The New York herald., 1875-11-18
A GEN NEROUS GIFT.

WIDOW HoNoRING THH MEMORY OF HEB
HUsBAND-A COMMUNITY BENEFITED-oSH
HUDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO IMPROVE THA
MIND-PREsENTATIoS or A LIBRARY.
MIDDLErowN, Nov IT, 1875.
The previous stir In this community was caused BY
the Inauguration of the Rev. Dr. President Of
the Wesleyan College That past the people looked for
ward to the dedication and opening Of the Russell
Library, institution donated to tho city by tho
generosity Of Mrs Frances RUSSELL widow Of Samuel
Russell who at time a highly prosperous ten
merchant, having connections direct with the Celestial
land anterior TO the days of steam telegraph rail-
roads
WIDOW.
Among the many wealthy residents OF this quaint old
cty-and Rip Van winke records the one occupying
front ranks Mrs Frances A. Russell She has passed
the age allotted to the earth; but declar-
alton only mentions man, and the donor Of Middle
towns pride lady, the only wish expressed relative
70 her IN the community is that she may live seq
years added even 10 a century Of existence.
wINTRY AGE.
Far away is the Time when Samuel Russell led his
beloved Frances to the altar Their early love not
without romance, incidents from which would make a
respectable book. The father and children have all
been gathered into the silent land and only a few
grandchildren remain to inherit the vast wealth Of
the Russell family. In tho Russell home a
stately mansion OF Washington and Hight
streets, the venerable lady resdes and among
the treasured articles OF that house is the likeness
of the late Mr.. Russell whose memory it inten-
ton Of the generous lady perpetuate the gift Of
the noble library Her memory is green with the
pleasures OF early life and every spot Is haowed here
about with the long to the lady, whose ele
vated taste and widespread generosity have made her
general fayorte.
THE RUSSELL LrBRAEr COMPANY.
To give shape and form to the desires OF Mrs Rus
Russell Company
incorporation by the state Legislature IN May last
Samuel Russell Joseph W. Alsop, Jr, NJ D., Henry G. i
Robert G. Pike Q. Vincent Coffin, John IL Van Week,
Richard l. De zeng, Ernest Deming, Rev FredercE
Gardiner, the Mayor Of Middctown the Town Clerk on
Middleown, the President OF the Wesleyan University
OF Middlctown, the Dean Of the Berkeley Divinity Of
Middleown and the Minister Of the First Ecclesiastical
Society Of hiddletown, are the incorporators
SHAPE or THE CHARITY.
On Court street, just above Main, stood the Episco<
pal church. ediice formerly used by those whos
the Universal Father by of that Church, ~
edince having been erected Main street for the
Episcopaans Mrs. Russell purchased the old church
and grounds for SIS 600 Having become possessed on
the property the lady expended s25 900 in alteraons
rcmodeing and beautiiying and the structure now
presents substantial and beautiful appearance. In
order to make the gift worthy OF her generosity,
she has donated $40 900 to pcrpetuate IT, has expended
already 000 for books and calculates expend al
together in her gift $l00, 0O0 This gift surpasses
that OF Orange Judd to the Wesleyan University and
commends itself to the generous thought Of ALL nas-
much the design OF the lady Is to war against gnor-
ance by giving ali dweers in the city She loves so
\
ngs of the best authors in the world
CENTRE ATTRACTION
is a large and good likeness OF the husband OF tho
deceased and the noble gift shows clearly how sha
reveres his memory Like all other great and nobla
deeds, of course there number of citizens who
desire cheap fame by being associated with the good
work They may be pardoned for their vanity but
the youth Of Mddetown will accord praise 10 whom 10
belongs and when, future years, they look thd
fine likeness OF Mr.. Russell and tread the floor OF tho
/ noble library they Will be taught that love is not
| dimmed by age when the heart is rightly attuned.
| THE oPENISG
took place this afternoon. The attendance was largo
and composed OF the elite of the city. The opening
prayer was by the Rev A. W. Hazcn, who prayed for
the divine blessing the generous deed. The presen-
tation address behalf OF Mrs f. A. Russell by
the Rev W. Mitchell and in 1t set forth the
which had induced the donor to present the in
sttuon TO the city Of Middletown. The acceptance
behalf OF the Russell Library Company by the
President, r G. Pike, Esq
OTHER ADDREsSES
The following gentlemen aired their oratorical
powers on the occasion: His Honor g. G. Hubbard,
Mayor OF Middletown Rev. DR.. Foss President Of tho
| Wesleyan University; the Dean of Berkeley Divinity
School, Rev. DR.. Cummings, late President OF the
! Wesleyan Unyersity the Hon Benjamin Douglass.
famous for the pumps and his advocacy
OF temperance and Hon o. v. Coffin, ex-M Mayor Of tha
I city.
! CLOSING SCENES.
/ Tho prayer and benedicton were by the Right Rev.
Bishop Williams After that the building open for
! inspection and large crowd passed through II anil
expressions OF thaakfuness for the generous gilt OF
! Mrs Russell were plentiful