The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-01-22

grain and flour were then sold below the market
prices, and the profits of Iris immense specula.
ton were to be applied to furnishing bread for
all the needy and hungry.
special bakery sold bread to the poor at n
very great reduction from the price CHARGED by
the regular bakers But the people, in this in
stance, would not believe the benevolent inten.
tons of the donor, rallied against Imaginary
usury in grain, believed the most absurd and
ridiculous reports-among others, that Roths-
child had bought spoilt flour, and had made it
palatable by an admixture of sweet almonds;
OF course, they never thought that such an ad.
mixture would have made the bread three times
as expensive.
Those same sweet almonds of Baron Roths-
child contributed good share to the February
revolution.
Ever ready for adding flel to the flames, ever
ready to excite the MASSES, and delighting in
stirring up mischief, the National said of the
Baron Rothschild, that he had mixed his flour
with the sweat of the people, which, of course,
would have produced very Objectionable bread.
AT the same time, number of pamphlets
against Rothschild made their appearance, and
whilst the people thus rewarded his charitable
efforts, their benefactor in reality lost heavv
sums, as he could not dispose of the provisions
he had procured.
The revolution of l848 filed the house of
Rothschlld with terror. The Baron heard that
the rabble was burning down his country houses
ana castle. With his natural shrewdness, he
perceived that his flight would be the signal for
an unalterable con6scation of all his numerous
possessions, and he had the courage to remain.
Numerous anecdotes are in circulation, illus.
tratlve OF his presence of mind and frmness
during the trying days of '4S. We will not.
however, repeat them all here. One especially
has been often told in the papers. 1t relates to
n call made upon him by rough party of Red
Republicans, demanding an equal distribution
OF his property. He admitted their estimate
OF MS wealth was correct, computed the popula-
ton OF France, among whom his money was TO
be equally distributed, and paid his revolution.
airy assallants two francs each, as their proper
share in an equal distribution.
In 1880, Rothschild had given 1000 francs:
this was great deal, for no one had threaten
ed him. In 1910, he signed 5000 francs for
the wounded and unemployed laborers. At the
same time, his son, Alphonse, who had lust
come OF age, at once wrote to the Provisional
Government, pctitioning for his right Of citizen
ship.
1t is said that Just at the moment when
James, almost overcome with terror, WIS hest
tatlng between the safety Of his person and his
millions, Marc Caussidiero made his appear
ance before him, and said:
"Citiz Rothschild, 10 weakness | pledge
myself for you!r
The banker dreamt all night of that mans
red scarf the pistols in his belt, and the great
cavalry sword that dragged at his side But
when he saw, on the next morn;-p. that meas
ures had been taken not only to'%rotect his
hotel, but also all his possessions IN Ne neigh.
borhood of the city, against any attacA s dis.
covered that the words Of the Prefecs 0! < re
were more than idle wind. In less tha .4ear
after this, Caussidicre, hanished. and without
any means, came 10 London. Here he receiy
cd letter from Paris, as follows:
"SIR: Permit ME TO place at your DISMISSAL
the sum Of thirty thousand francs. This little
capital may enable you, upon the hard soil of
exile, to enter into some kind Of business. You
may return the sum in ten or twenty years. or
whenever you like. This is a small recogni
ton of the valuable services you have rendered
10 the country.
Ever yours, RorHscnIp."
At first, Rothschild was very ialmic:.i 10 TIN.
Government Of the second of December. He
would most probably have been sent to Mazas
Tor this, but his position as Austrian Consul
General protected him.
lie had often been bitterly reproached for
poor co-religionists.
"At least, it was said to him. rive them
the profit of one single speculation on Change" .
lie approved of the idea. A mannUvre of /
g bulls" which he organized one fine morning.
followed up Immediately by manmuvre of /
bears LETT net profit of $4,000 francs,
which he at once devoted to the erection of n
Jewish asylum in the rue Picpus,
BY his total absence of courtesy and manncrs.
the sovereign banker has created more illfeel.
ings than the loud ring Of his millions has ever
created envy. He takes great pleasure in hui.
men Of talent A short time ago, how
ever, on such an occasion, the impertinence of
the man OF money was properly and spiritedly
reproved.
Cremieux, who had never seen his moneyed
co-relgIomst, met him one day in the syna-
gogue, and having occasion to speak to him
upon matters concerning the congregation, in
roduced himself without ceremony, and com.
nenced to speak upon his business
And are you really NJ. Cremieux 2" asked
Rothschlld, measuring him with his looks from
head to foot.
Yes, Baron, have already done myself the
honor OF mentioning my name.n
Certainly; but thought NJ. Cremieux, the
famous advocate, should be bigger than you
are."
At these silly as we'll as impertinent words
Jremieux bit his lips, but proceeded to say
what he had to say upon business, and Roths
child gave clear and distinct answers.
But are you really Baron Rothschild?"
'aid Cremieux, interruptiug him. I,
What do you chance 10 doubt it?"
8 Certainly. 1 thought the great Baron
tothschid should be a betterbred man."
With this anecdote we will close the sketch
If this family, and especially of this nan, VINO,
iespite of the envy of the aristocracy of birth
md of genius, and simply by his shrewdness
md the might of his genius, now for forty years
'ast has controlled the destinies OF our century
more than any other power.