The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-01-14
THE LATE DUKE OF PeRTLANKl.
His Eccentric Ways and normous
Fortune.
London Truth /


Fortune.
london 1ruthl
The late Duke of Portland's real and
personal estate was {roughlyl as follows:
His Welbeck property was worth f56, 600
per annum, and he derived ETC, 600 per
annum from the royalties on coal pit.
This property, however, contains coal
which, if worked, would bring in, on an
estimate made few years ago, above
100000 per annum. Besides this, a
portion of it, which is now let for agricul-
tural purposes, is close by Nottingham,
and might be let on building leases. His
Northumberland property was worth
$4,000 per annum. A great portion of
this was derived from what are locally
called "way leaves"-that is to say,
tells for the right Of hauling coal over
roads.
In Caithness he had property worth
$4,000 per annum. He had originally
bought an estate there for $4,000, and
lie had, by subsequent purchases in the
same county, expended as much more.
He had lease of his house in Cavendish
square, which has still about fifty years
to run. In London his freehold property
was worth about 100000 per annum,
and in Ayrshire he possessed estates worth
100000 per annum. Besides this he had
about f1,000,0 900 invested in good securi
ties, and there was f110,000 at his bank.
ers when he died.
By the will of his grandfather, Gen.
eral Scott, the London freehold property
passes to the sisters of the Duke-Lady
Ossulton, Lady Harriet Bentick, and
Lady Howard de Walden. Of these
three ladies, the latter only has children,
and, on their death, the whole will pass
to Lord Howard de. Walden. All the
rest of the property, real and personal,
with the exception of the balance at the
bankers, goes under stringent entail
and settlement.
The Benticks of the generation to
which the Duke of Portland belonged
had many peculiarities; they were sell
dom on good terms with each other. A
good many years ago gentleman went
on visit to Welbeck. All the other
guests were relations. At dinner time,
on the day of his arrival, each relation
talked to him, and to no one else. He
could not understand the meaning Of
this until the next day, when he discov-
cred that not one of the relations was
on speaking terms with any other.
The late Duke was fine, handsome
old man, and his mania for the existence
of a recluse was not due, as used to be
asserted during his lifetime, to any phys.
ical cause. Except that he occasionally
suffered from boils, he seems to have
been in the main healthy. But this
mania grew upon him. At Welbeck he
was attended almost solely by servant
who had long been in his employ. He
died of general sinking of the system
but even to the last he would not allow
his doctor to enter his room. In his way
he was generous. A little time ago he
told forester to meet him on certain
day in a plantation. The forester said
that his daughter was to be married on
that day, and asked him whether the
next day would do as well? No, he
must come on that day. On finding
himself, according to appointment, with
the Duke in the plantation, he received a
check of $1,000 as a marriage present fol-
his daughter. On another occasion, one
of his tenants, widow, who held a farm
rented at 9600 per annum, wrote to i'm.
plore him to give her time to pay hel
rent. No, she must pay it to the hour
This she did, and the next day it was
returned to her.
OF his subterrapean borings many
stories are told. His subterranean chape
fell in year ago, but it appears that ht
had also built himself a new house above
) ground in his park, in the style of {
French chateau. On his Caithness prop
erty he determined two years ago tt
; build house. Workmen were sent frou
Welbeck. The house, which is entirel.
!, built of concrete, was not completed OF
his death. The Duke had passion TO
I precious stones and for ancient binding
l Of books, He has left very valuable
collection both of jewels and books.
: The present Duke pleased every on
! at the funeral by his tact and good feel
I ings. He is tall, manipulating youth
! and is very popular with his brothe
! officers. A few years ago he wrote to tn
! Duke to ask him what he was to dc
r The Duke replied by making him a
allowance of $4,000 per annum, two
> thirds of which he gave to his steI
: mother. A little time afterward b
caused it to be communicated to, tn
a Duke that, as he had never seen him, b
u y would be glad to pay his respects to hin
= The Duke replied that he need n'
/. . trouble himself.
Drunken Robins In Louisiana.