Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-03-15
The ROthSChildS.
The English Founder of the House
His Three NephewS.
All Remarkable For Their Generosity.
Philadelphia Times.

PhlladelpEna 1llleS.
Hard by old London's Stone, that time
worn relic of the eleventh century, which
the curious may still gaze upon as it
stands protected from implous hands by
a light iron railing III front of the old
church in Cannon street, Darrow lane
runs northward connecting the busy
| highway with King William street. Half
way up this lane of ST. Swlthin. an unpre-
| tentious thoroughfare some two hundred
yards ia length, with d ten foot roadway
and narroE sidewalks, wide archway,
protected by handsome iron gates, gives
entry to g noble courtyard. well kept
drive, daily rolled and often relaid with
the brightest of red gravel, sweeps in q
circle round the open court, embracing q
counterpiece the isded Londoners NOV
ing up or down the lane will often pause
moment to look upon.
Ia the rear of the courtyard stands n
substantial but somewh at sombre looking
building three stories high. 1t is built of
a gray stone, and, unlike the somewhat
forid gateway of the courtyard. boasts of
no architectural pretensions whatever.
But a few years have passed away
since Baron Meyer, the uncle of the
three present members of the English
house, resigned supreme in st. Swithin's
lane. Ae was possibly the most able
fnancier of all the Rothschilds, past and
present. To write of the petty princes
he saved from financial annihilation by
timely loans of the European govern
ments whose "promises TO pay" he ne
gotiated when vast amounts had to be
raised at short notice on the security of
revenue or the railroads he capitalized
- N.l
to fill book of portentous volume. For
many years past Uritish investors have
had complete confidence in any loans,
bonds or enterprises fioated by the Roth
schilds and as this confidence has never
been abused by the great Anglo Dutch
inanciers, the magic name of RothschiId
Is to-day all poaerful to sscure unlimited
financial backing for any new venture to
which 1t may be lent.
BARON MEYER.
Potent as has been the name of the
house in London financial circles for 6
century and more, the late Baron Meyer
during his reign In st. Swithin's lane
largely extended its operations and if
possible enchanoeo its credit. Easy to
approach and simple in manner, with
ont a trace of haGghciness or Impotence
70 his daneanor, this daily handler of
ll1ons afforded a striking contrast to
the average London banker, who Is to-
day as in the past as difficult of access,
save to those provided with gilt-edged
lntroduct1ons, as the emperor of China
or the lord lieutenant of Ireland. The
baron vas very regular in his attendance
at the banking house and during busi-
ness hours was accessible TO all cOmers,
whether on business bent or seeking his
AID or advice. His charity was unbound
ed and he was at times absolutely over
run by the penuriOus, to whom, if de5erv-
ing, his purse-strings were ever open.
His ono relaxation from the cares and
worrinept of business was an almost
lavish Indulgence in the snort of horse
racing, but his interest was confined to
the pure elements of the sport, the trails
of speed and endurance of the thorough
breds; for him the gambling arena had
no charms.
Baron Rothschiid was an extensive and
in his later years, a higher successful
breeder of thoroughbred stock. He was
staunch in his devotion to his favorite
sire, King Tom, horse he retained as
lord of his equine harem for years with
most dishearteoing results. But the re-
ward of perseverance, came at last, and
I he victory of his colt Favornius in the
Derby of 1871, al of his fiIly Hannah.
named after his only child, the present
countess of ROsebery, in the Oaks two
days later, placed the great fpancier in
the proud position of owner and breeder
of the best colt and FLY of the season
Baron RothsohIld also maintained at his
expense magnificent pack of stag
hounds for hunting Ill and around the
Vale of Ayiesbury, but the master BY
courtesy was NJ great horseman, sno
rarely took part in the pleasures of the
chase. Nor did the great tinancier shine
cons picuOusly in social life, although in
vitations to the receptions at his graud
house In Piccadiliy were eagerly sought
after, as everybody was sure to put iu
an appearance at a RothschiId night
English royalty and the RothschiIds have
always got on very well together, and one
might be pretty sure of meeting two or
three royal highnesses whenever the sa-
looms of the great Hebrew financier were
thrown open for ball or a dinner. Here,
among the members of the British peer
age, came the young earl OF Roseberv. a
Scotch noble, neither rich nor particular
ly azure as to blood, tor does be not trace
his descent on the male side from a
thoroughly plebeian Primrose9 But the
glamor of the young earis cornet, coup
led with comely face and form, captur-
ed the affections of Hannah, the only
daughter of the house, and in due course
the Christian earl led the Jewish maiden
tosthe altar and swore to guard and cher
ish her and her million sterling of dover
for life.
NATHANIEL.
Some ten years sgO the old baron
upsed svay tulI 0f wears IaaviDr bab;,5