Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 June 1876 — Purchasing Titles. [ARTICLE]

Purchasing Titles.

A PariS letter to the Philadelphia TtUoraph say a: Hoes any one of our millionaires tyteb to become a Marquis—a real Marquis, with full right to the title, and with papers and all perfectly en regie t All they have to do is to come over hero to seek out a 1 certain Italian Marquis, and tP pay evet 'the Small sum of $50,000. whereupon the Marquis,. in question will legally adopt'the lucky individual and bestow upon him his ancestral tide, with tho condition that he is never to behold him, nmge. Such, in a few words, is the bargain proffered to any aspiring republican in' love with a title, by the bearer of one of the noblest names in Italy. The gentleman, an old And distinguished looking man,, came to one of our prominent American residents here lately and unfolded to him thtrttate of the case. He was poor, he wanted money, and he was willing to adopt any man of wealth, good breeding and good address (on these last points he insisted strongly), who would pay him the amount before named, and pledge himself never to seek his adopted father again. Out of sheer curiosity this American investigated the facts of the case, and found that the old gentleman’s statements were all true, and that he was perfectly serions in his proposition. He was asked why he did not marry some heiress who would be happy to exchange her wealth against the title of Marquise n nrl L !■ nn/1 nn/iinnf mama

and his noble and ancient name. No, he did not want to many, he did not want to be bothered with a wife; all he wanted was money enough to enable him to live comfortably for the rest of his days, and so he had bethought himself of this expedient Unfortunately my friend knew of no American gentleman at once wealthy enough and foolish enough to be willing to exchange the proud name of American citizen against the sounding brass and tinkling cymbals of a foreign title. Had the title been transferable on the female line the bargain might have been concluded, for I regret to say that my countrywomen have an immense weakness for such vanities. However, it most be conceded that American heiresses are not more eager to purchase than the holders of grand old titles are to sell out their names and honors for a consideration. One young American lady, of great wealth, whs was in Paris last season, had her choice offered her of becoming an Italian Marchess, a German Princess, or a French Duchess, while as to coronets ot Counts and Barons that were strewn at her feet, they were as autumnal leaves in a forest in November. Like a wise girl she spurned them all, and passed on, in maiden meditation fancy free. Truly, the worst use to which a rich American girl can put her money is to buy therewith a foreign husband. The article may be very showy, very highly polished, and ticketed wt»h a very high-sounding name, but it seldom wears well and is general!; deficient iu all sterling qualities. The prices of such commodities are pretty well regulated and understood. A million in the lady’s own right will purchase a Prince or a Duke; a Marquis may be had tor half as much; a Count of a good old Legitimist stock, with a chateau and a historical name, and with a legend or two attached to the family, will bring at least $250,000, while Counts and Barons of a new creation may be bad far cheaper. Ten asd a qvartkb pounds of paper to each person is consumed each year in North America. This ia ahead of all the other countries, except England, where thev use a pound and a quarter more per head, probably in irytltg to write poetiy. —Mr. Msekqy, (he “ big bonanza” man of Nevada, wears no jewelry. But then his income is a million a month, which permits him to do as he pleases. —ln spite of the hard times, the wages of sin are still up to the old standard.