New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-02-26
Anglo-American Memories
CVIII
Ms prsspour MORGAN FRO" ANANe-oAMsaoAN POINT OF VIEW
lcoprr,ent 1911. ev george W. snansyl
III

library. OF this he had an illustrated
catalogue made; privately printed. IN
large quarto. 1872 pages. bound in levant
morocco, OroS grain. by the Club
Bindery; curiously lettered on the back.
-. P. Morgan Library. J. Toovey Col
lection; in separate panels; and at the
bottom New York. 1901" I ought not
to criticise, for my copy Of this beautiful
volume is a gift from Mr. Morgan. --or
is there much 70 criticise. The title runs
thus: Catalogue Of a Collection Of
Books formed by James Tcovey, prin-
cipally from the Library Of the Earl Of
Gosford The property Of J. Pierpont
Morgan. New York. 1901" which is not
quite correct. The truth is that the late
Mr.. James Toovey. Piccadilly book
seller Of none too savory renown, bought
the Gosford Library en- bloc. This is suf-
fciently stated in the Preface. lie added
other books. and the whole was sold to
0Ir. Morgan by the son Of Mr.. Toovey; I
imagine with the condition that the
bookseller name should be given.
The Aldines are alphabetical" by
themselves. and most Of the Aldine rar-
tiles are there; the rare first Aldine
Horace, 1901, the much rarer first Virgil
1901. perhaps rarest Of all Aldipes, in
fine condition: the first Homer. 1904.
and many more; for the most part fine
copies. though some are in modern bind
ings. They ill 81 pages; the remaining
20 are devoted 90 books in general lit
erature. The descriptions are concise
not always so fun as one would ike, but
done with precision rare if not unique
in English book catalogues on French
model. The colored Illustrations Of
bindings. I take it, are also French;
probably by Daniel Of Lille. I know OF
no Enelish artist who can reproduce as
panel does the tones and the very text
ure and surface Of old morocco and old
gliding. As q whole. this catalogue is so
excellent that the production Of It may
be ranked among Mr.. Morgan's many
MANY. contributions TO the art education
of his counryuen-
Here again it is true that Mr.. Morgan
follows the golden rule Of buying what
he likes and understands. Listen TO him
IS he talks and you will be IN no doubt.
If he thinks you care for such things he
will begin on manuscripts or BOOKS OF
rict1ires IN those hours when a man IN
burdens his soul. hours OF leisure which
most business men consecrate to bust
ness and he does not. have heard him.
and know. # you have g subject OF your
own you win very likely find II Is ms
subject also. and he is ready 10 meet you.
Pur the hour or two after dinner offers
q choice Of opportunities II his hostess
prefers bridge he viii play bridge; well,
but not too well. Except Mr.. ". X.
( vanderbilt I can think Of no great
bridge PLAYER who IS great in other mat
tiers also. They say Mr.. Morgan does
not Ike losing. Who does? In the game
I n life il is his habit TO win. True, one
. ornament Of the English peeraEe might
+ he named who inherited few years ago
a considerable fortune. Of which the FIRST
half is already gone at baocarat, trente-
et-ouarante and in other not less easy
wavs But when he has had bad night
he saws. yes. but hive had a good
gamble" and goes to bed content
When think a little about Mr. Nor
gan 7 remember what the late Mr.. w. Il.
vanderbilt said to Mr. Mills. Mr.. Van
esrbut had recently made some twenty
odd millions in a single deal in Wall
Street. probably risking his whole
fortune 20 do it. Mr.. Mills said
you seem 10 like making money, Mr..
Vanderbilt
The railway king Of that day reflected
and answered:
NO. I don't know that Do. rarticu-
/ larry"
/ The next time they met Mr.. Vanderbilt
: remarked:
IT have been turning over what YOU
said. Mr.. Mills. and I don't even nov
think I care much about money but
admit I like 70 see a good balance sheet
at the end Of the year"
I do not ask whether Mr.. Morgan does
/ for. II 7 understand him at all what he
+ cares for is power. He is by nature q
+ king Of men. and the authority Of king
or in these days Of an Emperor with
4 moustsche IS what he likes 10 possess
and use. g. W. =
-rpz-rrTrpTA CLOSES COTTEGT