The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-27

1
fancy Is here daily exposed to the gaze Of The Gu
rious 44
Opposite the -Titan-like-ris the Astor
House massiye-substantial and imposing-its inte-
ror combiI ing all the conyeniences and elegancies
OF princely Holel-ils hundreds Of servants mar
shalled into obedience and system BY the admirable
tact and skill Of The proprieiors.
A lounge In the saloon Of the Aston, during The
hours Of arrivals and departures, is a study Scores
Of new faces appear as II by enchaniment and dozens
Of familiar counienances vanish In breath. The
dark-eyed daughter Of the South fits by, like beau
tiiul vision, the one hand-lhe laughing bue-eyed
beauty ofihe West and the pensive maiden from the
East, attract your notice the olher But all this
hustle and activity creates no confusion. Porers,
walters, chambermaids, and bar-keepers all move
tremendously within their different spheres Loung-
ing your ottoman you touch the elastic spring at
your elbow, and in twinkling your wishes are graz
titled
| The American, on the opposite corner Of Barclay
street. attracts your notice-conducted by that favo
rite Of the travelling public Cozzens whose Hotel at
West Point was so long the centre OF attraction
during the seasons Of bud blossom, and fruit Like
the propretors OF the Astor, Cozzens is artist
Possessing the rare of giving his wishes the
force OF command he appears at your side when
his presence is desired. The City Hotel still con-
tnues Of the distinct features of Broadway and
Is said to be conducted admirably by its proprie
tors-whie Washington Hotel, Carlton House. and
the Aiheneum above, and Congress Hail. the Ire
mont, and Franklin LeloV the Park still flourish as
of old
| II you desire bird's-eye view Of this great tho
roughfare at its most attractive point, join me on
some sunny afternoon at the American Museum,
situated at the junction OF Broadway, Chatham Row,
and Ann street. We will pause on the balcony, which
communicates with the second floor, and view the
living tide rolling Its parted current at our feet.
/ Cast your eyes TO the right Of the City Hail. along
Chatham sireet--that mighty funnel through which
the population Of the whole Northeastern section
Of the city is disgorgedand mark the crowd of ba-
kers' and milkmens carts drays coaches omnibuses,
furniture cars, and fruit, vegetable, charcoal and
oyster Wagons, which block up the pavement
| The motley crowd on the sidewalks are, you per-
ceive, composed Of hawkers of penny papers, ra-
Dishes loco foco Matches and pocket combs, crying
their wares-mechanics and laborers returning from
their daily task-merchants clerks seamstresses and
loungers-m merchants and NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
and lightfngered gentry Of more humble preten-
sions-raiets and file de ehanbres, together with a
miscellaneous rabbe, whose whereabout and occupa.
tion remaineh mystery to all but old Hays and his
myrmidons
Turning to the left, the whole sweep Of Broadway,
from Trinity Church 10 Canal street, is within the
| scope OF your vision. On contemplating its never
ceasing hustle, your first reflection causes you to ex-
claim-how much like Chatham street, yet how dis
similar
The same mass of human beings actuaed by like
passions impulses, and desiresyet in outward SEEM
ing the very perfection OF contrast. Private equi
pages the highly polished panels Of which fash back
the sunbeams are drawn by animals whose blood
and action might entille them to place in the stud
OF an Emperor-while the charioteer handles his
CORY ribbons with that skill and tact which can alone
be reached by genius in his line. The liveried
footman exhibits his slender form to the utmost ad-
vantage as sways gracefully to and fro with the
motion OF the vehicle, and the study Of a month
would qualify tyro to rival the courteous salute
with which he greets his fellows as they pass. Num-
bers OF these beautiful vehicles roll along Broadway
in fine weather. and it is pleasant take note of the
fitness of their appointments from the set Of the har
ness-faullless in model and exquisite in finishto
the perfect balance Of the body its elastic springs
But beautiful is the display Of coaches omnibuses
cabriolets chariotees phaeons, barouches, gigs and
tlburys, which pass and repass the pavement the
i
ries of fashion of either sex here exhibit their deco
raions to the admring gaze Of the uninitiaed, and
he be fasdous indeed whose taste is not salts
! fled with any OF the varied specimens Of apparel
| which pass in review before him. Were il fair to
| ndividualize, would direct your attention to yon
modest little maiden in plain satin, leghorn bonnet,
and fawn colored slippers my beau ideal OF taste
and propriety.
1t is very obvious, however, by the glance Of su-
pericrity of the queen-like beauty now passing her.
that we at issue the question Of taste, and
must confess that her beautiful blue eyes and half
| parting lips have reversed my decision.
Consider me, therefore, for the next five minutes
enlisted in the cause Of beauty in laces ounces, and
feathers, while gentlemen with quizzing glasses at
their button hole, ebony canes ami whalebone cor
SETS are the only galants worthy Of ranking their
escort. But the coup Dali is still more imposing
and the brilliant lhrong with their gay dresses throw
the more humble features Of the prospect into sha-
dow, until the shifting panorama appears like
| moving rainbow.
Chatham, below Pearl street, is the Lombard street
of the metropolis where the descendants of the once
favored children of Israel are congregated as pawn
brokers and dealers in second hand clothing
Chatham square, from time immemorial, has been
the paradise Of shoe Dealers where leather and prn-
neila" obviously holds higher rank than was as
signed to them by The Bard of Avon.
Twas much amused in passing by the shops of these
helpers 10 the Understandings few evenings since, TO
view the ingenious methods they devised to attract
custom. On the front Of one, the words no hum
bug" stood out in bold relietwhilc the door Of his
neghbor was filled by an immense boot over which
the largest specimen Of ox-horns ever witnessed
spread their ample dimensions il in triumph.
The floors Of these cordwainers are at times CO.
vered with handbs, illustrating the superiority and
cheapness Of their wares, while apoogecal for
the apparent paradox Of each selling lower than his
neighbor, you are informed In staring capitals that