EZRA CORNELL-1864-1874 321 



lands for it were parts of a great cheat and swindle. This 

 thesis, developed in all the moods and tenses of abuse be 

 fore the legislature, was next day published at length in the 

 leading journals of the metropolis, and echoed throughout 

 the Union. The time for these attacks was skilfully 

 chosen; the Credit Mobilier and other schemes had been 

 revealed at Washington, and everybody was only too ready 

 to believe any charge against anybody. That Mr. Cornell 

 had been known for forty years as an honest man seemed 

 to go for nothing. 



The enemies of the university were prompt to support 

 the charges, and they found some echoes even among those 

 who were benefited by his generosity even among the 

 students themselves. At this I felt it my duty to call the 

 whole student body together, and, in a careful speech, 

 to explain Mr. Cornell s transactions, answering the 

 charges fully. This speech, though spread through the 

 State, could evidently do but little toward righting the 

 wrong; but it brought to me what I shall always feel a 

 great honor a share in the abuse showered mainly on 

 him. 



Very characteristic was Mr. Cornell s conduct under 

 this outrage. That same faith in justice, that same pa 

 tience under wrong, which he always showed, was more 

 evident than ever. 



On the morning after the attack in the legislature had 

 been blazoned in all the leading newspapers in the early 

 hours, and after a sleepless night I heard the rattle of 

 gravel against my window-panes. On rising, I found Mr. 

 Cornell standing below. He was serene and cheerful, and 

 had evidently taken the long walk up the hill to quiet my 

 irritation. His first words were a jocose prelude. The 

 bells of the university, which were then chimed at six 

 o clock, were ringing merrily, and he called out, &quot;Come 

 down here and listen to the chimes; I have found a spot 

 where you can hear them directly with one ear, and their 

 echo with the other.&quot; 



When I had come down, we first investigated the echo 



I.-21 



