at a later date, by which he appropriated, among his other noble donations to Philadelphia, no less than half a million of dollars to improve the avenue along the Delaware, and to widen and straighten Water Street, are a proof that, to a considerable extent, he brought himself subsequently to concur in the opinions of Mr. Beck; and although he was not in favor of the particular plan proposed by him, yet he was satisfied of the importance of such improvements, to secure the health and promote the convenience of the community.

The next subject connected with the general benefit of the city, to which Mr. Beck turned his attention, was fortunately carried through with success. From an early day, the importance to the commerce of Philadelphia of a navigable water communication from the Delaware to the Chesapeake Bay had been recognized. It had twice been undertaken: the first time previous to the revolutionary war, when surveys, plans, and estimates for several routes had been made; and a second time at the beginning of the present century, when the work was actually commenced, and some progress made, though this was soon stopped from inability to raise a sufficient capital. In the year 1821, a strong disposition arose among the merchants of Philadelphia to make a third effort to accomplish this important object. Mr. Beck at once enlisted in it with characteristic zeal. He united in public addresses and in private appeals to the citizens; he subscribed liberally himself, and obtained large contributions from others; he became one of the managers, and devoted himself to the work regardless of the interference with his own personal occupations. It was greatly, if not mainly due to his exertions, while he filled this office, that the canal was executed on the bold plan which now makes it one of our most remarkable works of internal improvement, that of a deep cutting through the elevated summit, and a capacity sufficiently deep and wide to admit sailing vessels of large draught and tonnage, such as navigate the bays and even the ocean.

In the character of a successful and enterprising merchant, and an active, influential, and public-spirited citizen, Mr. Beck added that of a friend and promoter of art and literature, and more especially of a wise and generous philanthropist.

Throughout his life, he displayed a taste and fondness for pic

tures, of which he had a considerable and valuable collection. He was among the founders and early friends of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He bequeathed to that institution a number of his pictures, and he always readily extended generous sympathy and aid to rising artists. Among his letters, one was found, after his decease, written to him in 1811, by a youthful painter, whose subsequent and just reputation proves the correctness of Mr. Beck's foresight. The language of the author is so touching, when taken in connection with his present fame, as to justify its insertion. It was written to Mr. Beck by Mr. Charles R. Leslie, when, still quite a youth, he first visited Europe, to cultivate, by study and instruction there, the genius which then seemed to give the promise, since realized, of his great future suc"Permit me," he writes to Mr. Beck, "on my departure for England, to leave my best thanks with you, as the only testimonial which it is at present in my power to give of the deep gratitude with which my heart is penetrated for your kind liberality in patronizing a youth unknown to fortune-perhaps almost unknown to you. Whether my future days be passed in sunshine, on the pinnacle of fame, or among the fogs in the vale of obscurity, I shall always retain a lively remembrance of your early and efficient patronage." To many literary institutions, but especially to the Historical Society, and the Apprentices' and Mercantile Library Companies, he was a liberal contributor; and the claims and wants of the meritorious youthful author, as of the youthful artist, never failed to secure from him a kindly response.

cess.

It was, however, to institutions of philanthropy that his energies were most actively devoted, and his assistance generously and liberally given. Of the numerous institutions of this kind which confer so much honor on Philadelphia, it is perhaps impossible to name one of which he was not the efficient patron and friend. For services rendered as Treasurer of Christ Church Hospital, Mr. Beck received, April 23d, 1827, the thanks of the Vestry of the united churches-Christ Church, St. Peter's, and St. James's. Throughout his life, he devoted his time and services to them, and was always a prompt and abundant contributor. At his death, his bequests were large in the aggregate and widely extended. No difference of religious opinion affected or governed his philan

thropy. Though he was a zealous, attentive, and conscientious worshipper in the Protestant Episcopal Church, and willingly united to advance and sustain its influence, yet his tolerant piety was always ready to befriend the religious efforts of those of other persuasions. From among many instances of this enlightened spirit, which the history of his life affords, one may be mentioned; that of his prompt donation of ten thousand dollars and a lot of ground for the erection of a Methodist Episcopal Church in the district of Moyamensing, which, he had learned, it was the desire of a number of that persuasion to establish. "Fervently do we supplicate our heavenly Father," said the pastor and congregation, on receiving his generous gift, "to shower down upon you and your family the blessings of the new and everlasting covenant, humbly trusting that you may be spared many years to witness the great amount of good which shall be done by the sound conversion of precious, immortal souls, within the walls and under the roof raised by your bounty." He erected, at his own expense, a large and commodious school in the same neighborhood, and gave it to the society for the support of charity schools, prescribing only the conditions that it should be maintained in good order, and that no exception or preference should be shown in regard to the religious persuasion of the children.

