1 1 6 Tlic Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 



The history of Mr. Astor, whose name will ever 

 be inseparably connected with the American fur 

 trade, is not a little curious, as demonstrating the 

 wealth and influence which a single man may 

 acquire by bending his whole energies to the 

 prosecution of a single idea. ]\Ir. Astor was a 

 German, and at an early age quitted London, 

 where he had resided whilst a lad, for New York, 

 carrying with him such merchandise as he deemed 

 suitable to the American market— chiefly musical 

 instruments. The vessel in A\hich he embarked 

 was ice-bound for some months, and during his in- 

 voluntary detention on board he became acquainted 

 with a fellow passenger who exercised the trade of 

 a furrier. This was in the year 1783, a few months 

 after the recognition of the independence of the 

 United States by Great Britain, and in accordance 

 withthe advice o^his new friend, Astor exchanged 

 his musical instruments in New York for furs, and 

 hastening back to London, disposed of his stock 

 most advantageously. From that time he turned 

 his attention solely to peltry, studying the con- 

 tinental market, and making himself familiar with 

 every branch of his new calling. Returning to 

 New York he there took up his abode for good, 

 making frequent journeys to Montreal and the 

 aistant trading stations in Canada. When in 1794 



