The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-02-21

Few are the words and simple, yet they record
the history Of truly benevolent act. breathe a
beautiful lesson Of charity, perpetuate deed
which should be as precious to ths generation
as IT. memory will DO piiceiess 10 TIE ncxt-the
deed Of Il boundless-hearted man.
We have before us tho annual report OF the
woman's Hospital Of Philadelphia. Its pages,
full OF acknowledgements OF bonefactions, show
that the Institution receives tho support which
so excellent q charity deserves. We read the
list with pleasure GIFTS Of money, from the
dollar Offering Of the poor TO the generous leg
acy of thousands; donations Of articles Of i'm
mediate and practical value, OF bedding, Of
cloth, Of garments, OF medicines, OF furniture, Of
| food. OF delcacies for the sick. And in this
| list, the record as inconspicuOus ~ the be-
| stowal doubtless was unostentauous, we find
| these touching words: "G EORdE w. CHuDs-
| two amanacs.'
The name, the Gin, both seem TO shrink from
| observation. The choicest grace Of tho great
obituary poets well-rounded charity ia to be
| found In its unobtrusiveness. Others may cele-
brate his bounty, but q. WAsHINGroS CHILps,
| A. NJ gives and is silent. When, as recently re-
lated Ia THE Sun, he sends a valuable clock to
an orphan asylum and puts his name in large
letters across the dial, It Is only in order that
| the orphans may seek him again " the clock
should ne ed repairs. When he causes his name
TO be carved upon gift ombstones. It Is merely
that Others IN want OF tombstones may know TO
whom to apply We doubt that the left hand Of
G. wAsHINGToS CHILbs, A. NJ, knew what the
right was doing when II mailed the two alma
| macs to the Woman's Hospital
| But darkness Is for bad deeds good deeds
cannot be placed IN too strong light. Those
who know that 1t Is our constant endeavor 10
| lead the public to understand the actual ex-
| tent OF the obituary poets goodness will under
stand that we cannot allow this GROWING act Of
benevoence TO remain In the obscunty which
| his own modesty would desire
| We therefore call attention TO the thoughtful
| and considerate kindness OF the gift. He might
have given money, for he is nch no might have
given clothing or food. But no. Others give
money! others give clothing and food. with
rare perception Of the appropriate, he seized
| upon the one thing which would occur TO no
other benefactor. Every well-appointad hospi-
tai needs almanac. But an almanac in daily
use is liable TO be soiled, torn. mlslad, OF lost.
So. with generous forethought. he gave two.
| GEORGE WASHINGTON CHILDs, A. NJ, never
| does things by halves.
| SO great IL our confidence in his dis cri IN ma
| ton and lberaity, that we are prepared TO
affirm, although In the absence of direct infor-
nation upon the point. that the almanacs were
those Of the current year. and not old ones.
Next we must commend the delicate tact
which led him to refrain from doing what most
| poets would have done-sending a volume OF his
own productions. Those monuments Of elecac
| genius, although ineXpressioly consoling to the
bereayed, are too deeply suggestive to be cheer
full reading for the sick and his own nice sense
| Of propriety told him so. Almanacs, on the
| other hand, neither excite false hopes MOI
awaken needless fears. II, as there is reaso n to
believe, those in question were Piblic Ledger
alnanacs, the gift was peculiarly discreet. Tho
| patients cannot but be soothed by peruslng
them. The feyerlsh invalid will sink into re-
freshlng slumber as she reads that oarbolc acid
is good for corns. Even the incurables will
dwell with calm pleasure upon the varied and
useful domestic recipes. Poor women in terri
bic pain will gain present forgetfuncss in the
information tnat there are 10 be four eclipses
this year, two OF the sun and two 81 the moon
And all will bless ORORGE WAsuISGrON CHILDs
A. NJ, for lis two Glalanacs.
Perhaps our feelings have betrayed us into
enthusiasm in speaking OF the good deed Of the
man we admire. There are times when even
habitual reserve gives way.