ith bank notes; theatrical and musical entertainments were given for
the benefit of the earthquake sufferers; never had there been such an
awakening. As an instance of the spirit displayed, one man came running
into a banking house and threw a thousand dollar bill on the counter.

"For San Francisco," he said, as he turned toward the door.

"What name?" asked the teller.

"Put it down to 'cash,'" he answered, as he vanished.

Rapidly the fund accumulated. A few days brought it up to the $5,000,000
mark. Then it grew to $10,000,000. Within ten days' time the relief fund
was estimated at $18,000,000, and the good work was still going on--in
less profusion, it is true, but still the spirit was alive.

FOREIGN OFFERS OF AID.

The generous impulse was not confined to the United States. From all
countries came offers of aid. Canada was promptly in the field, and
the chief nations of Europe were quick to follow, while Japan made a
generous offer, and in far Australia funds were started at the various
cities for the sufferers. No doubt a large sum from foreign lands would
have been available had not President Roosevelt declined to accept
contributions from abroad, as not needed in view of America's abundant
response. To the Hamburg-Line which offered $25,000, the following
letter was sent:

"The President deeply appreciates your message of sympathy, and desires
me to thank you heartily for the kind offer of outside aid. Although
declining, the President earnestly wishes you to understand how much he
appreciates your cordial and generous sympathy."

All other offerings from abroad were in the same thankful spirit
declined, even those from our immediate neighbors, Canada and Mexico.
Some feeling was aroused by this, especially in the relief committee at
San Francisco, which felt that the need of that city was so great and
urgent that no offer of relief should have been declined. In response
the President explained that he only spoke for the government, in his
official capacity, and that San Francisco was in no sense debarred from
accepting any contributions made directly to it.

It may justly be said for the people of this country that their
spontaneous generosity in the presence of a great calamity, either at
home or abroad, is always magnificent. It never waits for solicitation.
It does not delay even until the necessity is demonstrated, but it
assumes that where there is great destruction of property and homes are