Smyrna times., 1873-09-10
Fortunes Smiles and FroWns.

The Hermit" writes to the Troy Times
about the variety of human wishes, and quotes
some recollections of distinguished New York
ers:
Il have often," exclaimed friend, "gazed
upon the palatial mansions which crown the
banks of the Hudson, and wondered whether
sorrow ever knocked at these spacious portals?
Are they not, as they indeed appear to be, the
abodes of case and happiness? One surely
would judge SO, from their elegant and impos-
ing style" Such, | say, were the ideas sug-
gested by friend who knew little of high life,
and who supposed that all was gold that gilt
ters. To such an one | could relate many
tale which would be in painful contrast with
the splendid outside, and which would tell
with renewed impressiveness that ''all is not
gold that glitters" In the most elegant of
| the Hudson river residences, or at least the one
| which attracted the most attention from steam
boat tourists, there might have been found a
few years agOa driveng bachelor whose house
| hold was an Irish abOrer and his family. The
building was Of white marble, and with its
grounds presented a commanding appearance
! Its owner had received a large legacy, had
planned this house, and possessed sufficient
energy to almost finish it., but he sank in in
creasing imbecility While the magnificent
structure thus commanded admiration, its in
terror was desolatiOn and misery, and so re-
maned until death changed the ownership and
regime The costly style of living in these
grand establishments, if you keep up with the
age, requires an income so large that few can
long command it, and hence every season sees
some Of the gittering thrOng disappear. Fol
instance, there was the McNamee Bowen
McNamee) mansion at Irvington, and also the
Bartlett mansion, both Of which soon passed
out of their owners hands. The latter cost
100000, and was built for childless couple
who had large wealth but it soon disappeared
| During the prevent season another illustration
was offered in A. B. Stockwell, late Presden
of the Pacific Mail Company. He paid $50,
600 Tor fiue house at Washington Heights
which he owned but short time The revu
sions in the stock market and the loss of hi
Office reduced him to the necessity of selling
and he found buyer in the man of whom h,
purchased it. This man, being an adroit man
ager bought it back at a reduction of $40, ,0Ot
from the price paid by Stockwell, and may b,
said to have cleared that sum- for the place i
well worth StockwelI's purchase money. Gu
rural fashionabes thus find that the inevitable
law Of change holds its sway among them, anC
indeed 1t is often more noticeable than in tn
very heart of the city.
A very striking illustration of social change
was afforded by the late Benjamin H. Whit
lock. He was brilliant man in business, ant
| |
something more than usually attractive in hi
T appearance. He became, in the course O
prosperous trade, very rich man, and ia ol
der to crafty his tastes he purchased larg
park in Westchester county, where he planne
a spacious mansion, whose dimensions an
decorations were worthy of the name of palace
Here he lived short time in splendid style
; and had, among other indications of wealth
a stable of forty horses. Whitlocks hospta
: ity was unbounded while it lasted, but unfol
tunately his business became involved an
the result was total bankruptcy. His par
and palace passed into other hands, and h
became poor but industrious business maj
in which useful condition he finished his day.
; Instances of this kind might be mentioned
equal Importance in conveying that lesson
? the vanity of human wishes on which Jchnso
mOralized at great length, while ShakspeaI
sums the lesson in that imposing and of
+ ! quoted picture commencing with ''the clou,
j capped towers"