The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-11
Oh ITuARY.

dence, Providence. Rhode Island HIS illness at
nrst was regarded - serious. and ultimately de-
veloped into pneumonia, which proved fatal Mr..
Brown was one OF Rhode Islands most esteemed
ana reaDected citizens. He descended from ances-
tors w13wcre among the earliest settlers Of
Providehee, r L, and Who In all generations, have
been leaders In its AFFAIRS. He was possessed OF
large wealth and has used It only for elevated and
worthy ends. He has long been associated with
many oil the greatest enterprises OF American busi
ness and also with our most important institu-
lions OF beneyolence and learning, and mas passed
along life amidst three generations Of Rhode
island community without . single bemish upon
his character as . merchant or man. He now
goes down to the grave At nearly ourscore years
OF age, with the honor and regret OF all who have
known HIM. We base the following estimate OF
the honored deceased from the forthcoming article
in the Prov.aence Jouynag.
Mr.. Brown was the second son OF the late Hon.
Nicholas Brown the distinguished beneIacJor OF
Brown University. He received mis- education ut
the University in Providence, ana graduated In
the class OF 1876 having among his classmates Mr..
Robert Ives and the Right Rev. Bishop Smith, Of
Kentucky. Soon alter leaving college he entered
upon the pursuits OF business in connection
with the house OF Brown 4 Ives, and In this house
became a partner in 1852. On the death OF his
father, In 1871, he inherited large estate, and be-
came more fully identified with the business inter-
ests OF the community, bringing to the manage
ment OF the hereditary house to which he belonged
the fruits of careful training and OF matured
Judgment, and assisting, both by his capital
and his mercantile sagacity In maintaining for
IL the nigh character which had been secured to 1t
by It's founder In an earlier generation. But, not
outstanding his position as partner in large
YNuppo ms Onfn III pipep nv
active business were never strong or controlling.
He did not like the daily restraints which 1t i'm
poses and he had little relish Tor the
fona OBSERVING the manners sna
minlling IN the society Of distant cities and
Of foreign countries iltr. Hs travelled much IN
at Inherent times for several years. He also
early began to take an interest IN collecting rare
life he bestowed great attention and care and IN
the prosecution OF which he made large expendi-
lures. Ia 1928 ne was chosen trustee and IN
1912 fellow oil Brown University, and he has ever
since been connected with the management OF its
AFFAIRS. He has bestowed uponythe University many
munlfcent gifts OF different kinds, and was o ten
appealed 70 In behalf OF struggnnG academies and
colleges in other parts or the country, and espe-
ctaly IN the new states OF the West, and not I'M
leading benevolent institutions In Rhode Island
Mr.. Brown has also extended tnat liberal enc0ur-
pected from his character and his position as clt
zen Of the state or Rhode Island. or the Butler
Hospital ior the Insane, "a inst 81 which
he was one Of the original c0rp0rat0rs and was at
the time OF his death the PresldenI or its corpora
tiOn In like manner OF the Rhode Island Hospital,
first projected eleven years ago he was one
OF the earliest and most liOeral contributors
for its loundation. and be mas since made several
established Tor its endowment aud support and
for the enlargement OF Its grounds. He never took
anSirs, either Of state OF the country. he, how
ever, at an early period OF life, conceived abhor.
renee q the Institution IsInn Of Domestic slavery and
Legislation, but on the whole course Of
the Territory o Kansas was 70 IS sssea S
emtgrants rom the slave-holtlng or from the free
states ne WAS actively enlisted in the work OF
preventing the ascendancy OF slavery IN Its bOr-
ders. He was one OF the early members OF the
New England Emigrant Aid society and accepted
held for year or more. At a time when the
Kansas struggle was at tta height the large con-
tribpsions which he made iOr promoting its object
returns as wars are expected. IS wa part Of the
later stages OF the struggle and during the civil
war, ne responded, almost without stint, to
every appeal IN behalf OF hts SUFFERING country. he
freedmen and In the soldiers OF the Republic, But
q the objects possessing public interest to which
hts splendid library Of American history. For
work with zeal ana ibsraiity WHICH nave made
enjoymenss, OF nis lie. ne has thus accumulated
publications whicn are now extant in any language
relating to the early n!story OF the Continent Of
as ana eSane WITH the poca
Similar ST ai'' collections Il THIS ana ' IN other
moe compIete in Its own special department
than any other IN the world Il was his purpose
% 6 70 ssss he
tween the drst voyage Of Columbus and the close
nearly al the bibliograp gems which are
most highly priced. II Is particularly conprehen-
sys ~ Sc french and Dutch coonsacn snd
scarcely less 90 in materials Ior history OF rne
States and nations to which the colonization gave
faded away beore its progress The works which
It comprises are all Of the earliest editions
ana 10 the languages IN which they were
have 'D been SUBSTANTIALLY - and elegantly Ocund
under his own direction. A catalogue with niblio-
distribution In our parts or volumes The whole
number Of titlea It contains Is 6627 each title, In
large n mops vo 81
embracing I'M period from lls3 to isoo,
contains. Sox titles; the second, for the
and the third Iof that between i7ol and 1900 CON-
tains Al73 titleA Important additions for each Of
these periods, numbering In all ABOUT 900 titles,
have also been made since the catalogue was COM
pleted ana printed. TO have made collection
Ike this Of rart and costly books from 30 great
Diversity of sources, which Is designed TO
show how the several portions OF the New
World were discovered and pe0pled, conquered
and settled BY emgrants from the Old Is OF itself
most honorable and useful service to historical
learning 1t rightly secures for its possessOr
distinguished place among the famous historical
collections Of int world. This collection has
always been ACCESSIBLE to scholars and authors
who were studying the subjects 70 which 1t
relates. Eminent men rom other States,
and. even from Europe, have visited
Providence on purpose to consult or
else than In Mr.. browns library. Mr.. Browns
manners, though formal and reserved to strangers,
were at all times those OF courteous aid high
bred gentleman Of the elder generation.
spirit was that d genuine modesv, with
out selEseeking or any element or AFRO.
gance. He had nrm convictions. but he
was always tolerant oil dissent on the part or
others. In his DALI life he was especially averse
to anything ike os@ntation or display. Though
ALWAYS accustomed 70 the use OF large wealth he
cared nothing for ant kind OF luxurious indulgence.
In times Ut DerplexlU or alarm. either In public