The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-08-19
MOVEMENT OF OCEAN STEAMERS
GJRARD THE MONEY NATFp

recent number of the Household Words contains
sketch of Stephen Girard. 1t is not correct in
all particulars and yet it embodies many interest
ing facts in the history of the celebrated baAk ar
Alter giving the leading events in the early life of
Glrard, the writer proceeds as follows:
In 1872, Stephen Girard, the one-eyed cabin boy
of Bordeaux, purchased the banking premises Of
the old Bank of the United States (whose charter
was not renewed) and started the Girard Bank a
large private establishment, which not only con-
ferred advantages on the community greater than
the State institution upon which it was founded
but, while the public credit was shaken the Govern
ment finances were exhausted by war, the Girard
Bank could command large subscriptions of loan
and put itself in the position of the principal credi-
tor of the country. In 1914 Girard subscribed the
whole of large Government loan. from patriotic
motives, and in 1917 he contributed by his unshaken
credit and undiminished funds to bring about
the resumption of specie payments In 1881 his
operations extensive that when the country
was placed in extreme embarrassment from the
scarcity of money by of the balance of trade
being against it, he was enabled by a single trans
action with an eminent English firm, to turn the
exchanges and cause specie to flow into the States
10 add to his singular and deficient character he
was deaf in one ear, could only speak broken Eng
llsh' never conversed upon anything but business
and wore the same old coat cut in the French
style, for five years together. An old ricketty
chalse, remarkable for its age and marked with the
initials ''S Co. drawn by a faded horse was used
when ne rode about the city. He had no sense of
hospitality, no friend to share his house or his
table. He was deferentia in appearance to rank
and family; violent and passionate only to one man
an old and faithful clerk named Roberiot. His
theological opinions were hete odOx in the extreme
and he loved to his splendid vessels after Vol
talre and Rosseau. He was devoted to the i'm
provement of his adopted country and he was a
determined follower of ostentatious charity. No
man ever applied to him for a large public grant in
VAN, while the starving beggar was invariably
sent from his gate He steadily rose every morning
before the lark, and unceasing labor was the daly
worship of his life
career with one object, which he steadily kept in
view all his long lifethe making of money for the
power it conferred. He was content at startno
with the small profits of the retail trader, willing
to labor IN any capacity to make these profits Sc
cure He practiced the most rigid personal econo-
my; he resisted all the aurements of pleasure; he
exacted the last tarthing that due him, and he
paid the last farthing that he owed. He took every
advantage the law allowed him in resisting claim:
he used men just far as they would accomplish
his purpose; he paid his servants more than the
market prices when faithful cashier died he ex-
hlolted the utmost Indifference, making no provi-
sfons for his family and uttering no sentiment of
regret for his loss. He would higgle for penny
with huckster in the street; he would deny the
Waterman at his bank the customary Christmas
present of a great coat
Thus he attained his eight7 second year in 1870.
be had nearly lost the sight of his one eve, and
used to be seen cropping about his bank, disregard
ing every offer OF assistance. Crossing one of the
ihladeiphla roads he was knocked down by a pass
was nearly cut Off His one eve which before
opened slightly, was entirely closed: he gradu-
ally wasted away, and his health declined. On the
10th of December, Stephen Girard eypirad in tba
back room the third floor of his house in Wa
ter street, Philadelphia, leaving the bulk of mis-
large fortune, upwards of million sterling, to
FOUND charities and to benefit the city and the coun
try IN which he acquired it.
lie left his monument in the E.Girard Colere -
hat marble rooted palace for the education and pro-
tecu9n OF the orphan children of the poor which
STANDS the most perfect model of architecture in the
new world, high above all the buildings of Phila-
oeiphla, visible from every eminence of the sur
rounding country. Every detail of the external
ana internal arrangement of this orphan college
was SET iorth clearly and carefully in his will show
ing tnat the design upon which he had layished the
mass of his wealth was not the hastily deyeloped
fancy of few hours days. but was the heart
cherished, silent project of his whole life.
The Danville papers announce the death. on
Thursday last, of Col. Leonard Claiborne. a well
known and much respected citizen of Pittsvlyania
county, Va, after severe and protracted Illness
The jaw bone of an Indian, about twice the size
of that belonging to an ordinary man. has been
found about three miles below Terre Haute, In
diana.
The Douglas democrats of the Seventh District,
| Illinois, have nominated James C. Robinson. The
Republican candidate is Mr.. +. J. Ogesby, and p.
b. Shepard is the candidate of the Administration
The Memphis Bulletin of the 10th inst states that
Mr: W: IL. Crisp, the manager of the Gaiety Thea
h IRE IN Memphis, has recovered his sight, and is now
aple 10 superintend his business personally.
Two Two boys in Nashville, Tenn, recently jumped
from nf .ne pier of bridge, in that place. distance
| in the least. Ahey "eio no' H"'
Tue Doston Pilot reports the death of John Law
ieSe TS rorfest one OF lrelands sweetest poets He
native of the city of Cork ''' ie vas
The citizens of Springfield. Mass have o..,
six live Governors, and twenty-five distingH;s SeJ
gentlemen to attend the horse show at that nlaos
in September. pace
The U. s.. steamer Arctic is at present used in
conveying shells and other munitions of war be
tween the Gosport and Washington Navy Yards.