS CONTINUED.

The Donation to Thetford, Vt. — Grandfather Dodge. — The Wood-sawing

Story 102

CHAPTER VH.

STILL GIVING.

Peahody Institate at Baltimore. — Letter of Mr. Peahody. — Proceedings in

Regard to the Donation. — Mr. Peabody's Remarks . .... 115

CHAPTER VTH.

GREATER BENEFACTIONS.

Amelioration of the Condition of the Poor in London. — Magnificent Bequest

of Mr. Peahody. — Description of the Buildings ...... 124

CHAPTER IX.

APPRECIATION.

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

Queen's Letter. — The Queen's Portrait. — The Peahody Statue ... 142

CHAPTER X.

MR. PEABODY IN AMERICA.

The Flood of Letters. — The Gift for Education in the South. — Mr. Peabody's

Letter. — What the Money is doing 154

CHAPTER XI.

MORE GIFTS FOR SCIENCE.

Money for Museums at Yale and Harvard. — Correspondence iu Reference to

these Donations. — The Value of the Gift 165

CHAPTER XH.

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 XIII.

YET GIVING CHEERFULLY.

Massachusetts Historical Society. — Kenyon College, and Mr. Peabody's Donation to it. — Documents in Regard to the Acceptable Gifts .... 201

CHAPTER XIV.

FILIAL DEVOTION.

Memorial Church at Georgetown.— Mr. Peabody's Love for his Mother.— Hymn for the Dedication, by John G. Whittier. — Gifts to his Family and Friends 208

CHAPTER XV.

RETURN TO ENGLAND.

Mr. Peabody's Speech at the National Peace Jubilee.— Illness of Mr. Peabody.— Return to England.— Sir Curti8 Lampson 217

CHAPTER XVI.

DEATH OF MR. PEABODY.

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

CHAPTER XVH.

FUNERAL IN ENGLAND.

Westminster Abbey. — Transportation of the Remains to America. — Description of the Ship " Monarch." — Poem suggested by the Funeral Procession on the Ocean

CHAPTER XVHI.

FUNERAL IN AMERICA.

Reception of the Remains in America.— Prince Arthur of England.— Mr.

Winthroi>'8 Eulogy.— The Funeral in Harmony Grove 245

12 • CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XIX.

DESERVED TRIBUTES.

Newman Hall on George Peabody. —Tributes from Various Sources. — Poetic Tribute from "The London Evening Standard." — The Pulpit's Voice in Praise of bis Beneficence. — List of bis Donations 269

CHAPTER. XX.

THOUGHTS SUGGESTED.

The Lessons of George Peabody's Life. —Money is Power. — A Consecrated

Purse is that of Fortunatus 280

ILLLUSTRATIONS.

Portrait of Mr. Peabody Frontispiece.

Birthplace of George Peabody 35

Peabody and Danvers Institutes 85

Peabody Square, Islington, London I29

Peabody Statue, London; and Peabody Institute, Baltimore .... 149

INTRODUCTION.

OF the myriads of human beings who flit across the stage of life, but few, comparatively, ever become really eminent ; but few ever thrust themselves, so to speak, unwittingly, it may be, upon the popular observation, or organize and achieve a marked success. But few are willing to burst the shackles of sensuous thraldom, and gird on the whole panoply of a true and elevated manhood, and enter the arena of life's conflict, yielding to the nobler impulses of the higher nature, the intellectual and moral, necessitating the complete subserviency of the lower and mere animal nature. But few raise high the standard of attainment, basing the purposes of life upon clear and vivid ideas and potent aspirations, and then concentrate the developed and expanding energies of the soul wjlth pertinacious and indomitable courage. These few stand out in bold relief, like the majestic oak on the hill-top, or like some " bright, particular star," suddenly emerging from the horizon, moving upward in majesty, full-orbed and radiant, increasing in size and brilliancy, and sending its beams of light to the remotest regions. Some of these remind us of the meteor as it dashes across the heavens, blazing with its own native fires; sometimes seemingly erratic in its course, yet true to its nature, and controlled by fixed and immutable laws, startling and awing the observer, or challenging respect and admiration. Such organize and decree success and distinction in obedience to the laws of mind, not only by unremitting effort and toil even, but by a wise adjustment of means to ends, having regard to principles as definite and undeviating in their applications as those which guide the chemist in the laboratory, the physician at the bedside, and the surgeon in the operating-hall. Their success is not the result of accident, u luck," unusual mental endowments, aid of friends, but rather the legitimate and necessary sequonce of industry, perseverance, energy, clearness of perception, oneness of purpose, fixedness of effort, and strength of will. If the circumstances and surroundings are not favorable, no energies are squandered in useless hesitancy or unmanly murmurings, but# are modified, and, if possible, made subservient to the great purposes of life, or may be utterly ignored ;

