Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1895-05-10

which is still standing, and at tha
time was known as the house of til
red shield (Rothschild), lived Amsche
Moses, dealer in old coins. He wa
distinguished from other Jews of tn
same name by calling him Amsche
Mosscse de Rothschild, and he after
ward adopted the latter as sur
name.
When his turn came TO marry n,
took a wife from the family of one of tn,
neighbors and they had son whom
they named Mayer Amschel and edu
Gated for the priesthood. But the
ology was not to his taste so he oh
tained position in the banking hons,
OF man named Oppeheim, in Han
over, where he won an excellent repu
| tation, and by frugal habits MAS able
to save considerable portion of hi:
earnings.
In ITO he married Judula Schnappe
and returned to the old home in the
Judengasse Of Frankfort to carry on
his fathers business, which he en-
larged by dealing in bills of exchange
and bullion and by loaning money.
There are many interesting anec
dotes of his early career, but most ol
them are apocryphal. One is that the
landgrave of Hesse, during the French
invasion, deposited 36,0OO,0OO thalers
with him for safe keeping, and al
lowed him to use it for many years
after as if it were his own. While
this may not be true, it is historical
fact that Mayor Rothschild and the
landgrave became intimate friends
through mutual love for old coins
and antiquities, and that ultimately
the banker was intrusted with the
management OF the financial affairs of
the prince and was known as the
court Jew"
1t is also a historical fact that he
undertook to supply the duke OF Well
iugton with specie while the latter
was at the head OF the British army in
Spain, something that no English
banker was willing to attempt, and
that he cleared on this transaction an
annual commission of G150000 for
several years. His success in this
respect induced the British govern
ment to intrust him with the payment
OF enormous subsidies to various con.
tinental princes, upon which he made
large profit and great reputation.
Mayer Rothschild died in 1872, in
his 9th year, and left five sons-An.
selm, Solomon, Nathan, James and
Carl. just before his death he called
them around him, after the manner ol
Jacob, and, bestowing his blessing, en-
Joined them to remain faithful to the
law Of Moses, to combine their tai
ents and energies and to undertake
nothing without the advice Of their
mother.
The five sons established PEN
tarchy. Anselm, the eldest, retained
charge of the central house at Frank
fort, and the others founded branches
in Vienna, London, Paris and Naples,
respectively. The mother, who was q
very remarkable woman, lived until
1S49, and died in the old house in the
Judengasse at the age of &c. She was
distinguished for her rare judgment in
financial affairs, for her influence over
her sons, for the simplicity OF her
habits and for a conviction that the
success of the family depended upon
their retaining the old home from
which it derived its name.
Each of the sons became famous
Each became the prop OF throne
and by their united capital and abili.
ties, in obedience to the dying injunc-
ton of their father, they have been
able to control almost uninterruptedly
for three-quarters of a century the
money markets OF Europe. The Ma
pies house was abandoned after the
death OF the youngest son, but the
establishments in London, Paris
Frankfort and Vienna have grown in
wealth and influence. Although in
dependent in q measure, they have
always kept in close cooperation, and
in matters of financial policy have
acted as a unit.
The families have largely inter
married. The wives OF more than hal
the Rothschilds have been their owr
cousins, but the well-known theory o
heredity does not seem to have ap
piled to their race. Their physic q
and mental vigor has not been i'm
paired. According to the custom o
the Jews the oldest member of th'
family has always been treated as th'
patriarch, and as one and anothe
have passed away the veneratiol
which was paid them has been ofiere'
to the next of age without ever
question. And they have been equal
ly faithful to the law of Moses, ant
although Hannah, the daughter @
Lord Rothschild of London, marrie'
Earl Roseberby, there was a contrac
that at least one-half of their children
should be educated in the JEWS
faith.
Nearly all the family have at on
time or another received decoration
from the government they hay
served.
In 1915 the Emperor Francis {
Austria conferred upon them hered
tary title of nobility and, in 1872
raised them to the rank of baron. l
1876 Queen Victoria conferred tn
barone,age upon the English branc
, of the family and Louis Philippe upo
, the French.
g 1t was at the chateau of Baron A
phon.e Rothschild that the Emper'
: Louis Napoleon met the kasler
!. Germany to negotiate the treaty tn