Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1899-08-17

they would be these;
IA NrNSumptuous claim to noble
descent for the Asiors
"A mau-Spirtied depreciation OF
the land If his birth by the millionaire
American
8 Unworthy methods Of obtaining
social recognition In castle and court.
MIR AStor's claim OF descent from
Pedro N'AStorga of CASTLE, in the
June number OF the pall Mall Maya
zine, was the most preposterous pits>e
of genealogical rubbish ever per
petrated by an aspiring millionaire
without 4 pedigree. II is the case OF
a great grandSou Of a German peasant
tracing his ancestry to Spanish
grandco Of the eleventh century. The
D'AstorSas OF Spain, according to Mr..
AStor,s claim. became the O'AStorgs
Of France and the AStors of Germany
and America. The last D'Astorg. who
married German peasant woman,
was the son OF n French count, accord
ing ~ the AStor claim, and the first
Astor, Folk, was the son of the last
D'As,org Jean Jacques, The great
grandson IT Jean Jacques WAS John
Jacob, The great grandfather Of Will
lam Waldorf Astor. II is possible FOR
the son of a French count to become a
German peasant Unfortunately the
D'AstorgS, who were Comics dAuher-
EIDE, are all accounted for, Including
Jean jacques, who remained in Fnuce
entirely ignorant Of putativc Jean
Jacques OF Germany In this country
the bold claim of the AstOrs to noble
descent is innocent in the same degree
that II is luAicrous, but in England
such a pretenCe is a horse of another
color. The man who sets up bogus
pedigree diScredts himself. II Is
significant that the prince of Wales
scratch across the name of William
Waldorf Astor in the duchess Of
Bucclcugh's invitation list followed
quickly upon the millionaires attemqt
to ennoble the peasant Astors OF tho
little German duchy of Baden by iden-
tifying them with the French
DAstorgs Of Languedoc.
MIR, Astor's depreciation OF the land of
his nativity in his magazine Is a device
often resorted to by American snohs,
who are eager to get into English so
ciety. The rich Americans In Eng
land. with a few honorable exceptions
have the Astor fault of pretending
to be ashamed Of their country. The
worst ISLANDERS Of America and Ameri-
cans in England are uttered by men
and women born in the United States,
and many of them. like Mr. Astor, with
scarcely drop OF English blood in
their veins. These Americans openly
leave their country for the purpose Of
gaining the favor Of the English, but
all intelligent Engllshmen desplse
them for disloyalty to the land to
which they owe allegiance. One Of
these lihellers is William Waldorf
Aston The prince OF Wales could
scarcely fail to find this expatrlated
American, pretending to be ashamed
of the land Of his birth, unworthy of
the land Of his adoption.
The princes act. II not his words
was in all probability intended to be n
rebnke to the proud duchess, under
whose sponsorship Mr.. Astor was seek
ing to hobnob with royalty. The
brother Of the duchess of Ruccleuch
Lord Frederick Hamilton. Is editor OF
the Pail Mall Magazine for Mr.. Aston
at salary absurdly high for a man of
his slender abilities. The duchess
who is mistress Of the robes to her
majesty the queen. was long noted
for her hatred Of Americans and her
rabid opposition TO their reception in
English society, She experienced n
change OF heart when her brother oh
'ained salary and position on the
Pan Mall Magazine From that time
Mr. AstOr's star began to shine IN the
social Ornament Her c0untonance
was the "0Pen sesame" to the most cx-
elusive circles Of London society The
Astors We're invited 10 all OF the
Duchess functions, and the Duchess
presided at the splendid entertain
ments Of the Astors. In his social
campaign Mr.. Aston met the prince Of
Wales on a number OF occasions. and
It is said easy going royalty took no
pains to conceal his aversion for the
prince Of mary millions. Mr.. Aston
tried to secure the prince of Wales MS
guest on number Of occasions, but
the prince always refused There is
no reason to doubt that the prince
found Mr., Aston a bore. but, dreary MS
the transplanted American may be, his
heavincss is not In Itself sufficient
warrant for the princes drastic act
aud his contemptuons words; Not
Mr. Astor he bores me"
This Is the end OF william Waldorf
Astor in English society. The ar5l-
ter Of social fitness in England
has thrown him down Every
London door that was once
open to him will now be closed against
him with reputation Of the princes
sneer: Not Mr.. Astor he b0res me ;"
Where Is the poor rich man to go?
lie can not stay In England, with the
comfort and self-respect BETTING the
master OF Cliyeden. He cannot come
hack Ia New YORK. for no hoe ~