Huddersfield Chronicle (04/Jul/1868) - A Noble Princely Gift to Huddersfield

The following is a transcription of a historic newspaper article and may contain occasional errors. If the article was published prior to 1 June 1957, then the text is likely in the Public Domain.

A NOBLE PRINCELY GIFT TO HUDDERSFIELD.

With feelings of unbounded satisfaction and pride we desire the attention of our readers, and the public of the locality generally, to the terms of the letter from Charles Brook, Esq., jun., of Enderby Hall, to J.C. Laycock, Esq., President of the Managing Board of the Huddersfield Infirmary — which letter appears in another column of this day's Chronicle. In that communication, properly first made public at the Infirmary Board, Mr. Brook intimates his intention forthwith to devote the princely sum of £30,000 for the establishment of a Convalescent Home in connection with the Huddersfield Infirmary — part of that large sum to be expended in the erection of a building for the purposes of the Home, and the remainder to be invested so as to yield an annual income for the support of the institution ; and all this, as Mr. Brook expressly declares, "for the benefit of the poor of my native town and district."

It has been our good fortune to record, during the existence of the Chronicle, many instances of large-hearted benevolence and princely munificence, in connection with our own and adjoining towns and districts. But, all things considered, we never had the proudful pleasure of recording so munificent a gift as this of Mr. Brook ; for it must be remembered that the great donor in the present instance has, for now a very considerable period, been continually giving — dropping his benevolent aid on every hand, unostentatiously, and almost at the time unknown, but, in the aggregate, to a very, very large amount. That he has not been slow to take upon himself new duties, and to discharge the obligations which he rightly deemed his new residence in a new part of the country (to him) imposed, our columns of last week bore ample testimony ; and those who would learn what has been done under his auspices, for the benefit, comfort, and convenience of the workpeople in the employ of his firm, must go to Meltham Mills, and examine for themselves. There they will find ample Church accommodation, excellent schools, large dining and assembly rooms, model houses and homes for workers, a public park well laid out and continually kept in order, with many minor adjuncts which add to the comforts of the labourers and their families. And all this without ostentation or boast, and almost without the knowledge even of a great portion of the inhabitants of surrounding places. And now comes the crowning act of munificence — the noble sum of £30,000 devoted to the public work of a Convalescent Home for the benefit of the poor of my native town and district." All honour to the large-hearted and generous-souled Charles Brook — and unfeigned and unceasing gratitude on the part of the town and district deemed worthy of being selected to be the recipients of such a noble, princely gift !