Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-05-21
The Louise Home.

The following touching concentration
written by Mr.. Corcoian on the date named,
and found among his papers after bis death,
discloses fully and in eloquent terms his
views and purposes regarding the found.
ing and management CT the Louise Home,
al institution whose character and welfare
were always understood to be very near his
heart.
1t is interesting to note in this connection
that of the four original Trustees TO whom
this letter was addressed, viz: James NJ.
Carlisle, George ". Riggs, Anthony Hyde,
ari DR.. James c. Hall, the aged philan-
thropist, WAS outlived by Mr.. Hyde alone :;
aad of the Directresses then acting, viz !:
Mrs. Benz Ogle Teyloe, MIS- George W.
Riggs, Miss Sarah Coleman, Mrs. DR.. R. H.
Coolidge. Mie. James nj. Carlisle Mrs. John
Merbury, sr., Mrs. Beverly Kennon, Mrs.
Richard T. Mervick and Mrs. Rev S. P.
Hill, Mr.. Corcoran survived all but Miss
Coleman, Nrs. Coolidge and Mre. Kennon.
TIE following is the full text of the letter:
WAsHINGToN, d. c.. Feb. 8, 1879.
To the Trustees ard Directres8es of the Louise
"GENrLEMEN AND LADIES: In view of
the fact that havo during the past week
been seriously indisposed, and that an in-
dulgent Providence has already prolonged
my days beyond the period assigned by
holy Writ as the limit of human life, an
irrepressibe Impulse constrains me TO ad-
dress these parting words to you.
Reposing implicit confidence in you oil,
have intr1Sted 10 your carethe management
Of this institution, and l would impress on
your minds the absolute necessity Of select
ing for future appointments ladies of cul-
ture and ref cement, whose disnifed bearing
lin cnu iunciion ;gitb these qualiicatioDs)
will rcuder them Z desirable acquisition TO
the "Ecme." LIST them al! o be chosen from
that class Of individuals Wbo have Known
brighter days uud fairer prospects yet who
through reverses which human foresight
could not obviate, have beeo compelled to
contend with adverse circumstances while
the sensibiities Of their nature lnterposed
an insuperabie obstacle to their personal so.
licitstion for aid.
| would here, in emphatic terms, express
my desire that tbe number OF inmates be
limited 30 forty Fer the comfortable main
teDancs Of this number ample provision has
bsea already made, but il. through the nu.
liability Of that fortune which will, at times,
disconcert the most juGicious plans, the Sc
curitieS for this purpose should undergo
material depreciation and prove insufficient
to supply the guests with all the conve.
niencea to which they have been accustomed,
then, and in that case / direct that no ap.
poiulment be made to fill any vacancy
til the capital shall have been restored.
The establishment OF the Louise Home"
had its origin las you are all aware) in my
desire 10 honor and perpetuate the memory
Of beloved wifa and daughter. In regard
TO the peiufu! emotions occasioned by their
loss have hitherto been silent, but as these
lines will not 30 submitted TO your inspec.
ticn till the puisatioDs of my heart shall
have ceased, an unreserved expression of
my feelings may rot be wholly inappropri-
ate.
The hour which consigned 10 the grave
the mortal remains CT my devoted consort
caused 8 dark eclipse of all my earthly
hopes, and when (efter the lapse Of many
years. lovely daughter was laid in her fl.
nal resting place, it seemed that the order of
nature was inverted when on aged father
attended the obsequies of an only child, and
the accumulated weight ofsorror became al
most insupporta5le.
This statement is made with view OF
exhibiting the profound interest have ever
felt in the cherished institution over which
you nave, WIN comWenuaDie HuellGy, eAer'
cised supervision.
Our official Intercourse has been charac.
terized by reciprocal cordiality, and you
have invariably manifested cheerful &C.
quiescence in any suggestions proceeding
from myself; but this posthumous commu.
nication will, in all probability, appeal to
your hesrts with deeper emphasis and i'm.
pose more imperative obligation than any
request my lips have ever uttered in your
hearing.
With sincere wishes for your happiness,
individually and collectively, l remain,
yours, truly, w. w. CoRcoRAN.
Syrup Of Figs
Is Natures own true laxative. 1t is the