es it a constant delight to my neighbors. Last year some of
my fellow-townspeople made an exceedingly generous proposition to place
there a memorial statue; and I felt compelled to publish the following
reply to an offer which quite transcended any claim that I could have to
such an honor:

176 SOUTH OXFORD STREET, JUNE 12, 1901.

MESS JOHN N. BEACH, D.W. MCWILLIAMS, AND THOMAS T. BARR.

_My Dear Sirs_,

I have just received your kind letter in which you express the
desire of yourselves and of several of our prominent citizens that
I would consent to the erection of a "Memorial in Cuyler Park" to
be placed there by voluntary contributions of generous friends here
and elsewhere. Do not, I entreat you, regard me as indifferent to a
proposition whose motive affords the most profound and heartfelt
gratitude; but a work of art in bronze or marble, such as has been
suggested, that would be creditable to our city, would require an
outlay of money that I cannot conscientiously consent to have
expended for the purpose of personal honor rather than of public
utility. Several years ago the city authorities honored me by
giving my name to the attractive plot of ground at the junction of
Fulton and Greene Avenues. If my most esteemed friend, Park
Commissioner Brower, will kindly have my name visibly and
permanently affixed to that little park, and will direct that it be
always kept as bright and beautiful with flowers as it now is, I
shall be abundantly satisfied. I have been permitted to spend
forty-one supremely happy years in this city which I heartily love,
and for whose people I have joyfully labored; and while the
permanent fruits of these labors remain, I trust I shall not pass
out of all affectionate remembrance. A monument reared by human
hands may fade away; but if God has enabled me to engrave my humble
name on any living hearts, they will be the best monument; for
hearts live on forever. While declining the proffered honor, may I
ask you to convey my most sincere and cordial thanks to the kind
friends who have joined with you in this generous proposal, and,
with warm personal regard, I remain,

Yours faithfully,

THEODORE L. CUYLER.

I cannot refrain here from thanking my old friend, Dr. St. Clair
McKelway, the brilliant editor of the _Brooklyn Eagle_, for