The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1854-05-04
Editorial Correspondence.
New YORK, May /, 1854.

under Of tearing ourself from you, we
rejoice that such are now the facilities of
communication between different points
that distances can now only be counted
by hours instead of by weeks, months
and even years, as was done by our
grandfathers. Having little business
to transact in New York, and as we
have been for long time closely con-
fined by our business at home, we con-
cluded to unite business with pleasure,
and, for the nonce, try the good old way
of depending on wind and tide, accord
ingly placed ourself on board the "good
schooner Phenix," Capt. Dickens. Well,
we had the fun "with vengeance"
for it very soon came on to blow what
we believe sailors sometimes call a
"reg'lar snorter," and it rained like
great guns )" We believe these are the
SMILES, though We are not sure any very
definite ideas can be formed from them.
But, suffice it to say, that after passage
of about ffty-eight or sixty hours, we
arrived safely in New York, yesterday;
this being longer than any voyage we
have ever before made at sea. And,
after all we rather liked it, for there is
a great deal of truth in the old adage
that variety is the spice of life," and
besides we have in our composition a
considerable Of that kind of material
which phrenologists call " frmness,"
but our 4" boss" used to call it--and we
think likely quite as appropriately
" mulishness" but by whatever name
it be called, we like a little difficulty
now and then, il serves to relieve the
monotony which would be consequent
on continued success. Even in love
affairs we believe it is considered neces-
sary that there should be some difficult
ties, in order to prove that it is not
spurious article and SO in pretty much
all other phases of life, difficulties seem
rather necessary in order, perhaps, that
we may be able to appreciate success.
We arrived in the city on Sunday,
amid the tolling of bells. The obsequies
Of the unfortunate fremen who were
killed at the late fire in Broadway were
being performed 4; at which the turnout
of the Fire Department was almost
unanimous, and that of the citizens very
large, making one of the most extensive
professions witnessed here for long
time. Many of the buildings were
dressed in mourning on the occasion.
And by the way, there is one thing that
we have noticed - more particularly
while a resident of this city-and that is
that generally on public occasions, either
Of rejoicing or sorrowing, the shOso of
participation seemed to be more partic-
ularly by grogshops and theatres--not
only on funereal occasions, but of Fourth
of July and other days of public rejoic-
ings. We don't know but there is some
connection between rum and patriotism
as it is very frequently exhibited-not
real patriotism, but the kind VIC fire.
quently witness on these great occasions.
To-day being moving day in New
York, of course everything is wrong
side up, and nearly every place that one
attempted to find was like the Irishman's
flea, when you get there it was some
where else, or in process of transition,
which made it difficult to accomplish
much in the way Of business. Those
who have been in New York on the first
day of May need not be told that it
comes about as near the Imagination Of
pandemonium let loose as anything that
can be easily conceived of.
The papers are filled with extensive
accounts Of loss of life and damage by
the late storm. Quite number of lives
have been lost, the various railroads are
extensively damaged, and among other
destruction we notice the carrying away
Of a portion Of the Croton dam. A very
extensive land slide took place in Brook