while the aspiring candidate for distinction and an enviable pre-eminence determines never for a moment to entertain the idea of a " cessation of hostilities," — never admits into his vocabulary the word fail, »

Mr. Peabody was a marked man, a representative man, towering in giant proportions among the prominent and successful business-men of the age, — a model financier. He courted no special favors, no exclusive privileges, but was ready to enter business - life " single-handed," and become the architect of his own fortune, or personally share the fate due to those who ignobly fail.

His success as a financier is attributable rather to his inherent qualities of mind, and, to a certain extent, of body, — personal appearance, — than to any specially favoring circumstances. If there were any apparently favoring circumstances, we may claim that he either produced these, or adroitly availed himself of them ; appropriating whatever might be conducive to his advantage. Though not in abject poverty, as often stated, it is certain that he rose from the humbler walks of life, and, of course, is estimated more fairly by the progress made than by the simple fact that he rose to a high position in society, socially and financially, winning unequalled laurels on both hemispheres. No wealthy friend or relative ever furnished funds to aid him in commencing a business-life, or exerted in his behalf any specially favorable influence as a means of giving him advantages at the commencement of his business career, when counsel and material aid are" ordinarily of great service. Commencing active business-life while still in his minority, his education was necessarily limited, — far more so than that of most young men of the same age at the present time, with the educational advantages now possessed. His was only a " common-school " training, that afforded, about a half-century since, only a partial course, — but a fraction of the meagre facilities for a preparation for a commercial life presented to the youth of an age* far less auspicious than the present. Yet, like all other obstacles, this was fairly and fearlessly met ; self-culture compensating, at least measurably, for these manifest disadvantages : affording a fine illustration of -the fact, that native good sense, industry, and will are sufficient to insure victory under almost any circumstances. Those who were familiar with him, who understood his conversational powers, his general intelligence, would ordinarily have accorded to him the advantages of a good, if not of a liberal education. Indeed, his correspondence was remarkable for its comprehensiveness, its terseness of style, elegance of diction, and chasteness of expression.

These most assuredly indicated culture and refinement, by no means usual in business-circles, in those more familiar with bonds, coupons, notes of hand, &c, than with science and literature. It is, indeed, a matter of surprise that one so devoted to his business-pursuits ; one who personally attended to even the details of his financial transactions, — such duties often demanding nearly twice the number of hours of toil now required of the mechanic and ' artisan in this country ; so methodically exacting in every thing relating to these duties ; so remarkably devoted to his business, — it is surprising that such a man should have availed himself of the fragments of leisure moments, devoting them to self-culture, or that he should have had any taste for mental pursuits and literary recreations. This anomaly is only explained by the fact, that Mr. Peabody was emphatically a man of energy, decision of character, remarkably industrious, intellectually inclined ; a man of method and system, scrupulously dividing his time as existing circumstances might demand.

