The daily gazette., 1879-06-04

fits, but quick. returns; and q well
grounded confidence that one dealing
with his establishment on this system
would lead to many more. Let US now
look for moment at the brilliant result
of this theory. The business done by the
Bon Marche In 1852 did not represent
half million francs, whereas in 1859 it
represented twenty-one millions. 1t now
(and has done for the past few years)
represents sixty and eighty millions
franc yearly"
The Magasin de Louvre Is like 4 gay
hotel in a great city. A palace in its
architecture, covering an immense square;
each window inscribed with special
commodity; all ponderous, heavy, sub
stantial, and rather English in the luxur-
ious surroundings. A vast castle of pol
ished hardwood floors, marble columns,
section after section, story above story,
of silks, laces, wo0llens, linens, velvets,
costumes, carpets, oil cloths, tapestries,
infinite individualand household conceits.
Here the motto Is order, system and
cleanliness. All the goods are specially
cared for, as if large figures had been paid
for them. They are shown with courte-
sy by polite attendants, and then daintily
laid away. The gretiring and robing
rooms for ladies, the room in which lay
figures wear the latest styles, the hand
some women who sell and the evidently
rich dowagers who buy, the hundreds Of
red wagons of the company, with their
gay horses and dandy drivers, dashing
out with parcels to the different parts OF
the brilliant city, and the rows Of empty
vehicles waiting for lords, or for the pur-
chasing throngs inside the busy Magasin;
these, with the shouts Of the police, the
cries of the street vendors, the moving to
and fro of the uniformed comnissiondires,
create confusion worse cOnfounded,
puncuated by occasional bursts Of music
from the squares behind and before you.
But the American is not easily dazed.
He has experienced the not less extraor-
binary collections of merchandise in the
United States. do not write to adver-
tise any special American enterprise, nor
to do full Justice to local European trade;
my object is simply to show how this
new retail system has expanded in all
countries; how it has led up to great dis
coveries how it has increased the inten-
tive faculties Of advertises; how it has as
sisted artists and newspapers how it has
taxed intellects ofthe highest order; how
it has reduced prices for the people, and
increased profits for the merchants and
how finally, it has made consumers more
comfortable and producers more pros
porous. There are two names in this
connection that deserve mention mean
the late A. L. Stewart, of New York,
and the living John Wanamaker, OF
Philadelphia. s@f
In 1854 first met A. r. Stewart dur
ing the administration Of President
Pierce, whose great friend he was, and
rarely visited New York, after that with
out seeing him, frequently dining at his
house. He entertained a great dea
was full of conversation, enjoyed his
work, loved art, had tempting library
and possessed the high gifts of organiza'
ton, courage, secrecy, and busines:
integrity. Born in the County of An
trim, Ireland, few miles from Belfast
December the 1",1s03, was. % lly three
days old when his father died. His
mother was his Mentor; under her tut
tion and that Of his grandfather he was
sent to good schools and acquired
classical education. At sixteen, with
little means and fair education (in 1879
with no definite ambition but love Of his
books, he came to this country. He
spent several years in his studies
taught school in New York city, not SC
much for living as for occupation, and
finally, about the time he came of age
had half-resolved to return to ireland
to receive his patrimony ($10,0OO) by
his grandfather, whena friend advised
him to 90 into trade in that then young
metropolis. Stewart answered 81
know nothing about trade. l cannot
buy hat or a pair of gloves without get
ting some one to pick them out for me-
"Nonsense," was the reply of his friend
Mr.. Chambers ego back to Belfast ,wher'
YOU were born buy insertions and seal
lop trimmings; spend all your little for
tune, and you will double your little
fortune on your return" He sailed tt
Ireland, found his patrimony reduced tt
$4,000, which he invested as advised
returned, and in company with hi
friend, began b, siness at 2S, Broadway
on rent of 1916 year. That is th'
way he started his matchless career.
Here he grew aPace, meeting ever!
competition and crisis with cool prepare
ton, and facing and riding over panic
and disasters with ready re- ources buy
ing boldly at auction, buying real estate
attracting fashion by his taste and econo
my by his low prices, fixing public con
? fidence by his cash example, and creating
envy aud emulation among his astonish
!; ed and angry rivals by his tact, sobriety
l cholarship, and canny Scotch sagacity
3 No part of his capital serUed him NOR
> than his lOue of books, his passion 70
!, pictures, and his fitness for high society
e If these qualities could be more closel
copied in this country, trade would noun
y to level with the professions. And
J, gladly see that Stewards literary an
!. classic tastes are fast becoming customar
among these millionaire merchants, eve
as l regret to notice that the CROWN
crop of poor lawyers and poor doctors i
'. some parts of the country is made up Q
. men who suppose that law and physi
n are trades that any pretender can follow
5 Trade and scien 'e and Journalism requir
! much perseverance, and thorOughness
d and are, therefore, poducingr new clas
:, ofleaders. Ourpoliticians have beentake
!, from the idlers and demagogues in bot
q sections and parties; butt can also fore
! see their downfall, and the reign of th
cultivated men in trade, skilled labol
= and finished science.
a Mr.. Stewards growth to wealth wa
= like the growth of the National Treasur
q at Washington. His hands were on tn