Obituary -notice of the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer. 161 



sum of $100 — $200 for both — and then finished the arrangements 

 for his journey. In this httle history we see him combining 

 economy and presenting the example of it to his children, with 

 employment for a worthy man in his honest calling, and crown- 

 ing the whole with an act of prompt and liberal benevolence. 

 This, remarks Mr. Eaton, was a fair trait of his character and a 

 true specimen of the economy which he always urged upon thou- 

 sands of tenants: he adds, "who ever heard of this fact, but 

 those to whom I may have told it ? He never told any one of 

 his charities. I scarcely dare relate those benevolent acts of this 

 extraordinary man where I was the only witness. Long Avill the 

 widow speak of his charities, the orphan lisp his bounties, and the 

 poor tenant melt in tears to bless him." 



" Having been in his service," continues Mr. Eaton, " as a con- 

 fidential servant of science, for eighteen years, I have witnessed 

 acts in the line of scientific patronage which no one else has 

 known. He authorized me (and paid me richly) to educate one 

 student in practical science, from every county in our state, gra- 

 tuitously, at his expense. Some, not understanding his limit 

 came from other states. A Professor of Transylvania University, 

 a man of talents, is a case in point. I assume to say, that our 

 calls were prudent ; but we, his agents, never made a call for 

 funds without receiving his check by the first mail." 



He aided in sustaining various periodical as well as standard 

 works. In this Journal there exists monuments of his munifi- 

 cence, especially in the expensive plates on the geology of New 

 York in the fourteenth volume, which were furnished gratis by 

 him. He not only observed a sound economy, but also great 

 moderation in the use of the bounties of providence. He gave 

 "without stint," and he gave in a manner so kind and win- 

 ning, so free from ostentation, as greatly to enhance the value 

 of the gift. Born to princely affluence, he sustained the dignity 

 of his station by a noble hospitality ; but his own wants were 

 few and simple, and he was moderate and self denying in per- 

 sonal indulgence, while his boundless liberality " may be read 

 throughout the land in many churches of different denomina- 

 tions, in institutions of learning of various kinds, in works of 

 public utility, and on the hsts of our benevolent and religious so- 

 cieties, which he has aided, and for which he was foremost to 

 suggest the plans and to devise the means." 

 Vol. XXXVI, No. 1.— Jan.-April, 1839. 21 



