Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1874-12-22
TUESDAY. DECEMBER u, 1874.
NEW YORK CITY.
GRAND CENTRAL HOTEL !
Dec. 18th, 1874. J

I had intended writing again for TO-
DAYS issue OF the NEWS, but nave
found the converging forces OF all
America so thick and wonderful
sbout me in this mighty city of our
new world. that felt as little like
writing. as though had been sudden
Iy plunged into the whirl and roar OI
Niagara. l have been in New York
OIL former occasions, but not during
the new age we are now in. l last
left its Incompatible Broadway
through which flows an incessant col
umn of life, like the endless flow oil
the Hudson at its foot, IN 1861, wien
Beauregard had written his last peace
ful dispatch before Fort Sunpter; and
was turning upon its walls the muz-
zles ofhis rified ordinance. 1t was
wonderful city then. To day it is
simDly beyond the comprehension OF
most men. While we grew poorer un-
der tie war, New York was growing
richer by it. Tweed's theft of twenty
millions of dollars from its Treasury,
was scarcely missed. The mighty
monster stretches its arms around
the $50 acres of Central Park and
grasps at the whole of Manhattan Is
land. The new and gigantic pillars of
East River Bridge, tower peacefully
toward the sky and in few years that
mammoth work will unite Brook
lyn with this great city. Think you
of city thirty miles long, and built
80 compRctly, that it can only expand
heavenward, not that it had any
more attraction for heaven than had
Babel and Babylon, but while Baby
Ion was ciTy of magnificent distan-
ces, New York is a model of solidity.
In 1860 the business visitor found it
convenient to stop down at the AstOr,
or, rarely, at the st. Nicholas. Fifth
Avenue WAS out of the question. To
day tie latter is in the heart of the rich
est and brightest portion of the City.
This, the Grand Central stands in the
edge of the new city, and within reach
If the Old, while the Windsor, archi-
tecturaIly ahead of any and all others,
has been built away up near Central
Park.
Mr.. first evening was spent at the
Olympic, where Sol Smith Russell is
playing He played we'll hut no bet
Ter than he did at Bristol. but the peo-
people of New York seemed greatly
charmed with him.
The Black Crook /, being played at
the Granu Opera House, and every IN
diviLual who taiI do so, should see i
o .ce. For gorgeous and captivating
mAG ry, and amazing scenic effect, l
have never soon il equaled.
Barnum's Hippodrome continues 20
,lrSw. There is nothing else like 1T
and il is too large thing 10 be writ
ten up. Some Of the ANIMALS are rare,
but can only think of the huge Rh!-
noceros, and the Giraffps as particuIa
iy so. There is nearly IA much racing
at the Hyppodrsme aS there WAS at the
bOTueI FdiIs AIlS NIlIHtSt Etic Wig
curious, more than pleasing, and the
performances were startling, aud, if
had OILY heard Of them, they would
have been to me incredible.
On Sunday crossed over to Brook
lyn, and heard Beecher preach. Ply
mouth Church is very large, plain
and unpretending brick building, that
seems to have been standing for at
least half century. 1t is located in a
portion of the city tnat is by no means
fine, or even handsome. Yet the
swells go there to worship, that is, if
swrlls ever worship at all, and l sup
pose they do after a fashion. Mr..
Beecher preached TO about $500 peo-
pie. Plymouth Church was packed
Such a congregation / never saw be-
fore, and for more than an hour Mr.
Beecher pleased, and / presume. edi-
fled that vast assemblage, which re-
minded me Of the multitddes, which
as we read, gathered about the Savior
of mankind. My position was not
very favorable, and there had been
sharp snap of weather which seemed
to SEE two-thirds of the congregation
TO coughing and clearing their throats,
so that many of his utterances were
inaudible. Yet it WAS remarkable for
earnestness and great common sense
1t was adapted alike to the loftiest and
lOwliest intellect.
Central Park is wonder. Its $50
are literally surrounded by a section OF
The city which is both brilliant and
grind. 1t is maze of adornment
and art, which leaves one almost
dumb with admiration. The loveliest
carriage drives and most tempting
walks curve in almost endless variety
among scenes as beautiful as fancy ever
extracted from fable. All that is wild,
and grand, and beautiful in nature
seems to have been epitomized within
Its limits, and the most inconceivable
multitudes thrCng its thoroughfares i'm
all the Kaleidoscope variety which the
vast family of man can give range TO
1t was my good fortune to meet 60.
day, in the wilderness of this great
Hotel and among thousand strange
faces, Mr.. VIM. Gibboney, who, as the
most advance and successful merchant
"t Southwest Virginia, has been here
Tor month watching the market and
carefully selecting his goods from first
hands. l felt keenly the loneliness of
my short svjourn in this amazing con-
uensation of men and money, and l
was delighted to meet my old friend.
VI all Virginians he was the mar
whom L would rather have met here.
For over thirty years he has been visit
ing this city and he knows all of It