The morning times., 1895-09-01

was a man OF moderate means; his lmme-
date ancestors were clergyInen. Because
the expense at Eton or Harrow would be
too great for the fathers purse the boy
was gent to France for his education, and
there his language, habits, and manners
were so formed that through life they re-
mained rather French than English
About the age OF fifteen he returned
to England, but his home life was made
uncomfortable by differences with his step
mother, and without his fathers consent
he shipped before the mast on q trading
vessel for Calcutta at the age Of seventeen.
The ship was wrecked off the mouth OF
the Hoogly River, and the boy, with the
rest of the crew, came near losing his
life.
He was taken after rescue to Calcutta,
where be lay for a long time in the hospital
He was told that his condition was such
that he had not six months TO live. 1t was
then, he told his friends in after years,
that he made up his mind he would live,
would make fortune, and devote it to
the good of humanity.
SAW THE MARQUIS.
When he was sufficiently cOnvalescent TO
get out OF the house he drew up peti-
ton to the governor general Of India, then
the Marquis of Hastings, asking him for as
sIstance TO return to England. This pa
per prepared with his own hand, he took
with him, and in spite Of all Encouragement
from those who knew him, set out for the
vice-regal country residence, many miles
back In the interior from Calcutta. He
made the Journey afoot and arrived ragged,
barefoot and weary.
His request TO see the governor general
was at first treated carelessly by the
servants and then jeered at, but he was
so persistent that one of the attendants
consented to present the memorial to Lord
Hastings. The governor was so struck
with the earnestness and dignity of the
petition that he directed that the young
sailor should be given an audience.
The boy stated his condition, his con-
nections and his plans so clearly to the
marquis that he won his favor, and the in
terview neared it's close with an offer by
the marquis of a position in his service
for the young Englishman, who in such
misfortunes had shown so much pluck and
good judgment. Mr. Hodgkins, however,
declined this, saying he had made his plans
and would follow them, if permitted.
he was then furnished means for his
voyage and returned to England. After
short stay he went to Spain for time. He
then returned to England, and in 1880 was
married. He at once set sail for America,
and landed In New York city. There, after
a little delay, he started a candy manu-
factory, which from the first was quite
successful
He followed this business assiduOusly
for nearly thirty years, and amassed a
fortune of more than half a million dol
lars He never had children to arrive at
mature years, and his wife died during
his business career. Hehad no onearrelatives.
He HAD NO NEAR RELATIVES.
YEARS IN TRAVEL.
Retiring from business in 1859, he spent
fifteen years in travel abroad. This took
him out OF the country during the war.
During his travel he devoted his attention
almost entirely to scientific studies and be.
came fully acquainted with the leading sci
entific theories, as wen as extremely well
informed IN current scientific facts and la
bors. His own mind was particularly
drawn to a study OF the atmosphere in its
relation to the we'll being OF mankind, and
this became with him something Of a hobby.
When he returned from abroad about
1875 he bought farm near Setauket, a
little village on Long Island. This he
named "Brambletye Farm" and settled
down to manage it as recretation, while
be devoted his more serious labors to sci
ehtific studies, especially along the line Of
his favorite theme. His tastes were simple
and his wants few. The farm produced
a great deal more than he had any use for
and he gave the surplus TO his neighbors, by