Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-01-17
Had Money To Burn.

is taken Of millionaires, it may not be
out of place, says the Cincinnati Com
mercial Gazette, to recall few of an
cient times. 1t is known that in As
syria there were large masses Of gold
and that Darius received in tribute
from Persia as much as $l6,250,OOO
The Sacred Writings tell that Solomon
was immensely rich, that silver was
abundant in Jerusalem and that IN
one yearthe Kingreceived from Hiram
800 talents of gold, equal to $l6, ,25o'-
600.
In Greece Croesus possessed in land
ed property fortune equal to $780,
600, besides a large sum of money
slaves and furniture, which amounted
to an equal sum. He used to say that
a citizen who had not a fortune sutt-
cient to support an army or a legion
did not deserve the title of a rich man.
The wealth of Pytheno was estimated
at $l5,OOOOOO.
The philosopher Seneca acquired I'M
mense wealth under his pupil Nero,
but he was afterward put to death by
the tyrant and his fortune Of SIS, 500
600 confscated. The wealth of Len
tuilus, the soothsayer, was estimated
at $l7,5OO,OOO.
The debts of some of the great per-
sonages of ancient times were enor-
nous. Those of Milon amounted to
S3,OOO,OOO. julius Caesar before he
entered Office owed $l6,000,000; he
purchased the friendship of Curio for
81. 500 900. and that of Lucius Paulus
for ST,5OO,OOO. At the time ofCesars
assassination, Anthony was in debt to
the amount of 81, 100000 This sum,
which he owed in the Ides Of March,
was paid before the Kalends of April,
and he squandered Sl470oo,Ooo of
the public treasury.
Augustus obtained by testamentary
disposition as much as 100000, 900.
The Roman Emperor (Tiberius) at his
death left$llS,OOO,OO which Cadgula
spent in less than twelve months.
We have no such instance of a modern
spendthrift. One supper alone cost
him $l5O,OOO Vespasian, on ascend
ing the throne, estimated his expenses
at ST. 100000.
Appicus, noted epicure, who lived
in the time of Augustus, expended
$2,5OO,O00 in debauchery, and finding
on an examination of his state Of affairs
that he had no more than 100000
left he poisoned himself because he
considered that sum insufficient for his
maintenance. The efforts Of our nine
teenth century "plungers pale before
such instances.
julius Caesar gave Servida, the moth
er of Brutus, pearl valued at $4oO,-
900, and Anthony, at an entertain
ment given to him by Cleopatra, is
said to have swallowed one Of equal
value. which she dissolved in vinegar.
Claudius Aesopus, the comedian, ac-
cumulated an immense fortune, and
was very expensive in his manner o:
living. His son Claudius was noted
for his luxury, extravaganza and prodi-
gality, and not being able to get rid OF
his money fast enough, swallowed a
pearl worth $4,000. The Emperor
Heliogabalus spent 100000 on one
supper. The fish from the fish pond
of Lucullus, Roman general remarka-
bic for his great wealth and magnih-
cence, sold for $l75,O00.
Misalia gave 100000 for the house
of Anthony. Scaurus was immensely
rich; his country house was destroyed
bv FIRE and the loss estimated at a.
| 25OOOO Ohio, to finish part Of
Nero's palace, spent S2.4oO,000
Cicero had great number Of fine
houses in various parts Of Italy, some
reckon up 10 eighteen; all, with th'
exception of the family seat at Arpi'
nun, built by himself. Besides these
be had several small inns or resting
places IN passing from one villa 10 an
other
Immense sums were sometimes spen
by the wealthy Romanson their funera
professions. No fewer than six hun
dred couches, bearing the images 0
the deceased ancestors and statues 0
other great men, were carried befor
the corpse of Marcellus, and one thous
and before that of Sylla. besides whicl
the professions were attended by IN
Vulnerable musicians and singing wo
men, chanting the praises Of the de
ceased.
A young lady who heard Sam Jone
preach recently, tells the following