“In vain the captain mentioned the rights of the other passengers.  In vain he described the solitary and rock-bound coast, and detailed the dangers and difficulties which attended its approach.  Nothing would appease him.  He said he would take all the responsibility, brave all the perils, endure all the consequences, only let him once more feel the firm ground under his feet.  The gale having abated, the captain yielded to his entreaties, and engaged, if the other passengers would consent to the delay, to stand in, and put him ashore.  Mr. Astor went into the cabin, and proceeded to write what was expected to be a draft for ten thousand dollars in favor of the owners of the ship on his agent in New York.  He handed to the captain the result of his efforts.  It was a paper covered with writing that was totally illegible.

“‘What is this?’ asked the captain.

“‘A draft upon my son for ten thousand dollars,’ was the reply.

“‘But no one can read it.’

“’O yes, my son will know what it is.  My hand trembles so that I can not write any better.’

“‘But,’ said the captain, ’you can at least write your name.  I am acting for the owners of the ship, and I can not risk their property for a piece of paper that no one can read.  Let one of the gentlemen draw up a draft in proper form; you sign it, and I will put you ashore.’

“The old gentleman would not consent to this mode of proceeding, and the affair was dropped.”

During the last twenty years of his life Mr. Astor lived in the retirement of his family, leaving even the greater part of the management of his estate to the hands of others.  He was exceedingly fond of literary men.  Irving was his friend, and Halleck his business manager.  He died at the age of eighty-four years and eight months, literally from old age.  He was buried in St. Thomas’s Church, on Broadway.

His immense estate was left to his children, the bulk of it being bequeathed to his eldest son.  All of his relatives were made comfortable.  The village of Waldorf, his native place, received a legacy of fifty thousand dollars for the benefit of its poor, and an amount in land and funds equal to four hundred thousand dollars was left to certain trustees to establish the Astor Library in the city of New York.  Besides these, several charitable and benevolent associations received handsome donations from him.

His career has been related in these pages as an example to those who are seeking to rise in legitimate commerce.  It is the Best instance on record of the facility with which success may be won by patient and intelligent industry.  In his capacity for grasping and carrying out an enterprise, in his prudent and economical management of his business, in his tact, courage, sagacity, Mr. Astor’s example is one which will lead many to success, and none to injury.