become a dry-goods salesman.
By cultivating a loving disposition he gained friends wherever he went,
and, of course, thus gained a confidence which he otherwise never would
have known. For this reason he gained his first letter of credit which
enabled him to buy his first consignment of goods without advancing the
money for them.

[Illustration: SELF-RELIANCE. Engraved Expressly for 'Hidden Treasures.']

As we review the various great and influential men we cannot but notice
how many, out of the total number, cultivated a pleasing manner. Certain
it is, to pleasing manners and ability owed he his success; without
either he could not have succeeded. Without the generous heart he
possessed he could never have won the great honor that he enjoyed, for
great wealth alone could not bring such honor. He was a notable moral
phenomenon. Of all the great and rich men of whom we are aware, none
gave as liberally as did he. Reader, think of it; a poor boy who became
one of the greatest bankers of his time, and who, during his life, gave
over eight millions of dollars to charity. Many of our rich men have
willed much to charity, but he gave while living.

He went to Georgetown, District of Columbia, and entered into a
partnership with an uncle, the firm-style being Riggs & Peabody. They
were wonderfully successful, and soon established branches in
Philadelphia and New York. In 1829 Mr. Riggs retired from actual work,
the firm-style becoming Peabody, Riggs & Co. Time passed on, the
business grew, and in 1837 he went to London, soon after establishing
the banking house of George Peabody & Co. He made banking his study and
kept thoroughly posted on financial matters. At about this time the
great panic occurred in America, and at a great risk of losing his
fortune he bought Maryland securities. But George Peabody knew what he
was about; he was thoroughly posted and was capable of managing a
banking business. By his influence with the Bank of England, he soon
became recognized as the man who had saved Maryland from bankruptcy.

He now began to dispense the great fortune with which God had so
bountifully blessed him. In 1851 he supplied a large sum, so much
needed, to make a success of the great Worlds Fair in London. In 1851 he
gave $10,000 toward the second Grennell expedition, and the same year
the people of his native town, Danvers, invited his presence at an
anniversary. He could not personally attend, but sent them $20,000 to be