New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-27
THE PEABODY INSTITUTE.


are Is.
THE PEABODY INSTITUTE
ITS FINANCIAL CoNDTIoN-AN INCIDENT OF
MR. PEABODY's VISIT IN 1SG7-THE PEABODY
FAMILY OF SALEM.
[YRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
PORTLAND, JAM 2j.-When Mr. Peabody was
in the United States last year. he visited the lnsi-
tute at South DanyeTs which bears his name and
inquired particularly into its operations, going over
the accounts, and discussing with the trustees the
cost Of its maintenance and the annual income from
the fund. suppose am telling no secret and hurt
ing nobody's feelings when say that even so good
and benevolent man as George Peabody was not
exempt from the misfortunes of age and bodily in
trinity, and that he consequently allowed himself at
times to cricise pretty freely-not to say unustly-
the policy of the cusodians of his benefactons. On
this occasion he is said to have freted great deal
From various causes not necessary to mention and
certainly not easy to avoid, the revenue from the
endowment had not kept pace with the increased
expenses which followed the general rise of
prices during the war, and the benevolent
founder felt more keeny how far the Institute fell
short of his expectations than how much it really
had accomplished. lyon spend too much money"
he complained; "yOu spend too much money. You
pay your lecturers too much. You must get them
cheaper And so he went on for while, until the
momentary irritation passed away. His face soon
Frightened and a soft expression began to play
about his month "Well, we'll" snid he, drawing
something from his pocket, 81 must give you $4,000
more and get you out Of trouble. And must say"
he continued. /" that none of my foundations have
been so admirably administered and given me so
much satisfaction this one at my native place"
So the good old man continued for long time prais
ing everything connected with the Institute
and assuring his delighted friends that they had
fulfilled his wishes in the smallest particulars. 1t is
well known that the South Danvers foundation was
his favorite child 1t was here that he deposited all
the principal testimonials given him by the British
and American Governments, the portrait of Queen
Victoria the gold and eweed boxes, the great gold
medal struck in his honor by order Of Congress- In
GLIDING the cost of the building and grounds, he
gave the Institute in all 2j0000 and it now has from
his donations permanent fund remaining of sl3lOOO
Besides this, Mrs. Eliza Sutton of Salem gave with
his consent the of $4,000 to establish in con-
nection with it separate library as memorial of
her deceased son. Eben Dale Sutton. 1t is kept in
room by itself in the Institute, and consists wholly
of choice works Of reference for the convenience of
students.
The town of Peabody, as you know, was set off
from the town of Danvers some time after the
foundation of the Institute; and that Danvers
might not be deprived of the benefits of his munt-
cence. Mr. Peabody established second educational
fund in the latter place with separate board OF
managers. When he visited the United States in
1867, there was rather funny incident connected
with his reception of which the Danvers trustees are
not over fond of talking. Committees from both
towns were to meet him in New-YOrk on the arrival
of the steamer and it was arranged that they should
20 together on certain day. There was not unnat-
uraly little good-natured rivalry, each wanting to
be the first to welcome their benefactOr and so it
happened that Danvers stole march upon the Pea
body committee, by hurTyng quietly away the
morning before the appointed time. The Peabody
trustees followed in the next train went straight to
the Brevoort House, saw Mr.. Peabody who was
already there enjoyed jolly dinner with him, and
early the next morning him aboard the cars for
Salem. Then they strOlled down Broadway and on
the steps of the Astor House found their brethren
from Danvers discussing the proper honr to call ut
the Breyoort and pay their respects. The meeting
was rather embarrassing, and for while nothing
said about the purpose Of the visit Al last one
of the Danvers committee broke the ice: well.
gentlemen. since we are all together, suppose we
call on Mr. Peabody now in body" -'-.sr-~c..
"Why, bless my sopl~ was the innocent reply
Haven't you seen hmi That's very unfortunate.
He is half way to Salem by this time"
Mr. Peabody consoed the unfortunate for
their disappointment by inviting them and many
others TO a grand dinner at the Peabody Institute,
where. though very feeble, he made a graceful and
complimentary speech, Dralsing all they had done
and expressing his warm interest in both establish
ilents, But tho n.abody Institute was his favorie.
This" said he, "is my first bOrl." Y = una es
stood that he ntimaed desire TO be buried il possi-
BILE from this building OF if that could not wei he
done then from the neighboring church. SUPPOSE
we may say that the funeral will actually take place
from both. He spoke at this same dinner OF the re-
ports which had been spread abroad of his sympathy
with the Rebellion during the previous years i
can only assure you. gentlemen" was IN effect his
answer that my love for my native land has never
wayered and that il has been broad enough to take
in the ,rloe country. A for my belief IN the Con-
fedsracy. If is enough TO say that all through the
war kent million and half OF my property in
vested in Boston, Ii was this suspicion OF his 10y
altv that led 10 the action of the Boston Board OF
Trade 10 which | referred in a former letter. a
resolution TO offer him certain hospitalites
,yas voted down Mr.. Peabody felt the dis
courtesv keenly. and declared that he would
mayer visit Boston again. He 80 lar
forgot the ofense as TO 20 to the Jubilee last year.
nt he did not remain in the city, his stoppngpiace
n .l,at time being Salem. Boston In fact, Is rather
,,,.r about some things, and seems especially OBJ
vous of certain amenities upon which great stress
10 laid nv cities that are not all sufficient unto them
,I,,. Portland, for instance. Just now, Hght