The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-03-01

Ehc wy ceusOm asa the MeteOpOtas.
New York 10 grsndiy vindicstiag her claim
to belng the metropolis Of the New World.
Never before was this city 80 gay. so animated.
90 crowded. so prosperous. Lent, with its
sombrc hue, has failed to dim the bright iustre
of our fashionable circles. II our elite must
not dance during the interval which the Church
claims a. period for sober thought and abne-
cation, they can and do crowd our Opera House,
concert rooms and theatres. Receptions are
now all the rage, and each day may DO seen
crowds Of carriages in the fashionable avenues
and streets, filled with ladies in most elegant
toilettcs. At the Academy OF Music the display
Of satins, laces and jewels seems but to have
increased When Maretzek chooses to give
way TO popular prejudice, and allows his
artists TO ding Faust or lone. the crowds which
I'LL the house are respiendent New York
never before witnessed SO much fashion, such
rich displays Of dress and beauty. Then our
concert rooms are literally patronixed. The
claims Of eminent artists are now recognized
by society with q fervor which proves that the
public taste for art is on the increase.
We are now in the enjoyment OF an eddi-
tional source OF amusement The Ritchings Eng
fish Opera troupe have commenced a series of
their popular performances at Niblo's Garden
aud. to judge from the crowded state Of Che.
house on their opening night, will have their
share Of the public patronage. Our manag ers
are bewildered by their extraordinary success,
Mr.. Wallsck has actually retreated TO Phiia-
delphia, that in that suburban place he may
be reminded Of old limos; that he may enjoy
rest and tranquility such as was once to be met
with in New York. As things are al present,
the veteran feels how useless it is for him to
plot and plan for the public amusement. All
he has to do is to open his doors. play anything
Rosedale, for instance-and turn away crowds
every night. Just so at the Winter Garden,
where the Florences have grown gray playing
the Ticket Of Leave Man. We might go on
citing twenty other places of amusement
equally prosperous
The hotels in all parts of the city benefit by
the universal prosperity, and are Overerowded.
Boarding houses are filled 10 repletion, while
hosts of families are upon the verge of despera-
ton from fear that on the LIST OF May they will
be turned homeless into the streets. There
are no houses for rent and but few for sale.
Our great restaurants are nightly filled with
guests. Grand dinners are the order Of the
day Delmonico's magnificent rooms are re-
dolent with flowers and the fumes Of rich wines.
The Mason Doree has its share of patronage.
A stranger must wonder where oil the money
that is needed to defray this immense expendi-
tire for pleasure comes from. We are not pre-
pared to answer au Juste; but Chase knows
In this whirlpool Of dissipation and
pleasure the masses are carried along I'M
resistingly. The more wise shake their
heads aud hoard their greenbacks. or
rather change them into something more sub
stantial; but their dis,nay or fears cannot stem
the popular current 'Aprcs nous ie deluge"
is the almost universal thought. A crash may,
doubtless must, come ere long; but until it
does New York will continue to be the gayest.
most brilliant Of cities, attracting vast crowds
from the smaller and more insignificant places,
such as Boston, Philadelphia. Baltimore, &c.
One beautiful and prosperous city-we refer TO
Portlaud-seems to have been deserted by her
most eminent citizens. We see them oil here
We merely cite this an an instance of what New
York is becoming in the estimation of the
people of the North.
THE PURsUT or THE ALABAMA-TWo Eng
liah IN orc nktta hnucnu that haca Io.t lo.~oI~