a system of normal school instruction, and it was feared that it would be difficult to obtain an appropriation from the legislature sufficient for the trial of the experiment, he promptly placed in the hands of the Secretary of the Board the sum of ten thousand dollars, to be used for that purpose, on condition that the State would appropriate an equal amount for the same object; and thus at once insured its accomplishment. On numerous other occasions, with open-handed liberality, he contributed important pecuniary aid in carrying forward the designs of the Board and of its Secretary. All this was done in that quiet and unostentatious manner which was characteristic of the man, it never having been made known to the public from what source these benefactions came until a short period before his death, and then by no agency of his. He was content with the consciousness of having done a noble deed, and regardless of the fame which followed it."

Mr. Dwight's benefactions to the cause, here briefly alluded to, were as seasonable and judicious as they were munificent. The first in time may also well be deemed the first in importance, as it was the means of securing the invaluable services of Mr. Horace Mann, whose peculiar fitness for the post of Secretary and principal agent of the Board was early discerned by him to be an indispensable requisite for the success of the measures which were then contemplated. To the mere pittance which the State granted as a salary for this office, Mr. Dwight added five hundred dollars a year from his own purse; and as this annual payment was continued for sixteen years, the whole amount of his contribution for this particular end was eight thousand dollars. In about six months after making provision for these payments, Mr. Dwight made the further offer, above mentioned, of ten thousand dollars for the support of normal schools; and the commonwealth having acceded to his conditions by granting ten thousand dollars more, these schools, an indispensable part of the original plan of operations, were soon organized and put in efficient action. To this donation Mr. Mann himself alluded as follows, in a published address delivered the following year, in which, however, the donor is mentioned only as a "private gentleman.” "Vast donations have been made in this commonwealth, both by the government and by individuals, for the cause of learning in some of its higher, and, of course, more limited departments; but I believe this to be the first instance, where any considerable sum has been given for the cause of education generally, and irrespective of class, sect, or party. Munificent donations have frequently been made amongst ourselves, as well as in other States and countries, to perpetuate some distinctive theory or dogma of one's

own, or to requite a peculiar few who may have honored or flattered the giver. But this was given to augment the common mass of intelligence and to promote universal culture; it was given with a high and enlightened disregard of all local, party, personal, or sectional views; it was given for the direct benefit of all the heart and all the mind, extant cr to be extant, in our beloved commonwealth; and in this respect, it certainly stands out almost, if not absolutely alone, both in the amount of the donation, and in the elevation of the motive that prompted it."

Again, in 1845, an offer was made to raise five thousand dollars by private subscription, on condition that the legislature would grant five thousand more, in order to erect two buildings for the Normal Schools; and the offer being accepted, the money was raised, chiefly, it is understood, through the exertions and by the aid of Mr. Dwight. The following is extracted from Mr. Mann's Annual Report, made in December of the same year, the transaction to which it refers having taken place but few months before. "Early last summer, when explaining to that liberal and well known friend of our common schools, the Hon. Edmund Dwight, the advantages which might accrue from holding Teachers' Institutes in Massachusetts, and stating my apprehensions to him, that an obstacle to their adoption might arise from their expense, which the country teachers, on account of their small compensation, might feel unable to incur, he generously placed at my disposal the sum of one thousand dollars, to be expended in such manner as might be deemed most expedient for promoting the object. This sum was amply sufficient for a fair trial of the experiment."

Large as were these pecuniary gifts, amounting in the aggregate, with the inclusion of some the history of which can not now be traced, to a sum little less than twenty-five thousand dollars, they must not be accounted the most valuable of Mr. Dwight's contributions to the novement for enlarging and improving our system of common schools. His personal exertions in the cause were indefatigable and incessant; it was the chief business of the latter part of his life. He was consulted at every step; his clear judgment and practical sagacity suggested many of the most effective measures that were pursued, and smoothed the way for the accomplishment of others. He was especially watchful to guard the movement against any connection with party or sect, and even against any suspicion of such; as he foresaw that opposition based upon political or sectarian grounds would quickly make shipwreck of the whole plan. To be successful, the people must be unanimous in its favor; and no one knew better No. 10. VOL. IV., No. 1.] 2.

than he how to make and keep them unanimous. He had much influence with the members of the legislature, especially with those from the country and the western part of the State; and after 1840, he was himself elected for several years to the lower House, where his opinions upon any matter connected with public instruction were sure to command attention and ultimately to prevail. Not less important was his action in moderating the ardor of those who were actively and heartily coöperating with him in the work. If the hot zeal and impatient temper of some among them stirred up hostile feelings, which might possibly grow into a formidable opposition, his wise and moderate counsels allayed the excitement and restored harmony. His own disposition, though very firm, was tolerant; he was patient of any diversity of honest opinion, while he abhorred meanness, evasion, or duplicity.

