PREFACE. A MERICA has been rich in great men whose intellectual superiority or moral excellence bade them tower above the masses, or whose vast possessions, wisely used, as in the case of the subject of this Memoir, entitled them to high place in the regard of a grateful and appreciative people. And it is now conceded, that "Among the few, the immortal names is to be read in glowing characters the name of GEORGE PEABODY. A wide interest attaches to the events of his life and the record of his noble deeds, because he showed so truly that he valued wealth on account of the power it gave him to do good, and benefit others than himself and his immediate family or nearest relatives. His life is an example, in some grand respects; and is therefore worth reporting to future generations. We do not present him as a perfect man, nor yet as one who professed to be perfect. He was remarkably unassuming; and by his deeds, more than by his words, must he be judged. If we had a larger store of materials, in the shape of letters and private memoranda, the volume might be larger; but the gist of the whole matter the points of his character most desirable to be known in order to awaken the emulation of others can be presented in the compass of this smaller volume. Besides, a large volume would probably be commensurate with the artistic skill of those employed to prepare it, and therefore be too expensive for the million. To obviate this difficulty, this book is prepared, and also because we hope to do good by helping to spread abroad the record of a life that was in some respects unique, but noble, and a benevolence worthy of world-wide imitation. As a member of the Essex Institute (whose headquarters are in Salem, Mass., near the birthplace of Mr. Peabody), the writer takes the pen with an emotion of gratitude to one who manifested so great an interest in the objects of our association, and whose munificence, as will be shown in the following pages, so enhanced our means of prosecuting historical and scientific research, as to make his name illustrious, and his memory fragrant, among us forever. READING, MASS. P. A. H. |