The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-01
Tho Smallest House I'M NeW YorK-
Patrick McBride's Fifth Avenue

Tho Smallest House In NeW fefA-
Patrick McBride's Fifth Avenue
Home.
rerom the New York Times.l
The smallest dwelling.house In this cry
stands in hollow on the open lots oounu,
ed by Fifty.eighth and ana fIty'hMlMh, M
streets, Fifth and Sixth avenues. ~
ground was once covered py p vndM; 20
water, which was filled up lo r u of
the t,entIai Park. Before the pond was SO
filed the dwelling" stood on FiIlh ave. ave
,,c the humblest structure upon tnat
strcet of palatial mansions. IL Is SIX teeG
$50; 81 .;d ~ twelve feet in length, and six
feet in height: 10 oo,-o.
Il &c nevertheless, the home OF Patrick Nc
Rriie. his wife Ann, and daughter Mary,
and may be safely put down as the smallest
family dwelling In New York city.
The exterior Of the habitation is not
pretty. nor is it picturesque in ugliness. It
was probably like that of Peggotty in d.
cid Coppcrfcld, constructed from the rem
nants of the cabin of some sailing vessel,
roundings. 1t Is of square, boX-like form,
and has the appearance of dog-kennel.
The interior of the hut is still less attrac-
tive, and reveals q picture Of discomfort
that forces sigh from the beholder that
the occupants are not blessed with more
elbow room. At one end of the room Is q
bed, and in one corner is chest. A stove,
q table, three chairs, a tub, and other uten-
sis, fill the greater part of the remaining
available space, and leave but little room
for three full-grown persons to move around
in. The only adornments of the "apart-
ment" are q buffet of dishes, q small look
ins-glass, and the daughter Mary, hand
some child of thirteen years OF age.
Mr.. Mcbride appears to have been better
off in the old country, he having occupied
there a stone-house with halt dozen
rooms, and surrounded with fifteen acres OF
land, under cultivation. He had, BESIDES,
Ell a week as workman In nelghborlnS
factory. In 1S49 he was seized with de-
sire to better his fortunes, and In May OF
that wear he landed at Castle Garden, to
seek them in thiscountry. He was pleased
with his prospects, and sent for his vile ana
child, who is now married.
They arrived here in January OF the same
wear. Mr.. Mcbride, since bis arrival IN thls
country, has pursued, with varying success,
the calling Of hod-carrier. He says tnaI
ne neglected many opportunities during the
| first ten ears of his residence in this coun.
| try through passion for strong drink, but
| that he has not drank liquor in any quantl-
| ties for nine or ten years past, during
which time he has occupied the dwell
ing" described.
| Ills abstemiousness does not seem to have
bettered his fortune, although he is man
| of considerable intelligence. Mcbride, VINO
| is a strong, hearty man, not over hlty,
seems TO live purposeleSS and almless, long
inc to better his condition, but not know.
inc how TO 60 to work about 1t. sits not
livine here, we are, sir. We are only stay
inc from day to day" said he TO visitor;
There are many more like you, Mcbride"
said the visitor. "Ye may well say that,
Sir" replied he and the wife, and child
looked at the husband and father with q
| resigned smile, betokening love and conn
dence in the speaker. that was the one
thing beautiful about the smallest dwelling
| in New York city.