BARON ROTHSCHILD’S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IX, Issue 485, 17 June 1867, Page 3

BARON ROTHSCHILD’S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

A Feekch Journal gives the following curious narrative of how Baron James Rothschild, a well-known connoisseur of antiquities and objects of art, became posseessed i>f one of the rarest services of China in his rich collection :

Among the various admirable productions of taste which the guests of Baron Rothschild never fail to admire, is a magnificent service of porcelain, of singular beauty, elegance of shape and finish, and remarkable for the artistic finish of its paintings. But the way in which the Baron became possessed of it is worth relating.

One day an old man, careworn, wrinkled, feeble and apparently tottering on the verge of the grave, presented himself before M. de Rothschild, soliciting the honor of an interview with the famous banker. The old man was aged, so poor, and had altogether so dejected an aspect, that the Baron was immediately impressed with a compassionate feeling toward him, which feeling became one of lively interest ou learning that he was a Jew. It is well known that the Israelites are very charitably disposed toward all all their brethren, lire aged visitor took from, his bag a rich and beautiful plato, so splendidly wrought that the Baron admired it exceedingly, and became greatly delighted with it. “Sir,” said the patriarch, “will you buy this of me? 1»m very old, and wnat will uossession profit me? Give me 100 francs per month for the short period I have yet to live, and it is yours.” The Baron looked at the poor old man, examined the plate again, and, after a few minutes’ reflection, said : “ V\ ell, be it. so ; he c is the first payment. Send me the service, and give mo your name, that I may have it entered in my treasurer’s books.” | The splendid sot of porcelain was delivered the same day to the Baron ; and a [montli afterwards, while he was seated in his counting-house, a man entered and asked for the second payment of the promised income. But the man was young, scarcely 3b years of age, of a vigorous constitution and great muscular development, and looked as if he would live for a hundred years. “But you are not the man ?” exclaimed the astonished banker. “Excuse me, Baron,” said he; “I am indeed the man.” “But you seemed at least SO years old,” said the Baron. “ But, sir, I am only 30,” said the man. “In fact,” continued the Baron, "1 thought your venerable appearance did not belie your assertion.” “I have wonderfully recovered,” observed the man, “thanks to your generosity.” r J he Baron laughed heartily, and gave order for the payment of the money, exclaiming, “Ah, you are an excellent come“l am probably the first who has done so,” replied the man, politely bowing to the millionaire. For several years M. de Rothschild has paid the monthly allowance, and may continus to do so for a.loo rr fivos to conic* b"t then his porcelain service is so exquisite . .hat he sect no reason to complain.

Eetisxon Couet. —Wednesday, the 18th inst, is the day Sxed for the sitting of the Revision Court for the electoral district of Napier,—it being postponed from Wednesday last, 6th inst., in consequence of the hooded state of the country.