The New York herald., 1869-04-12
STATEN ISLAND.

Present Rates Of Rent-ImprOvements in
| Progress and In PrOspecive-A Grand
| Opening to Those Looking for Homes.
Situated at the entrance of our harbor-its pic
| turesquey bold heights along Its western shore
commanding broadly stretching view seaward
through the Narrows and the limtess expanse of
ocean beyond, Its undulatlng SUBMITS swelling into
grander, though less abrupt heights approach
its more northern confines, afrording the finest view
to be had anywhere OF beautiful harbor and its
shore along the XIII Won Kul to where the waters
OF this stream again unite with the ocean present
ing to view perpetualiy pleasing landscape--is
Staten Island. And yet this island occupies but
small space the map. The fact is that the whole
island is only about sixteen miles long by eight wide
that the population Is not much over 10000; that
there are but few small villages within its boun-
darles, and that the influx OF temporary residents
and visitors during the summer has. until hin
the last two three years, only saved 1t from posi-
tive inanition. The great masses OF our population,
however, still know but little of the island. Only till
quite recently, indeed, except the part OF very
few, has there been anything like realizing
Of its natural beauties and superior advantages,
either as a temporary or permanent place of resi-
dence over all the ether suburban surroundings OF
great city. Its propnquity to the city; its con-
venence OF access by steamboats, SO much peasanter
than by rail; its Elevated positions the healthfuI sea
breezes that continually sweep over IT. the compare
tive cheapness Of rents and relatively low price
OF land to those wishing to buy,
gradually directing the attention OF our
citizens-those seeking houses away from their
business and the city, with increasing health
and comfort to themselves and their chiidren-more
IN this direction than ever before. The Quarantine
was long and irresistible barrier TO its success.
People did not care breathe the air Of contagious
diseases, did not relish the perpetual pest of malaria
breeding at their very DOORS 1t is true the evil was
magnihed-for the health OF the island was never
seriously affected by the Quarantine being there
but they expected 1t might be- and 80 waQed bitter
aud implacable war against what they deemed their
and relentless foe. and pettoned ana remon-
srated against It's continuance, and so when begging
and bribery accomplished nothing, set fire to the
buildings and with the torch OF incendarism freed
Themselves OF their enemy. The islands prospects
have been Frightening ever since. The population
OF the island has doubled. The price OF real estate
has quadrupiea, having tust doubled within the
past two years. spirit OF enterprise Is
showing itself on every side The. villages are
growing and being paved. Churches and schools,
and banks and stores, and nanuiac ctores and bush
ness OF all kinds multiplying rapidly. New
steamboat routes are being established, new rail-
roads are being built. The island in short Is show
ing symptoms OF shaping out It's nna grand dcs
tiny-that OF becoming great and chieay popular
suburb of New York. Along the Hudson river,
along the route Of the Harlem Railroad and along the
line OF the New Haven Railway towns have multi
piled and increased In the number OF their inhabl-
tants TIL they are overfowlng with our surplus
population, and real estate commands fabulously
hiah and unreasonable prices. II is the same on
Long Island. Along the divers railroads OF New
Jersey. notwithstanding
Its low, level lands
And great sahara sands,
10 say nothing Of its mutitudmous marshes and
mosquitoes, are nconveniently massed communities
OF those doing business ia New York, but Obliged TO
live there TO ENJOY the benefits OF cheaper rents and
more room and more cubic feet OF wholesome
atr. All other places are gettisg TO be crowded
ana PEAL estate and The cost OF living high that
our boiliug-over population are now beginning to
look to staten Island for their future homes.
seeming untoward combination of circumstances,
but which Is proving to have been most fortunate In
It's results has prevented the splendid advantages this
island possesses over the other suburbs OF city
being properly appreciated aud turned to available
account. -Four days foot tramp over the lsland-for
TINS was the only way to see II propery-has enabled
US TO study It's chief points OF attraction, TO observe
the glowing footprints the march OF Improvement
has already made, and to take note Of prospective
improvements foresnadowing for the island pros
porous and brilliant future. Our tour OF inspection
mas brought us directly ris pis with the magnificent
villas crowptng its dizzy heights anu beautiful
shores IL u astonishing how many OF these villas
there are, and the elegant taste displayed In their
style Of architecture Y equally but more pleasngty
wonderful: These villas, with turrcted towers look
the unbrageols shades OF the lower slopes and
deeper deils, numerous as they are, aud
their rapidly increasing number shows
growing appreciation Of the island but the
beginning Of what the future In destined
TO develop. We give below the results OF our
tour OF inspection with brief references TO the
more prominent villas. Our object is 10 oct as q
guide 10 the thousands IN our city who are look
ing anxiously about them for place where they
eau secure Tor themselves and famiiies comfortable
and permanent homes and stepping aside from the
beaten pathway Of mere stereotype chroniclcrs,
throw out suggestions OF value to those OF little
means To those OF moderate means and to those
whom wealth has made not only more fortunate, but
through It's possession raised above the hard and
earnest striving OF others IN working cut that great
life problem 'to be, 10 do and to sufer,-a problem
so curIously and inexpcably interviewer Into the
tangled WEB OF 50 many sad human uestinies.
To tens OF thousands OF citizens staten Island Ia
as unknown as the far OF Islands OF the Hebrides.
Myrads of our school chtiren can define its geogra
phica position with 1uent accuracy who have never
been tnere The nn,ngied beauties OF Its majestic
heights and wooded dels have nladdened the eyes OF
those gazing AZ u from distance whose hearts have
never been gladdened 10y Roaming over It's mis- ami
thrOdgh us ulies. aud WINE dri1kiug IN its health
giving air the bany breath OF the ocean Dreczes-
drink In deeper draughs OF pleasure ana Inspiration
Iatt.lse tll,Y. ma