I shall only add, that Sir Thomas Bernard was the original promoter of the "School for the Indigent Blind;" of an institution for the protection and instruction of "Climbing Boys;" of a society for the relief of "Poor Neighbours in Distress;" of the "Cancer Institution;" and of the "London Fever Hospital."
The philanthropic Baronet was, moreover, the founder of the "British Institution," for promoting the Fine Arts in the United Kingdom; and he was also the originator of the "Alfred Club."
The vast range and practical utility of these exertions were duly appreciated by his contemporaries, who were ever ready to promote any scheme which had received the sanction of his patronage. It is an anecdote worthy of being preserved, that the late Sir Robert Peel called upon him one morning, and after a general conversation on the different philanthropic objects they had in view, said on leaving the room, he had to request that Sir Thomas would dispose of something for him, in any manner he thought most serviceable, and laid on the table an enclosure. After he had left the house, Sir Thomas was greatly surprised, on opening it, to find a bank-note of a thousand pounds.
The active zeal of Sir T. Bernard, like every other circumstance which exceeds the ordinary standard of our conduct, or becomes prominent from the rarity of its occurrence, called forth the wit as well as the admiration of his contemporaries. One of those modern travellers who delight in astonishing their auditors by incredible tales and marvellous anecdotes, happening to be in company with a noble lord as much distinguished for the playfulness of his wit as for the profundity of his learning, told the following improbable story: that, in a sequestered part of Italy, when pressed by hunger and fatigue, he sought refreshment and repose in a wild dwelling in the mountains, and was agreeably surprised at being offered a pie; but, horror of horrors! on examining its contents he found—a human finger!—"Nothing more probable, Sir," interrupted his Lordship; "and I well know the person to whom that finger belonged—to Sir Thomas Bernard, Sir, for he had a finger in every pie."
The following letters will be read in this place with interest.
TO DAVIES GIDDY, ESQ.
MY DEAR SIR,
I am now on my way to Christchurch, in company with Mr. Bernard, who was the founder, and has been the great supporter, of the Society for bettering the condition of the Poor.
In a conversation that has just passed between us, I mentioned the state of improvement of the Downs between Helston and Marazion, in consequence of grants of small portions of land to miners and other tenants for cultivation, many of which have, I believe, been made by Lord Dunstanville. Mr. Bernard expressed a desire to know what the effect of this plan had been on the condition of the persons thus raised into "property-men."
He is accumulating facts as to the manner in which the poor have been most effectually benefited, and to assist his labour would be to assist a good and most important cause; perhaps, you will have the goodness to give me a statement on this subject, which of course shall be used as you may think proper. You may likewise have similar facts nearer home, on your own estates.