BARON ROTHSCHILD'S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 133, 10 June 1867, Page 3

BARON ROTHSCHILD'S PORCELAIN SERVICE.

A French journal gives the following curious narrative of how Baron James Rothschild, a well-kuown connoisseur of antiquities and objects of art, became possessed of one of the rarest services of china in 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 fiuish, and remarkable for the artistic fiuish 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, aud 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 so 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 on learning that he was a Jew. It is well known that the Israelites are very charitably disposed toward all their brethren. The aged visitor took from his bag a rich and beautiful plate, 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? I am very old, and what will possession profit me ? Give me 100 francs per month for the short period I have yet »o live, and it is yours.'' The Baron looked at the poor old man, examined the plate again, and, after a few minutes' reflection, said : " Well, be it so; here is the first payment. Send me the service, aud 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 mouth 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 30 years of age, of a vigorous constitution and great muscubr 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 appeared at least 80 years old," said the Baron. • "But, sir, I am only 30," said the man. ; " In fact," continued the the Baron, " I i thought your venerable appearance did j not belie your assertion." 1 "I have wonderfully recovered," ob- ! Berved the man, " thanks to your geneI rosityi" The Baron laughed heartily, and gave I order for the payment of the money, ex- | claiming, "Ah, you are an excellent come--1 dian, and have taken me in thoroughly." I "I am probably the first who has done I so," replied the man, politely bowing to I the millionaire. I For several years M. de Rothschild has I paid the monthly allowance, and he may H continue to do so for a ioDg time to come; P but then his porcelain service is so exquisite that he sees no reason to complain.