applied toward education. In 1857 he gave the city of Baltimore $300,000
to found a college, and afterward added to this magnificent sum $200,000
more. In 1866 he added still $500,000 more, and later yet $400,000 more,
making $1,400,000 in all he gave to this one institution, which is
called Peabody Institute. He gave nearly $3,500,000 toward the fund to
educate the poor of the South. He gave Yale and Harvard college each
$150,000; to Phillips Academy $25,000; to Peabody Academy $140,000; to
the Memorial Church in Georgetown $100,000; to Peabody Academy $250,000;
and numerous other contributions in America.

In London he established a fund of $3,000,000 with which to build homes
for the poor of that great city. The Queen acknowledged this in a
private letter, and presented him with her portrait painted on ivory and
set in jewels, valued at $255,000. She also offered to make him a Baron,
but this he respectfully declined.

He resembled the late A. T. Stewart in some respects. No gold chain ever
hung from his watch, and when he wore studs or other ornaments they were
never more costly than pearl. He detested show. Altogether during his
life he gave away over _eight millions of dollars_, and at his death
left a fortune of over four millions. Had he saved his money and
manipulated it like many of our great millionaires have done, we doubt
not he would have died worth perhaps twenty or thirty millions.

He, however, had gained not only worldly success, but true success, for
when he died in 1869, both of the great English speaking nations united
to do him honor. He was at first laid in Westminister Abbey among the
dead kings and queens. After this her Majesty's ship Monarch bore his
remains to America to be buried in Danvers. The respect in which he is
held by the people of that town is shown when we know that they have
since changed the name of their town to Peabody. He left an imperishable
crown containing pearls which cannot be stolen. They are set in homes
for the poor, libraries for every one, schools for the young, and other
securities which are safely stored in the hearts of a grateful people.
Ah! we are thoughtful after reading the life of such a man.

WILLIAM W. CORCORAN.

The veteran philanthropist, William W. Corcoran, was born in 1798. He
began his business career in Georgetown, but for many years he has been
a resident of Washington. At twenty he went into business for himself,
beginning as an auctio