The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-07-24
Rich Men of Europe.
From London Times.

From London Times.
For many years the richest individual
in all Russia was Herr Steiglitz. When
he retired from affairs in 1860 he held
property to the value of nearly 100000
pounds sterling. But the richest men in
the land of the czars at the present time
are the two Noble brothers. They are of
Swiss origin. While travelling through
interior Russia they saw thousands of acres
of land aglow with the light of oil gas
They at once purchased entire districts of
the apparently worthless fields, sunk oil
wells, and now control more petroleum than
any other concern in the world. Their
wealth is really beyond calculation, though
correspondent thinks that $4,000, 600
pounds sterling is not an extravagant estl-
mate.
1t is to the Rothschild's, however, that
L.lougs the honor of being richest among
men. Their united properties-and their
properties must be considered as united
from rather peculiar family and business
relation-pass even beyond the millions.
In the last twelve years they have loaned
to certain European governments nearly
90,OO0,0O0 pounds sterling Their lordly
power is shown in modern instances. In
1866 the Prussian government demanded
an indemnity of 100000 pounds sterling
from the city of Frankfort. The head of
the Rothschild house in that city sent word
to Count Bismarck that ifany attempt was
made to force the levy he would break
every bank in Berlin, and Bismarck was
compelled to give way. The enormous
wealth of the Rothschilds is doubly re-
markable from the fact that the family was
totally unknown a century ago. Inferior
only to the Rothschilds are the Barring
brothers, who have at instantaneous COM
mand' 6O,OOO,OOO pounds sterling. 1t is
noteworthy that the Barings owe their com
nlerClal TlSe W al AmSlAOau, nj w imam
Bingham, of Philadelphia, who many years
ago had the house appointed the American
agency in London.
Among the richest of monarchs is the
czar of Russia, who enjoys from his per-
sonal estate an income of 1000, 900 pounds
sterling. The sultan of Turkey is allowed
for the support of his court over l 100000
pounds sterling. In addition to this he has
private income of 100000 pounds sterl-
ing. The emperor of Austria is granted a
yearly allowance of 92,5O0,O0 sterling.
There are several noblemen in England
who have immense wealth at their COM
mand. The dukes of Buccleuch, Devon
shire and Norfolk and the marquis of Butte
have each of them rent rolls of 100000
pounds sterling per annum. The duke of
Portland, who died recently, left unentailed
property of over 100000 pounds sterl-
ing. The greater part of his palace was
constructed underground. His banquet
hall, ballroom, riding-school and number
of superb guest-rooms are veritable tunnels,
decorated in fashion SO splendid as to
seem, when described, like story of the
Magi.
Richer even than any Of these million
aires is the duke of Westminster, who un-
doubtedly has the largest income of any
individual in the world. His fortune lies
largely in the diametrically opposite regions
of London known as the West End and
Seven Dials. He owns acres upon acres of
the most aristocratic domain in London,
and his tenements cover miles in the world.
His income quite passes the limit of the
credible, and is said by some to amount to
10 pounds sterling minute.