Gentlemanly in his bearing, honorable in his transact tions, genial in his intercourse with men, — with honorable men, — though his frown was sufficiently scathing toward the mean, fraudulent, conniving, and false, his indignation sufficiently marked, and his words of denunciation 2 sufficiently pointed and personal, towards those unworthy of confidence, — scrupulously honest as a business-man, he could not but command the respect of those engaged in similar pursuits, and enjoy the confidence of those familiar with him in the ordinary walks of social life. Prompt and methodical, he avoided many of the vexations and disasters experienced by men of the opposite business-habits. With him the appointments of business were sacred, the day and the hour to be observed with the most undeviating certainty on his part ; while those who failed in these respects, if unable to offer a satisfactory excuse for such delinquency, would not ordinarily escape a decided reprimand, or more frequently forfeit confidence and business-relations. Financial obligations were promptly met at the appointed time, in strict accordance with the literal structure of the contract, when he was the obligor ; while it was at least injudicious for others to be less scrupulous towards him. If there was sometimes seeming severity, such must be attributed to his marked methodical habits, and to an idea of commercial obligation and justice.

Mr. Peabody was a man of good natural abilities ; had a large volume of brain, as the most casual observer may notice ; his noble bearing well calculated to command respect, not less than confidence. His were clear perceptions, — those of a careful and discriminating observer of men and things. His brain was neither beclouded by the narcotic influences of the " vile weed," as he was not accustomed to the use of tobacco in any of its forms ; nor inflamed, set on fire, by the use of alcoholic stimulants. Such indulgences, indeed, would have been inconsistent with his large success, and incompatible with the performance of his manifold duties, his almost crushing labors, which would have exhausted the energies of almost any man less scrupulous and less consistent in his personal habits. Nor did he stultify himself with the indulgences of the gourmand, — a slave of appetite: far from it. He gave and attended banquets ; yet, of all present, he was the most simple in his habits, the most abstemious, often partaking of but a single dish, and that of the simplest quality, though the table might groan under the weight of the luxuries of all climes. There was neither wasting of his energies in sensual indulgences, the gratification of the lower nature, nor a dissipation, a scattering, a frittering-away of his powers in unmanly amusements and senseless frivolity. He was no mere pleasure-seeker ; though it is reasonable to suppose that he was not averse to a consistent " unbending," after exhausting and overburdening the mind by excessive effort. It is certain that he was conscientious in regard to the

20 INTEODUCTION.

more usual amusements ; not partial to theatricals, since, in the finish of the " Memorial Church," he gave special directions to avoid certain decorations calculated to " remind one of the theatre ; " though that church was finished in elegance, taste, and beauty, without regard to expense, to " last one hundred years without a stroke of repairs," in the language of the donor.

The key to his marked success is seen in these prominent characteristics. Inheriting a firm physical constitution, a vigorous and discriminating mind, the energies of the one were husbanded by a remarkable abstemiousness and temperance, the normal vital forces not only retained, but increased in their powers of endurance by correct habits ; while the other was called into harmonious activity, developed by effort, expanded by observation, and refined by self-culture, his personal habits being favorable to such physical and mental development.

As a business-man, Mr. Peabody had a single idea, a oneness of purpose, — success in financial pursuits. lie was not only industrious, almost without a parallel in business-circles, but his energies were centred, concentrated with a marked persistency and vitalizing energy, upon this one object, this one life-pursuit. Finance was his study, — if the expression is allowable, — and success, eminence in his avocation, his great object ; though an avaricious spirit, a mere love of money as such, were not fairly attributed to him. He was neither diverted from his chosen pursuits by the enticements of pleasure-seeking, nor by the allurements of fashion, nor yet by the blandishments of the court and the applause and attentions of the sovereign of his adopted land. It is a remarkable fact, that the kind regards of the Queen, the honors bestowed upon him, the many, many temptations to accept, not court, the favors and distinctions almost thrust upon him by those occupying the highest position in the realm, were not sufficient to captivate him. It was not until after he retired from business that he could be induced to specially notice these proffered distinctions and regards ; never having been presented to the royal family until after his retirement from the harassing cares and labors of business-life.

