rmed. My
first knowledge of instrumental music was derived from one of these
pianos, and among the earliest recollections of my childhood is that of
hearing my three maiden aunts, my father's sisters, playing in turn the
inspiring Scotch airs upon the Astor piano that stood in their
drawing-room. One of their songs was especially inimical to cloistered
life and it, too, was possibly of Scotch origin. I am unable to recall
its exact words, but its refrain ran as follows:

I will not be a nun,
I can not be a nun,
I shall not be a nun,
I'm so fond of pleasure
I'll not be a nun.

I own an original letter written by John Jacob Astor from New York on
the 26th of April, 1826, addressed to ex-President James Monroe, my
husband's grandfather, which I regard as interesting on account of its
quaint style:

Dear Sir,

Permit me to congratulate you on your Honourable retirement
[from public life] for which I most sincerely wish you may
enjoy that Peace and Tranquility to which you are so justly
entitled.

Without wishing to cause you any Inconveniency [sic] on
account of the loan which I so long since made to you I
would be glad if you would put it in a train of sittlelment
[sic] if not the whole let it be a part with the interest
Due.

I hope Dear Sir that you and Mrs. Monroe enjoy the best of
health and that you may live many years to wittness [sic]
the Prosperity of the country to which you have so
generously contributed.

I am most Respectfully Dear Sir your obed S. &c.

J. J. ASTOR.

The Honble James Monroe.

It may here be stated that Mr. Astor's solicitude concerning Mr.
Monroe's financial obligation was duly relieved, and that the debt was
paid in full.

John Jacob Astor's numerous descendants can lay this "flattering
unction" to their souls, that every dollar of his vast wealth was
accumulated through thrift while leading an upright life.

An old-fashioned stage coach in my early days ran between New York and
Harlem, but the fashionable drive was on the west side of the city
along what was then called the "Bloomingdale Road." Many fashionable New
Yorkers owned and occupied handsome country seats along this route, and
closed their city homes for a period during the heated term. I recall
with pleasure the home of the Prussian Consul General and Mrs. John
William Schmidt, and especially their attra