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that of Niagara, which, though more imposing and on a grander 
scale, must perhaps give way in some respects to its smaller rival. 
To this place, about the middle of the last century, was attracted 
a gentleman destined to be one of the great men of New York — 
a man of deep charity and broad human interest — a descendant 
from sturdy Quaker stock. This man is the Hon. William Pryor 
Letchworth, for a long time a member of the state board of chari- 
ties, and for many years its president. A gentleman of the old 
school, courteous and kindly, with an open hospitality which 
makes the guest feel at once at home, and with a broad human 
sympathy which embraces all mankind — to know this gentleman 
is indeed a privileg 
To this man ie state, the nation too, owes a debt of grati- 
tude, for to his generosity the people of the country are indebted 
for a gift of almost priceless value. As will be shown in detail 
below, Mr. Letchworth has given to the state of New York, for 
all time, the beautiful tract of land, containing over one thousand 
acres, now known as Letchworth Park, including within its con- 
fines all three of the falls of the upper Genesee. 
It was in 1859, about two years after the Hon. Andrew H. 
Green, a kindred spirit, had begun improvements in our own 
Central Park, that Mr. Letchworth made his first purchase of 
land along the Genesee. From time to time since then he has 
made additions to this original acquisition, until now, as stated 
above, the tract comprises over one thousand acres, and upon 
its acquisition and improvement there have been expended by 
Mr. Letchworth over five hundred thousand dollars. At the 
time of its purchase it had been devastated by lumbermen, and 
the tract was littered with only such refuse as a lumberman, in 
his greed for gain, can make — old limbs and branches, rotting 
logs, chips and stumps. All vestiges of these have been removed 
and in their place have appeared stretches of new timber, care- 
fully preserved, and paths and driveways affording access to the 
beauties of nature here so lavishly displaye 
From its very inception, Mr. Letchworth has designed his 
estate as a public park, and the public has at all times been 
welcome to it, The immediate surroundings of his home have 