Nor is it to be supposed that he never encountered difficulties or experienced disasters in his financial pursuits, since these are the necessary concomitants of a life of business. He is a wise man, worthy of success, who encounters difficulties without misgivings, irresoluteness, or murmurings, and boldly and resolutely attempts the removal of all obstacles ; throwing himself into the van, in the conflicts of life, expecting to become the victor. After Mr. Peabody had passed the meridian of a business-career, misfortunes came, for a time jeopardizing his financial prospects. After the age of fifty years, — at which time his wealth was comparatively small, far less than that of many of our successful business-men of perhaps half that age, — most of his vast accumulations were acquired ; the last few years of business being, probably, by far the most remunerative. His earlier life seemed to have been preparatory, prefatory ; a time for the deposit of the seed afterwards to germinate, and yield its fruits ; a time in which to lay the foundation on which prosperity was to be reared near the close of life, and the creation and adjustment of plans and instrumentalities by which success was afterwards made almost or quite certain.

But the " crowning glory," the brightest halo that encircles the brow of Mr. Peabody, is that connected with his munificent donations ; those of a general character, but especially those intended for the lowly, — the poor of England and of this country. This benevolence was but the outgrowth of his compassionate nature, and was early developed; though but little was known of him, in this respect, beyond a certain circle, publicity not being sought. He was commendably devoted to his mother and many other relatives and personal friends ; and on these he early bestowed favors, though, of course, not as lavishly as in after-life, when his means would justify generous bequests. With a son's devotion, an affectionate brother's solicitude and tenderness, he cared for those more nearly connected by family ties ; while others were educated, that in business relations, professional duties, &c, they might encounter less of the disadvantages than himself in the avocations of active life.

While cherishing these kindly impulses in early manhood, nurturing them by judicious bestowments, we may reasonably infer that the idea of these larger and royal donations, royal in magnitude and design, were contemplated long before their public recognition ; reposing in his capacious and far-seeing mind, — an embryotic existence, — to be developed and assume vast proportions in due time. Cherishing a tender regard, an affectionate solicitude, for the lowly of both hemispheres, — the unfortunate from the force of circumstances, the peculiarities of government, &c, in the one, and the terrible degradation of slavery in the other, — may we not infer that this was the cherished benevolent impulse of his life ; and that, with his far-seeing intellect, as he foresaw the magnitude of the results of such a gift in the elevation and the humanizing of the downtrodden, this was the one great aspiration of his life, long reposing in the bosom of the future, as the helpless infant calmly sleeps on its mother's breast, and nourished there for future activities ? This was indeed a munificent gift, worthy of the man who bestowed it. Yet its mere financial proportions do not constitute its most important significance. The design of reaching the lower stratum of society, educating those who must have remained in relative ignorance and degradation, aside from such gifts giving life, energy, and courage to the despairing, furnishing the means of self-elevation, self-improvement, these features overshadow all others ; these aspects determine the magnitude and the true benevolence of these vast charities. Having; no children of his own, he conceived the grand idea of adopting the unfortunate of his native and his adopted countries ; wisely bequeathing to them, with an affectionate regard, the means more wisely granted than by personal bestowments, squandered or exhausted in a brief period as it might have been under some circumstances, by which future generations would be blessed, remembering the name of the donor as a father indeed, who had more regard for future benefits, real prosperity, and continuous fruitage, than for brief and temporary gratifications. Such a monument will outlive marble and granite ; such a record is indeed indelible.

To the young men of this country, the noble example of Mr. Peabody as a business-man, a man achieving and deserving success ; his remarkable prosperity ; his brilliant career ; his large-heartedness, as seen in the outcropping in his vast charities, almost prodigally scattered, all suggesting the idea of magnitude, vastness, — to such his whole life has a peculiar significance. In a country like ours and a government like ours, based on morality and universal intelligence, with the schoolhouse and the church-edifice as the " front-guard and the rearward," the foundations cemented with as pure blood as ever flowed in patriot veins, " large expectations " are peculiarly appropriate. While the invitation, " Go up and possess the land," seems imprinted in bold relief on our public institutions, or is rung out in the pealing notes of the bells that call the young to the halls of learning, — the humbler ones, the " people's colleges," not less than the higher institutions, — the youth of our favored country may well be emulous, raise high the standard of attainments, and aspire to enviable positions. Still in its infancy, by no means •having reached the vigor, strength, and self-sustaining force of maturity, but even now joyous, exuberant, vivacious, and active, as if in the springtime of life, with a vast domain unexplored, and still more but partially developed,

