The American accounts all agree in reporting that Mr. Vander-
bilt was the richest American, and probably the richest man in the world. His heirs will, it is believed, pay legacy-duty on six- teen millions sterling, most of it invested to yield seven per cent. per annum, and the whole of it made by a waterman's apprentice in one lifetime. Mr. Vanderbilt has left about a sixth of this property in legacies to his wife and younger children, and five- sixths to his eldest son, but absolutely nothing to any charity whatever, though it is said he asked his son before his death to make certain gifts. In America it is not considered quite right to make a will without charitable bequests, but in England no- body expects a great landlord to leave sixpence to anybody but his own people, and as a rule, he fulfils expectations.
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