Page:The Wizard of Wall Street and his Wealth.djvu/273

 Then there are Vernets, Simonettis, Kaemmerers, Constants, Bouguereaus and Troyons innumerable, all of which were purchased, either directly or indirectly, by Mr. Gould. This was in the earlier stages of his home-making and before he had the fever of the farm and conservatory upon him.

Mr. Gould was not a great admirer of the drama, but he was rather fond of opera, and this formed almost his only public diversion during the winter months. He was seen very often at the Metropolitan during the opera season with his daughter and daughter-in-law.

In 1883 Mr. Gould built the big steam yacht Atalanta, and for several years he was well known in yachting circles. He was elected a member of the Eastern and Larchmont yacht clubs, and applied for membership in the New York Yacht Club. The opposition to his name which was developed in the club was so strong, however, that his friends withdrew his name. This furnished a sensation at the time. George J. Gould, who had for some time taken an active interest in yachting, and was a member of the club, at once resigned. Mr. Gould at one time had an idea of making a cruise around the world in the Atalanta, but abandoned it.

Soon after the launching of the Atalanta Mr. Gould and others formed the American Steam Yacht Club. The Atalanta developed remarkable speed and is to-day the fastest large steam yacht afloat. Mr. Gould had her built because he felt his health to be failing, and thought yachting would be beneficial