An old Harrovian, full of gratitude towards the late master,
Dr. Butler, has presented £10,000 to the school to purchase the football-field as a memorial of him. That is splendid liberality, and the newspapers ask why the donor should conceal his name ; but they do not quite know England. The moment his name is published, the donor will be recognised as a new victim, very rich, and with capacities of liberality in him. For years he will be tormented by the begging-letter writers, by the Secretaries of Charitable Societies, and by the manufacturers of threats, until his life has become a burden to him. He will be hunted even to his country retreat, will be waylaid on the steps of his London house, and will be exposed to every variety of pertinacious insult. He will be discussed in the Society newspapers for not spending more, he will be abused in the Socialist journals for possessing so much, and if he buys a new house, he will be accused in the Radical journals of laying field to field and house to house until there is no room for the poor. No man who ever heard a millionaire relate his experiences of public giving would ever subscribe sixpence again except anonymously, or except in countries where the " benefactor " is still considered an object of respect.
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