CHAPTER XVII 



THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION GRANT 



AS has been indicated in a former chapter, 

 a day came in Mr. Burbank's career 

 when it was evident that, no matter how 

 much he still might accomplish for the world, 

 he could not hope to go forward at a pace 

 commensurate with his genius and his oppor- 

 tunities without outside aid. By aid would be 

 meant not some subvention from some insti- 

 tution or state or government which would 

 first recognize him as in want and then lend a 

 helping hand, while establishing, at the same 

 time, an essentially selfish hold upon him. 

 While it was true that year by year he was 

 running behind in his expenses, he had long 

 since passed the period of privation, though 

 he had never passed the point of strictest 

 economy in order that no cent might be 

 wasted but all devoted to his lifework. Any 

 aid which should come to him, then, must be 

 first of all sympathetic — using the word in its 



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