New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-11-05
OBITUARY.
GEORGE PEABODY.

munifcenty endowed and frOa whose people in his de-
clning years he has received than tribute Of
honor and gratitude He grOcer's clerk at Dan
II till Is when after spending year with
grandfather at Thetford in Vermont, he TO New
buryport as clerk for his elder brother, dry goods
merchant. Next we learn Of him in Georgetown.
ID. C., whittier he went with his uncle
after the burning of his brothers store.
and there. conducting the business OF his
house, although minor, his mercantile
genius developed itself But fearing that he continued
business in his he would he held responsible
for debts Of relatives which he had contracted he
withdrew in 1914 to the partner of Mr.. Elisha
Riggs IN the wholesale dry goods trade that gentleman
supplying the capital the management OF which con-
fded to the young merchant. At Baltimore nexs
year the house fourished in large and growing
business insomuch that in 1892 it could afford TO estab
lsh branches In New-York and Philadelphia. Prom
such beginnings Mr. Peabody derived the opportunity
make personal acquaintance with Europe in the purchase
OF goods and several times his TRANSATLANTIC Journeys
was ntrused affairs OF moment by the State Of Mary
land By the retirement Of SIr. Riggs 1922 lac became
head OF his house. and in 1881 settled In London four
years afcrward Withdrawing from the firm of Peabody
Riggs d Co., and establishing himself banker. IL
then that through his efforts faith In American
credit greatly damaged the crisis Of 1884, re5us-
eated and maintained and that the State OF Maryland
well favored transactions for which he refused
any compensation whatever. His house In London be-
came the headquarters Of Amercanism In aud tn
tegence aud acquaintance and In further proof Of bis
undimnished love of home and faherland he sent over
the 1852 the bicentcnnal anniversary
OF his native town OF Danyers Education debt from
the present future generations" and pay his shars
OF the debt inclosed a check for $4,000 to he
discussed the foundation of institute, yceum, and
library subsequently endowed 10 the extent Of hundreds
OF thousands OF dollars, including gift for branch
library in North DaDvers. HIS philanthropy has beea
exercised instances To the first Grinneli
expedition 70 North Pole he $1,000 and in 1857
the magnificent Of $4,000 given as the rs iB'
sallment s5OOOOO for the establishment Of an institute
promote literature. science and the arts His later boun-
ties Of 100000 the Of Southern education. In
creased after Of tho Baltimore aud Danyers
endOwmeuts are recent and fresh in gratitude.
But the scheueO philanthropy which. from it's novelty
and extent, will peculiarly distinguish Mr.. Peabodys
puncey benevolence is his gift to the London poor.
Of a3j0OO or $2O0OO was invested by MIN In the
experiment of aeyating the manifold disreSSes of
class Of people reared amid all the dscOmfort tempa-
ou and squalors Of that world OF city, the British
metropolis. Mr.. Peabodys object, though stated by
| him the amellorsiion OF the condition ana
augmentation Of the comforts OF the generally was
practically the helping OF the industrious poor The moss
reasonable way OF benehtng these would be, he thought
to provide very moderate decent homes for the
aud so secure for the worthy unfortunate in Londons
deuge Of humanity an ark OF safety decent enough 70
entertain home affections In that great city, as here
| but under less hopeful circumstances, the chI-
dren OF the poor grow up amid surrounding
the virtues in danger Of being excluded
with fresh air and cleanliness. Mr.. Peabody thought
blessing to overweight those whom he benefited with
Of their dependence and argued to himself that the
good done would be all the greater by making the poor
free agents in it. would maintain paupers. fot
that the work Of society by other he wished
to help the poor TO help themselves. Consequently. ho
thought wise to charge rent below the average but
20 give far better accommodations than ever private
landlords could Offer He might also have reckoned upon
creating desire to build better kind OF dwellings than
| have usually been erected for tenants
Four great buildings known by the name OF Peabody.
have been erected in four of the poorest quarters Of
London. They seemed not to have quite fulfilled their
builders design In the Shadwei quarter it was said
that In private house could be had for
little those in the Peabody building The former wero
dirty the latter clean but the tenants of Mr. Peabody
required to keep their premises clean, aud did not
| ike to do IL.
| They had to scrub rooms and passages and
| places IN common, and grew to think that
this benevolence OF compulsory cleanliness
| a tax upon them, and an unaccustomed kind
OF renpayment Those best satisfied we're, course.
most industrious, and 1t said. too that many came
In slattes who remained clean. In short Mr. Peabodys
houses though In some respects houses Of REFORM have
had the difficulties contend against which all enter
prIses having for their object seeming
beney olence, but IAN actual benefit Of the poor His
tenant scheme had undoubted advantages. No
landlord camo to hustle of tenant in ar
rears though lazy occupant had TO cult In
due time Perhaps welmeaning man long out Of
had to leave and problem thus turned back
upon the hands OF the beneacor. In fact Mr. Peabody
great experiment served to show that philanthropy
not sentiment TO be made fruitful by squanderers. but
science for wise Ii is said that better buildings
erected waited cheaper rates. ana
though the fund sayiugy directed that the build
ings have not fulfilled their professors design But by
this time II is probable that the agents Of the great we'll
doer have improved upon their beginuings part u
the fund.- 1t should be said Is devoted the relief OF ten
ants IN deserving Instances
Mr. Peabody made his last visit tho land Of his birth
June and the 30 OF July last made his additional
GIFT 10 OF education In the South. His many
benefactons for him esteem rarely accorded In
Europe to private parsonage. yet Mr. Peabody Is be-
eyed have contracted few very and earnest
friendships lthe English Sir Emerson Teluaat
who died year is said TO have been of
Englshmen who may DO accounted his warm personal
friends. Nevertheless, Mr.. Peabody widely admired
and cordially esteemed. The noble OF him made
by the American sculptor story, erected the expense
London. and unyaed at meeting which Prince OF
Wales was chairman, royalty aud grandly testified TO
the good work which DIR. Peabody had wrought in the
hearts Of those around him. and the sentiment which
lie had created in behalf Of his couutrymen the
water Not only has London dedicated him statue,
no has aided, proposes also In his honor
Mr. PeaoOdys face and bearing constituted gracious
index Of the character worth and work OF the man. It
had the Intelligence Of charity well as OF Thrift ana
his face In strict truth open countenance. Tue
good lie did lives after him. and nothing OF the benevo
lent spirit which has left its earthly stage has perlshe
To repeat the sentiment Of The good English EiI what
he gained that he lost; what lac gave that indeed, no
owns.
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