scientiously to every worthy enterprise, in a proportion
corresponding to their profits.[5]

The name of Lenox appears among some of the early Scotch emigrants, such
as the Irvings, Masons, Douglases, Grahams, etc. Robert Lenox became a
distinguished New-York merchant. His profits were wisely invested in
land, and this became very valuable. His only son, James, inherited the
larger portion of this estate, whose increasing value made him a
millionaire, and in its use, he has exhibited a remarkable benevolence.

We say _exhibited_, for though acting with studied secresy and silence,
his life has been so full of good works, that they can not be hid. In
these benefactions, Mr. Lenox exercises close discrimination, and for
this purpose has for years refused personal applications. This measure,
indeed, was necessary, in order to escape a perpetual siege, which would
soon have driven any man distracted. He has been in the habit of
considering written applications, and of selecting such as seemed worthy
of his patronage. Mr. Lenox annually disburses an enormous sum in a most
useful as well as most quiet manner. Indeed, his mansion is one of the
benevolent institutions of the day, and to all intents and purposes, its
occupant is but an actuary driven by perpetual duties and working with
assiduity to fulfil an important trust. He is a thoroughly practical
man, posted on all the details of business, and, inheriting the peculiar
abilities and energy of his father, puts them to the best of use.

We may say that the whole purpose of his life is benevolence to all
classes. Mr. Lenox will pardon us if we allude to his munificent gifts
toward educational enterprise, and especially to those which enrich the
institutions of Princeton. He has long been a trustee of Nassau Hall, in
whose behalf he has expended large sums, and whose gallery is enriched
with his portrait. The Theological Seminary is also an object of his
affectionate care. A few years ago, he observed that it needed increased
accommodation for its growing library. Carrying out a scheme which had
its inception in this circumstance, he quietly employed an architect to
draft plans, while at the same time a suitable range grounds was
obtained, the materials hauled from New-York, and the present noble
edifice, known as the Lenox Library, erected. That library has been of
vast assistance to the institution, and not a student visits its
alcoves, who does not gratefully remember its