Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-02-22
New York, Sc. sc.

us to the great commercial emporium of
the Countrywide city of New York
We left this metropolis for that uiNage
one morning, and on the evening of
the day subsequent to our departure,
took a seat in Niblos Garden, and wit
messed the performance of the "Black
Crook ;" a performance rich and rare, and
exhibiting plumptitudes - in every con-
ceivable variety. So much for modern
travel. The time was, when a journey be-
tween these places was the labor of seve-
raj days, and the cause of much bodily IA
tigue, expense and wear and tear.
New York, without doubt, is great place;
it has increased with unexampled rapidity,
and is daily growing greater and richer in
all the elements of wealth and prosperity.
It is the great commercial heart of the
country; the centre of a trade which reaches
with spreading arms the world over. 10
be picked up out of an inland town, and
suddenly transported into that rushing,
struggling, driving, vast emporium, into
those crowded streets and avenues, has a
tendency to open the eyes with wonder, If
not admiration. There is Broadway, for
instance what street in the world can
equal Broadway, with its moving mass
of human ife-with two great tides as it
were of human action and happiness, ever
going and returning with the regularity of
machinery-with its numberless vehicles,
from the hand cart of the laborer to the
carriage with liveries of the wealthy, not
forgetting that other liveried carriage which
passes unnoticed through the thronged
thouroughfares on its business journey to
Greenwood. Who that has sauntered lei
surely down Broadway, and surrendered his
thoughts to the speculations of the mo-
ment, but has wondered at the wealth, the
resources, the importance of this great and
growing city. Or on the return, seated
with the driver of the omnibus on his
perched up seat, but he's gazed with ad-
miration On the panorama spread out be-
fore him, rushing th1ong of thousands as
far as the eye can reach, with magnificent
houses on either hand and countless stores
filed with rich merchandise. See it by
gas light, when the hurrying press is some
what over and the seekers of pleasure pass
on their way.
There is but one Broadway, and it may
not be excelled. 1t really seems as though
the people of New York have no other &C.
cupation but to walk alternately and con-
tinually, up and down Broadway. The re-
Elections that come over stranger, stand
ing before one of the hotels, and gazing at
the passing crowd are conflicting and over
powering. How many unwritten volumes
are passing there How much of happi-
ness, the tinsel pleasure of the hour, is in
that groupe? How much of care, wasting dis
ease and sorrow passes slowly yonder p
There is unblushing sin, with high head,
and unappreciated virtue with lowly front.
Riches, poverty, health, disease, age, youth,
passing in stream whose outlet is "that
unknown sea which sweeps round all the
world" Arriving in New York from an
inland, or distant town, and you behold at
once the vast difference between the man
ners and conduct of the one contrasted with
familiar with the community of interest and
feeling, which usually prevails; where the
transactions Of the day are known to oil the
inhabitants; where the kindly practice OF
not only attending to your own, but your
neighbours business likewise, is constantly
observed, and every slight occurrence, be-
gan in speculation and heightened by ex-
aggeration, flies from house to house with
daily additions.
Knowing the general interest felt by your
neighbors in your family and commercial
concerns ard aware that the town general
~ resolves itself into q committee of the
whole for the ascertainment and publica-
ton of all occurrences, and tit-bits of scan
dial or news, you are somewhat surprised
in New York, to behold the very antipo6es
of all this. There a universal selfishness
prevails; each man attends to his business.
careless whether his neighbor fourishes OF
fails, lives or dies. They have no time for
the cultivation of friendly feellng-it does
not pay-they may have chance acquaint-
anceships, and slight regard for persons
connected with them by trade, but full
blooded friendships are rare, and the ex-
hibitions of personal kindnesses, springing
from no motive save that of generosity OF
good will, are seldom seen. They are, fol
the most part, driving, calculating, cold
blooded set, engaged body and soul in
the making of money, and careless of all
outside this, their legitimate domain. You
may occupy house as your dwelling fol
years, and with your family have every dis
position to cultivate free and easy relations
with your neighbors on either side, but this
you will find to be impossible; a barrier is
raised, and you cannot cross it, save by a
compliance with terms other than your
own. A good illustration of life in
New York is afforded in the experience
of one of the hotels, where the man of the
office sends up to No. " mint julep, and
to No. 1873 coffin. We met an old &C
quaintance at one Of these hotels care
you putting up here" says he. "Yes."-