the soldier's friend, while to many of them he was, in very truth, a "good Samaritan.”

The dependent families of the patriots who sacrificed their lives in the service of their country, were, to Mr. Cornell, subjects of especial interest and solicitude. He felt that the orphaned children of the martyrs of the great rebellion, were a sacred charge upon those for whose benefit their natural protectors had perilled their lives, and he was deeply interested in all measures calculated to promote the welfare and provide for the maintenance, comfort, and education of all such, who chanced to be left without adequate provision. His purse was ever open to, and his best services were always at the command of, these unfortunates. In whatever capacity their appeal reached him, whether as an individual, as a member of community, or as an official representative in the Legislature of the State, he ever had a listening ear and a responsive heart, and it may safely be asserted that no meritorious appeal of this character ever sought him in vain.

The gigantic struggle for the suppression of the rebellion, and the restoration of the authority of the Union, was brought to an entirely successful ending by the complete collapse of the rebel power, Never was a mistaken cause more obstinately defended, nor a loyal cause more gallantly

SUSTAINING THE VETERANS.

supported than in the conflict thus finished.

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The

grand army of the Union was, perhaps, at the very maximum of its strength, when its usefulness was thus suddenly arrested. Within a few weeks, hundreds of thousands of the veterans of the war were mustered out of service, only to meet each other as competitors for civil employment.

Fortunately, their return to ordinary pursuits happened at a time of remarkable prosperity in the country, and the labor of willing hands generally found ready employment. Many, however, by the effect of wounds or sickness, were rendered incapable of discharging duties with which they were previously familiar. These were especially the wards of Mr. Cornell. He provided many of them with artificial limbs, and devoted much time to aid them in securing employment suited to their capacities. Some were furnished with the means of educating themselves to new pursuits, while others were provided with capital and credit to enable them to engage in business. Many a veteran of the Union cause is now in prosperous circumstances from the help received from this patriotic benefactor, who, but for the timely aid thus rendered, must inevitably have suffered from inability to pursue his ordinary vocation. Mr. Cornell was eminently practicable in his charities, as in all other characteristics. He delighted to help

those who would profit by his aid, and it was his custom to so direct his efforts in behalf of those needing assistance, that momentum might be given toward self-support and independence. It was ever by him considered a privilege as well as a duty to serve, in any possible manner, those who served their country in the time of its great need.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE CORNELL LIBRARY.

Generous Inspirations.-Projecting a Free Public Library.-Conference with Citizens.—Founding the Cornell Library.—Erecting the Edifice.- Its Cost.-Germs of the Library.—Income for its Support.—Inauguration Ceremonies.-The Founder's Address.—Formal Presentation.—Acceptance of Trustees by Hon. Benjamin G. Ferris.-Address of Hon. William H. Bogart.-Contribution of Books.-Subsequent Management. -Conclusion.

THE too frequent result of extraordinary success in business, or in the accumulation of fortune, seems to be to create ambition for still farther achievement in the same direction. Men are seldom inclined to stop when they have acquired an ample competence and devote themselves to the higher duties of life. They press on and not unfrequently make themselves the slaves of their gigantic operations, wearing out their lives in useless toil and care. To this general rule the subject of this sketch was certainly an exception.

In the pursuit of fortune no man could have devoted himself more assiduously than Mr. Cornell did to the success of his telegraph ventures. For

ten years his labors were incessant, and the tasks he accomplished would have completely discouraged a less resolute man. Often he would spend every night of a week in travelling and occupy the intervening days in the transaction of business which constantly demanded his attention in widely separated localities. When success was fairly reached, he retired from active participation in business and devoted himself to the more agreeable duties of agricultural experiment and study. This gave him leisure to take suitable observation of surrounding circumstances. Ithaca had been his residence during all of his years of manhood, and though called from it much of the time for a number of years, he always returned to the home of his choice with feelings of gladness.

Thus at the age of fifty he found himself independent of further labor, and in the enjoyment of a liberal income. He was inspired with an ambition to do something to adorn and improve the village, and at the same time to benefit the rising generation, and encourage them to endeavors for higher mental cultivation. It is not unlikely that recollection of the meagre facilities for education, which were within reach in his younger days, had something to do with the particular direction of his benefaction. The impediments which he had encountered at different times in