Mr. Gould’s secretiveness was exhibited quite as strikingly in his benefactions as his speculations. He never achieved a reputation as one in the habit of doing good to his fellowmen, and yet few rich men were more charitable than he. Only once did he forego his customary reticence, and then it was in a time of great public calamity. Yellow fever was raging in Memphis, and subscriptions were being raised in all the large cities of the country. Gould did not wait, but telegraphed to the authorities of Memphis to draw on him for all the money they needed. As a rule, like William H. Vanderbilt, he dispensed his benefactions through a trustee. This, during the last few years of his own life, was Thurlow Weed. “I am Mr. Gould’s philanthropical adviser,” said this remarkable man on one occasion in 1879; “whenever a really deserving charity is brought to my attention, I explain it to Mr. Gould. He always takes my word as to when and how much to contribute. I have never known him to disregard my advice in such matters. His only condition is that there shall be no public blazonry of his benefactions. He is a constant and liberal giver, but doesn’t let his right hand know what his left hand is doing. Oh, there will be a full page to his credit when the record is opened above.” It should also be added to the list of his virtues, that he abstained absolutely from spirituous liquors, including wine, and never used tobacco. He was, however, fond of highly-spiced food, and it is said that indulgence in such viands caused the stomachic disarrangements which forced him to devote himself in 1888 to the pursuit of health. He loved flowers exceedingly, and in his country seat at Irvington-on-the-Hudson built up one of the finest conservatories in the world.