Morning journal and courier., 1881-07-02
Saturday Morning. JuIy92, 1881.
A WORTHY KNIGHT.

Sir Josiah Mason who died recently in England, was man whom any nation might well be proud of, and whose fame will be lasting. The story of hiscareer is remarka- ble. He was the son of Kidderminster weaver, and obtained in his youth but little education As boy he peddlsd rolls and cakes in the streets, and afterwards was hawker of fruits and vegetables. Not get ting trade as he grew older, he frequently changed his occupation, and worked as he found opportunity as baker, carpenter, shoe- maker, blacksmith, house painter, mender of quill pens and weaver. He tramped to Bir- mingham and there married his cousin, al- though he had no means of supporting him self But not long afterwards he found the gate to the road to fortune. He made the acquaintance of Harrison, the Inventor of split rings, and while walking with him one day Harrison complained that the young men of the day were afraid of work that soiled their hands. Young Mason let him know that he was not afraid of driving his to make an honest living, and Harrison not only gave him work, but took him into his confidence, and year after turned over his business to him, for which Mason paid out of the first years profits. Harrison was friend of the philosopher Priestley, and had made for him steel pen. Mason found some duplicates of the pen and thought he could make better. He bought some of Perry's pens, which he discovered in a shop, and making some proved copies of them he sent them to Mir. Perry in London. This led to his beginning the regular manufacture of the pens sold by Mir. Perry, and he grew to be the largest steel-pen maker in the world. As his wealth increased he entered into various other businesses and became very rich.
 If MT. Mason had been only a rich man his title to the gratitude and remembrance of his fellow men would not be clear But when he became rich he set to work to do good with his money. He was a great lover of children, especially poor and friendless ones, and in 1858 he quietly began the build ing of an orphanage in the village of Erding- ton, laying the cornerstone with his own hands. He personally superintended the whole work Eight years afterwards when the building was completed at cost of $500, ,O00, he transferred it. with an endow- ment of $1, ,OOO, 900, to seven trustees reserv- ing for himself the position of bailif of the trust during his lifetime This Burlington orphanage is open to all orphan children without restriction of class, locality or creed and in 1t 300 girls, 15o boys and 50 infants have home and education without cost Like Girard he had little respect for secta- rian religion, and no catechisms formular- ies, of articles of faith are allowed to be taught in it. It was for this munifcent char ity that he received the honor of knighthood
 Another institution which will perpetuate his name and fame is the Mason Science College, in Birmingham. This college was founded and endowed by him, was opened in October last, and has strong corps of in structors already at work. The special work of this college is to promote thorough scien- tifc education especially adapted to the trade requirements of that section of the king dom. Mere literary education" as we'll strictly excluded, and clergymen may not become it's professors. The town council of Birmingham elects five of the eleven trustees. The building, costing $3Oo,ooo and large endowment were given by the founder. It is believed that the institution is adapted to very useful end, and will be carefully fos- tered by the municipality.
 Itis encouraging to read of such knight a s Sir Josiah Mason. Like trrc knight he did what he could to help the unfortunate and the opnressed