In the Institution of the Deaf and Dumb he was a liberal benefactor, and its active and efficient President. To the corporation of the city of Philadelphia he secured two annuities, each of five hundred dollars, to be applied forever to the purchase of fuel and the supply of soup to the poor. But especially to an institution of widely diffused and judicious beneficence was he particularly devoted, the American Sunday-School Union. As early as the year 1791, a "First day, or Sunday-School Society," had been established in Philadelphia, and those who united in the enterprise were of different denominations of Christians. In 1817, a more extended society was formed, with a view to promote the establishment of Sunday-schools, not in the city only, but in the villages in the country. The operation and influence, however, of these associations were quite local, but they suggested the idea to the pious men who were united in them, that a new and more general organization might be formed to concentrate the efforts of Sunday

school societies throughout the United States, to disseminate useful information, to supply teachers and missionaries, and to circulate moral and religious publications in every part of the land. The grand principle of this Union was, that, as the essential truths of Protestant Christianity are held in common by all evangelical denominations, such as Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Lutherans, and others, religious people, whatever might be their particular creed, might well unite to advance them; and that missions and agencies might be established, and books might be supplied from a common fund, and under a united organization, which would secure the confidence of all. In the year 1824, this excellent system was undertaken in Philadelphia, and resulted in the establishment of the American Sunday-School Union. While the beneficent object appealed strongly to the charitable sensibilities of Mr. Beck, its plan of liberal religious toleration, harmony, and co-operation was particularly in accordance with his own views of Christian duty.

He entered zealously into it. He became at once an active manager, and subsequently one of its Vice-Presidents. He was a large contributor to its pecuniary means during his lifetime and by his will. Very soon after its establishment, he consented to be its Treasurer, which post he continued to hold for eighteen years. In addition to his general duties, as a Manager and Vice-President, he superintended its finances with particular ability; and before death terminated his philanthropic duty, he had the satisfaction to see its revenues so largely increased as to diffuse its missions, its schools, its libraries, and its books to an extent far beyond what his sanguine hopes had contemplated when he entered upon the benevolent enterprise. It may well be supposed that his associates mourned his loss. "For eighteen years," they said in a letter to his son, "he was associated with us in the management of the Union, and during all that period, until his unavoidable retirement from active life, he was never absent from his place, nor delayed the discharge of any of its claims."

The personal habits of Mr. Beck were simple and unostentatious; nor did they undergo any change in this respect, when fortune had placed him among the wealthiest of the citizens of Philadelphia. His life was devoted from first to last to his family, his business,

and liberal philanthropic undertakings. He was twice married,— at first to Margaret Parker, a descendant of the Swansons, Swedish settlers previous to the arrival of William Penn; and afterwards to Mary, daughter of Job Harvey,* a member of the Society of Friends, and a much-respected citizen of the State of Delaware. Of his children, by these marriages, but two survived him, Henry Paul Beck, and Dr. Charles Frederick Beck.† Of his surviving grandchildren, two reside in Philadelphia, Dr. Paul B. Goddard, and the Rev. Kingston Goddard,—both being of distinguished professional reputation. In the year 1842, the health of Mr. Beck began to fail, so as to oblige him to withdraw from the public social intercourse which, until then, he had cultivated. He gradually declined during the two succeeding years, and finally expired, at his residence in Market Street, on the 22d day of December, 1844. His body was at first deposited in St. Paul's Church, and subsequently removed to South Laurel Hill Cemetery, where his surviving sons have placed the remains of their parents. He had directed that the ceremonies of his interment should be conducted in the plainest manner; and that, in lieu of the expenditures usual on such occasions, the sum of three hundred dollars should be distributed among the poor, but charged, by his executors, as "funeral expenses." A large concourse of persons, however, were present, anxious to pay the last tribute of respect to a fellow-citizen whom most of them had long known and truly esteemed. The following notice, from the pen of one of these, and written at the time, expresses sentiments, in the justice and truth of which all will

concur:

"The blameless life of Mr. Beck; his useful and enlarged public charities; his benevolence exhibited in a multitude of private acts, that only have their record in heaven or in hearts that have been cheered thereby, secured to him a respect and an interest beyond that which his great wealth could secure. Yet

His grandfather had emigrated, with others, from Derby, Derbyshire, England, in the year 1697, and founded with them the village or town now called Darby, a few miles from Philadelphia.

Dr. Beck died at Rome, Italy, February 13th, 1859, after a brief illness, having left Philadelphia in the month of June preceding, for the recovery of his health. Dr. Beck had previously visited Europe, after the completion of his collegiate and medical studies, and where his tastes for scientific pursuits were much improved. He left no children.

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