The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-11-05
Services TO the Public.

Services to the Public.
On more than one occasion during his early busi-
ness career in England, Mr.. Peabody's Judgment
integrity and vast financial resources have been Of
eminent public service, both to his native land and
to the land of his adoption. During the commercial
crisis in 1885, he was made, under an act of the
Maryland Assembly, one Of three commissioners to
negotiate loan for that State The transaction was
successfully completed. In recognition Of this and
other services the General Assembly of Maryland,
in 1s4s, expressed in public resolutions the obga-
tons Of the State to him. In 1851 he also bore the
entire expense OF arranging the American depart
ment of the Great International Exhibition Of Lon
don, and in the following year, when Mr.. Henry
Grinne generously offered his vessel, the Advance,
for a second expedition under DR.. Kane, to the
Arctic SEAS in search Of Sir John Franklin, Mr. Pea
body again came forward with his liberalty, and by
GIFT of $4,000 betrayed the expenses of the voyage.
He Gives London n S'FOurth of JuIy'' Sensa-
tiOn.
Mr. Peabody's first capital stroke in reputation
was made on the 4th of July, 1851. The old grudge
of England towards her revolted colonies remained.
Seventy-ive years had not wiped out the disgrace.
The Times held up to ridicule our meagre show in
the Exhibition Punch caricatured our industrial
products, the Royal Commission had given us but
stinted welcome, and the cold shoulder turned
to our exhibitors in nearly all public entertainments
To change all this Mr. Peabody proposed to give to
Americans and Englishmen on the day OF our
national anniversary the grand .fete of the season.
He suggested his plan to Mr. Lawrence, who, before
committing himself In its favor, laid it before the
Duke OF Wellington. 1t met the Dukes approval, and
he promised to give 1t his hearty cooperation. No
greater success was ever achieved. Willis rooms the
famous Almacks the lady patronesses of which were
the Duchess Of Norfolk, the Marchionesses OF Ely,
Londonderry, ana Westminster, the Countesses of
jersey Kinnoull, and Lchheld, ViscOuntess Palmer
ston and Lady Clinton whose rules prescribed the
introduction of any lady whom patroness did not
lady whose name was on her visiting list, were oo-
tanned for the occasion by the influence of the Iron
Duke" The programme prescribed concert aud
an assembly. The operate corps Of Her Majestys
Theatre, including Gris AbOni, Viatdot, and Mario,
was engaged. The ballroom, 100 feet by 40, deco
rated with gilt columns and pilasters, classic me-
dallions and mirrors, was lighted by five hundred
wax lights in cut glass ustres. The entertainment
was elegant and profuse. When it became known
that the Duke ofWellington was to be present. every
social objection was removed The elite of the ars
tOCracy not only accented but sought invitations
More than 1900 persons were present. and it turned
out to be the most brilliant assembly of the mos
famous season of London, chroniced by all the news
papers Of the kingdom.
MI Peabody was not then, nor for many year
afterwards, in society. The days of eXcusiveness
where the oligarchy of set rules have not gone by
in England. His brilliant international entertain
ment broke down no social barriers; it gave him re
nown, but not society He was engaged in business
distinguished indeed, for wealth and hospitality but
nothing more without family, or rank, or title or
Office and hence he black-balled at the Reform
Club and scratched from the Minister'S list for the
Queens levees. To his own credit, it could be said
that, after he had made position for himself he
held aoof from all solicitations from the latter, and
| declined public invitation to become member of
| the former.
lie Establishes the t'Fourth of JULY Dinner in
London.
The celebration of the Fourth of July by public
dinner was inaugurated by Mr.. Peabody in 1852, and
was continued every year up TO 1859, at which time
| the American Association in London, club formed
! for charitable purposes, succeeded to the honor.
There are thousands in both countries who recall
| with pleasure those occasions of national reunion.
| In one instance only did any occurrence mar the
| festivty.
lie Settles Nice Point SummariIy.
During the year that Nj. (now GeneraD Slckles
held the post of Secretary of legation it was pro-
posed that the annual dinner should be by subscrip-
ton, in order to give it more general and public
| character. The plan received the appreciation Of
Mr. Peabody who requested, however, that, while
| all the proceedings were managed by a committee,
he might be allowed to pay the expenses. Upon this
understanding the plan made, the tickets issued,
| and Mr. Peabody elected TO preside. A difference
arose one of the preliminary meetings about the
| toasts. ''The day we celebrate" it was agreed
should first, but the second toast, should it be
| "The President" or '"The Queen! Mr. Peabody
was slrong lot inc ldtter, urging OhuI resluehce III
| England the unblemshed character OF her
Majesty, Difference to his invited English
| guests, and his own custom hitherto
warranted giving precedence to the toast to the
Queen. Mr.. Sickles argued that the dinner being
national celebration, made so not only by the day
but by the presence of the American Minister self
respect LOYALTY and custom demanded that hono
should be shown first to the Chief Magistrate OF the
United States. Mr.. Peabody rejoined that al
scruples might be waived by toasting the Queer
first as a woman to which Mr.. Sickles responded
| that It was not the woman but the ruler to WHOM
the toast did honor. The discussion was sharp
Neither yielded. No formal vote was takeh' l
was understood when the meeting broke up tina
the decision rested with the Committee o
Arrangements, there being no doubt, how
ever that the feelings OF the majority wer
with Mr. slckles. The result was unfortunate
for whatever may have been the arrangement ol
] the paper prepared by the committee' MI feaoouy