Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-03-10
NEW YORK LETTER.
BOARDING HOUSES AND THEIR APPuR-
TENANCES.

NEW YORK LETTER
BOARDING HOUSES AND THEIR APPuR-
TENANcEs.
NIw YORK. Feb. 2lst 1858.
OF all the subjects which this morning bestride my
goose quill romantic higalutin for the largest
and coarsest steel pen) none seem to me 80 prolific or
entertaining as Nem York Boarding Houses. Lot me
give you pen and ink skeleton Of New York board
ing house. than which there is greater curiosity
under tho sum- Half tho houses in the City arc board
ing houses Whole streets, blocks, wards, are devo-
ted to this species Of entertainment In any twenty
feet square from the Battery to Boomingdalo or from
North to East River one be accommodated with
/. boarding house And these houses, II speak Of the
geuteel elass numerous they be, are, in manners
customs and denizcns, just alike OF course some
arc moro elegant than Others but as to leading fca-
lures they differ u respect Let us take ono as an
example of tho whole. 1t s large, consisting OF base
mcnt first: second third, fourth and often hi'h floors.
In it arc elegant suites Of spar:ments-rarlors, bour
dois and dressing roons for moned people and rich
people; spacious single chambers for weli-to-do uh
married people; exceedingly small and close rooms,
in which cat could mt be doccntly accommodated Tor
shabby genteel people and lastly, holes, cuddes and
attcs for Irish helps"
On the first hoor are two grand parlours opening
into each other wheron the guests convene promis-
cuousy fore and aft the meals. and wherein company
is received and hops held and wherein negotia-
tions for board arv conducted and concluded and one
losrnS how much he is 10 pay rer week for a room.
and how much extra for gus how much extra for COAL
how much extra for boot backing. 'Tis not in tho
parlours however learns all the extras. The incl
dental extras too to mention glance to
the right incurs extra, and glance to the left
another The said establishment il enaned by every
age class and condition Of man and woman kind,
"youpg and maident old mon and children,
people of all professions and trades Of al nations, all
crseds all colours.
Now for the customs and manners. At seven A..
H., an alarumcis ruug from basement to attic, which
means tia time to be stirring" Breakfast is served
from eight until olersn; most odsers though brcsk
fast between eight and niue and are of "down town"
walking often two and three mes to their place Of
business. At this meal overy appears armed with
"HeraiI," Times" or Courier des Etat, Unis,
with which he or she beguiles time thOy wait for
their twelfth moety Of the services Of Irish GIRL
mu:t not forget to say, passanet that homminy is
called mush, and from the ungonteel manner in which
it is boiled, fully deserves this "soft impeachment"
Rice, hommny, sweet potatoes and corn Bread are
not to be found decent in New York. delegation OF
"old suntiea" sort Of culinary nission would en-
Tighten the community considerably upon the proper
preparation Of the above indispensables.
But to proceed Lunch is served at one, and at
tended only by the ladies and such gentlemen
at hand; upon this OCCASION ravascs q lu ocust
arc committed upon NIL Of culd cdibles Din
of generally about eix, and j, enacted by
gas light. This is the grand Of the ,weu
ty-four hours! The merchants, clerks aud artilcers
rest from their labours and have made themselves,
thoy express it. "spruee;" the ladies appear in all
"the bravery Of their tinklng ornaneuts," and the
dispensed with Irish sirsdos thOr sleeves
and stand ready to show what thoir bare righ:
can do.
The dinner table in New York boarding house ia
perfect picture perfect study. Here sits vener
able man, ''wrinkled aud curved, with white and
hoary hairs," aud opposite him specimen of young
Now York, (pcrhars future Know Nothing Soon
or Black Republican freedom shrioker.) with frizzed
"UNotOIhet
velvet rcst. Here is digIifcd gentleman in the
prime of life and beautiful and intelligent woman,
opposite sgglins dirt and plnin silent female.
Here Ipatron fair, fat and f,rty,-there another
"with saffron hido aud dulcet treble; !" here "a stale
virgin with winter face, there forlorn old bach
elor, dry, wthered and skinny as Gliddon's Mummy.
Here sits young "steward Of the mysteries" with
meek expression, but not meek appeute,-there
gay Lothsrio," With bold glance and digaye neck
cloth hOre Swedish wine merchant, there Russian
ship builder; hOro French corset maker, there IN
Italian singing master. And now comes the grand,
general frantic conversation. At New York board
ins house the gift Of utterance is miraculous All
subjects fully and freely discussed science, art
religion, politics, fashion, scapda The bare armed
Hsbes 20 round and announce the courses thus
"clam soup" "pea soup" &e;-soup dspatehed, thoy
again 80 round and announce boiled halibut"
"boiled cod;"-hsh being dispatched, they cireum-
navigate the board third Time and give out "roast
bsei" "roast turkey" "eorned boef," ham" These
latter dishes 10 DC accompanied with vegetables,
salads and sauces; SO soon you have designated
what manner Of flesh you will patronzc they cry out
without taking breath, md in regular cresocndo,
Irish potatoes sHoet potatoes cabbsgcs, spinach,
turnps, cranberry sauce, apple sauce, cold slaw."
And you arc asked if you will have "dish gravy"
(from the dish) "boat gravy" from the sauce
boat) and whether " white meat black meat" (of
fowlf) This last take as cunning fetch to avoid
pronounrng tho wicked and indelcate words "breass
and leg The dessert is all set upon tho table at
once and the rcpast end, with tea and coffee. I'm
New York boarding house thore is such meal ten
or supper. From nine till twelve A. NJ, cold meats,
With bread and salad, spread out in the dining hall
for all who wish to partakc.)
After dinner, those who stay at home adjourn to
the parlours, and those who go out to the public
smusements put of in hurry, the opening hour be-
ing already at hand. Most people in New York who
bonrd go three four times week to the Theatre or
Opera. Living tho cold and conventional lifo they
dG they must kH their small leisure time in some way
or other. But Sunday in New York boarding house
deserves especial notice. It is the dny Of relaxation
ssisty long chats lengthy perusals Of Tms' and Her.