Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1897-04-27
TUESDAY MORNING. APRIL 81. 1897.
CHARLES BROADWAY RoUss.
BY j. A. GowLER.
From the PhrenologicaI JOurnal.I


In this age of keen competition in
every department of work--literature,
science, or commercial enterprise,
the man who makes his indelible mark
on the chess-board of life does so by
the economy of time, energy, and
money, TO start with. Thus, one is
tempted to look at the organization
and temperament of the man who,
by this triple alliance, has achieved
a great fame, such as our Southern
philanthropist, Charles Broadway
Rouse, the blind millionaire, has done
in order to fiud a clue, If possible, to
help us to better understand how he
has accomplished such task.
When examining the personality,
therefore, of one of New York cele-
brated merchants and business mag
mates, l was struck with the strength
of fibre, the intense witness, and
the iudomitable energy of the man
before me.
In his portraits we see ample width
of chest, good lung power, and con-
stitutional vigor. His brain is well
nourished, and by his good circuia-
tory power his brain is stimulated to
healthy action.
Snch an organization could not ex-
ist a day without an object before it
for which to work. The three por-
traits of Mr.. Rouss indicate various
degrees of mental intensity.
Fig. / shows period when thoughts
are revolving in his mind and crave
an outlet, Fig 2 indicates the vigor
that is working out, developing, and
accomplishing those thoughts and
plans, while Fig. 8 represents the
man who has completed wonderful
life work, and shows the calmness,
and consciousness of what
he has gone through, and it also shows
and vigor for many years
vet to come and interest in the OBJ
jects that surround him. Gig. 3,
on the cover.)
His perceptive faculties are capable
of taking in large and comprehensive
ideas relative to the working of forces
in nature, in mechanics, commerce,
science and manufacturing and
building operations. Were he erect
ing large hotel, warehouse, or
dwelling, his perceptives would say
to him, {" Lay out yonr plans, choose
your material, organize your work,
and select your men to execute your
orders in such a way as to make no
failure of your enterprise. :.
He knows how to estimate the pro-
fit and loss in large or small con-
tracts, for he has remarkable insight
into men and things, and is capable
of knowing just how they will be
likely to turn out. If he saw large
forest of timber, he could estima ate
its worth correctly, and almost cut
it up into cords and give the number
and price CT each.
His temperamental condition is ia
vorable for the enjoyment of heath; /;
not because he is likely to spare him
self in his efforts, or think how much
strength he has exhausted, but be-
cause of the compactness of his or
ganization he is able to work more
easily than ninety-nine men out of q
hundred, and with less friction will
be able to accomplish more in day
than many would in six.
1t is probable that few men know
how to divide their days in such a
unique way as Mr.. Rouss. In the
twelve consecutive hours that he de-
votes to his business, which, as all
men must know, requires great
watchfuIness and close attention TO
details, he is able to accomplish the
hercuIean task of supervising the
small colony of men under his en-
ploy. And yet lie is able to gather
an intuitive insight into the vastness
of nature, the universe, and all that