The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-04-29
EUROPE's RICHEST FAMILY.
The HOthschilds---Sumc Of their Habits,
Likes, Dislikcs and Peculiarities.

rue OF their Habits,
Likes, Dislikcs and Peculiarities.
The head Of the French branch of the
Rothschild family, says a Paris letter, is
the Baron Alphonse de Rothschild. He
is the financier Of the family, and the
faithful continuer Of the traditions of
his father, the late Baron James. He is
an indefatigable worker-up earlier than
most Of his clerks, and one Of the first
to enter the Office. He takes his lunch
in the bank, and never leaves it till the
doors are closed. He posses an intel
lect at once cool and luminous he sees
a situation at a glance, and all the adj
yantages that can be derived from it.
He has not only the temperament of q
financier, but the science Of finance. In
Paris he is fond of walking about the
streets, and he may be seen on foot, not
only when he leaves the bank, but after
dinner, or leaving a party. He does not
care for show, and no passer-by is at
tracted by the splendor Of his equipages.
In the country he hunts and shoots,
more for the sake Of his health than
from any passion for the chase. His
wife, a beauty, with the temperament of
an Englishwoman, is a more ardent fol-
lower of sport than he is, is constant in
her attendance at race meetings, and
may be seen in the spring mornings,
however late she may have left the ball,
galloping in the Bots. She is devoted
~patroness of the theatre, and is II OF
the grandes e~legantes of Partisan high
life. But while associating with them,
she never initiates tl,eir luxury of dress
of their p%retensions to originality. Her
dresses are always simple, and her jewels
never indicate the treasures of which
she is mistress.
Baron Alphonse has three children.
The eldest, Bettina, passed her examens
d'institutrice at the Hotel de Vile, when
she was in her sixteenth year. She is
the wife of her cousin, Albert Roths-
child, of Vienna. The second daughter,
Beatrix, is said to promise both grace
and beauty. The son is still young.
Baron Gustave looks after the external
relations of the banking house. He is
less cold and reserved than his brother
Alphonse, and is a conspicuous member
of the Jockey Club, where he is n Of
the most determined players. His wife
one day complained that her husbands
losses at the club amounted in one year
to a hundred thousand crowns. "Be
thankful, my DEAR" said the old lady
whom she was addressing, ga passion
for the queen of spades will not disturb
the household of a Rothschild." The
Gustave, like all the other la
dies of the house of Rothschild, is well
acquainted with the larger transactions
of the house. The late emperor only
once during his reign visited the magni-
ticent chateau of Ferrieres, celebrated
nowas having been the King of Prussia's
headquarters. He passed the day there.
The male members of the firm were in
attendance to receive their guest, and
the Baroness Gustave had for that day
signature of the firm.
Baron Edward cares little for the huc-
tuations of the Bourse. He is q biblio-
phile enrage. The rivalry between him
and the Duke d'Aumale for the posses
sion of rare works has raised the price
of all curious or ancient editions. With
such buyers in the market there is no
chance now of the humble bibliomaniac
finding a treasure among the bouquins
of the Quais. Baron Edward is not a
selfish collector. He supplies means
and encouragement for the publication
of rare editions, and he is a great con
noisseur in bindings. His wife, AIDE
laide, was one Of the Prussian Roths-
Charlotte, the sister of these three
brothers was, by q custom not unusual
among Continental Jews, married to her
uncle, Baron Nathaniel. Her eldest son,
who is married to another cousin,
Therese, has been called lately to the
bar. He has even held q brief in court,
and he lost his case with the best grace
in the world. He is usually regarded as
the probable successor of his uncle AL
phonse, whose industry he shares, and
whose teachings he follows. A younger
brother, Arthur, is q man of generous
and lively disposition. He values his
wealth for the pleasures which it pro-
cures for him and his friends. He tries
his hand at everything. He isan officer
of artillery in the territorial force, a post
obtained only by a eve examination /;
he is a passionate hunter and an ardent
yachtsman. He has the finest yacht in
France. Two years ago he projected an
expedition to the East, and enrolled as
companions of his travels a number of
He has written a "Historie de
la Post" an excellent monograph, and
he has formed a collection of postage
valued at SIC, 1000.
The mother of the two Rothschilds
I IL Du.- nI..1-lLu