The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-08
may prevail

Social LIFE AND BUSINESS AMONG Us.-Look-
ing every side and throughout TIE metropolis,
massive edifces, public Establishments on an
extensive scale, beautiful and expensive private
dwellings, costly carriages and turn cuts, invita-
tons to sources given at an expense of from ten to
fifteen thousand dollars each rich dresses and opera
costumes accompanied by diamonds and jewels of
the most luxurious description and in fact, all the
evidences Of accumulated wealth a grand scale.
Broadway, at the fashionable part Of the day,
i thronged with pedestrians extensively clothed,
and many a lady has wealth enough, in the shape
ofjcwels and dress upon her person, TO pay the ex
penses of family handsomely for whole year.
The equipages which rattle over the pavements are
Of the most elegant description, fitted out at
heavy cost, and magnificent in trappngs, coachmen
and liveries. The jewelry, haberdashery and mil
liners establishments, are beseged daily by hun
dreds, who lavish their incomes largely upon them;
and the whole scene, in the fashionao ole part Of the
city, presents European aspect Of extravaganza,
and none Of that republican simplicity which for
merly distinguished the mode of living common to
our grandmothers. So, too. in the commercial por-
tions Of the metropolis, we find every movement is
made on a scale Of the most extensive kind. Mer-
chants, who formerly were contented to live at the
think nothing of expanding ten or twenty thousand
dollars annually Indeed, everywhere an impetus
has been given to the style Of living which is re-
markable, and which would be well, perhaps, if we
could be assured that the enjoyment Of 30 much
luxury is soundy based, and will not lead to
barrassments and disasters on the first shock Of
CONFUSION.
The influence Of the great influx of gold from
California has had much to do in brngngsabout
this state Of things. Probably about hundred
AMI ffy mil2ioas Of dollars in geld have come from
the mines on the Pacific side of the continent with
in three years. This naturally has stimulated
every channel Of trade. Look, for instance, at its
effect upon the shipping interests Of the country.
What sceIes Of activity mark every ship yard in
every port, and in almost every Of our river
towns which can float a vessel down to the sea.
How vast increase has there been in the ship
chandlery line-n cordage factories-n our
sa lofts, and in every branch Of business connected
with the marine service. Then reflect upon the
constant tide Of passengers floating in and out Of
the Atlantic 10 the Pacific, the aggregate returning
from California enriched by their spirit Of adyen
turc. Be sides all this, what an immense State has
sprung into existence, if by magic, hereafter to
blend the hardy activity Of the New Highlander
with the oriental case and luxurious manners Of
the Asiatc-produeDg a kind Of society the
western coast Of this continent such as the world
never saw, and Of which it has yet scarcely
droamed-a people vigorous in war, daring and
energetic in commercial enterprise, and which, at
no distant day, will break the seals that conceal
japan and China, and amagamatc the Asiatic and
the Saxon races
Well, this great expansion Of enterprise, and Of
extravaganza consequence Of it, all grows out
q the abundance Of gold and bu, for our success in
obtaining il, long before this our banks would have
been bereft Of specie, and general hare-up would
have cUsued We should have been In the same condi-
tion were six years ago, when explosion
would have taken place but for the famine in ireland,
which made an extraordinary demand for our bread
stufTs and thus TUNED the current Of specie back
towards our shores At the present time il is only
the resource possessed in California gold that ena-
blts u q meet the otherwise inevitable result of
the cotton crisis in England which has acted alrea
dy with considerable severity upon us Indeed,
strong seem, IL IL not too much to say
that if the California mines we're to give out for
year, there would be one q the greatest CONNER.
cal panics known since 1897. Promising as every
thing now appears there grounds for apprehen-
sion that California will not continue TO yield stea
Oily her tribute TO the world The stories from the
mines glowing, but stll they are not alto sether
reliable in a commercial point Of view. 1t is quite
possible that the ensuing twelve months will prove
that any dependence for regular supply Of gold Is
out Of the question. The yield must always be an
uncertain one and if We have correct information,
the diggings have already been swept pretty clean
by the adventurous laborers who have visited them
In this state Of things, cannot anticipate any
thing less than the desire Of the cmigrants the
Pacific to enter the mineral reg us Mexico, fruit
full both in gold and silver. There enlarged
spirit q cnterpr'e would prove highly successful,
ard The products obtained would almost ensure ~
from - - those ponies which must take place, IL
VIZ arc e. doTetd soIely upon our returns from CALI