The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-12-25
The Extraordinary Win or MIR. Thoratlake,
the Boston Niiliionsire-Post BIorssm Ne-

The Extraordinary Win or MIR. Thorndake,
the Boston Dliliionsire-Post BIortsm Ise-
vengss.
II bas been generally supposed that the finty
hearted fathers who occupy 80 large a space Of
the comedies and romanccs Of the last century
went out Of existence with the tic wigs, knee
breecbes, stage coaches aud shoe buckles. In
owing perhaps to the great progress Of the
age-the teiegraphs, railways, and so on the
world has SO far advanced that the order Of
things domestic has become entirely changed,
and that parents obey their children, instead OF
the old rule of patriarchal discipline But there
is occasionally marked exception TO this rule,
and the stern parents Of real life go far beyond
the testy old gentlemen that figure in romance.
Fielding. Sheridan and Goldsmith always make
the atiarch forgive his erring child at some
convenient time after the mischief is done: but
ouch cast iron fathers as Mr.. Augustus Thorn.
wtsre, carry their malgnity beyond the grave.
and make their revenges posthumous.
The attendant circumstances OF this Thorndike
affair are interesting. Many years ago-say be-
fore the war Of 1912, when Boston was an i'm
portant commercial city-Isracl Thorndike was
one of the greatest merchants in the Modern
Athens He was the compeer and the friend Of
Thomas III. Perkins William Gray, and other
fine old gentlemen Of the same school. With
them be carried on great trade in the Indies
0Nl
the traffic in silks teas and other
Oriental products. Great we're the gains
of the Thorndikes, the Perkinses and
the Grays Of that day. Right royalty did they
live, too, tho-e princely merchants. and died full
Of years, honors, crusty port and Old South
Church sermons. Their sons belonged to the
aristocracy They inherited fortunes that had
been acquired In trade, and sneered at persons
engaged in the pursuit Of commerce which the
old fellows, the fathers of the sncercrs, were SO
proud Of Well, Thorndike the elder left three
sons Israel, Charles and Augustus, with CON-
course they never sold tea or traded in silks or
opium or ire crackers. They were all gentle
men. and brought up their children In proper
way. One Of these children-tbe daughter of
Charles we belicye-intermarri with the
French Minister at Washington. the Count do
Sartiges. Another, Rebecca. daughter Of Au-
gustus, is the wife Of N. c. Marin, a lieutenant
in tie navy Of the United States. The last mar
riagc provoked the anger OF Mr.. Thorndike pegs
to an alarming extent Some people said he
had personal dislike to the husband of his
others, that he had lived so long in
Europe az TO have become thorough tuft hunt
er, and was disappointed because bis son.in-law
was not nobleman. Whatever may have been
the cause, the enmity Of the old man never died
or even soflened. Lieutenant Marin bears the
reputation Of being good officer. He
served with distinction in Mexico, was second in
command TO Hunter who captured Alyarado in
the Scourge, and was selected. on account of his
acquaintance with the Spanish language to COM
plcte the arrangements for the formal transfer Of
the port TO the authority oi The United States.
Uuder the action of the celebrated Board Of Elf
teen be was placed on the reserved list Of the
navy. but has lately been restored by The Pre-
sident.
The daughter-Miss Rchecca--had certainly
attained the age OF discretion before shc
was married, being seven and twenty when
sbe eloped With the lieutenant Tho theory OF
old Thornllikc seems 10 have been That every
body was scheming TO get his money, and, having
made dollars his only god, he gradually brought
himsclf to believe that every one else held tn
same faith. Although free liver be never
bad house &C his own is ! residence and endca-
vored 10 cvade the payment Of taVes on his per-
sonal property. The city OF Boston gained
suit brought BY him to tel this question. The
time came. however. whom even State street
could not save Thorndkc. lmpolitc as il may
appear 70 persons WHO have proper respcct
for noisy thc grim archer Raw shaft
count H. biz lat illness ho refused to
sec his daughter Rciccca. and III his will he
has attempted ~ guard IN every possible way
against Der or The children By har present mar
rage receiving any benefit more than small
annuity ftom hi estate, which 4 supposed to be
something over half million. Her relatives
are utterly forbidden to assist her Ia any way:
they. ~ wen as other lcgatces, Viii Forfeit all
claim to the bequcsts in case they recognize her
a her children. Harvard COLLEGE receives a be-
quest for rrofessorship Of Music, subject 70
similar conditions. We presume that this bind
ing clause l. clearly Illegal 20 Ear a The College
is concerned. II is certainly absurd James
Stewart, son Of thc same Mr. Augustus Thorn
dixie, married hi cousin, Henrietta Delprat.
This connection was likewise unpopular with
the head Of the family. Tho ics,aior also cuts
off his daughter-in-law. who was also his niece,
and her family from any share Of BE estate, aud
tics up his requests TO the son ia the most
formidable way.
In the event Of the death OF hs children, Mr.
Thorndike leaves The bulk Of his property 70
young man named Perkins, grandson of Thomas