The Portland daily press., 1868-03-19
Meters i'm New YO,k
The Neacs, the Drama, and Divinity-Real Es-
tate The Purim Ball Fair for Soldiers and
NEW YORK, March 16, 1866.


Sailors.
NEW YORK, March 16, 1866
| The metropolis is tranquil. Even the STIR
ring news from Washington, from New Hamp-
shire, or the town election in an Insignificant
borough out in Western New York, or down
| in Maine, fails to get up panic. The drama
is steadily patronized from the pit of the
Bowery to the splendid dress circles of the
fashionable Wallack's. In divinity there is a
lull. The Rev. George Cheever. whose church
was sold out some time ago, for a diamond
shop, bias lately turned up in Washington,
| preaching to the House of Representatives.
Beecher is getting up another novel. "Nor-
| wood" is Just out in book form, and absolutely
sells nearly ton day. Tying has had gen.
tie admonition, and has promised to preach a
little more church and little less "Tyng"
hereafter.
A vast business in buying and selling real
estate is now carried on. One day last week
$1,5O0,OO0 worth of vacant lots In New York
and Brooklyn was sold at the Exchange. A
lot at the corner of Sixth Avenue and 59th
street brought $4,000. This is more than
three miles up the city, and a few years ago
that part of the city was waste. Three or
four years ago the city of Brooklyn bought
six hundred acres of land for park, and
about $2O00000 have already been expended
upon it, The Assessors books show that the
advance in the assessed value of the property
mainly benefited by it prospect Park in
three years, is the large sum of 81 ,50O0 O0 The
Park Commissioners have every year advised
the city to buy the Litchfeld farm, adjoining
81 h,,x, lroI - I:
is now before the Legislature to enable the
city to do it. This farm will now cost $780,
600. In 1865 the sum of $150O00 was asked
for it; in 1866, 100000; and this matter is
fair illustration of the rise in the value of real
estate. At this rate, in a few years it will re-
quire mint of money to get hold of foot of
real estate in the two cities. Not only in the
city is the greatly enhanced value of real es-
tate observed, but in all the cities and towns
where where there is direct railroad or water
communication with New York.
The Purim Masquerade Ball last Monday
night at Pixies Opera House, was one of the
most magnificent, the most brilliant and gor-
geous entertainments ever given in the me-
tropolis. The beautiful Jewish daughters of
New York were out in all their enchantment,
and all that wealth and beauty and taste could
do, were pat in acquisition to make this annu-
al festival an era in Jewish-American history.
The Feast of Purim is national Jewish an
niversary to commemorate the deliverance of
the Jews by Esther. Large colored lights il
Illuminated the Opera House and the street.
The floor was filled with masked dancers BE-
fore 10 O'Clock, arrayed in the most gorgeous
and brilliant costumes. Every type of beauty
was seen from the bashful maiden TO the prin-
cess. Satin CATERS, silken dominoes, golden
bracelets, cream tinted gloves, and sunny dia-
monds abounded and dazzled everywhere. At
the banquet Bacchus reigned supreme. The
flow of wine was ceaseless and free. Sweet
melody from lsraelitish composers warmed
the heart and thrilled the ear. Taken all in
all, the Purim Ball was magnificent affair,
which it will be difficult for any other people
than the Israeltes of New York to excel.
A Great National Fair is to be held here on
the 14th of April next, for the benefit of desti-
tute widows and mothers of soldiers and sail
ors The design is to found National Homes"
at certain points for this destitute class, where
they may find an asylum in old age. Such
institutions exist in Europe, and even in the
lately rebellious States. An appeal is made
to the people of the Empire State to send in
articles and means as in the Sanitary Fairs
The object commends itself to the charitable
everywhere, and in practical benevolence rises
high above all the monumental and money
testimonies ever contemplated. NASSAU.