Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-05-31
mr. Penbod,,. e.in % tbc 1.ondon Poor.

MIR. Peabody Gift TO fhc London Poor
1t is an established law of political economy
that all giving Is, scientifically, d blunder but
1t is bluudcr which happily it Is impossible 10
keep the human heart from cOnnlving at when a
deed of private charity titly bestowed, or Of pub
lie beniiiceuce, wisely directed, coDtravenes our
cold economics. We DO not care to inquire what
a Mill or McCullOch would say of Mr.. Pea
bOdys gift of three quarters Of a million of dol
| lars to the poor of London satisfied that this
lnunihcent lgrgess iUstihes itself by a higher
| economy than that of the schools. The distin-
guished American merchant Las made a benevO-
lence which is indeed prrceIy, in the best mean
| ing OF that term. and which widens our expert
ence OF the generous qualities of human nature
And MIR. Peabody's gift acquires a peculiar
moral interest, from the Hct that il is to a con-
siderable degree the fruit of a vow made with
himself many years ago
We learn from the letter which conveys the
| offer, and which is addressed to bir Adams, our
minister at London, that he, at a comparatively
early period in his commercial life resolved in
his own mind that, should his labors be blessed
with success, he would devote a portion OF the
property thus acquired to promote the intel
lectual moral and physical welfare and comfort
of his tellOw-meu, wherever, from circumstances
or location, their claims upon him should be the
strongest" He has already carried this resolve
into effect IN two conspicuous instances in his
own country, having founded in 1852 an insti-
tute and library for the benefit of the people OF
his birthplace, il DanVers, Massachusetts, and
in Baltimore an institute devoted to science and
arts, with a free library, which is now com
pleted, though not yet opened The present
gift, accordingly, he devOtes to the benefit of
the poor of London, where he has resided for the
past i've and twenty years, and been blessed
with great worldly prosperity.
Our minister at London, with Lord Stanley.
Sir James Emerson Iennent, and Messrs. Curtis
Lampson and JunIus S. Morgan, are made trus-
tees OF the fund, aud 70 ;hem ne transfers the
sum OF El50,000, or S7590O0,) 20 b5 used il
such ways a. shall amehOrate the condition
and augment the comforts OF the poor of the
great EnghGh capital and, among other ways,
by the construction Of such improved dwellings
tor the poor as may combine IL the utmost pos
sible degree the essentials Of hvalthtulnes5 com
fort, social enjoyment and economy. The trus-
tees have certainly a wide field Of action before
them III descending 10 benefit that class with |
which Mayhem makes Us acquainted 10 his ter
rible piece OF social anatomy, the London !
Labor and London Poor" Our couutryman |
thus not only does az act OF very pure and /
noble charity, bui u Inc same time teaches |
lesson Of practical democracy. such acts put |
the whole world under contribution, and il can |
scarcely be that this munIdcsnt beIelaction Of |
one who, by his Sympathiss and ties, Is, Us it |
were, at once American and Briton. shall not |
prove new bond of international amty.-Net0 |
York Times