The times., 1898-08-07
A B|BL|0PHI[E's DISGRACE
Learned Expert in Rocks Cen
victed Of Theft.
history OF A CURIOUS GENIUS
Turned From Rocks to Cookery
and Broiicd Steaks in an Ali
Night Bowery Eating House-iad
Perfect Knowledge OF Art Work.
Deived in Rich Mems Libraries.

New York, Aug. 6.-There was SEN
fenced, yesterday. to imprisonment in the
penitentiary for year, the most ardent
book lover, the most learned expert in
old prints, the subtlest epicure that New
York has known
Henry B. Built has sold books to Glad
stone and engravings or Albert Durer to
Prime: he has delved in the private Ii
braries of the men that love of books
and engravings alone has made famous.
and has estimated them al their precise
value: he has discussed cookery with
George Augustus Sala and he has dined
with Sam Ward. He goes to the peni-
tentiary at sixty-five years of age for
having stolen $50.
In the court of general sessions he ap-
peared haggard, with the expression In
his large pale blue eyes of one haunted
by a monstrous calamity. The Rev. Nor
gan Dix was there, praying for him fer
vently; John d. Crimmins was there,
pleading for him with all the eloquence
of an orator and with all the uespdh-
ing anxiety of a friend.
They could not appreciate any other
argument than that his knowledge. ehe
refinememt of his education. a special gilt
in him that no other person had mede in
diligence for his fau't am imperative duty
His special gift was extraordinary. one
went to him with any engraving that hai
the least value, WIN any portrait 1ennd
anywhere and he gave the date Cf IT. the
name cf the engraver OF 1t and the price
thst M would fetch at auction. II was not
memory only that enabled him TO do this.
II was sheer. intuitive knowledge
He was consulted with absolute con-
ba hat fIt
worth $50 or $500 or $1,000 it was worth
thar. His appraisement had the authority
of a quotation of the Stock Exchange
Mr.. Crirnmins. who possessed an invatu-
able cabinet of engravings of cd New
York. had implicit faith in his advice
William I.oring Andrews. the book COL
lector. best acquainted with New York $
bib tb,.graIhical annals, and an ines timable
writer about them. deferred ITO Butt S
Judgment. Robert Hoe. Samuel p. Avery.
Beverly Chew, Valeihtin Blaque George
Beach de Forest all the great buyers of
scarce books and engrayihgs. trusted in
him AIS an expert absolutely. AS an ex-
pert. indeed. man more honest never
saw the light of day, AS a business man
it was different, gossips said
That was why he earned only $50 q
week. He earned that sum as catalo-
guer. appraiser, salesman and buyer for
William Evart5 Benjamin. the bookseller.
whose Wife is the daughter of Henry H
Rogers of Standard oil celebrity.
Built had taken a place .as cook in
Bowery eating house at night for the
mere pleasure of producing Incompatible
chops and succulent beefsteaks. Book
| buyers who were in the secret of that
escapade of Built went to a mean, ugly,
ill-kept little shop on the Bowery, near
Rivington Street, after midnight for the
mere pleasure of paying Is cents for a
| masterpiece of cooking. They sat beside
| ragged men who ate too quickly to eat
| delightfully."-. The cook seemed to work
for the love of the art He did that for a
year, inventing sauces that the proprie-
tor of the shop and Built alone appre-
ciated. Then ill-health. fatigue, old age
compelled Built to forego his work at
| night.
He could not be at the grill from sun
set until dawn and work at the book
sellers shop from In the morning until
in the afternoon He abandoned the
grill, but he continued TO eat incompara-
BILE chops, succulent beefsteaks and de-
licious sauces He was met
with in fashionable restaurants
| consulting bill Of fare with
terribly critical glances He knew what