Litchfield enquirer., 1874-08-27
From The Every Saturday. REKlAM BROTHERS.

SOMETHING I saw exhibited in the win dow attracted my attention, and induced me to enter the shop of Messrs. Reklam Brothers. It was certainly not the ticket inscribed "First floor to let uufurnished;" :" it was rather, if I remember rightly, de- icate little tazza of genuine Venetian glass, curiously designed, and rich in dainty opaline tints and reflections. I was ill humble way, and for my own qualification simply, collector of trifes of that kind. The Messrs. Reklam were German Jews-or Polish, I'm not sure which-dealing in old pictures, curiosities, articles of virtu, and antiquities. Their house was situated in dull street in the Soho district. Fashion and gentility had, no doubt, in times past made their home there; they had long since vanished, how ever, leaving in their stead 8 sort of dingy responsibility, and an air of trade of rather torpid character. Shops and private houses were much inter ming led, but there were few evidences of busi- ness being very actively carried on. The street could not boast much traffic, for al- though thoroughfare, it led to nowhere in particular, and offered small advantages as a shortcut. It was bounded on the north by Oxford Street, and on the south by an intricate tangle of courts and alleys. The houses were of substantial, spac- ious, old fashioned class, with rather dim ly lit rooms.
 The contents of the shop almost defy enumeration. They were such, how ever, as are usually to be found in the possession of traders ill curiosities, had been collected from all parts of the globe, and pertained to every period, with the exception, perhaps. of the present There were weapons and armor, of course, in great abundance, with carvings in wood and ivory, paintings and enamels, china and glass, gems, coins, embroideries, lace, antique furniture, feathers, idols, stuffed animals, skins, monstrosities of all kinds, and other multitudinous objects I was impressed by the extent and value of the collection. It filled the shop quite to it's remote corners, leaving only little patch of vacancy ill the centre of tie floor. Even the ceiling was crowded and umbrageous with precious things-among them, pen- dent lamps of every device, and chandel- iers that were perfect thickets of crystal
 Mir. Aaron Reklam, with whom I first became acquainted, was by no means the picturesque Jew of fiction. He was not bent with age; he wore no flowing beard or long draperies; no velvet skull cap crowned him; his skill was not of parcll- ment, nor was his face hollowed and dint- ed by the hand of time. He was simply dressed, and had the air of & London trademan of reputable position. In ans wer to my inquiries, was waited by him to the upper floors of the house. The two drawing-rooms were altogether empty; lofty, wainscoted chambers, with heavy cornices and richly moulded ceilings. They led to a third room. long and narrow, looking on to the leads and sky light of the back shop below, and boast ing 8 side-view of small garden beyond, in which languished plane-tree and some lilac bushes of rather wan and sickly appearance. In the rooms above, was given to understand, the Brothers Reklam resided, still among stores of treasures similar to those crowding the shop below.
 Aaron Reklam did not quit me until I had pledged myself to become the tenant of the vacant first-foor. What moved me to this step do not even now clearly understand. It was true that was at the time under notices to quit the lodgings l had occupied during some years. The house was to be pulled down, SO that a | A1OW oeAOCS UO uCtcu, UT SOuC other metropolitan improvement of that nature carried into effect For this pur- pose an act of parliament had been obtain ed, and all due forms observed. And was ln sluggish sort of way-for there was no special need for haste; I had still some weeks before me-looking out for lodgings. Still, as have said, I engaged to be the occupant of the apartments.
 Next day, repenting of the bargain, I entered the shop again, resolved to excuse myself, and now, for the first time, saw Nathan, the elder brother, who received mo with all politeness. To get off was impossible; besides. I saw that the rooms had their advantages. In short, I took possession of them, trusting to have some degree of comfort. After day or two's experience, had nothing to complain oi but certain degree of mysteriousness which pervaded the dwelling. One or oth. CT of the brothers was often hanging about. as if listening or making observa. tions: and occasionally there loud and un. pleasant quarrels in an unknown tongue, which, for anything knew, might be He. brew or Polish.
 They were certainly strange people had got amongst. At times I meditated running away; but such step would have