New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-04
PHASES OF NEH.YORK LIFE.

THE BowERY ON SATURDAY NIGHT.
Human nature is perhaps never so thoroughly
human as when 1t has, according 20 its needs plenty
Of money at command Personal habits and eceenI1ei
ties different traits Of character parsimony prodgay
reckless extravaganza temperance, intemperancc hon
esy dishonesty vice. virtue every good and bad quality
the dark and the bright side OF human nature ono aud
all come TO the surface when the possession Of that ali
powerful agent money tears off the vail which ordinarily
conceals them and assists them in their goodness or pan
ders to their yieousness tie may be- Among the
lower classes who generally speaking more careless
of appearances than the upper classes and who know
little and care less for the which society has
ordained and rgdy exaets this exposition OF character
under the influence OF the possession OF money Is most
marked Let any one take stroll along the Bowery on
Saturday night wheD with the exception OF the outcast
habuGs Of the neighborOod and the thieves and cracks
men who frequent its many liquor stores saloons, and
mysterious cellars, scarcely woman, or boy is 10
be seen who has not weeks wages IN their pocket and
who is not busily intent on expending portion and
in some few The whole Of tem and he will see this
for himself
On Saturday night all the inhabitants Of the surround
ing neighborhOod. men, women, aud children, pour into
the Bowery and mnge with the crowd OF strangers as
they hurry along Oter about the OF the streets
leaving their deserted houses 70 take Of themselves
Scarcely any nationality unrepresented in that crowded
thoroughfare. Chinese, japanese, MeXcans. Indians
and negroes ostle among newly made citizens and sran
gers from all parts OF Europe and Canada aud visitors
from every State in the Union The Babel Of tongues s
distressing the noise Of passing vehicles the shouts OF
the newsboys as they announce extra edition Of the
evening papers, frantic yels Of eardrvers, baggage
men and auction statesmen are deaiehng the brilliant
glare from the gasghs In The stores IS dazzling ana be-
wldering the mud is inches deep and the Bowery
is in It's glory. The few policemen. the Chinese cigar
sellers the onsaTmed s9der organ grnaers snH Tue
stores TO preserve their cOnpOsule aud equa
nimty; al the rest Is mud noise hustle ana eonuson
the pavement respectable workingmen, thinking how
little not how much they spend buying new and eX'
pensve tools which will enable them 10 earn more money
al their trade or smiling with satisfaction they enter
the Atlantic Savings Bank to make their little deposits
With which they propose 70 set up ouse and gIancng
with deprecat6g looks the furnishing shops they pass
yecped N coarse WOODEN comforters carrying baby on
one arm and basket with the Sundays provision Of
fofters and babies are one Of the distinguishing cbSrac
teriscs OF Bewery life nearly every other woman yon
Juggling along baskets OF washing the contents OF which
contrast strangely With the color oil Their skins young
tho gallery Of tho Bowery thehter the stoid German
mechanic escorns MS Na.i s%ae s 70 ING
will drink as many glasses OF lager as washerwoman
would cups OF tea & oegOe
gentlemen from the could Country diving into liquor
saloons pushing their way into The crowded shops
enforced abstinence which their contemplated extraya
anCs Win entail S9 TN ou ps Ss
women who press from behind the curtains OF the base
ment brOthes flor Waor.s like the rest OF the world
shows a tendency TO gradually move uptown orange
Sellers cigar selers distributors OF circulars noisy itn
Grant tenders Of everything that is cheap and nasty
deavorlng TO attract custom all eagerly intent on the
business be 10 good bad which they have In hand and
taking pains whatever 10 conceal IL. The drygoods
store with It's brilliant lights and gorgeous cooYs reflected
ts flashing mirrors one OF the great ceners OF attrac
tOn At OIe counters young women OF questionable ap
pearance gold in their cars and Jewels
which they ostentatlousy display their fingers who
ask to SNOWY Ribbons lace cotton velvet cOaks SIT
side by side with respectable matrOns who carefully test
chids frock, considering the while how well aud how
long IL will and whether something httie