Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-09-07
New York Life,

An occasional correspondent of the National
lute!gencer, writing from New York, gives
this account Of their manner of living in that
CITY:
''Ihe general style of living and the heavy
expenditure in New York has no parallel either
in this country or in Europe, in the same rank and
class Of society. 1t is, to be sure, far exceeded
by the immensely rich nobility Of England, but
the bankers, merchants, and traders of England
are very far exceeded in their style of living and
personal expenses by the corresponding classes of
this city. There is also here an absurd rivalry on
this subject.
''The man with 900 wishes to live on
footing with his neighbor who has 500 900; this
latter, with another who has accumulated $780,
600; and this latter with the millionaire of The
Fifth Avenue. This disposition and the practice
of it is exhibited in every form, by the men in
their town and country houses, in their furniture,
last horses, and the spendor of their dinners land
the quality and price of their wines; by the wo-
men in their bonnes, dresses, laces, Cashmere
shawls, equipages, balls and soirees; and the
general desire of show and parade extends not
only to their weddings, but even 10 their funerals
and the habinents of VICE.
''Ihe rich men are, with some exceptions, the
great men of New York; and though Hamilton
or King, Webster or an Everett, would be
fully and properly appreciated by very many in
this city, still large majority would regard with
more Difference and treat with greater degree of
respect and attention some noodle who had
million of United States six per cent stock stand
ing in his name.
There is also in New York general, and it
may be called vulgar, practice to estimate or
tell the cost Of everything. If you are at a ball
or soiree, if you do not hear Of it al the time you
are sure 10 learn ii in the gossip Of the next 4S
hours, that the natural flowers displayed in
the rooms or on the supper table cost so many
hundred dollars; that eer was paid such
sum for the supper, that the hire of the extra
plate and glass cost so much, and that the band
had like amount for lis services, and the whole
entertainment involved an outlay Of perhaps two
or three thousand dollars. II il is dinner party
you are sure to learn that Weller or some other
cookery man CHARGED $l5 for each guest for his
vlands, besides the ornaments and the dessert,
and that the Madeira wine was Els and the
sparkling Mosee SO per bottle.
'But it is on the occasion Of wedding among
the upper ten that gossip leasts and revels.-
Every part and parcel of the BRIDES array has its
cost announced TO the very dollar. Her lace veil
cost $500, presented by such a relative; her dia-
mond pin,or slomacher, 81 900 presented by an
other relative; her necklace, s 500, probably
presented by the groom; her dress, Of such mate
rial, cost $1,000, with so many yards of lace on
It at $50 per yard; and altogether her entire cos
tune and parure, as she stood up at the ceremony
cost $4,000 or $4,000, or may be $40, 900; then
she had one Cashmere shawl which cost s 500,
another wi 900, and such bridal presents, pre-
senied by such and such persons, that cost $1,000,
$500, $4OO, $500, and 500, respectively; the
poor bride, il rs to be hoped, being all This time
ignorant of those discussions, and equally so how
such information got about"