The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-16

His HeaiSh Rapidly FafEes-Inierestins
Instances ~ fias lieaersssty-Tho Dedica.
ton Of the Pswksdy Institute IN Danyers--
A speech ard Another 5inni6cest Gift
frss it, Founder.
psSvgRs. Mass, July Is, 1859.
t'eorge Peabody. the renowned millionaire and
distinguished phianthrop has been spending the
past fortnight amid the OF his birth and early
boyhood days His health, al already stated In the
HERALD correspondence rom this quarter, has
been very preearous STAGE hrs arrival IN this
country. and all efforts TO restore 1t IN the
peculiar climate OF the East have thus far been In
vain He does not to be afriicted with any
particular disease; but the iuarmness OF Old age
together with the wear and tear OF an eventual and
laborious life. beginning to tell upon his power
ful but over worked constitution. In she hopes OF
becoming convalescent he win In few days visit
the sulphur Springs. sa Virginia. where 1t il
ndenty expected D. hts physicians and friends the
exhilaratng climate VIII prove beneficial and, pos
s,by, eject complete restoration OF his health.
The proyerbia generosity OF Mr. Peabody, IN such
marked distinction from most men or wealth, Is
known aud admired by the whole world; and there
fore every incident connected with his public ana
private life possesses . universal interest. He mas
given away millions and millions OF dollars for
charitable and educational purposes. ana even to
peculiar characteristics OF ibersry without almost
daily illustration NO longer ago than yesterday az
ternoon he gave the handsome and unexpected sum
Of $4,000 10 the institute In this town bearing
name, making q total OF S1O0.0O0 to which 1t
,s Indebted for ais generosity. This institution
u branch Of the Peabody Institute, IN South Dan
yers NOW the town OF Peabody, amt his donations
for the two have amounted TO $500, o0O The junior
inst'tation-tae one In this town-was dedicated
YESTERDAY afternoon, ami Notwithstanding hts iii
health Mr. Peabody could not restst hss inclination
10 be present. The spacious hall OF the institute
Was crowded with visitors. sad Notwithstanding the
interesting character OF the general exercises OF
the dedication they insignincsn, In comparison
with the preseace OF Mr.. Peabody himself The eyes
OF all constantly fastened upon him. and every
opportunity for msnestiDg respect and regard for
him was fully improved. Rev. Dr. BramAn. the Pre-
sident Of the Institute, expecting to be present
TO deliver GRAFTON. bu, he seized with sudden
illness and at the last moment hls place had 70 be
supplied ~ another.
Rev. James Fletcher. principal OF the high schoo!
was selected and his remarks the occasion we're
very pertinent. Having made q few general re-
marks, Mr.. Fletcher turned towards Mr. Peabody
and ssAd:--
The FIRST sentiment 10 be spoken that We see once
more the face Of one whom all delight To honor
tAppsause Your presence with IA to-day u 10 make
cous in the remembrsnce OF as All. We have shared
our fears with you that the condition OF your health
might possibly mar this mutua pleasure; but the
has again been pr0pu0us the gentle care Of Heaven
has once more given YOU favor. and you have again
reached shores with 'iength OF DAYS in your right
hand, and IN your lett hand riches and honor" ZAP
plause.) You will understand therefore, with what
peculiar zest We greet you one and ALL upon tins now
consecraed spot Ia this beautiful temple. dedicate
10 the spread OF knowledge which It's every part
reminds us OF your bounty, we unite IN thanking you
nor IN ,ns wnrs sn aSs
who shall come after us. owe 10 you The town mas
already record changed rom what 1t would have
been put for your gut. THIS glowing present had
missed many a happy feature had not Your hand
been opened for our benefit. II you required proof
70 satisfy you that your donation Of library this
community had been Iudtcious, that II had met an
| intellectual want. or that n was appreciated or
jOurn among us would give that proof in ample
| measure. II you could inquire among the people
and hear them tell their own story You would be
| convinced that this feast OF good things had not
| been spread in vain. II you could notice the i'm
proved tone In the conversation ~ some subject Is
discussed which your library has suggested. and
| how readily the gossip OF fhe street has dis.
missed for an inquiry among the sciences for the
or traits belonging TO some disingitshed pe YER.
sonage IN history, you would DC the first to say
these results are worth all they have cost me.
You have f0ndness for natural history here n can
he gratIied IN the luxurianf supply OF authors who
have made this their special study. 80 OF history
| and philosophy OF poetry ana romance. OF things
ancient and modern, OF things humorous and grave.
The lavish hand OF our benefactOr has given every
one ms choice The founder OF a public nbrary has
thus an TO hearts and homes denied o. every
other beneiactor You, SIR, have been widely sepa
rated from us; you have trsversed distant seas Z;
you have. been among strangers and listened 10
| strange tongues; you have sat win princes and
have been Immersed IN the cares aud perple kites
Of important trusts; but In your busiest AMI most
| occupied moments you have still q genial presence
| at our fresldes. Your books have taken from
| our winter its chill and dreariness from
| our summers heat It's iangnors from our poverty
| It's depressiOns from oar wealth ITS charm TO lead
astray. Childhood aud youth have been entertained
| instructed and cheered on 10 noble endeayor. Age
has been soothed. its tnhrmfies hghiened, ana Its
| weary hours winged with better hopes into the
chamber OF the diseased and helpless yon been
admitted as welcome guest ia the person OF some
| choice volume which your bounty has supplied.
| You sir have been admitted a. a welcome guest
where the door has been barred all the orl
nary visits OF neighb0rs and friends This day Is
glad DAY with us because we see that stream of life
| bidding which, in its humbest beginDngs has
| had in Il so much OF good, from thus time forward
with you in bidding II God speed. lou win excuse
| us II we seem TO use words Of high encomum
when abiding 10 your example OF unparalleled and
| world wide beueractions. Ordinary language does
not express the truth, and the truth only needs 10
be spoken, and the truth for the truths sake. must
he spoken. We should be false 10 the cause OF edu-
| cation if we should halt IN our praise Of who
has done 50 much TO is the people TO higher ieyei
70 fee town whose history n the past Who's pros
poets in the future, profess 10 cherish. n
lukewarm IN our greeting OF one whose very name
has given us position; We should dtscredt the
memory OF loved ones sleeping IA their graves IL we
were slow to thank the generous hand which 80
NRnteneQ tuetf buu euuouteu tbelf Hit Nhtif
gering among u.s. we should cease 10 10 lovers OF
our country II we could permit the presence among
! us OF its chief benefxctor and not be stirred 10 .
| more than ordinary thrill OF pleasure. We should
| cast suspicion upon our own infegrt, we
| could use words OF common praise when speaking
! Of him whose commercial life has p~en unspotted
through all the stages OF It's trial from the humbe
store in Danyers to the exchange OF nations and ths
! metropolis Of the world. We should belize our hu
mainly n we could family commend the example of
whose constant and unstinied bounty IA. 81 re.
lieved the Charge OF sedsnne.s preferred Ala. ZOO
| truly, against the ordinary run OF men. In speak
ing OF Alexander, the historian calls MIN Great not
alone not chieny, for the conQuest- won IN the ded
of battle but for those ambitions which hrs brilliant
example has excited and IL exciting. the minds
| OF eager asprants In all lands and ages. 20. for
different and better cause shall the name ~ Pea
body, now historic, he styled great not alone not
chieny, for the amplitude OF these endOwments rich
beyond ali precedent but fof the stimulus which his
example shall furnish 10 men OF means 10 ccpt srch
afiuence OF soul. We congratulate the trustees the
building committee the donor snd the cause of