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PUBLIC BENEFITS.

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Cornell in the projection and development of the great University, and in the completion of the admirable system of railway facilities which cost him so dearly. He took a deep interest and was a leading spirit in every project for the advancement and improvement of the village, not only in its material, but as well in its moral progress. For the erection of churches of all denominations he was ever an open-handed contributor, and it is quite safe to assert that every place of worship in the village was indebted to him for benefactions of greater or less degree. There is not a village lot in Ithaca which does not bear an increased value, and in many instances doubled and even quadrupled value, in consequence of the philanthropic and unselfish efforts of Ezra Cornell. May the residents of the beautiful and prosperous town long remember the debt of gratitude which they owe to his memory.

Without some little reflection it is impossible to appreciate with much intelligence the magnitude of advantage which the people of Ithaca enjoy in a business way, from the location in their midst of an institution like the Cornell University. In the first place, it now has a fixed annual income of more than two hundred thousand dollars, nearly all of which must be disbursed for its current working expenses in the immediate vicinity.

Next, it brings from a wide expanse of territory more than four hundred students, who spend nine months of each year at Ithaca. Assuming that they expend only the small sum of two hundred and fifty dollars each for their maintenance, it will amount to one hundred thousand dollars, which, added to the University expenditures, aggregate nearly one thousand dollars contributed to the material interests of Ithaca every business day of the year from these sources alone. Then there must be credited a very considerable sum expended by the thousands of visitors who are every year brought to the village by the University. Added to these advantages are many residents, who have been, and are continually being induced to locate at Ithaca, on account of its superior educational opportunities. The extensive and growing manufactures of the village, also, find many advantageous circumstances for the introduction and sale of their products, growing out of the good fame attaching to the name of Ithaca as the seat of a great University.

Another subject of local significance for which Mr. Cornell evinced an especial interest and made liberal contributions to render more accessible, was the romantic, and indeed extraordinary, natural scenery of the region about Ithaca, which he felt was worthy of attracting a large concourse of

ROMANTIC SCENERY.

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summer tourists. Clustered within two or three miles of the village, on the half-dozen considerable streams which pour their water over the rocky and precipitous hill-sides, on their way to the level of the beautiful Cayuga Lake, are nearly one hundred waterfalls of such magnitude as to be worthy of especial notice. Some of these cataracts and cascades are wonderfully interesting. The Fall Creek gorge, within a few rods of the University campus, affords a day's stroll of thrilling interest and excitement. Taghanic Falls, throwing an unbroken stream two hundred and fifteen feet, is the highest waterfall in any of the Northern States east of the Rocky Mountains. Taken altogether for extent and variety of scenery, this region has few rivals in the United States, while numerous other localities, with comparatively nothing like the attractions of Ithaca, enjoy a patronage from tourists, many fold greater. With the added advantages of the extensive buildings, museums, and library of the Cornell University, the repute of this neighborhood should be infinitely greater than it now enjoys.

Nor was Ithaca alone the beneficiary of Mr. Cornell's enterprising public spirit. His activity was ceaseless, and he never tired in the promotion of meritorious projects. The wonderful development which has in late years been made in

producing illustrated publications, is due in no small degree to results following the establishment of the American Photo-Lithograph Company, of which Mr. Cornell was a large stockholder and for many years held the office of president. The great advance which was made by this organization in the art of lithography, by combining with it the use of photography, has completely revolutionized this important and useful branch of illustrative publication. Through the inadequacy of the patent laws to protect inventors in the enjoyment of the fruits of their labors, Mr. Cornell failed to realize profit from his ventures in this direction, but the benefits accruing to the public, as the result of the efforts of the organization, which was effected under his pat ronage, cannot be estimated. They are indeed inestimable, and are of constantly increasing value. Mr. Cornell was extensively interested in the manufacture of agricultural implements at Albany, and was also the patron, promoter, and proprietor of a variety of meritorious enterprises, not only in the State of New York, but likewise in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, Colorado, and other States.

CHAPTER XX.

FAMILY AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS.

Reserved Manners.-Filial Affection.-Self-reliance.-Devotion to Parents. Great Bereavement.-Fraternal Generosity.Domestic Relations.-Family Discipline.--Education of Children.-Interest in Distant Relations.-Genealogical Labors. --Loyalty to Old Friends.-New Family Residence." Villa Cornell."-- Elegance of Construction.—" True and Firm.”

HABITUALLY reserved in manner, with a prevalent appearance of mental preoccupation, having but slight inclination to the usual modes of recreation, there was little in the ordinary intercourse of Mr. Cornell to denote the depth of earnest affection with which he was in a large degree endowed. While remarkably exempt from impulsive or emotional tendencies, he was peculiarly devoted in attachment to his kindred. Despite a quiet and undemonstrative nature, there was in his organization a development of filial and fraternal love which was apparently inexhaustible. This admirable trait of his character grew stronger and became more marked with advancing years, and was altogether a charming feature of his life. The

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