A DUCAL SPENDTHRIFT.

Temuka Leader, 12 November 1881, Page 3

A DUCAL SPENDTHRIFT.

The Duke of Alba o\- Alva, brother-in-law of the ex-Empress Eusreuie, who has just died in Madrid, was noted for his amazing capacity for was f ing money on trifling and frivolous pursuits. He had an enormous fortune by direct inheritance, and, after squandering this, he received a pension of sixty thousand francs a, year. A Spanish paper in its ob'tuary of this worthy, states that he once gambled away the sum of five million francs in a single night's play. He brought his estate to such a pass that he was compelled some years ago to make over the total administration of his possessions to his creditors, who paid him his sixty thousand francs annually. He found it very hard to live upon this income, and settled in Paris in order to economise. He was paid monthly, but be the fifteenth day of every month not a franc wes left of his five thousand francs' and he used to borrow five or six louis d'or in the clubs. At last, however, a turn of fortune came. All his debts were paid, and the Duke of B erwick and Alba purchased the Palace of Lyi-io, one of the most splendid in Madrid, where he lived in princely style, keeping a hundred horses in his stables, and open table every evening for forty guests. During the latter part of his life he only played for very small sums, having a wholesome dvead of again risking his fortune and position He was lately elected Alcade Corregidor, or Chief of the Madrid Municipality,, and in this function ho exercised a severe authority over the theatres.