The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-05-31
Studies from Life at Castle
Garden.
Examples of Foreign Curiosity Specimens
from the Common Mould of Human
ity-Men, Women and Children
Coming to the Land
of Uncle Sam.
How the Immigrants Are
Received and Treated.


precedented, Occurrences. 1t is a day frauCht with
much Importance to the immigrants themselves.
The air OF the Garden is close; the ventilation
insufficient. The odors OF the steerage render
the atmosphere almost nt0erable. Clouds I'LL the
air and every moment threaten rain The whole
arena, together with the balcony which surrounds
the entire interior, seems filed with struggling
mass Of humanity. AS a HERALD reporter walks
slowly around this large building he sees many
pictures which are worth reproducing, and wm'h
make Castle Garden an endless source OF amuse-
ment to student Of animated nature.
Viewing the whole scene from the small balcony
which Is reached rom the Commissioners ONCE 1t
seems STRANGELY moving panorama, and the vari-
eres OF sOmbre color and shade seem formed with
almost Kaleidoscope diversity There seems to be
nothing in detail to describe, and the casual OBJ
server returns to the office with the conclusion
that the immigrants are in the Garden, and will
doubtless make the best oil their way to their des
tinations. Nevertheless, there are enacting many
homely Incidents winch can only be singled out
from among u crowd such as this by o careful tour
OF observation throngn the Garden. The reporter
prefers to make his journey alone. He who can be
an acute observer without making known his iden-
THY can alone no to things they really are.
SOME PICTURES OF HUMANITY.
Near the centre OF the arena stand five young
men, with their bundles in their hands. They
are on the point OF separating. Two go to the
Saginaw region one to Northern Minnesota and
the others TO Iowa. One of them tells the reporter
that they were raised together in the same town
in Northumberland. Their Iaths which through
youth and manhood have been together, are now
about to diverge in all probability forever. 1t
certsin is an mp rtant day lot them. Near by
Is a German girl seaCed on black box. This
doubtless contains her entire worldly possessions
and she probably awaits friends. Two small boys
are sitting beside q roll of bedding and heap Of
cooking utensils. The smaller, lad OF eight, looks
as II he wanted to cry very badly, but was afraid
Of his big brother These children are doubtless
awaiting the return OF relatives who have gone
to some other part Of the building in quest of in
formation. Not far away sits a middle-aged,
emaciated woman whose face plainly tells that she
rs q victim OF the dire disease, consumption. Child
less and alone, We Ind her on the steps which lead
TO the parquet. The first and almost Involuntary
question IL addressed to her. She Is asked ii she
awaits the coming friends. Either suspicion or
unlamiliarty Wild the language closes her lips.
She Is perhaps AFRAID Of the American people, and
Is revolving in her mind ali sorts OF terrible stories
.Whicn nave reached her at home about America.
COME TO AMERICA TO DIE.
Leaving her, an old lady is TO the right, who
Ia evidently unused TO forming part Of such
rustic picture The regular features OF her face and
the serenity VITA which she regards the scenes
passing around stamp her as an Englishwoman. The
neat Immediately white cap and the large pun o.
gray hair, which, as 1t were, form frame for her
face, denote some degree OF refinement. What
this time Of lifaf Certainly not want; assuredly
neither aff1uence nor pleasure. Inquiry establishes
the act that IT was love Tor son, who many years
ago came here and who is her sole comfort. She
has sent for him and sne expects him momentarily.
She has come to America to end her days with her
only child. Is not this an Important day for her?
She crossed In company with family who sit near
at hand; but, as IL to secludc herself somewhat, In
order that she may give iull vent to her JOY at
the meeting which she so longngly anticipates,
she has moved apart from them.
IRISH PEASANT LIFE.
Here are two young couples belonging to the bet
ter class Of Irish peasantry. The girls are dressed
In bright colored piaids, with paniers and all the
fOles OF fashion. The hats are OF straw. question
eble 1t Is true as to size or shape trimmed with an
extravaganza OF flowers, leaves, buds. lruit and
grass Here is young mother only few feet dis
tant. she is scarcely elg Iteen, aud is apparently
anxious to encounter and battle with the posi-
nr % Iee 3e i ih
poorer class, she has been used to a lifelong strug
gle with poverty. She is very proud OF the child,
her only offspring The smile on her face Is to be
noticed she alternately looks upon the little mite
OF humanity at her breast and then upon the
strange. lntOlerable babbe which surrounds her.
AN EXAMPLE OF GIRJIsH PRIDE.
little girl poorly but c;eany clad, perambu-
lates the floor In small open space, holding over
her head shabby gray SILK parasoi. Just as proud
and happy Is she as the most contented girl on the
avenue Thoughtless little creature She smiles
TO her father, bury lrsunan, with all the Joy oil
awakened infant pride. Finding clear place on
the eastern side OF the rotunda and man with
men, with their wives and sweethearts, begin
genuine country dance. mixed audience from
the Jour quarters of Europe stands IN stupid
silence. The dancers are obllvous to all surround
tngs and intent only upon the celebration Of their
safe arrival in the ''land Of promise"
THE FIRST MEAL IN AMERICA.
And now IT, would seem TO be lunch time. All are
seen unrOllIng mysterious packages. sturdy
German woman urings out from roll Of bedding
three leaves OF bread. brown as the moor Of the
Garden, = large piece OF Am and some very strong
smelling cheese Sandwiches which would do
out to small and large among family oil seven
children.
drumming THE GAUNTLET
The bell at the top oil the balcony rings violently.
Another steamer mas come up. me Immigrants,
as they arrive are to come in by the gate leading
from the wharf, The registering clerk mounts his
desk. The teller, who checks OF each name as he
calls 1t from the steamers list, leaps upon the
Fair.n and the curtain is rung upi The gate
swings open and the strangely assorted cargo OF
humanity comes struggling and Struggling into the
quickly forward to the registering desk, carrying
large bundle OF beading on his shoulder and
struggling child whose sex 1t Is impossible to
guess under his arm. He enters the narrow pas
sageway with fear manifested on every lineament
or his lace. He is evidently afraid that he may get
fast Seeing the possibility OF Jam the Swcde, by
. dexterOns movement, places the child on the top
Tho more than feminine efforts which she makes to
keep her place next to her liege lord laughable
She "heads or' couple of ysung Irishmen who
were ABOUT to slip III between, and tallies her
name secoxd on the list. After number or
SILENT UNCHARACTERIsTIc PEOPLE,
who pass slowly along without creating any sensa-
ton comes a fine, oldooking scotchman. He
walks the noor as II II were the quarterback OF q
man-of-war. AS he comes out the reporter learns,
inquiry, that he was In the East India merchant
service, and sailed between Dundee and Bombay.
Next come more women with children-women
with voices weak as air and others who give their
names in voice clearly audible above the horrible
din. Young men struggle to the front with all their
portable effects enclosed In red SILK handkerchief
More small boys, following overwhelmed men and
women. Women with care and anxiety written In
their faces-men Injured to toll and exposure and
ignorant the existence OF the eight hour stat
ute. Next widow in black, leading an interest
Ing brighteyed, tiAid girl OF twelve; she Is evi.
IDENTIFY Irish. Then q dark-featured, back-eyed
smile Of gladness on her lips she gives her name
with
PURE ITALIAN ACCENT,
and comes from what once was CAmpana the
HannY. nnsaihIu ftlfu will M a hau