A FORTUNATE HATTER.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1054, 13 January 1883, Page 1

A FORTUNATE HATTER.

The Duke of Santoin, a grandee of the first class, and a pillar of the Alpbonsist .Monarch, died last week. Tills nobleman was a remarkable specimen of the modern aristocracy of Spain.' According to information which an cxCoiistil at liaviinmi gives me, ho was threo-and-twonly years ago a hatter there, and worked at his trade in a little stand. His master was a freed negro, who used often to say that hats were so heavy he wondered anybody wore them. An idea flashed across the Santona’s brain. Why not make hats of cork? A laundress who had saved a little money, and who had tell in Jove with him, enabled him to realise his notion. She eventually b came Ids wife ami a duchess. Santnua took' out patents in Europe and America, ami established bat manufactories in Spain and North Africa. His central house was at Madrid. Before'many years had expired ho was an arch-millionaire. The Revolution of IBGB aG'orded him an opportunity to take to politics. Ills millions enabled him, when Don Amadeo abdicated to give a stimulus to the Alpbonsist movement. But, ere he bribed Marshals and Generals and furnished committees with the sinews of war, bo made his conditions. If the King came back, the hatter was to be raised to the highest grade of nobility. He was to be made a duke and a Grandi Cabler to. Aipbonso kept his promise. The Madrcline aristocracy laughed a good deal about the new duke and grandee, who flung away money wholesale on balls. He was able to secure the King, the Infantas, and Madame Ratazzi, but it was some time before the fashionable world could be brought to accept his hospitality. The suppers which bo provided were cooked in Paris, and conveyed by special train to Madrid. As it would have been impolitic to avow to what extent Santona’s money had faciliated the King’s restoration, bad reasons were given for the favor which he enjoyed at Court. Aipbonso was so mortified that he resolved to be cliary in future of patents of nobility, a decision which set against him all the political intriguers who had I beslinvd themselves in bis behalf when ! ho was at .Sandhurst. The Duke of 1 Sairems lias left four sms to enjoy his wi-akb. an I to -mailer it. f>r they are pi. uing ami precise. — l>’ulh.