"The great object that I desire to accomplish by the erection of
this Institution is to open the avenues of scientific knowledge to
the youth of our city and country, and so unfold the volume of
Nature that the young may see the beauties of creation, enjoy its
blessings, and learn to love the Author from whom cometh every good
and perfect gift."
But would the poor young men and women of New York who worked hard
all day care for an education?
Some people said no.
But Mr. Cooper thought of his own boyhood, and believed that young
people loved books, and would be glad of a chance to study them.
[Illustration: COOPER INSTITUTE, NEW YORK CITY.]
And when the grand building was opened students crowded in from the
shops and factories.
Some were worn and tired, as Peter Cooper had often been in his
youth.
But they studied eagerly in spite of that.
Every Saturday night two thousand came together in the great hall.
There the most famous people in the world lectured before them.
Every year nearly five hundred thousand read in the free library and
reading rooms.
Four thousand pupils came to the night school to study science and
art.
The white-haired, kindly-faced man went daily to see the students.
They loved him as a father.
His last act was to buy ten type-writers for the girls in that
department.
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