It is hardly necessary to speak here of the brilliant success of the noble undertaking, which in great part originated with him, which he so munificently supported, and for which he thought and labored so patiently and so long. The results are notorious, and have already become matter of history they have far surpassed all the expectations which any judicious observer could have formed at the outset. The school system of Massachusetts has been renovated, and it is once again the pride of the State. Our public schools may now challenge comparison with any others in the civilized world, and a spirit has been awakened in the people which will probably sustain them in their preeminence. There needs no prouder inscription for any man's tombstone, than to say of him, that he was a principal agent in accomplishing so magnificent a work.

Mr. Dwight's habits during the latter part of his life were simple and regular. He went once a day to the counting-room, and was systematic in taking exercise. His evenings were almost invariably spent at home, and a part of every afternoon and evening was given to reading. And here his taste was, in one respect, peculiar; he had a great liking for sermons, especially those of the old English divines. He seemed to find more pleasure in actually reading Barrow and Jeremy Taylor, than some modern clergymen do in talking about them. His manners, though courteous and refined, in one particular did him no justice. The fastidiousness of his taste inclined him to repress all outward manifestations of his feelings and sympathies, though these were warm and active; and hence he often appeared cold and reserved, not only to strangers, but to those for whom he entertained a high personal regard. He indulged in no professions of esteem, and his eyes would sometimes fill with tears in keen sympathy

with the success of one to whom he had shown no previous indication of kindly feeling. Toward young men, whom he believed to possess good abilities and pure motives, his manner was always friendly and encouraging; he liked to see them at his house, and talked freely with them respecting their circumstances and intentions. His charities, which were mostly private, often took this direction; he assisted some members of the Cambridge Divinity School, who were never known to him except as having talent and needing help; and in two instances, at least, he paid the bills at college of the sons of clergymen to whom such an expense might have been burdensome. A communication which appeared in the Christian Register shortly after his decease, and which is understood to have been written by a distinguished clergyman, is so honorable both to him and to the writer, that it is subjoined in a note.*

Mr. Dwight's regular habits and almost uninterrupted health during his later years seemed to justify the expectation that he would attain to great age. But the summons came suddenly, before he had quite reached the limit assigned by the Psalmist. What seemed at first only an attack of influenza, brought on an inflammation of the diaphragm and pleura, and, after a short but severe illness, caused his death. He died on the first of April, 1849, at the age of sixty-eight years.

Instead of attempting to give a summary of Mr. Dwight's character, it is fortunate that I am able to complete this imperfect sketch by the following letter, written by one whose acquaintance with him commenced at a much earlier day than mine, and who wishes to add his tribute to the memory of the friend whom we have lost. The writer is the Hon. Theophilus Parsons, now Dane Professor in the Law School of Harvard University.

TO PROFESSOR BOWEN.

CAMBRIDGE, April 22, 1857.

"My Dear Sir.-I am very glad that you are preparing a memoir of our friend, Mr. Dwight. Few men have a better claim to be remembered than he; and few or none are better able than you to make this remembrance just, because you knew him long and well; and your relations with him were of a kind to bring forth his characteristic qualities with great distinctness. I am obliged to you for the opportunity of speaking of one at whose death I mourned, as for the loss of one of my best friends.

I became acquainted with him thirty-six years ago. I was then twenty-three years old, and intending to go to Taunton to open an

See note, p. 28.

office there, and hearing that Mr. Dwight had some friends in that town I called on him for letters. He received me most kindly; and after a brief conversation, remarked that a great manufacturing corporation was then going into business there under favorable prospects, and that it might be useful for me to own a few shares. They were then in demand, and above par in price. He said, at once, however, that I should have six of his, ($500 each,) and when I asked him the price, said, "O this is hardly a business transaction; take them at par." I did so, and they rose very rapidly on my hands.

From that time to his death, I was honored with his intimacy and friendship. There were periods when I lived out of Boston, during which we met only at long intervals; but at other times I saw him very often. And as if to end as he began, a year or two before he died, he came into my office one forenoon, and said he had been thinking over certain matters we had talked of the evening before, and came to advise me to take a personal interest in an arrangement then going on. I replied that it seemed to me to offer a favorable opportunity, but I had no surplus funds undisposed of, and not being in the way of raising money I could not do it without some trouble. "I will see to that" said he; and the next day, he placed in my hands not only without request or even thought on my part, but entirely on his own suggestion, ten thousand dollars. Nor was this all; for a day or two after he said to me, "I have been thinking that this affair may not end at once, and for a while you may need further advances; and life is uncertain, and I have arranged with my friend,

- who will supply you if I should be taken away." The obtrusion of these personal matters upon your notice can only be pardoned, if I can show a good and sufficient reason for doing so, and I think I have that reason in my wish to illustrate so far as these occurrences may do it, some of the grounds of my judgment of this man. To many he seemed harsh, severe, and withholding; and to many I believe he was so. But when I have spoken to others of the way in which he always treated me, I have found again and again, that to others also he was equally kind; nor do I think it difficult to explain his character on this point.

He did not think well of mankind. He was sagacious and sharpeyed, and could detect through any disguise, any of the many elements of character which constitute untrustworthiness. He saw these quite too often; and he expected to see them very often. And therefore he distrusted most persons; and however courteous in manner, kept them at a distance. But he did not love to distrust. Where he had satisfied himself that he might safely give his confidence, he gave