The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-11-22

PROSPERITY --Ihtre mas been an uneAainP'eu |
number ofsrapgers in the metropolis this autumn.
Many Of a EN- have been dfaw n hi,her-flling the
hotels snd pa,ronizing the dry goods shops, and
every branch of trade-by the great amount OF mu-
scal, dramatic and asiisic talent that has cveaied
such general excitement and enthusiasm in the
metropolis BY the lsst census, the population OF
this CITY and suburbs is shown to be about eight
hundred thousand souls; but by the railroads,
steamboats, and other facilities for coming into the
metropolis, we have floating population, almost
urb IN in lis character, that may be estimated as
equal to about two millions of beings. Thus we
are competing with Londoa, and surprising Paris.
Our progress is truly wonderful. More large ocean
steamers euter this port than that of any city in
the world; and the thousands of strangers pouring
in upon us daily, are not an ephemeral addition,
but tarry at our hotels aud in boarding houses,
distributing their means freely, and giving activity
to every kind of business and trade.
1t is not singular therefore, that European talent
should come here for appreciation and for fortune.
At this very time, we have more artistic skill in
our midst than can be found commonly in the great
capitals Of Pans, London or ST. Petersburg Jenny
Lind, Parod, Anna Bishop, Nathalie Fitzjames,
and many others, are on the full tide OF success,
and are drawing thousands from the country to
see them Large parties, sometimes amounting to
several hundreds, come in from the inland towns
by the railroads, to hear the great vocaliss, and
TO see the sights generally. Hotels, consequently,
thrive wonderfully, and all persons ENJOY the sea.
son, as they never before enjoyed this season of
the year This, then, is the mission Of talent, go
little studied and so little understood. Very dis
tineuished writers on public economy have won
dered at the prices paid, usually, to distinguished
artists for their abors, and have endeayored 10 es
innate the value of public performers, in a
national point of view. The results of the
present season will furnish such theorists
with valuable hints Amusemen's of a rational
kind are alike conducive 10 the moral as well as
financial prosperity of community Wherever
they are neglected or shut out, the moral standard
of people is but an exterior display. There are
cities in this country with vanished appearances
of morality, where the liberal arts find encou-
ragement. From these very places emanate vice in
its worst forms, as in prohibited books illegal and
dangerous prn,s, and in other means Of pamPering
to morbld appetites; while in the social circles, the
time that might be devoted to rational amusements,
ia passed in questionable employing ns, which strike
at the very foundation of the moral character. In
one of the most seemingly virtuous cities of the
lion of dollars invested in the manufacture OF pro-
hibited books. prepared for the market by girls
belonging TO respectable families When the fact
came out, more than five hundred citizens assem-
bled privately to examine The extent Of the evil.
The revelations made were of the most shock
ing description. The Cities of the Plain knew
no greater depravity and the youth of that
city seemed 10 have been affected generally
by the poison placed within their reach. Whal
was the cause of So much hidden depravity !!
That city never encouraged or tolerated pub
lie smusements 1t was against the laws. The
narrow minded policy of Puritan life was car
ried out by the conventional hypocriscs Of society,"
ard sin stalked into every house. under the garb of
morality. We merely touch upon this unwritten
history Of public morals, with which, however,
hundreds are familiar. TIE cause and effect are
near each. other. shut out public umusemenis,
and you will shut in private vice.
Our great metropolis improves with the inn
provements in public amusement, morally and
mentally. Public manners Keep pace with the
Improvement in public taste At low prices, five
thousand persons will meet in place Of public
amusement, each one respectful to his neighbor,
ard each contributing TO the enjoyment of all.
The desires of the population instead of being left
Wlhout any ann OF purpose, tchu 10 thtt winch -
tasteful instead Of 10 those low pursuits Of pleasure
which always leave their sting behind. This is
the great result Of warm encouragement, of art,
and thus 1t is that great talent is entitled by the
good done TO society, to the amount of its reward
Jenny Lind, PaiCdi, and the other great artists
ia the metropolis, then, as we think mcri, all the
fayvr and patronage they command. They are
emineDtly seryiceable 10 society; and il would
not be difficult 10 prove that they are Of more value
To the commuuiiy, IN the view Of any rational pub.
lie economist, ihsnsen thousand Wall street bro
kers, or any hundred merchants.