, 1857-07-10

a correspondent of the NeD York Courie,
and Inquirer
A mercantile notice in your paper yes.
terday, recalls so wildly a like notice
issued in the chief commercial paper OIL
this city, LdngS Gazette, all but half 0
century ago. that l must pray you to spare
to the reminiscence thus reviewed, bre
space in your journal-valuable as that
space necessarily is.
Archibald Oracle, of Mobile, announces
that he has taken into partnership his sol
Archibald, and that the business will b,
continued under the firm of Arch. Oracle
& Son. Nearly fifty years ago the father
of this Archibald Oracle announced here
that he had taken into partnership his SOL
William, and that the firm would be Arch
Oracle & Son. That firm in this city, and
that father and that son have passed away
but not so the memories in some yet sur
viving hearts-and the most endearing
memory is that of the heart-of the liberal
spirit, the intelligent, and far-reaching
enterprise, and especially of the kindly,
generous sympathy with all connected with
their business in whatever way-which
distinguished that firm. The good name
and fragrant memory of the fine old New
York merchant, whose beautiful ships, and
well-known red and white signal were fa-
mliar in -ORefy sea-remain pride and an
Inheritance to his children and his children'S
children-and when at this distant day,
that name is revived and renstated though
in far.off city-by son worthy Of it in
manliness Of character, integrity of dealing,
and intelligence Of enterprize-it may be
pardoned to one who knew, and shared
the love of the father-to express the de-
light with which he halls and welcomes this
revival by the son and the sons son, of a
thrice-honored firm.
Few indeed comparatively are those,
who from personal recollection can sympa-
thise in this his jOy-for about two genera
tions have come and gone since that day,
and the ample Mercantile Directory Of this
city does not probably contain half dozen
firms which were in existence then-and if
our partnerships have changed, how re-
markable the change in other respects.
At the time to which reference is made
about IS09-the city Of New York con-
tanned 96, 900 inhabitants. It now con
tains, exclusively Of its suburbs on Long
Island, Staten Island, in Westchester and
New Jersey, some 650,O00. There was
then but one steamboat in the world, and
that belonged to New York, and hoated
on the Hudson. Now steamboats, are as
numerous almost as three-masted ships, and
their smoke tunnels are seen at every wharf
Mobile then was a Spanish possession, and
the State of Alabama was not The whole
tonnage of the United States may then
have been about 100000. The tonnage
of the port Of N. York alone now exceeds
1900, 900. The largest merchant ship
then known to our commerce did not ex-
ceed and rarely equalled 500 tons. Now
they go up to $500.
The sea-going steamer, the railroad, the
electric telegraph were unheard Of The
EXTREMIST northern limit of the city was the
open ditch in Canal street.-the region be-
yond was country-houses, tea gardens, Or
chards and cornfelds. No omnibus had
then vexed our pavements, and few and
far between were the fire engines which ran
then in the middle of the street and not on
the sidewalk. Then the tolling of the bell
was the signal for every good citizen to
turn with bis regulation leathern buckets in
hand, and falling into line, hand them
along from cisterns and pumps to the FIRE.
Pumps then at frequent corners, and often
in the middle of the street, supplied all the
water used, and not little embarrassed the
militia tactics on grand holidays and par
ade days, in maneuvering around and
about them so as to preserve the line. The
Croton then was renowned only for its
striped bass. The hour then was early and
habits simple-high Change at IL NJ, and
dinner late, at three O'Clock, and at work
again in tho counting-house after dinner.
The old City Hall. where now stands
the Custom House, was then in honor, and
the great building Of the city. 1t was Of
modest size, yet was there room in it for
all the municipal legislation, all the muni-
cipal Offices, and the courts of law. All
the voting of the city was done there, and
then each election lasted three days. But
l promised to be brief, yet the chapter Of
the past, when once opened by the magic
Of cherished name and precious recolec-
tiOns, is very tempting-yet stop. G. K.