Washington sentinel., 1898-04-23
Rich Men.

lish sort OF golden book" of the
aristocracy OF wealth. AT the price
OF 6aso, or some such figure,
work is to be published-bY SUBJ
scription, we presume-which will
contain a full and particular ac-
count OF all the millionaires Of the
world, beginning with the Roths-
childs, and going down, we sup
pose, to the bFtste Ao6IesSe of trade
and finance - persons like the late
Mr.. Lea, of Worcester sauce fame,
whose will Of over a million ster-
ling was proved lately. Unques-
tionably book OF the kind we have
indicated should prove very curl
Gus and interesting reading. Ii
would probably show the world
that its rich men are not, as is often
supposed, confined to few areas
but are scattered about in all the
FIVE continents, and appear also in
places which are generally sup
posed not to contain examples of
the species. For example, Ger
many is not generally regarded as
a land of rich men, and yet the
golden book should have a very
large section devoted to Germany
and Austria Hungary, 1t is true
that most Of the names would have
Prince before them, but being OF
the royal blood does not alter the
fact Of wealth. Without counting
the private properties OF the sover-
eigns, who ought not to be in
cluded, there are a dozen or so
Teutonic highnesses whose wealth,
not merely in lands but in money,
is enormous. For example, that
OF the father Of the present Prince
OF Bulgaria was counted by many
millions sterling. Many of the
dethrcned monarchs, again, are
very rich, for yOi en- F.sil has ceased
to be synonym for poverty. No
one OF course knows the exact
wealth OF the Orleans family, but
it is very great, and even the Bour
bons are well of. Don Carlos, in
spite of the money he has spent in
Spanish or other adventures, is a
millionaire. The Russian Empire
would also make a good show, for
although the great landed propri-
etoTs have suffered oil late years,
many of the merchants and finan-
ciers have done exceedingly we'll.
II rumor is to be trusted, some OF
the officials are also very rich.
Fabulous sums are attributed to
one in particular. The millionaires
of Africa would, we suppose, be
confined TO Kimberley and the
Rand, but possibly there are some
large fortunes in Cairo among the
Levantine colony.
Asia will probably make a very
respectable show in the American
golden book. 1t is true that in
the Turkish and Persian Empires
millionaires are never long lived,
and this fact tends to their nom
existence; but for all that some of
the Smyrna Greeks and Damascus
Jews ought 20 be able to gain ad-
mission. India, on the other hand,
il the native princes who do not
possess sovereign rights are
counted. as hey must be, contains
a great number Of extremely rich
men. Not only are there mer-
chants in the great cities who are
worth several millions in personal
property, but there are also four
or FIVE great Zemindars who have
incomes which represent the inter.
est on two or three millions
sterling. The reaction against
thinking OF India as a place of
wealth has, in fact been carried too
far, and we are apt to forget that
prIncely fortunes are sill made and
kept there. The truth about the
Chinese fortunes would be most
curious il IT could be discovered.
Unfortunately it is the land of the
crypto-millionaires, OF the men
who live IN little low houses and
hoard gold ingots in the shape of
Naples biscuits. 1t is known,
however, that the Empress Dow
ager is among the richest, ifnot the
richest person, alive; while Ii
Hung Chang, unless he has lately
been plundered, which is unlikely,
must have vast wealth. Outside
China the Chinese are often very
rich, and dare to show their wealth.
For example. it is always said, and
as far as we know with truth, that
several OF the Chinese merchants
OF Singapore are men ofenormous
riches. With the American mil
lionaire it is hardly necessary to
deal. What place is not full ofthe
report OF his dollars1 1t should,
however be noted that while one OF