The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-15
Career Of Londen's Most Grasr-
ing Money Lender Is Ended.
ONCE HELD A CROWN IN PAWN.
Pledged 10 Secure Loan Mats 10 the King
Of PsrtugaI--TItls Deeds 10 Many An
csstTal Estates In His Strong Box

London. Jan. l5.-samuel Lewis, the
notorious money lender and usurer. who
has been called the greatest and mean
est Of modern Shylocks" is dead.
What the notorious Isaac Gordon was
to the ranks of the hard-up in the pro-
fessional and middle classes of England
Sam Lewis was to the entitled aris-
tocracy
No bloodsucker ever drained the real
property OF such number of the no.
bility TO so vast an extend. The money
lender was a power in the land. He held
In his clutches title deeds Of ancient es-
tates and securities of fabulous amount
deposited as pledges for his loans, and
could at any moment, at his caprice or
will. reduce to absolute beggaY many
Of the proudest peers and peefesses OF
the United Kingdom.
His deed boxes n opened to public i'm
spection could a tale unfold impecuni-
Gus monarchs and princes courting his
favor Ia relieve their want of cash that
would shed strange sideights on the
thrones of Europe.
Personally. Sam Lewis had pleasing
manners and knew well how to ingratiate
himself with his clients. He was a regu-
lar visitor to Monte Carlo and always
took large sum to gamble with him
self and for the accommodation OF any
of his friends who might be tempting
fortune there.
The game he few at was high. He
held In pawn at one time the crown of
Portugal, while costly coronets and tiaras
in his strong chest represented the tenn
porary obligations to his purse of dukes
and duchesses.
once or twice the bitten one turned. and
Shylock with some unwillingness pressed
for his bond i'm the open law court. The
Judge held that the money lender was on
titled to the ordinary rights of British
subject and that the debtor must pay.
But such proceedings, of course, were
avoided II possible by the money lender
as detrimental TO his interests.
There were unavoidable exposures of
his network of operations when some
startling case Of hardship or ruin came
on other accounts under public notice.
Such was the instance of the Marquis
OF Donegal who was declared bank
rupt for $500, 000 which he had borrowed
on his prospects of succession 10 the
family estates. while the marchipness
was reduced TO the workhouse.
Through the hands of Sam Lewis
passed the magnificent estate OF Corn
bury Park. in Oxfordshlre. the deeds OF
which were handed over to him by Lord
Churchill, of one branch of the Marlbor-
ough family.
So with Kimbolton castle, on which the
late Duke of Manchester gave a mort
gage of 100000 The seat of Niscount
Hill, Hawkstone Hall. near Shrewsbury,
was likewise mcrtgaged TO Lewis for
$4,000. and the money lender acquired
in similar way his Thames villa, near
Maidenhead. owing TO the Indebtedness
of the Dowager Countess Cowley.
The fleeing OF "A young officer ip the
guards led to disclosures which ended
in one OF the principal causes celebres
OF recent years. Lewis had cashed for
Lord William Nevll. the third son OF the
Marquis OF Abergavenny. promissory
notes for 81. 655. indorsed by Mr.. Spender
Clay. clay refused To pay on the ground
that his signature had been obtained by
fraud and he was sustained by
a jury. Lewis falling in the suit he
brought against Clay for recovery.
AT the trial It came out that Clay was
invited to house party at Ascot. and
there Nevill. another OF the guests, had
gained Clays signature to the notes.
telling him that they related 10 some
matrimonial troubles OF Lord William 9
sister. Lord William Nevirl was stated
to have been already indebted 10 Lewis
for $3.50. 600, sum which was afterward
paid.