I. ROBERT KELLY.*

ROBERT KELLY in his brilliant mercantile career was a marked instance of the compatibility of earnest devotion to literary pursuits with that grasp of the course and laws of trade and that careful attention to the details of business requisite to eminent success. In the belief of the many a collegiate education disqualifies for mercantile pursuits. A few, however, whose soundness of judgment would entitle their opinions on any disputed question to deference, and whose eminence as merchants and large opportunities for observation constitute them authorities here, maintain that a collegiate education both conduces to the success of the merchant, and enables the clerk after a short term of years, to render his employer more valuable service than can be performed by his fellow clerk, whose entire youth has been given to special training for business or passed in the counting-room. It is conceded that high scholarship does not involve a special aptitude for business. It is further conceded that the young man who disregards the price put into his hands to gain wisdom, and yields himself to folly and indolence, discharging the duties of his college course as carelessly and imperfectly as he may, graduates disqualified for success in mercantile-and in all other pursuits, without a thorough change of his habits. But there is no business requiring discipline of mind or enlarged views, to which a generous course of study or a liberal culture, whether attained under the guidance of teachers in academic halls, or by unaided exertion in the solitary chamber, will not prove of advantage. The example of Mr. Kelly shows that a truly liberal culture may exalt the man of business from a mere empyricist to a man of science; from a devotee of wealth and self to a benefactor of mankind, a benefactor through his business, and a benefactor because his views are not limited to mere material interests. And this same liberal culture, still enhanced with increasing devotion, coöperated with a sense of responsibility to his Maker to render the twenty years of his retirement, years of greater activity in promoting the elevation of the degraded and in subserving the

*Authorities: "Tribute to the Memory of Robert Kelly," by E. S. Van Winkle. "Oration occasioned by the Death of Robert Kelly," by Rev. A. S. Leonard, D. D.

cause of education in a still wider sphere, and gave promise of more distinguished usefulness in years to come.

Mr. Kelly was born in the city of New York, the fifteenth day of December, 1808, and died April the twenty-seventh, 1856, in the forty-eighth year of his age. His father, whose name was also Robert, was a native of the North of Ireland. In that attempt at revolution which is associated with the name of Emmet, he took an active part, and narrowly escaping arrest for treason, sought liberty in this land. He arrived in New York in the year 1796, where he immediately engaged in business. In 1819 he retired possessed of a handsome fortune, but resumed business two years before his death in 1825, in order to introduce into commercial life his two eldest sons, John and William.

Robert, the subject of this sketch, was the third and youngest son. His first classical instruction was given by the learned and eccentric John Walsh. His immediate preparation for college was at the celebrated school of Mr. Nelson, who, although blind, was regarded as the most successful teacher of the city. Nelson always had a strong desire to present the best scholars for admission to Columbia College, and to his gratification, his favorite pupil Robert Kelly, a puny lad of thirteen, entered at the head of his class.

He graduated in 1826, having maintained his position throughout his college course, notwithstanding his class numbered several students of distinguished ability. His competitor for the highest honors was the late Daniel Seymour, who had been less thorough than Kelly in, his preparatory studies, but far surpassed him in vigor of intellect and facility in acquisition. Incomparably more honorable to young Seymour and Kelly than any distinction secured by scholastic diligence was it, that the unceasing rivalry between them never interrupted the harmony of their intercourse or interfered in anywise with a friendship as lasting as life. This generous and genuine emulation in their college course confirmed Mr. Kelly's habits of application and perseverance, and made him what in after life he became. Whilst the peculiar abilities of his rival gave to his acquisitions the appearance of intuition, Kelly, step by step, advanced on his path, removed all obstacles diligently, and by untiring efforts reached his aim. Thus his whole career in college became a round of unremitting labor. When he announced to his family the result of the examination for entrance, one of its members expressed some regret from the apprehension, that with such contestants for the honor he might fail to retain his place. His modest reply was, "I will try ;" and he was faithful to his resolution. He made his studies his business and his plea