The Portland daily press., 1875-11-30

present More immitgable nonsense was
never uttered. The statesmen of the present
day are on an average unquestionably more cir
cumspect in public and private life than those
of the previous generation. There has not only
been virtual extrpatlon OF the social vices
of intemperance, RIGHTEOUSNESS and inordi-
nate gaming since then, but legislation is inf
nitely more pure, more accordant with due
consideration for the general welfare. There
was not so much noise in the world made in
those days about every dereliction; in fact such
things were kept remarkably quiet, but they
happened with greater frequency than in later
years. The system of ear-wigging and key
holing congressman has brought about such
demand for, and supply of, petty gossip and low
scandal that it is quite possible some well mean
ing people may be deluded with the idea that
everybody in official station is a predestinate
knave, but very slight acquaintance with the
facts will suffice to dispel such ridiculous hal
Inclination. 1t is not creditable to anybody to
hold such opinions for the old adage that she
who calls all men rascals convicts himself of be-
ing one" is quotation strikingly applicable to
every such case.
Another imposing name is inscribed on the
neurological scroll of the week. William B.
Astor was the richest man in America beyond
peradventare. His wealth could not have
been less than an hundred millions of dollars
1t probably will amount to more. The natural
Accommodations of his patrimopy since 184S and
the increase of nominal values since we de-
parted from the specie standard will together
foot up rather above than below the hundred
nnillinpe Ia Wac riah that IL f0ok all hje
time to look after his property. He seldom
mingled much with his fellow citizens. He
had few friendships and hardly any intimaces.
he was man of unblemished character, and
good habits. But he led very negative and
blank existence, considering what opportunities
he had of employing his superfuous means for
worthy objects. His case affords another il
lustration of the popular theory that the ten
dency of excessive affluepce is to shrvel the
sensibilities and render the possessor narrow
and unsympathetic. His will is not divulged
yet, but it is generally understood that the
elder son, John Jacob Astor, will inherit nearly
all the estate. 1t is to be hoped be will mani
fest more consideration for the rest of mankind
than his sire has shown. One thing he ought
to do as a matter of equity not of generosity,
insist upon paying his full share of the mu-
ncipal burdens. My impression is the proper
ty now does not pay one-sixth of what it is
fairly assessable for.
Lord Houghton returns home on the LIST
prox., after having been dined and wined in
the most hosptable fashion. The Union
League Club gave him an elegant reception on
the 23d. The welcoming Grafton of Mr.. Choate
was an exquisite piece of rhetoric. He is su-
perb in such matters. Besides being one of
the handsomes: men in the city, he has the
happiest possible faculty of expressing him
self, and his manner is quite as charming as
his matter.
"My I.nrd' spoke like scholar and a gentle
man. There was good deal of elaboration
in his delivery, but none of that propensity to
stammer which is so characteristic of English.
men generally.
On the STAGE during the talking, and in the
drawing room at the hand shaking, as we'll as
at the supper table after that were those youth
full looking octogenarans, Peter Cooper and
William Cullen Bryant. They move about
with as much elasticity of step, and as little
apparent feeling of fatigue, as they did thirty
odd years ago, when they were passing the
meridian of life. Dear old Peter! he has some
curious vagaries about currency and revenue
laws, but he is marvel of goodness, gentle
ness, simplicity and real human loving kind
ness. don't know of anybody to whom Abou
Ben Adhem's cream would apply so neatly.
Bryant has face which reminds one instinct
lively of the pictures of the old masters 1t is
strongly intellectual, but perfectly gentle and
benevolent. New York has no citizens who
are held in higher esteem than these two ven-
cradle exemplars of thrift and culture tenn
perance and virtue. YARMOUTH.