New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-02-23
action, believing it to be right, nothing could turn

him aside or thwart him.
It has been said that John Jacob Astor was
"close" man in business affairs. lie was, put ne
was neither selfish nor stingy as his great chari'lc
will show. But he was eXacting 10 nhe uesiec
of scrupulousness in seeking to acquire all U'oV
was his due More than that he would not ac-
cent. and no one could persuade him TO receive
less.
lie was passive student in COLUMBIA Oohegc'
from which institution he was graduated IN Io4l'
Occupying position at neither the hl9hesU ol
lowest grade in his class he went through MS
course creditably but without distinction. lie
studied as he lived in after years, as IL he had
annie power 10 comprehend all things, but held
his mowers in reserve, as though 10 avoid the ac-
ouisition of distinction nOtoTlety. Alter his
graduation Mr. Astor went TO Paris, and hNed
there long enough TO acquire thorough kho"l-
edge of the French language. lie then spent a
similar time in Berlin for the purpose OF mastering
German He was extremely successful in these
studies lie spoke, read and wrote French ana
German as well as he did English, and these ac-
complishments delighted himself more than any
thing else in his life.
Mr. Astor travelled through Europe for year
or two after finishing his studies. and saw a Sreab
deal of the world-itS glitter, pomp and SNOW as
we'll as its dark trappngs of misery and mis-
fortune. Calm and cool as he was. he was beyond
the reach Of temptation, and even as youth WAeh
thrown in the way of tempters, he never allowed
himself TO find out whether there were Within
him the seeds of abnormal desires. lie had the
means 10 crafty any taste, however IAuilous
il might have been, but he avoided experiments
calculated to develop unhealthy characteristics
with philosophical contemplation Of the worth
of the results to be achieved lie measured every
thing and founded his decisions upon meIlt
always.
His father. William B. Astor. was one of the
most finely educated Of men, having spent many
wears under the private tuteage of Chcvaher
Won Bunsen, in Germany, and having acquired
wide knowledge of the literature of the world,
an,ient and modern. John Jacob sought TO
emulate his father in this respect. and UP TO
the day of his death devoted his leisure largely
10 his books. lie much better reader or
listener than a talker. Reading indeed. was
his chief enjoyment lie had a great fondncsS
for purely literary and philosophical works, and
when his friends of whom there was a small but
intimate circle, could draw him out of himself,
he surprised them by the width of his information
and his mastery of the knotty problems OF science
and philosophy.
These intimate friends have said of him that
he was one of the best business men in New-lorh
City. Although he had studied law in the Office
of Jacob Miller and was admitted TO the bar, he
never practised lis profession, but devoted his lie
10 caring for the immense property left 10y his
father He regarded this as sacred trust to ne
administered for the perpetual honor of the family
He RECOGNIZED the fact that he had a high place
TO maintain in business and society, anu to 90
this successfully his highest ambition lie
acquired thorough KNOWLEDGE Of all laws re-
atng to property, and of those involving IN
1ricate problems of national, municipal and per-
Inc Inlr al
inestimablc value TO him in his real estate In
vestlnents in which he exhibited the same shrcwG
and accurate Judgment which characterized his
father and grandfather Men knew John Jacob
Aston as one who had the highest sense Of honor
and morality and an intensely charitable DIS
position. Ills wife at her death left the bulk OF
her property to him, and the income from II
was entirely devoted to charity. IT was upon
this fund that he drew for many large gifts IN
Guiding his contributions TO the Astor Library
and the Cancer Hospital.
John Jacob Astor was in the trucst sense
characteristic Newly orNer. lie foAder o!
living here than anywhere else in tie world. lie
never travelled much in this country and III ali
his life was never further West than Chlce9o
lie made frequent tips to Europe, believing mat
The sea VoYa4e would benefit his health, but pre-
ferred 70 i've IN Newly orr the yc'r lodnd H.
fact, lie did live Acic, winter ANA summer, solho
lng the most heated tcraA.
Inc characteristic OF Mr. Aston which caused
Linn 10 avoid making his personality ODru'l'e
was ike another That prompted MN 10 d 9!i ~"}
display Of BIS wealth. lie was Su!roa '"cd "a "a
home by eycrytiing TINT was simple, Nc- elG-
giant ami CnON Iuc. lie dlScOuntcNdNcci, anu
an fact, wOuld noo permit any attempt al d.
play by any member of his family. IL was one
OF Mr.. Astors intimate associates VINO. 1ca'cF-
day, in speaking az his modc>tY, said: Men with
Onc-quarter OF tie money MIR. Astor possessed have
nade twenty tncs as much display III tins cl'J
he ever did
Mr. Aston liked TO entertain his friends Gle
gantly, bat lie never gave q dinner with the
idea of showing how richly it could he served Ia
his house. His guests were invited 10 get en-
iOymcnt. hot 10 witness spectacle. lie gathered
about his board mon VINO Lad made their marx
in some career oil life. ana there aye ie" % DIS
tinctiOn In the city, either In politics, finance
literature business, whom he mas not enter
tanned in Quiet and strictly private way HIS
guests were invited TO come into his home and
10 be lat home" there while they remained,
and in the art Of gathering congenlal people TO-
gcther he master.
Office Of the estate in Princc.st., Just West
of Broadway. About twelve years ago it was
removed to it's present place III Wcs' Twtntr f.
simple. He invariably walked TO his Office. which
he reached at o'clock every morning, No matter
how stormy the weather. or how cold, he refused
10 ride town town. lie would attend to the
business Of the Office from until l.? clock every
morning, and al the latter hour would walk down
to the Office of his counsel, in Wall-st., with
whom he would be clOsetcd for an hour or more
Then, after partakng of a light luncheon at some
downtown cafe he would return on foot to hi
office at o'clock At 3 o'clock he would leave
business for the day and walk to his
home lie had an aversion for car
riagcs and stTcct-carS and never rode In
them excepting when he was in the country
Up TO two years ago he travcrSed long distance
in the city on foot. believing that the exercise
was necessary 10 his health His evenings al
most always were spent at home reading HI
rarely attended the opera and still more seldom
the theatre. He preferred the quiet of his hOm
circle to any Of the alurements OF the city a
night. Up TO fifteen wears ago his home was fur
nished with colo simplicity, his tastcs being thoS
Ill ll.ir I'm Il.o 4