Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1870-01-07
WORK WHILE THE DAY LASTS,

WORK WHILE THE DAY LASTS.
The lessons Of the life Of the late
George Peabody have furnished themes
for pulpit, for rostrum, for the public
press and for private conversation
lessons which are better than any
legacies in money which he could have
left. Of his biography it may truly be
said that it is "history teaching by
example," These lessons cannot be
lost and, indeed, while he still lived,
they were potent and serviceable. The
record of au instance in point has just
fallen under our notice In looking over
our English files. A munificent gilt
has recently been made to the town OF
Falmouth. in Cornwall, for the benefit
of its aged and deserving poor. The
donor is Mr.. George Earle, a native of
Falmouth. who, it is said in the Eng
lish papers, realized q fortune in the
city of Philadelphia. The valuable
gift takes the form Of q large and
handsome block Of buildings, erected
in the Gothic style, Oh an admirable
site, commanding extensive views.
There are thirty-two spacious rooms,
all of which are neatly fitted up and
well ventilated. Twenty OF the rooms
are intended to be Inhabited by two
persons each, while each Of the re-
mainder is intended for one person.
Then there is a chapel, capable Of
seating one hundred and tify persons,
which Is to be used by the inmates Of
the retreat and rs many other persons
rs can be accommodated. The object
of the retreat Ia that a comfortable
home. free Of rent, shall be provided
for deserving poor In their declining
years. Those to be admitted are to be
natives of Falmouth, or such rs have
resided in the town not less than
twenty years, and all must be
at least fifty-fve years of age.
Built under his own superintendent,
and entirely to his taste tas We judge
from the fact that Mr.. Earle presented
the builder with a gratuity of one
hundred sovereignty. the institution
will be a pleasure to Mr.. Earle, while
he lives, as great rs to any of the BEN
eficiaries. And then, besides, he avoids
the probate charges, and executors
and counsel fees; to say nothing Of the
murmurs of disappointed heirs, and
the disputes among trustee and COM
mittees: all of which difficulties more
or less attend the huilding Of n refuge
by the provisions of n legacy. The
dangers of Misrepresentation and unfit
ness are also avoided. We do not
know positively that Mr.. Peabody's
example produced this building. But
we do know that familiarity in the
| public mind with such instances of ell
lightened philanthropy must tend to
create a sentiment in favor Of living
gifts, above posthumous needs. 1t Is
unnecessary to follow so manifest a
train of thought. The good ems of
every man will concede the excellence
Of works like those of Peabody, Earle
and many others who might be named.
And their example need not be lost
upon any person who has the dispose
ton to do good. 1t does not require
vast wealth to be q public benefactor.
| The number Of those who have large
fortunes to bequeath Is small. but to
| do good and to distribute. according to
ones power, is within the ability Of
everybody. The want and sorrow In
the world would be vastly diminished
If the selfish notion Of keeping n tight
hold upon our possessions while VIC
live were not 50 common. There are
thousands, however, we are glad to
think, who arc generous and public
spirited in their spheres; and II their
benefactions are not so large as to at
tract the worlds notice, they are no
less in moral weight and in the judg-
ment of Him who weighs the thoughts
of men. Still much may be said for
| the benevolent rich. The love of
money is apt to grow by what it feeds
on. and it is no small victory over self
to be generous while living. These
things make u think better of poor
human nature. The sums given by
living men in the United States for
public objects compare favorably with
the record of any nation and we In
cline to the belief that Il modern
days exceed the past in enlightened
Iiberality. Men ire learning to "work
while the day lasts"