26 INTEODUCTIOK

with mineral resources unfathomed, natural advantages unparalleled and unappropriated, our country is peculiarly the nurseiy of enterprise and industry, and the fostermother of generous and noble aspirations. Here the avenues to wealth, social eminence, enviable distinction in science, literature, oratory, the professions, to a wide field of research, — all are thrown wide open to the lowly as well as to those occupying higher social positions, as Qur records in the past amply demonstrate ; the meed of praise and the badge of honor having been bestowed upon the offspring of some of the most lowly of our citizens. A good education, one far superior to that acquired by the young Peabody, is attainable by every young man in New England, at least, if blessed with even medium capabilities and a, will; attainable, indeed, with but a slight expenditure of funds, since the State has adopted the fundamental and ennobling idea, that it costs less to educate the masses than to punish crime. With such an education, not only wisely and mercifully proffered, but almost thrust upon the recipient, success is attainable if merited.

It is important for the young men of this country to remember that Mr. Peabody was not merely a man of finances, not merely a business-man, and that wealth was not obtained simply for its possession. As soon as relief from his crushing cares and labors would admit, and probably far sooner, in some degree, at least, he cast about himself to decide what judicious disposition should be made of such vast accumulations ; in what manner he might bless society, that the far-reaching results might more than compensate for the toils, anxieties, and unceasing efforts demanded for its accumulation. The mere accumulation, the mere possession, with no high and noble impulses, no characteristic philanthropic emotions, would dwarf the intellect, congeal the generous outgushings, make man a miser, the despised among men, instead of the philanthropist, the friend of the lowly, held in grateful remembrance in at least two of the most powerful nations of the globe.

Again : the avenues to distinction are open to the young, aside from those leading simply to wealth. There are higher honors than those usually merited by the financier (Mr. Peabody modified and added to his by his judiciouslybestowed charities), — those sought in paths of learning, in the labors of the philanthropist, &c. ; though financial success seems the basis of other enterprises, furnishing the means of producing great results.

An age may produce but one identical philanthropistfinancier like Mr. Peabody ; yet the major part of the young of this age, if ready to throw themselves into the arena of life's struggles and labors, if willing to make a sacrifice of personal ease, if they will study the principles of success, concentrate effort, taking Mr. Peabody as a model, may make their mark, be remembered in succeeding ages for their noble deeds and their meritorious attainments. To succeed as he succeeded demands the same instrumentalities, the same temperance, the same favorable personal habits, the same industry, and the same business capacity.

I cannot better close this chapter than by transcribing the beautiful poem of Longfellow, so full of inspiration and encouragement to the young : —

" Tell me not, in mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream ; For the soul is dead that slumbers.

And things are not what they seem.

Life is real, life is earnest,

And the grave is not its goal : Dust thou art, to dust returnest,

Was not spoken of the soul.

In the world's broad field of battle,

In the bivouac of life, Be not like dumb, driven cattle ;

Be a hero in the strife.

Trust no future, howe'er pleasant ;

Let the dead Past bury its dead : Act, act in the living Present,

Heart within, and God o'erhead.

Lives of great men all remind us

We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us

Footprints on the sands of time, —

Footprints that perhaps another,

Sailing o'er Life's solemn main, — A forlorn and shipwrecked brother, —

Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

With a heart for any fate ;

Still achieving, still pursuing,

Learn to labor and to wait."

J. H. H.

THE LIFE OE GEOBGE PEABODY.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY DAYS.

