The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-09-03
We are indebted to an occasional correspond
ent for the following letter.

ent tor the following letter:
New YoRK, August 81, 1850
MY DEAR Sir: Here am, in this great city of
Gotham, surrounded by the din of its innumerablc
vehicles, rolling, day and night, year in and
year out There are many objects of deep interest
to engage ones attention here. My hours have
been occupied in CHANGING at the fine collections Of
pictures which to be found on every hand, and
wandering along the quays among the floating
palaces which adorn them. Such ships and steam
| ers No country can equal them in speed, size,
and comfort. The command Of a packet-ship is
an object of the first ambition among sea- going
Americans. 1t is TO the sailor what the Presidency
is TO the politician; his ambition is satisfied the
ment his signal waves at the masthead of Lon
don, Liverpool, or Canton packet-ship 1t is in no
boastful vein that say, that ships in the wide
world compare with in the qualifications
of their commanders. These ships are in them
selves curious they floating taverns Of the best
order. The civility and polite manners which dis
tinguish ,ceH bred hotel keepers become necessary
to their success; no sycoPhancy or humbug, but
an open, liberal, dignifed manner, based upon a
thoroughly digcstcd system. The packet masters
Of this country are a class without parallel-a
noble, generous hearted band of men, who do
honor to the American name, God bless them!
We live, for the present, at the Astor House.
This splendid hotel is crowded to inconvenience;
it has nearly five hundred guests. Their sys-
tenn Accompanies wonders, and the throng are
walked up, fed, and put to bed in perfect order;
but there are too many crowded into these As
tors and Irvings. | glad to observe that
this Justly celebrated hotel charges two dollars
and half per day. This is right. The great
rents, the expensive marketing, and the
wants, in hotel regulated upon the liberal, nay
extravaganza, basis Of this one make necessary to
leave reasonable profit upon The immense capital
invested. The hotel ITSELF as well as its manage
ment, gives il the first rank, but system can
stand the oppression Of a crowd long. The propri-
etors wisely advance their charges trfe-ffty
cents per day; dollar for thosc who stay more
than week. The reduction Of numbers will
render the hotel more comfortable, and the old
Aston will still be the home of every we'll bred
who really desires to be comfortable.
One thing let me recommend TO our Washington
hotel keepers that is, abolish the gong. Punctu-
Atty is the thing of things in this life, and
interesting illustration need be sought than the
Aston. They do not ring give warning other
than at the instant the clock tells you il is 81 p m
Open fly the doors Of the dining rooms, and the
guests enter with the order of private dinner
each enc knows that he will be sure Of his chair
The confidence in the exact system Of this hotel is
greater than that Of any other hotel have been in
in this country. The present keepers, Coleman &
Stctson, have a long lease yet-tll 1860; which, in
itself, is guarantee that its reputation is in no
danger. 1t il but justice to Messrs. c. S. TO say
that the present condition of hotel comforts may be
mainly attributed to their cxcrtous and iberality
in every department Of the business.