630 HENRY PURKITT KIDDER. 



ness to be of use, and his distinct recognition of the truth that he was 

 in the world to be of use, and for nothing else, made him accept even 

 the most difficult commissions, so he were only sure that the business 

 in hand was something in his line, something which filled a public 

 necessity, and something which he would do well. 



He was thirty-eight years old when the war struck the country, and 

 tested every man and woman in active life. Many of Mr. Kidder's 

 immediate associates went to the field. His brother was killed, at the 

 head of his company, in the battle of the Wilderness. In the thousand 

 home duties, hardly less exciting, and certainly when wrought out by 

 such men not less useful to the country, he was of service everywhere. 

 His counsel was sought and given, his executive powers were freely 

 devoted to every effort for the strengthening of the country, and wher- 

 ever a strong man of affairs could serve, in that place he might be 

 found. 



He was for some years a junior partner of the firm of John E. 

 Thayer & Co., and when Mr. Nathaniel Thayer retired from active 

 business, in 1865, Mr. Kidder, Mr. Frank Peabody, and Mr. Oliver 

 Peabody formed the new firm of Kidder, Peabody, & Co., which exists 

 at this time. Just before Mr. Kidder's death, the firm was connected 

 with the firm of Baring Brothers, which in the history of finance and 

 of politics has for nearly a century been an important link in the 

 union of the United States and Great Britain. 



A man who had so much to do with the development of the physi- 

 cal resources of the country may fairly be said to be connected in the 

 closest way with its practical science. But it is rather as an enthu- 

 siastic patron of the fine arts that Mr. Kidder deserves his place as a 

 prominent member of the Academy of Arts and Sciences. In early 

 life he began the collection of prints, which he afterwards enlarged by 

 the purchase of choice examples. In such matters he was — what he 

 would never have called himself — a connoisseur. But afterwards, as 

 he was able to indulge his very admirable taste, he preferred to buy 

 pictures generally of the artists of our own time, such as should give 

 pleasure to himself and to his friends in his beautiful homes. No man 

 was less apt to be led by a dealer than he. He would buy what he 

 liked, and what he did not like he would not buy. He knew what he 

 liked, and knew it with a very definite certainty. 



This interest or passion is not to be spoken of without reference to 

 his enthusiastic love for nature, his passion for flowers, and the pleas- 

 ure which all fine scenery gave him. Some one asked him once what 

 was his favorite summer amusement, and he replied, " Sitting on a 



