The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-27

Founding Of Permanent School Of Natural
History-John Anderson, Of New York,
Donates the Island Of Penikese and
50,000-Agasis Overwhelmed
The Correspondeuce.

Professor Agassiz recently delivered an address
to the Legislature Of Massachusetts onhe occasion
of the visit by that body to the Museum Of Co..
paratve Zoology at Cambridge, and in the course
OF his remarks expressed his views Regarding
the establishment of a Summer school for the in.
struet0n Of school teachers in natural history He
also suggeated the holding OF ie first session dur
ing the coming Summer at'Nantucket. The pub
hcation ofthe programme and details of this pro-
posed movement attracted the attention of Mr..
John Anderson, Of New York city, the wealthy
tobacco merchant who considered that the
island of Penikese, which he owned, and
which he had used as private Summer
resort would be admirably adapted to the purposes
OF tive proposed School of Natural History On the
following day he deputed two gentlemen to pro-
coed to Cambridge ana to tender to Professor
Agassz the title to the island with all its improve
ments and buildings, as permanent location for
the school, or course the generous gift was at
once accepted, and Mr.. Anderson has supplemented
that act by the munincent pecuniary donation of
$780, 900 as the basis OF an endowment frnd for the
institution, which permanently establishes IL.
The Island OF Penikese which will become the
future domcile OF the proposed institute, Is one OF
the Elizabeth group OF islands, situate at the en-
trance OF Buzzards Bay on the southern coast OF
Massachusetts II contains about one hundred
acres and presents advantages which peculiarly
adapt 1t to the purposes contemplated by Professor
Agassz. Its situation in the ocean, within easy
access OF the mainland secures privacy and free
dom from intrusion, while Its wonderful fertility
Will enable the institution to maintain itself
almost within its own domain. MIR. Anderson
since his purchase OF the island some years ago.
mas expended large sums in buildings and Improve.
ments, and tie commercial value of the whole
property may be considered little short of $780, 600.
His endoWnent may therefore be considered as
The following is the correspondence on the sub.
ject OF this princely gift-
GIVING AWAY AN ISLAND.
Mn
MY DEAR SHIT seems to me impossible to do other.
stSncs without Ssd location sable
@ sfss2 bs Sf iGdy
hav long Cherished the thought Of SUMNER
n GGfSP3sa at and inF df
Ss '4SSsiss$
ean Failure Of has oBsed him to G 90 bnoaS
sa the %hSs that e @
plan Of s sstrpetio in natural founding
Ss b oat Within the pa to h nS a. went
minor questions, such providing the board and
Sdgs Of such might would easily
be ett in great degree s to ,
e
the mode Of life adopted welordered domestic econ,
m Ss have yas % wsd f
therefore be an essential condition of that every
@ the saSssRs'f he sr,
Of the scenc WORN ian and ne sm
@ LOSS S s &c e
TIT Mond oe % Sse4 as the
ssTrySg psss sls st, Ss
anS II the s Of
and which
nature "itn great regard yours very tTglyicAssu
THE SECOND G1FT-pERMANzNr ENDOWMENT FUND
OF FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.
p,o,.,.o NEW YonK, March 10, 1873
MY DEAR sIn-Ihave received your letter OF the 18th
Permanent location for the Summer School Of Natural
Museum SoSSsy At o srSlSH
my life has Afforded much sratidahon as 70 have
ysn Msat s %
ieStaal and general usefulness as that in
business occupations, commenced a very early Pc
n GSd Of my life and continued uncsssngly and abo
in any
80 S o ns and s
tSs sa s
knowledge tnreusSou this ccaniry. and nd ssa
eesbe mank to ase of a which
RRaTtmsnt e industrial economy Most earnestly DO
%hIss able s g dsss%sS 3 70
tas youth Of our own but may be The
Old World who may fnd here in the SCHOOL, aboatso be
te S n nass sso Of hitting
N int
executed of education there 81 "e'' 'o"ce'Veo ana
You practical difficulties
Sn When s sss arising a cit e the
vove have not overlooked this feature in the scheme
na an f. nq nsc % in
to be invested Is he nuseus Of
ayaiabs the support and maintenance of the insti-
s With bh se M Ra sS in hands
aa be ss nS as the
ess Ky nas O. fG sss
necessarily deeply daterea BY this ccr @ and
n ff~Ry 'PRss'is' ss
for asy rscev mainly Is on should
whss has become m1 word
q form as you may consideration deem best cacu.
The institution Ony express an earnest
s~t ats may be crowned with al the
tion Of bequeahng pSstfrity the benefits Of an nst
its usefulness wholly TO your dsnicrestcd services ii
vi of and Of your adopted country
John ANDERSON
THE PROFESSOR ovERwuELaED-A PERMANENT
SCHOOL OF NATURAL HISTORY.
MUSEUM or COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY,
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, March q, 1873
JoHS ANDERSON, ESQ.,.
MY DEAR SIR:-A hearing before the Committee on
Education in the Massachusetts, Legislature made II inn
possible Tor me to write by return mail yesterday
to the Summer School Sfor Natural History. l
am overwhelmed by your generosity Such |
a gift, following close upon the donation of |
an island admirably adapted by its position for the
purposes OF practical school for natural history opens
visions before me such had never dared to indulge
In connection with this plan You not know what II
Is suddenly and unexpectedly find friend at your
side null OF sympathy and Offering substantial support
to scheme which you have been irving TO carry out
under difficulties and with very scanty means feel
very grateful TO you for makng the EASY and
believe will have the gratitude OF scien.
c men here and lsewhere, for have the utmost con-
hdence that this summer school will give valuable on.
portunities for original investigations well as In
struction As To its name, hope you will allow the
school TO be named for YOU thank Won the thought
81 making me the godfather but u bear
with any propriey. am but many scientific men
who hav already offered their services TO IL Tor the en-
suing summer, some of whom have no doubt will con-