Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-01-29
Commodore Vanderbilt.

No man, says "the Hermit in New
York." in his last letter to the Trey
Times, is felt in Wall street N ore than
Commodore Vanderbilt, yet he is seldom
seen there. All of his business is done
in his Office in Fourth street. Here his
brokers meet him, receive their orders
and give reports. Here the plans are
laid that shake the street, and Wall street
trembles at the foot of an invisible auto
crat. III the reader would care to visit
the court OF that great railroad king
| whose name has become the terror oil
Wall street, he may accompany US to a
| plain brick residence in Fourth street,
near Broadway, and distant from Wall
street nearly two miles. No sign indi-
Gates its imperial occupant except that
the upper story being occupied as mil
linery establishment bears legend of
that character. However, as we enter
the hall, we notice the word "office," !"
| and open the door thus inscribed. Here
we see table, few chairs and desk,
at which solitary clerk of middle age is
standing at work.
The walls are bare, with the exception
OF a few pictures of those steamships
which originated. the title of "Commo-
dore." This is the ante-chamber, and q
pair of folding doors screen the king
from vulgar gaze. He is closeted with
his marshals, and this privy council will
last an hour or so. One after the other
they depart, and before three o. clock the
effect of this council will be not only felt
in Wall street. but will be flashed over
the Union. At length you are permitted
to enter. The folding-door is opened,
and you behold an Office as plain in sp-
pearauce as the one just described. 1t
contains a few arm chairs and long
business table, thrown flush before you,
on the opposite side of which sits large
man, with his face fronting you. He is
writing, and his eyes are fixed on the
paper, so that you have moment to
note the dignity of frame and vast de-
velopment OF brain. In few minutes
the countenance rises, and you meet its
expressive and penetrating glance.
You face the king. He smiles in
pleasant and whole-souled manner, and
in moment puts you at ease. No stiff
ness or formality here. His kingship..is is
himself not in etiquette. He is ready for
a pleasantly and will initiate one, if it
comes in the line Of conversation. You
note those wonderful eyes, bright and
piercing, and so large and rich that one
is fascinated, and do not know how TO
stop gazing into them. Such is the ap-
pearance of the railway king, and you
take your leave conscious that some men,
as Shakespeare says, 'are born great"
Indeed, we know a man who would rather
give five dollars to sit and look at Gem
modore Vanderbilt for an hour than to
see any other sight in this city. Next
door to the Office is building of brown
stone, with spacious doors and a roadway.
This is the Commodore's stable, where
are some Of the finest horses in the city.
Every afternoon he is wont TO take On
airing, and after tea game Of whis, af-
fords au evenings amusement The |
Commodore is simple in his manners and |
habits. He is a representative ct n for |
mer age, when men lived less srtifieially |
than at the present time, and when there |
was more happiness and less show. As |
for basiness, il is bis nature. He cannot |
himself, and any other mode Of life |
would be painful. he has in the Central
afforded third wonder, the Harlem and
the Hudson river being the FIRST and Sec
ond, and il be gets the Erie he will soon
show the world another wondsr. On Sun
days the Commodore attends DIR. Hutton's |
church on Washington Square, and here
his tall and dignified form may be seen |
head and shoulders above the rest Of the |
congregation. He is friend of the
pastor, who takes deep interest in his
welfare, and we hope will meet him in
better world he stood by the Commo-
dors's side when his wife was laid in the
tomb, and cheered him in that dark and
trying hour. Among his recent works
is the completing Of tomb in the old
Moravian burial ground in Staten Island.
The sub,erranean chamber is about thirty
feet square, and is surrounded by a lofty
shaft. aud q statue Of Grief adds pecu-
liar finish to the spot The cemetery is
on an emeeBce, from which one gets q
fne view Of the ocean, dotted with ships.