New-York tribune., 1908-06-24
A MAGYAR GRAND sE1GNE1-R

Old Count Janos Palffy. who has just died at
the age of eighty, of the most picturesque
members of the old feudal Magyar aristocracy and
possessed of colossal wealth has bequeathed to the
state his castle and lands of Moroskoe, in the
neighborhood of Pressburg. and estimated at the
value of 100000 crowns, to be devoted 10
free scholarships for penniless students at the
Pressburg University, irrespective of their creed
or race. The count, whose family were Palatfnes
of Hungary five centuries ago, and the origin of
whose nobility is lost in the mists of antiquity
owned one of the most superb palaces in Vienna,
in the WaInergasse, which he for reason or
another occupied when visiting the Austrian
metropolis. always taking up his quarters at
Sacher's Hotel. by, but which he occasionally
placed the disposal of his relatives and friends
Thus when Herbert Bismarck married the Countess
Peggy Hoyos, and the Iron Chancellor, who had
recently been turned out of office found the doors
the court of the Emperor, Francis Joseph, closed
against him, Count John Palffy stepped forward
and gave expression TO his admiration for the old
prince by insisting that the marriage should take
place in the Palffy palace. which he placed at the
4isposal of the Bsmarcks for the purpose. And
as 1t had not been occupied for some considerable
time previously, he caused very large of
money to be spent especially for the occasion in
decorating repairing and beautifying the mansion,
which filled from cellar TO garret with art treas
ures the collection fChinese and japanese curios
and lacquer work being unrivalled in Europe At
one time his famous the turf, but he
long up racing, ana q gallery or por-
traits of his favorte horses, each of them painted
hy, the great horse painter Won Vlass is all that
remains 10 recall his time connection with the
racing world
OF course, Janos Palffy took part in the nsur-
rection of 1S4S but after that kept entirely aoof
from politics. and, owing to youthful love
affair remained unmarried, invariably calling upon
his only sister, Countess Gabrielle Andrassy. TO do
the honors for him. Possessed OF a fiery temper.
which owing to his rank and great wealth he had
naver heen taught TO restrain, he frequently be-
came involved in suits arising from his violence.
rbich were always settled out OF by his
LAWYERS by monetary payments. 1t is 10 his sis
tors eldest son, Count Geza Andrassy. and to her
daughter Princess Irma Andrassy, that he has left
most of his immense property. comprising great
estates not only in Hungary, but also in Austria,
France and Germany, especially at Baden Baden.
,,,bare for years he paid of his pocket and
maintained at his expense the superb orches-
+ra which pays throughout the season His prop
orty ,rss estimated yield him revenue of some
sa ooo oo0 or 81 OOO 900 annually. He the head
RI his branch of the house. branch which has
now become extinct.
The chief OF the entire Palffy family is Prince
paIev fourth of his line and Knight of the Golden
fleece There is a second branch. the head OF
which is William. Count Palny. Prince of Teano. a
Neapolitan title recognized by the Austrian Crown
and inherited from the famous Field Marshal
Count Daun, who played great role in the
Seven Years War the principal adversary OF
Frederick the Great.