The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-02
DIAMOND MINE R'S. FORTUNE HUGE ONE
Maurice Marcus Dies In Eng- fish Village As One Of Ten
 Richest EngIishmen

LONDON, Dec. 1.-(By Associated Press. )-The inhabitants of the quiet little surrey village of Red Hill have < been suddenly reused from their pas sive existence by the news that one of their late townsmen, who was commonly reputed comfortably off left one of the largest fortunes in England.
 This modest villager was Maurice Marcus, who came to live at Red Hill a decade ago. He dwelt in a small house in the outskirts of the settle ment, attracting no more interest or attention than many other old men in the neighborhood, and while some of the more charitable residents gave him their hospitality and conversed with him at the corner grocery, none suspected he was the master of fortune of more than f5,e00,o0o and, therefore, one of the ten richest men in all England.
 Marcus gained his wealth in dia- Jnond mining and other interests in South Africa. He was a great friend of the late Cecil Rhodes. He returned to England about fifteen years ago and after carrying on a business in London for some time, abruptly left his associates and retired to Red Hill.
 After the government subtracts ff250,000 for inheritance taxes, Mar GUS fortune will be divided among his three sisters, two brothers and two servants. He left each of> the latter f1,000.
 o O O
 English Silver "Hypocrate Money"
 Since the percentage of pure metal in Great Britain's silver coinage was reduced from 92 to 50 in 1920. the coins have earned the sobriquet ot "hypocrit money" because of their rapid discoloration. The greenish- oil Af Gi1 niRneS caused much criticism as each Lew batch was turned out. This annoyed the mint authorities, who rather prided themselves on their work, and / while solemnly announcing that the discoloration could easily be washed out. they set themselves the task or effecting an improvement. They have succeeded in producing for the 1925 issue silver coins, which make a bet ter showing that the "hypocrites, as they are bright and shiny, due to new method of 'pickling," which gives each piece a coating of almost pure silver. The experts say this coating will wear off in about year, re- vealing the same discoloratton as the coins now in use. Experiments with various alloys are now under way in the hope that coins may be obtained which will meet the re- quired weight and yet satisfy the critics.
 The EnSlfShman 1aVorlle Joiuts roast beef and fresh ham-which adorn his table at Christmas time, are likely to cost him more this year because of the serious epidemic or foot and mouth disease which has been sweeping the country. Boards of agriculture officials have been having a busy time dealing with out breaks of the disease in all districts. but it seems to be beating them.
 So widespread has it become that an order has been issued prohibitlns the movement of cattle in an area covering nearly the whole or Eng land and South Scotland. AS no mar kets can be held in this territory dealers who have fatted beef for the Christmas trade are unable to dis- pose of their stock, and there Is Ike iv to be a shortage of native meat. This. according to Superintendent Smithfield of the Central market, may mean an increase in prices.
 Many pedigreed herds have peen smitten with the disease and supse ouently destroyed, for one of the regulations of the board of agricul- ture is that all animals having con fact with affected beasts shall be im- mediately killed and cremated. Dur ing the last four months more than 150O0 head of cattle have been slaughtered and as the government pays compensation to the farmers suffering these losses, the Brltlsh hxcheouer has already paid out more lhan f100,000.