Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1886-05-21
THE FARMER-PRINCE.
Torlonia, of Rome--Hiss Magnifi-
oence and Worth.

A small item in the papers records
the death Of Prince Alexander Torlonia,
of Rome. Besides being a prince he
was The richest man in Italy, and, per-
haps, If the truth were known, the
richest man in the world. In 1929 his
father died aud left him a tremendous
fortune. This immense sum Prince
Torlonia increased, principally by
gigantic agricultural improvements in
Italy and investments in buildings in
Rome. His wealth at the time of his
death must have been something enor-
nous, and il is all inherited by his only
daughter, who Is married to one Of the
Borghcso family, ber husband having
taken the name Of Torlonia. About
four years ago ! had the pleasure of
meeting Prince Torlonia twice during
stay In Rome. The first interview
came about in this way; The Rev. Mr.
Van Meter, who for many years has
labored increasingly In Rome. estab-
fishing schools and accomplishing great
works, both educational and evangel-
icaR in the old city, was personal
friend Of Prince Torlonia. II Is rather
strange that the most uncompromising
Protestant in Rome, and a man
who has deliberately chosen poverty
as his lot in life that he might
spend all he receives for the benefit
of others, should be friend Of the
most uncompromising Catholic and the
richest man In Italy. But such was the
case. Their friendship began about
plow. The Protestant clergyman was
tenant of house belonging to the
Catholic Prince. He knew the absorb
ing interest the Prince had in all mat
ters pertaining to agriculture. He also
knew the wretched appliances the peas
antry of Italy had for the tilling OF the
ground. Mr.. Van Meter wrote to the
Gale Manufacturing Company of Ameri-
CO and told them that he wanted to pre-
sent frst-class American pillow to the
great farmer-prince of Italy. The CON-
pany manufactured plow with all the
modern improvements, finished it up In
the finest style and nickle-plated 1t This
implement was sent to the Rev. Mr..
Van Meter at Rome and he in turn pre-
sented II to Prince Torlonia. There
was a deal of diplomacy needed to In
duce the Prince TO accept the gift, but
the Clergyman was equal TO the occa-
sion and the American plow found quar-
ters in the Torlonia Palace. The Prince
was wonderfully pleased with II, and had
it set up in one Of the rooms of his pal
ace to be admired by his numerous
friends. He exhibited it in different
parts of Italy and wherever he could in
troducc the American plow to the soil
of that country he did so. He was
somewhat astonished and somewhat
disappointed that Mr.. Van Meter would
accept no return for the gift, but after
the plow episode the Torlonian Palace
had always an open door for the clergy
man and his friends. Mr.. Van Meter
invited me to visit the Prince with him,
and as my opportunities for conversing
with princes in America had been some
what limited | was very glad to accept
the invitation. The Torlonia Palace Is
situated in the very center of Rome
and, II | remember rightly, on the
Place di venezia. On the opposite side
of the square is the palacc,of one Of the
foreign embassies-1 think that of the
Austrian Government The Torlonia
Palace Is a huge square building, the
windows of which are barred with iron
Us II II were a prison. f
A great arched entrance led from the
square into spacious stone-paved court
with the usual fountain, and the WIN
dows of the four sides Of the palace look
ing down on 1t. Our party consisted of
Mr. and Mrs. John r. Whitney, of Phil
adelphia, and Broin Mawr, with the
Rev Mr.. Van Meter and myself. Pass
ing into large archway. wo turned
through door to the eftintothe center
Office of the Prince. 1t was full Of
clerks and had very much the appear
ance of an office Of wholesale house in
London. Passing through this we came
to another office of similar size in
which more clerks were engaged, and
then into a third office In which the
Prince sat at plain, flat-topped desk
with drawers down the sides, at his right
hand and his left. Opposite him sat his
private secretary. Farther on appeared
several rooms more luxuriously furn-
ished, and at the end, seen through the
vista Of doors from the first entrance
into this palace of bustling business was
the statue of q nymph In nure white