lled
on Mr. Astor and stated that he was weary of such long delay in getting
return for his investment, and asked him if he would not take the lot
and give him its simple cost. Mr. Astor calmly acceded to the proposal.
Had our friend held the same views as the great land operator, he would
have realized a fortune from this single lot, since what then cost one
thousand dollars is now worth fifty thousand dollars.

The Napoleonic character of Mr. Astor's mind is shown by the great
commercial schemes which shared the claims of real estate. He was
extending the ramifications of his trade through the North-west
wilderness and competing with the Hudson Bay Company for the peltry
taken by the numerous tribes of savages, while at the same time a vast
export trade was carried on with Europe, and also with China, whence he
brought teas in exchange for furs. It was this broad ambition which
prompted the grand scheme of a new station at the mouth of the Columbia.
And this scheme, though it failed, was not without great national
results. Its misfortunes were chronicled by the pen of Irving, and in
his pages the story of the crew murdered, and the ship plundered and
burned, was recorded among the tragedies of commerce.

Mr. Astor lived to old age, and his life was one of few changes. From
his humble shop in Little Dock street (now Water street near Coenties
Slip) he removed his place of business to Liberty street, (Number 71,)
and subsequently to Broadway. His longest place of abode was Number 223
Broadway, now a part of the site of the Astor House, whence, after a
residence in Hoboken, he removed up-town to a block in Broadway near
Prince street. Here he remained until death, but he lived long enough to
see the progress of the city covering his lands with dwellings, and
bequeathed to his son the largest estate in America. Mr. Astor had a
literary taste, and was fond of book-men. He gave Fitz-Green Halleck a
snug and profitable clerkship, and on the death of the capitalist,
William B. Astor presented to the poet the sum of ten thousand dollars.
Mr. Astor also sought the acquaintance of Washington Irving on the
return of that distinguished gentleman from Europe, and it was at his
especial request that the _Astoria_ was written. The friendship between
these two distinguished men continued until death, when it was found
that Mr. Irving had been appointed one of the executors of the will. The
fees connected with this office could not ha