The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-14
THE MONEY SPENDERS.
Bradley-Martins but Feeble ImifatOrs
of the Ancient Roman.
buffalo Courier.


bali given by Mr.. and Mrs. Bradley Martin on
advertisement in advance by reason of the eX-
traordnary expense which the Bradley Martins
never been paraeIed in the history of private
entertainments in America. Mr.. Russell sage
profiigate period would have shrunk spend
ing $4,000 upon a single revei But IL Mr.. sage
means to imply that Americans are more
luxurious and prodigal than the Romans OF the
last days OF the republic and or the entire period
of the empire, ne viii hnd but few TO agree win
him. The fact that the Bradley Martin Lall ex-
cited much discussion is proof OF the rarity
The Roman spendthrift, once ne got started, ala
not relax his gait until ne dropped Somebody
ball cost Mr. Bradley Martin sls,o0O Lucullus,
VINO the first Roman to make his fellow
ury, had in mis- city house several dining rooms.
pare the slave knew precisely how much TO
spend upon the repast. Two friends, VINO
thought 10 catch him with cold shoulder OF
mutton, meeting him one Gay at the bath, told
him they would like to sup with hlm mat even
ing Wnereupon, turning to his slave, Lucullus
told him to spread the table in the Apollo cham
ber-nothing more. When the two o. TRENDS ENDS o,
feast which cost their host not less than $1,000.
But even the extIavagances of Lucuus Were
caprices in devising ways OF spending their own
plumber and that OF eminent citizens must have
Illus was 10 send word to senator that he would
dine with HIM on such a day, and as Nitellius
under 10000 the senator more often than not
ruined himself in providing the feast which was
precisely the point of joke with Nitellius.
1t was dificult to make feast costly in
those days when $50 were sometimes given Tor
a pair OF squads. and the tongues OF thrushes
ana nightingales were worth their weight in gold.
Besides, il was the fashion TO give souvenirs 10
one 3 guests. Heliogabalus had his guests draw
lots after one OF his dinners and the gifts thus
distributed varied from ten elephants. richly
caparisoned. TO the most worthless bauble. Calf
gula at one Of his feasts made gift OF $4,000
to shy peed With the daneP s
fore him, gave the cook a city in Armenia, with
spplied ehep1ets to his guests which cost sl, ooo
and for the roses that decked the table another
SO, coo were spent.
A patrician dinner in Nero's time far more
sumptuous than anything we dream of nowadays:
left that duty to number of his sycophants.
After the guests had been arrayed in banqueting
robes, and had had their street sandals replaced
by softer footgear. Egyptian slaves poured per
fumed snow water over their hands from golden
vases. Reclining gold and purple touches
around the table they awaited the preliminary
dishes and young children anointed their heads
with precious perfumes The nrst course: which
sisted of lettuce. olives. pomegranites Danas-
Gene plums, forcemeat balls of crab and lobster
champignon and egg sauces peacock's eggs, each
containing a fat roasted ortolan. and honeyed
wine. TO recount the menu of the dinner proper
would weary one unless he were going to prove
its excellence. There not really the variety
at a Roman banquet that one may see at moe
est dinner of our period, but the Roman cook
had the knack Of making the most OF what he
had and preparing Il in great variety OF ways
The conclusion of the entertainment was not
very different from what may be
feaStS which we near fnucn ABOUT IN these days
The gentlemen made themselves easy, while
strolling players diverted them with broad
farces. gymnasts exhibited the latest tricks pres
tdgitateurs made free with the dishes and
coined handfuls of drachnas out of thin air.
little Egyptian sinEous Spanish girls
performed dances which even the ingenious au-
dacty Of moderns has not paraleled. Fol-
lowing the retirement of the girls. IL
uncommon to introduce gladiators and have them
fight 10 the death. the guests blase with the
scenes of many afternoon in the Colosseum
looking with more or less interest the blood
OF their entertainers spured upon the table cloth
of gold and purple.
The cost CT such dinner prodigious. but
the wealth that made X POSSIBLE aIso
prcdisiCus. The Roman cOnquerors brought home
fro the East wagon trains filled with gold and
silver. heaps OF fabrics and throngs OF slaves.
and the vast wealth thus wrunS from the popu-
latons Of Asia Minor and Egypt. as well IS from
thousands OF provinces in the North and
West. all contributed increase the luxury and
vice which by and by overwhelmed the empire
in rim.
The sources of wealth in time different.
VERY recent industry, self-denial and thrift
at the root of every fortune in America But
when thousands OF great fortunes thus
amassed. when thousands OF citizens have
care but the spending OF those fortunes. is IL
likely that the widespread luxury thus engen-
dered will be less ,nimical TO private and public
virtue than IL has proved TO be In the past?
That Is the serious question. and IL becomes more
serious when the luxurious habits OF are