CHILDS, GEORGE WILLIAM, an American journalist and publisher, was born at Baltimore, Md., May 12, 1829; died in Philadelphia, Pa., February 3, 1894. He was educated in a private school, and entered the United States Navy at thirteen years of age, but remained in it less than two years. He then engaged as a clerk in a bookstore in Philadelphia, and in 1847 he became a partner in a publishing house in that city. A few years after, he was made a member of the publishing firm of R. E. Peterson & Co., and the firm name was changed to Childs & Peterson. In 1863 he sold his interest in this firm, and in 1864 he purchased the Philadelphia daily Public Ledger, which under his management became one of the most. prosperous newspapers in the United States. He was distinguished as a philanthropist, every worthy enterprise of public charity receiving always his heartiest support. He published Recollections of people and events of his life. He received the degree of LL.D. from Grant Memorial University, Tennessee, in 1887.

Upon the appearance of his Recollections, he received from Oliver Wendell Holmes the following tribute of friendship and appreciation: "It is a work which must be eagerly read in all parts of the country. Your own career is typical, and holds an example and promise to your fellow

countrymen. It shows them what intelligence, honesty, perseverance, generous aims, and the personal qualities which make friends can do for a young man who has his own way to make and means to make it. I do not think any one can grudge you the success you have won. It must be a great delight to look back on a career marked by such triumphs, with the feeling that you have added so much to the happiness of your fellow-countrymen and to the credit of your country. It is a record of deeds by which you will long be remembered; and what can be more gratifying than to feel that your name will always be associated with the fairest products of art and the most precious memories of the great singers who have lent a glory to the language we inherit? I cannot forget your many acts of courtesy to myself; and I return my thanks to you for all the tokens of friendly regard with which you have honored me."

RECOLLECTIONS OF GENERAL GRANT.

In his life three qualities were conspicuously revealed -justice, kindness, and firmness. Seeing General Grant frequently for more than twenty years, I had abundant opportunity to notice these qualities.

A great many people had an idea that General Grant was very much set in his opinions; but, while he had decided opinions, at the same time he was always open to conviction. Very often in talking with him he would make no observation, and when one had got through, it would be difficult to tell exactly whether he had grasped the subject or not, but in a very short time, if the matter was alluded to again, it would be found that he had comprehended it thoroughly. His power of observation and mental assimilation was remarkable.

Another marked trait of his character was his purity in every way. I never heard him express an impure thought or make an indelicate allusion. There is nothing I ever heard him say that could not be repeated in the presence of women. He never used profane language. He was very temperate in eating and drinking. In his own family, unless guests were present, he seldom drank wine. If, while he was President, a man were urged for an appointment, and it was shown that he was an immoral man, he would not appoint him, no matter how great the pressure brought to bear by his friends.