Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-11-29
From our New York Correspondent.

&
After spending month or more 10 his grea
Metropolitan CRY, 1t Is inpossible 10 bring the
many note worthy impressions made upon the
mind into the ompass of single letter And
rather than enter into description in detail. |
would counsel every young man to make 1t a
part of his educarion TO spend at least few
weeks in this place, tor here may be seen ali
that the new world has produced iu the ap-
pllances of wealth and culture. A little more
than two centuries ago the entire site of this
noble city was purchased of he Indians Tor
what was equivalent to ab,ut "a dollars Ii Is
now the acknowledged rival OF the oldest cities
of Europe, and bids fair to become the fashiop
cener of the world already leading Londou
and being close upon Paris iu this respect
To form an idea of the grandeur and beauty
of the Central Park, one must drive through
it. 1t extends from CO. to 10th street aud
from fifth to eighth avenue, Consisting OF about
800 acres, and being twice as large as m st ot
the London parks. ln laying out and beauti
flying this park the city has expended 8,00O,
O00 10 .491eosa a3- A s4- 20 ~
The Croton Aqueduct by which the city is
supplied with pure water, is one of the most
gigantic enterprises of the kind undertaken III
any country. The distance which the water
travels through this artificial channel is about
30 miles. The great receiving reservoir on
York Hill, five miles from City Hall, can re-
ceive a depth of water to the extent of 2O feet
and Is capable OF containing l50. .O0OUOO gal
Ions. The distributing reservoir is two miles
further on. built of solid masonry in the Egyp-
lian style Of architecture The Cast of this
Immense undertaking was over $4,000 900
OF the principal rich men OF New York, L
wish to >ay word. There are hundreds bu'
liIe Inferior TO those shall mention In point
oil wealth, but who are not so we'll known
throughout the country Vanderbilt wealth
consists mainly of stocks and he may be put
down al $75 O0O, 900 A T Stewart is worth
about SOU OUo. 100 AS ire great retail dry
goods Merchant ut The country, his stock Oh
hand may be estimated al S. 600 0U0. He has
erected a private marble residence on fifth ave
nue. a. a cost OF 81 o0O 600 But his bns.D---
~ dry-gOods has greatly declined owing 10 the
Increasing opposition ni large firms OF the
wealth of Col jun Fi,ke, owner OF tie
Grand Opera House (and lts stars from the
French Capital the 9 b regiment, the cele-
Drafed 3 ,stun line of Steamers and the Erie
Rail Road ln great part, there Is no Ger
| taiuty-but il has been put at SIS 600, 900 =
This 'mu> broom of an hour" as the lrlOune
styles bip, is a dariog but shrewd speculator
and no one can divine whether he has reached
the pinnacle Of his grea mess William Astor
aud son are worth about 500 O0O,OOO mostly
| In houses anu lanuS Auu WnGn was ABOUT
to moraiize upon the vice, filth and poverty OF
that section of the city about the Old Bowery,
was not little surprised to learn that those
wresched novels were part ofthe possessions OF
these mlllioLaires 100 times over; and tnat IN
that part of the city 1t is more profitable for
them to rent those dens of vice than to erect
new and respectable buildings
Ii it were my purpose to endeavor to crowd
Guide Book lnio your columns, might speak
of the various places OF resort, the magnificent
heatres and chulches, some of the latter worth
| $500, 900 aud even more of the Astor Libra
| ry, noble collection of l60, ,00O vouuies-the
| suit of the munlficent donations of the late
j. j Astor; OF the Historical Society and It's
valuable collecii ,ns of the Egyptian Museum
Containing relics ct ancient Egypt, collected by
| ,he learned Dr. Abbott duriag residence of
| 20 years on The banks of the Nile of the parks
and pleasaunces; Ut Park row, the printing
| presses, aud the one mammoth engfue tha,
turns lbs presses; of the beer gardens, the
cafes, and lhe chess clubs; and In fact the
! whole city tor have been able to mention
comparatively nothing.
| Adlos, STENO.