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considerable distinction in letters. The following notice of his death appeared in the Indépendance Belge, a newspaper published at Brussels. I find it attached to a letter from Mr. Memminger's uncle, addressed to him at Charleston, and dated at Verdun, 1st of December, 1855.

"M. Henri Memminger, I'un des directeurs du célèbre éstablissement de Seraing, est mort à Jemappes le 4 février dernier. M. Memminger né à Mayence en 1791 habitait la Belgique depuis 1853. A cette époque, il était directeur des bâteaux à vapeur de Mayence à Cologne, les premiers qui aient été etablis sur le Rhin. C'est alors que M. Cockerille le fit venir à Liège, ou il dirigea la construction des premiers bâteaux à vapeur en Belgique.

"M. Memminger possédait toutes les langues de l'Europe et les parlait avec facilité; il pouvait ainsi diriger toute la correspondance de l'établissement sans jamais recourir à un interprète.

"Malgré see nombreuses occupations, M. Memminger trouvait encore des loisirs pour s'occuper de l'étude des beaux-arts et des lettres. Versé dans la connaissance des auteurs anciens, il ne se contentait pas de parler les divers langues de l'Europe, il en possédait la litterature d'une manière remarquable."

M. Henri Memminger était neveu d'un de nos concitoyens, M. Memminger.

I am informed that there is a handsome monument in the city of Brussels to the memory of Mr. Henri Memminger near La Gare du Nord.

The years immediately following the death of Godfrey Memminger were eventful in Europe. Napoleon was waging his wonderful wars of conquest and carrying his victorious armies through the German States to leave in their rear the ruins of once happy homes and the wretchedness that follows the tramp of contending hosts. Thousands, who could secure the means, were leaving their fatherland and through many adversities were seeking release from their woes in the land of Washington.

Among these was John Michael Kohler, who, with his family, emigrated to America, and reached, first, the city of Charleston, then among the most prominent seaports of the

United States. Accompanying Mr. Kohler was his daughter, Eberhardina Memminger, and her only son, Christopher Gustavus. Shortly after reaching Charleston the gentle mother, worn with her long and exhausting voyage, succumbed to disease, and left her bright boy, the sole repre. sentative of his name in America, to join her gallant husband beyond the stars.

Of this mother I am not informed, except in a single sentence in a letter written to Mr. Memminger in 1837, by an aunt, the sister of his father, who speaks of her as a lovely woman. The reader will pardon me here for expressing a regret that I cannot give more information as to the history of the mother. It may be readily conjectured, however, that she possessed a decided character, transmitting by a law of heredity almost invariable in its action, her mental endowments and moral graces to her only son. Great and good men are only the offspring of great and good mothers. So well established is this fact that I apprehend it would be difficult to find in the history of the human family a marked exception to the general rule. Natural laws, ever acting to produce the evolution of man, remain the same with the human family as they are recognized to exist and to act among inferior animals. The mother of Memminger the infant, was also the mother of Memminger the man of earnest purpose, commanding ability, and a strong physical constitution.

Our higher nature-whether we are pleased to consider it the expression of intellectual endowments alone, or whether we would associate with it a "supervising deity," called the soul-is but a gem held within a casket, not alone, but so intimately associated and directly connected with the casket, that the frailty of the latter is the imperfection, the injury and ultimately the destruction of the other.

Mr. Kohler, the grandfather, does not appear to have remained long in Charleston. He removed to Philadelphia,

and his family, with the exception of his grandson Memminger, shortly after followed him there. A most important event in the history of Mr. Memminger occurred at this time an event which was even at his tender age of infancy to turn the current of his life, and to prove, in the end, the providential means of securing to him a career of great honor and usefulness, while it gave to Charleston and to South Carolina one who was to be among the worthiest of citizens. When he was but four years old, the orphan boy of Würtemberg was entered formally at the "Orphan's House" of Charleston, and there found, with noble men. and women to direct his course, the initial point from which we may begin to trace his remarkable and noble career. The entry of this important event in the life of Mr. Memminger is distinctly made in the records of the institution. It is in these words:

THURSDAY, 29th January, 1807.

Present: John B. Holmes, Nathaniel Russel, Daniel Hall, John Parker (Commissioners)--

Took into consideration the application of Magdalena Kohler for the admission of her grandchild, Christopher Gustavus Memminger, aged four years, and agreed thereto.

