The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-04-08


broad framework of ivory so deliberately
carved that the work took two years to
complete. Wallpapers, however costly, are
now never used in papering the principal
rooms of a milionaire's house. The finest
silk fabrics give a sheen and luster which
put wallpaper in the shade.
Needless to say, it requires something
out of the ordinary to crafty the taste
of millionaire in the matter of pianos.
When Nine. AnchoTene, in Buenos Ayres,
gave some 100000 for an especial make,
following the Queen of Portugafs exam
pie, who gave about the same sum, the
world stared and wondered. What will
people say to f38,O00, which was the sum
actually paid for the most expensive piano
ever made?
Here, again. the costliness of ivory make
itself felt, for so intricate and minute was
the design of the five-inch ivory band
which runs around the base of the instru-
ment that after three and a half years
incessant labor the brain of one of the
two brothers engaged on the work entirely
gave way. The great beauty, however, of
the instrument lies in the case, the deco
rations Of which were designed and exc
cuted by one r. A.-aithough two were en-
gagged, at Fl, 800 each, to do the work
Following the example of one of the r.
AS mentioned in connection with the
forty panels-who, on learning that his
work was to go on top, and not inside the
panel clapped an additional 600 on to his
price-he agreed to allow the exquisite
panel he had prepared to be fixed inside
the piano, where, of course, it will never
be seen, for an additional $3.50, which was
paid.
If ever the palace in which this piano
reposes is robbed it is to be hoped the
instrument win not attract the attention
of the thieves, for the four sapphire eyes
of the two ebony eouchant lions are
worth $3.50 apiece
But 1t is when laying down or buying
plate and wine that the modern millionaire
opens his purse-strings. He has been
known to reject saddles from Morocco Of
fered him at 200 guineas each, and de-
clares ESQ too dear for Tunis rugs worn
threadbare by much kneeling of the chill
dren OF Allah; but in the matter of plate
and wine he recks little of the cost,
Inc plate of the millionaire-who a few
years since was comparatively poor as
sumed during last year such proportions
that it is now looked after by a gentle
man with a salary of $500 year. with
four assistants to keep it clean.
Not long since, I am told, some rare
wine, every bottle sealed and every cork
stamped with the crest of Prince Meter
Mich, was sent to a west-end wine dealer
to sell. The millionaires who attended in
response to the invitations issued bid so
Iurlously against each other that the wine
merchant was able to wire the impover-
ished county family who sent him the
wine that he had sold it all for f10
bottle.
The desire of the millionaire to hold
monopoly is strongly shown in wines.
Having been told that the vineyard which
produces the one especial brand comprises
only seven acres, one South African offer
ed to buy the entire yield for the next
ten years at Is guineas a bottle. As,
however, the bulk of the wine is divided
among the crowned heads Of Europe, the
offer was declined.
The Marquis of Bath has in his cellars
at Longleat some of the famous Lester
vein Of 1910, the golden color and beauti-
full bouquet of which are still unimpa!red
When it was announced in the papers
that the death duties had hit the present
marquis very heavily, a certain Million
aire offered him 10000 for the contents OF
his wine cellar. The offer was declined.
Money melts quickly in a mill!onaire's
stable, especially when the ladies of his
household ride and drive. 1t is simply
wonderful how delicate are horses which
cost over 5000 guineas. 1t is the same
with the billiard room. When a billiard
room costs $500 to fit up, it Is not sur
prising that the cues are inlaid with gold
and that the marking board is made of
silver