The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-07
THE MEANEST MAN IN THE
WORLD.
(Chicago Times Herald. !

(Chicago Times Herald
In all the world today there is no OF Der
human being who cuts so pit1ful figure
as William Waldorf Astor, late of Now
York, later of London, and now restless
sojourner at Marienbad. which he must
flee to avoid snub. When he left his
native land, adjured his oitizenshi and
sought naturalization in England he was
contemplate enough, but still uncon-
scious of his own measure. Indeed, he
hattered himself with the thought that
he, superior person, had disowned his
country and its seventy millions. Pur-
suant to this idea, he employed the pages
of a magazine which he publishes to ex-
press his scorn of the United States, and
it was Characteristic that the very article
in which the diatribe appeared was in
tended to slur over his humble German
ancestry and derive his descent from
Spanish hidalgOs. During this period
he maintained his self-esteem by a lick
Spitble endeaYOr to work his way into
English society, the ultimate goal of all
his hopes being the recognition of the
Prince of Wales. Upon that he placed an
absurd value. AS other men strive for
an honorable eminence in a business or
professional career, so this incorr1gible
snOb struggled with equal assiduity. If
not with equal dignity, to mingle with
the Prince s set. Moreover, all that could
be accomplished by the lavish expendi-
ture of millions he did accomplish, but it
was to be ruined at last by an astontsh-
ing display Of the inherent vuIgarity and
insolence of his nature.
lie had given a concert to which one of
his guests, the Countess of Oxford,
brought Sir Berkeley Milne, a well know
naval officer and prominent club men
Milne was the lady's own guest at the
time, and the circumstances were such
that there was nothing at all extraordi-
nary in the assumption that he would be
gladly received by her host, though he
lacked an invitation at first hand. But
Astor chose to be offended, ana perhaps
it was some jealous fear for his own
standing that moved him to appear as
the naughty, exclusive aristOcrat. At
any rate, he first insulted Milne in his
mouse and then posted him in one of the
publications which he uses to exploit his
personal and social grievances.
Ihe result, however, was as appalling as
1t was unexpected, being indeed the first
rebuke administered to the shrunken
h1dalgo which he was capable of feeling
For he was cut at the opera by the
Princes people, who exalted Milne, and
the Prince himself has said that he is a
"measly cad.' Then following upon the
proclamation of this undeniable truth the
Earl OF Hardwicke makes the dire threat
If Mr.. Aston wishes his entertainments
exclusive his desire is likely to be graft
fled in the future beyond his expecta
tions -
To rshabilitate himself the measly cad
has ventured upon measly attem DIT at a
dign1fled apology, but he knows that it
is futile and that he is truly imam
without country If now he runs
away from his Marienbad retreat at the
approach of the Prince, his humiliation
will be complete, and certainly he has
not the nerve to return royal snub
with interest as Beau Brummel did when
he asked, 'Who is your fat friend? I'm all
the world, as we have said, there is not
such another poor creature in spite of his
millions