BARON ROTHSCHILD’S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 22, 17 June 1867, Page 139

BARON ROTHSCHILD’S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

A French Journal gives the. following curious narrative of how Baron James Rothschild, a well-known connoisseur of anti* quities and objects of art, became.posseessed of one of the rarest services of China in hie 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 ita paintings. But the way in which the Baron became possessed of it is worth relating.

One day ah old man, careworn, wrinkled, feeble and apparently tottering on the verge of the grave, presented himself before AC. de Rothschild, soliciting the honor of an interview with the famous bauker.- The old man was aged, so poor, and had altogether so dejected an.aspeefc, that the Baron was immediately impressed with a com pas* sionate feeling ,to ward him, which feeling became one of lively interest on learning that ho was a Jew. It is well known that the Israelites are very charitably disposed toward all aJL their brethren. The aged visitor took from his bag a rich and beautiful plate, so sp)endidly wrought that the Baron admired it exceedingly, and became greatly delighted with it. : “Sir,” said the patriarch, ‘‘will you buy this of me?' I »m'very old, and what, will oo=session profit me? Give mo 100 francs per month for the short period X have yet to live, and it is yours.” The Baron looked at the poor old man, examined the plate again, and, after a few miautesLrefiecfcSyi, said : “ Well, be it sO; Ue:e is the first payment-. Sond me tha service, and give me your name, that I may. have it entered in my treasurer’s books.” The splendid set of porcelain-was delivered the same day to the Baron; and a month afterwards, while he was seated ia his counting-house, a man entered and asked for l-ha second payment of the promised iucome. But the man was young, scarcely 3d 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 80 years old," said the Baron.

“ But, sir, I am only 30,” said the man.

“In fact,” continued the Baron, “I thought your venerabio appearance did not belie your assertion.” “I have wonderfully recovered,” observed the man, “ thanks to your generosity.” The Baron laughed heartily, and gave order for the payment of the money, exclaiming, “Ah, you are an excellent comedian, and have taken me in thoroughly.” “ I am probably the first who has dons so,*’ replied the mau, politely bowing to the millionaire.

For several years M. de Rothschild has paid the monthly allowance, and may continue to do so for a longtime to come; butt then- his porcelain service is so exquisite that he sees no reason to complain.