Famous Givers and Their Gifts

by Sarah Knowles Bolton

Mr. Guy, fearing that there was trickery when the stock rose so rapidly, sold out when the prices were from three to six hundred, and thereby saved himself from financial ruin. He was now very rich, having always lived economically. When he was a bookseller it is said that he always ate his dinner on his counter, using a newspaper for a tablecloth.

The following story is told by Walter Thornbury in his "Old and New London:"—

"'Vulture' Hopkins, so called from his alleged desire to seize upon gains, and who had become rich in South Sea stock, once called upon Mr. Guy to learn a lesson, as he said, in the art of saving. Being introduced into the parlor, Guy, not knowing his visitor, lighted a candle; but when Hopkins said, 'Sir, I always thought myself perfect in the art of getting and husbanding money, but being informed that you far exceed me, I have taken the liberty of waiting upon you to be satisfied on this subject.' Guy replied, 'If that is all your business, we can as well talk it over in the dark,' and immediately put out the candle. This was evidence sufficient for Hopkins, who acknowledged Guy to be his master, and took his leave."

Notwithstanding Mr. Guy's penuriousness, he had the grace of gratitude. Thousands forget their helpers after prosperity comes to them. Not so Thomas Guy. The Saturday Magazine for Aug. 2, 1834, relates this incident: "The munificent founder of Guy's Hospital was a man of very humble appearance, and of a melancholy cast of countenance. One day, while pensively leaning over one of the bridges, he attracted the attention and commiseration of a bystander, who, apprehensive that he meditated self-destruction, could not refrain from addressing him with an earnest entreaty not to let his misfortunes tempt him to commit any rash act; then, placing in his hand a guinea, with the delicacy of genuine benevolence he hastily withdrew.

"Guy, roused from his revery, followed the stranger, and warmly expressed his gratitude, but assured him that he was mistaken in supposing him to be either in distress of mind or of circumstances, making an earnest request to be favored with the name of the good man, his intended benefactor. The address was given, and they parted. Some years later Guy, observing the name of his friend in the bankrupt list, hastened to his house, brought to his recollection their former interview; found upon investigation that no blame could be attached to him under his misfortunes; intimated his ability and also his intention to serve him; entered into immediate arrangements with his creditors; and finally re-established him in a business which ever after prospered in his hands, and in the hands of his children's children, for many years in Newgate Street."

Those who knew Mr. Guy best declared that "his chief design in getting money seems to have been with a view of employing the same in good works." He gave five guineas to Mr. Bowyer, a printer, who had lost everything by fire, "not knowing," said Mr. Guy, "how soon it may be our own case." He also gave in 1717 to the Stationer's Company £1,000, to be distributed to poor members and widows at the rate of £50 per annum.

"Many of his poor though distant relations had stated allowances from him of £10 or £20 a year, and occasionally larger sums; and to two of them he gave £500 apiece to advance them in the world. He has several times given £50 for discharging insolvent debtors. He has readily given £100 at a time on application to him on behalf of a distressed family."

In 1704 Mr. Guy was asked to become the governor of St. Thomas's Hospital, partly because he was a prominent and able citizen, and partly because he might thus become interested and give some money. Mr. Guy accepted the office, and soon built three new wards at a cost of £1,000, and provided the hospital with £100 a year for the benefit of its poor. When patients left the hospital they were often unfit for work, and this money would provide food for them for a time. He had given already to the steward money and clothes for such cases of need. He also built, in 1724, a new entrance to St. Thomas's Hospital, improved the front, and erected two large brick houses, these works costing him £3,000.

Mr. Guy seems to have given constantly from his youth, and always with good sense in his gifts. He was growing old. He probably had meditated long and carefully as to what use he should put his wealth. Highmore, in his "History of the Public Charities of London," tells this rather improbable story: "For the application of this fortune to charitable uses the public are indebted to a trifling circumstance. He employed a female servant whom he had agreed to marry. Some days previous to the intended ceremony he had ordered the pavement before his door to be mended up to a particular stone which he had marked, and then left his house on business.

"The servant, in his absence, looking at the workmen, saw a broken stone beyond this mark which they had not repaired; and on pointing to it with that design, they acquainted her that Mr. Guy had not ordered them to go so far. She, however, directed it to be done, adding, with the security incidental to her expectation of soon becoming his wife, 'Tell him I bade you, and he will not be angry.' But she soon learnt how fatal it is for one in a dependent position to exceed the limits of his or her authority; for her master, on his return, was angered that they had gone beyond his orders, renounced his engagement to his servant, and devoted his ample fortune to public charity."