Ancestry. — Birthplace. — Childhood. — The Young Store-Keeper. — Newburyport.

" A flower, though offered in the hud, Is no vain sacrifice." — Watts.

"They that seek me early shall find me." — Prov. viii. 17.

T is often said that "the child is father of the man ; " and in no small degree this can be affirmed of every prominent statesman or philanthropist. The traits evident in childhood are often prophecies of distinction in certain paths then indicated, when the years shall have given gray hairs to the brow, and maturity to all the mental powers.

This was eminently true of George Peabody, the financier and the benevolent giver of great gifts. His childhood foreshadowed the glory of his later years. And yet his childhood was not marked by incident, or memorable for peculiarities. Whatever the little eccentricities of after-years, his childhood was not in any sense that of an oddity. Men and women thought of him as the good boy, the faithful son, the dutiful child, the industrious student, the honest youth ; and, if they sometimes called him a " mother-boy," it was not because he was shy and effeminate, and wanting in boyish energy and daring, but because he loved his mother ; and it was the joy of his young life to add any thing to her happiness.

That he was brave and honest, upright and conscientious, is not at all strange when we consider his ancestry. However any may sneer at heraldic emblems, it is yet true, that, as the Scriptures declare, " the glory of children are their fathers ; " and none may therefore rightfully despise a pure and noble ancestry. The genealogy of the Peabody family has been compiled by the late CM. Endicott of Salem, and revised by William S. Peabody of Boston, with a partial record of the Rhode-Island branch by B. Frank Pabodie, in the spirit of those who adopted the language of Job : " For inquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers."

In the same spirit, Nehemiah Cleveland, Esq., in his address at the Topsfield Bi-Centennial Celebration, thus spoke of the origin of the Peabody family in America : —

" From a very early period in the history of this town,

.the Peabody name has been identified with it. Thanks to

the spirit of family pride or of antiquarian curiosity, great pains have been recently taken to dig out the roots and follow out the branches of the old Peabody tree. Old it may well be called, since it has already attained to a growth of nearly two thousand years. Boadie, it seems, was the primeval name. He was a gallant British chieftain, who, in the year A.D. 61, came to the rescue of his noble and chivalrous Queen Boadicea, when 'bleeding from the Roman rods.' From the disastrous battle in which she lost her crown and life, he fled to the Cambrian mountains. There his posterity lived, and became the terror of the Lowlands. Thus it was that the name ' Pea,' which means ' mountain,' was prefixed to ' Boadie,' which means ' man.' There was a Peabody, it seems, among the knights of the Round Table ; for the name was first registered with due heraldic honors by command of King Arthur himself. At the period when the business transactions of this town begin to appear on record, Lieut. Francis Pabody (this was the orthography of the name at that period) was evidently the first man in the place for capacity and influence. He had emigrated from St. Alban's, in Hertfordshire, England, about seventeen miles from London, in 1635, and settled at Topsfield in 1667, where he remained until his death in 1698. His wife was a daughter of Reginald Foster, honorably mentioned by Sir Walter Scott in 'Marmion' and 'The Lay.' Of this large family, three sons settled in Boxford, and two remained in Topsfield. From these five patriarchs have come, it is said, all the Peabodys in this country. Among those of this name who nave devoted themselves to the sacred office, the Rev. Oliver Peabody, who died in Natick almost a hundred years ago, is honorably distinguished. Those twin Peabodys (now, alas ! no more), William Bourne Oliver and Oliver William Bourne, twins not in age only, but in genius and virtue, learning and piety, will long be remembered with admiration and respect. The Rev. David Peabody of this town, who died while a professor in Dartmouth College, deserves honorable mention. A kinsman of his, also of Topsfield, is at this moment laboring, a devoted missionary, in the ancient land of Cyrus. The Rev. Andrew T. Peabody of Portsmouth, and the Rev. Ephraim Peabody of Boston, are too well and favorably known to require that I should more than allude to them. Prof. Silliman of Yale College is descended from a Peabody.