196 people of Baltimore are registered upon the books as readers; and
it is safe to say that 37,000 frequenters of the Pratt Library are of
more value to Baltimore, to the State, and to the country than all the
inert, lazy, and hopelessly-poor in the whole nation. And it may further
be safely said that, by placing within the reach of 37,000 aspiring
people books which they were anxious to obtain, Mr. Pratt has done more
for the genuine progress of the people than has been done by all the
contributions of all the millionaires and rich people to help those who
cannot help themselves. The one wise administrator of his surplus has
poured his fertilizing stream upon soil that was ready to receive it and
return a hundred-fold. The many squanderers have not only poured their
streams into sieves which never can be filled,--they have done worse;
they have poured them into stagnant sewers that breed the diseases which
afflict the body politic. And this is not all. The million dollars of
which Mr. Pratt has made so grand a use are something, but there is
something greater still. When the fifth branch library was opened in
Baltimore, the speaker said:

"Whatever may have been done in these four years, it was his
pleasure to acknowledge that much, very much, was due to the
earnest interest, the wise councils, and the practical
suggestions of Mr. Pratt. He never seemed to feel that the
mere donation of great wealth for the benefit of his
fellow-citizens was all that would be asked of him, but he
wisely labored to make its application as comprehensive and
effective as possible. Thus he constantly lightened burdens
that were, at times, very heavy, brought good cheer and
bright sunshine when clouds flitted across the sky, and made
every officer and employee feel that good work was
appreciated, and loyal devotion to duty would receive hearty
commendation."

This is the finest picture I have ever seen of any of the millionaire
class. As here depicted, Mr. Pratt is the ideal disciple of the "Gospel
of Wealth." We need have no fear that the mass of toilers will fail to
recognize in such as he their best leaders and their most invaluable
allies; for the problem of poverty and wealth, of employer and employed,
will be practically solved whenever the time of the few is given, and
their wealth is administered during their lives, for the best good of
that portion of the community which has no