One of the most beneficent institutions among the many that have long evidenced the spirit of the citizens of Charleston is the Asylum for Orphans, founded more than a century ago, and for all this period fostered by the genius of a noble people, who make the good city by the sea a type of Christian civilization. As a home for worthy children bereft of parents, and a place where the care and solicitudes of a father and mother are substituted by a generous Providence, there are but few the equals and none superior to the Orphans' Home of Charleston, either in Europe or America. From the tenderest age of infancy, until the youth is prepared to enter upon some useful and honorable vocation, the watchful care of excellent matrons and the tutorage of ac

complished men and women, supervised by a Board of Commissioners selected from among the representative men of the city, guide the tottering steps of infancy, and furnish every appliance for a thorough common school education.

I am much indebted to Miss Agnes K. Irving, the accomplished Principal of this noble institution, for a beautiful volume containing the proceedings of the Centennial celebration held October 18, 1890. From its interesting pages I extract the following salutatory address, written by Thomas M. Hanckle, Esq., and delivered by Master J. Elliot Alex, a little orphan boy of nine years.

This address well expresses the character of the institution and the spirit of the people who, for more than a century, have kept a sacred fire burning upon its holy altar.

Address.

That is a beautiful and touching custom of happy families which celebrates the birthday of each loved child of the household, and by smiles and gifts and gentle words, and merry sports, loads each passing hour with the beauty and the fragrance of domestic affection.

On such a day, father and mother unite their thanks, as they recall the hour in which they received the sweet, bright gift of God.

On that day the happy child feels a dignity in his little life, and year after year learns to value more and more, the tender love which has followed him all his days, and with anxious yearnings, has watched for his growth in wisdom as he grows in stature.

Most fitting and grateful then is this Centennial celebration of the day on which the noble city of Charleston, adopted as her own, the poor and forsaken orphans of the city and gathered them for all time within the merciful arms of her love and protection.

It is the Orphan's Birthday-the day of his adoption.

Nearly one hundred years ago, the last blow was struck which completed the venerable pile around which with generous pride, the warm affection, and the benevolent interests of Charleston were clustered so long.

Her people, still staggering under the shock of the Revolution, found time to conceive the plan of this noble charity; and her citizens, still impoverished by a wasting war, found means, with frugal zeal and willing hands, to build the home of the fatherless.

On that day more than one hundred children orphaned, helpless,

destitute and friendless, were gathered within its walls, and the Orphans' Home began its career of mercy and usefulness as an Institution of the city.

On that day the event was honored with public rejoicings, with mutual congratulations, and with thanksgiving to God.

And to-day we celebrate, not only the Orphan's Birthday, but the day-spring of a wise and liberal charity.

Anniversaries like these are the resting places of memory.

As the revolving years tell the age of the world, and record its history, so do anniversaries like these, mark the progress of each lesser life and preserve its memories. Well may we celebrate this day, then, with solemn procession, with the swelling strains of music, with songs of joy, and hymns of praise.

On this bright festival day of commemoration and rejoicing, kind and respected friends, do the adopted children of the city bring you greeting. They greet you with congratulations that health and prosperity have been the portion of our city and our Institution.

They would rejoice with you, that each passing year has but served to make the foundations of our "House" deeper and stronger-to give new energy to its mission of mercy, and to lend a new grace to the peaceful annals of its walls.

They are glad to greet those whose generous aid supports our Institution, and the children, and the children's children of those who laid its foundations.

And they are happy to say that they bring with them the testimonials of their teachers and guardians, that they have endeavored to profit by the many advantages by which they are surrounded.

We greet you, children of happy families, who have come to unite in our festival, with our youthful sympathy. Like you. we, too, are endeavoring to fit ourselves for the life that lies before us, and we trust that we shall one day meet you in the fields of labor, or wherever else our duty shall call us, ready to do our city and our State true and unselfish service, and to express our gratitude by our acts.

We greet you, Mr. Mayor, and gentlemen of the Council, with our thanks for the liberal supplies you have so cheerfully voted for our support; for the interest you have always manifested in our welfare, and for your presence to-day to give dignity and importance to this occasion.

We greet you, gentlemen of the Board of Commissioners, with our congratulations on your wise and successful administration of this noble charity, and with our warmest gratitude for the untiring zeal and tender care with which you have watched our comfort, our improvement and our happiness. To you, Reverend Sirs, who from Sabbath to Sabbath break to us the "Bread of Life," we bring our heartfelt greetings and thanks.

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