New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-08

scale he had contemplated. It was believed
that a much larger sum would be added by the
win after Mr.. Williamson had provided hand
sorneiy for his surviving relatives for he was
not one Of those philanthropists who give
millions TO the public while grudging a few
thousands to their own flesh and blood. The
trustees of the school feel confident that Mr..
Williamson's ideas regarding the school viii
be fully carried out, owing to arrangements
already made by him. II is to be hoped that
this expectation may be fully verified, for the
plan was exceptional in combining the highest
philanthropy with the shrewdest common sense.
Projects the most generous are often ma1red In
their execution by foolish sentimentaism or
lack Of practical Judgment. MIR. Williamson,
however, displayed wisdom at every stage OF
his work, and while he was too old and feeble
to have taken an active part, there can be no
doubt that IL would have benefited much by his
counsel, If his life had been spared for time
longer He had been poor boy himself, and
had known what privaton meant. He had
learned by hard experience the difficulty OF
getting an education, and, above all, such an
education as he proposed TO furnish-in me-
chanical trades. He resolved to do what lay
III no pOWSf W ktNO DOyh tliO Cu1HSO w ASA1hh
how to make living with their hands, He
proposed that the institution should always
have within its walls FIVE or six hundred boys
who should be fed, clothed and taught until
they were sent out into the world skilled me-
chanics. A school such as this would be we'll
spring Of honest, wholesome life, and it will be
a great public misfortune If the plan should
fall short, in any respect, of realization.
It Is a fact worthy OF note that Mr.. William
son carried frugality TO an extreme in all his
personal expenditures. His gifts were many
and large, and as transformations as they were
liberal, but he had the reputation of being
niggardly with himself. It would be interest
ing TO know Of how many philanihropists this
is true. George Peabody, who probably gave
away more money for charitable purposes than
any other man that ever lived admitted frank
ly that his gifts were the result Of . triumph
over naturally penurious disposition, and
some quaint stories are told Of the personal
deprivations he sometimes subjected himself
to at time when he was giving away mill
iona With men who have made economy q
rule of life, and so have developed an equal
genius for moncy-ma1ing and housekeeping,
the passion for accumulation must become so
strong as to resist any but very powerful inn
pulse, such as the desire to benefit large num-
Der Of fellow-beings. Mr.. Williamson rarely
could bring himself TO buy any clothes, but he
gave away great sums in secret to charities.
SO George Peabody was once found Frustrated
by the heat on landing from steamer in this
city, because his underclothing was too heavy
for summer wear on this side Of the water. But
he refusAd IA buv lighter clofhinp until ha
reached his homo in Massachusetts,, because no
had full supply there. At the same time that
his left hand was grasping this triaing sum
his right was showering gold upon the poor
Of London and the blacks OF the South.