The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-06


''Wnat was the population OF New York at thai
timer
~ think it was between 1900 and $1,000. an
told IL is over 100000.
Eight story houses must have been product o.
our later CIVILIZATION Tor, when asked the heIgha
OF the buildings at that time, the old gentleman
replied that most OF them were two stories hlahI
but few were high as three stories All little did
that gene alton think OF the towering heights ia
which our modern architecture would advance US
what would MIR. Harrng say II he looked down
from the top OF the Equitable or Western Union
building upon our nigh chimney potss
THK AMUsEMEHTs OF $780,
New Workers., who have their choice now be-
tween twenty oirerent places or amusement
would have thought the New York OF 1890. with ia
one theatre In John street, rather dnll place.
"Was there theatre in New York wnen 'yoU
were a poySn the writer asked.
"Yes there was. We had already then theatre.
and think 1t was IN John street."
Imagine our ladies or the present day who con
slider Wallack's as rather lar down town going q
the theatre in Jonn streets
"And who were the principal actors thenin
''Hallam and Hulchklnson.p mir. Herring stated
very readily. showing that his theatrical remlnis.
cences were vivid than almost any
others, "and they were very excellent per-
formers, / should say; fully good or
He seemed TO speak of their performances with
some thing OF relish, out he said nothing OF
.'BlacK Crookn or the canoan at the John StreeS
Theatre. That oenlGhteu generation was witnout
those blessings OF a superior civilization and OF
more enlightened age.
THE RICHEST MAN.
And who was the richest man In New York al
that time Even that is interesting to know In
an age which worships gold.
Mr. Nash was hn rrha NJ hat
time" said Mr.. Herring. He had that reputa-
tion.n
STUDYING Law.
when did you come to New York?'
81 came here when about seven years old, ana.
with some Interruptions. have spent the prlncb
pal part OF mr. lie in this city. was educated La
Princeton College, and then came to study law ID
New York. studied law with the old oracle Of
law Judge Samuel Jones, and was admitted ID
the Bari think II was IN December, 1893.
JUDGE IN 1905.
There are some pretty old lawyers In the citYg
but who remembers judge OF seventy years agoS
~ was elected Judge or the Marine Court in
1867 pursued the venerable lawyer, ''and In
1912 served as Register OF the county l was thu
first Register ever appointed In this State"
"You have held other positions, JudgeYn
He spoke OF them with no vanity whatever, ana
as mere Mechanical efforts OF memory. .'Yes;I
was again Judge OF the Marine Court in 1877.
Speaking OF the Marine Court, I remember tins
first Judges OF that Court were John Wells, M
cousin, Samuel Jones, and William johnston
CHARLES o'coSoB AS A STUDENT.
The writer observed that so ne interesting asso.
Citations must cluster around the early history OF
his once and his first associations In the Bar.
"Yes,n he replied. Charles o'Conor studied
law in my ONCE. James p Allaire the disan-
gulsned engineer, was errand boy In my once
IA n IN m
mates, they are all dead,m he added, mis- voice
tinged with sadness.
BROTHER AND SISTER.
At this point Mr.. Herring's sister came in 60 en-
uven the conversatton--a uttle graceful old lady,
marvellously bright for her age land he said she
was bur twenty years younger than her hrother).
with something OF the courtly manners OF thu
past, aud chatting as nuently as many q
girl or twenty. She said the drawings
on the wall were the works OF her
brothers. only child. q lovely daughter
who died at eighteen. Mr.. HerrIng's
vile had died some niue years ago at the "a
vanced age OF seventy SIX. she and her brother
had lived In this house these twenty-tnree years
IL was toucning TO see the tender affection be-
tween these old, old people. Speaking OF the ex
traordinary severity OF toe winter the sister TO
marked with LOOK or intense love at her bro
Their, 1--WE have Kept him so warm all the rims
gave her in return . glance OF profound grati.
tude. When they nrst came to New York she
said they lived IN Water and then IN EetcReT
street. as she had oeen told.
COMMISSIONER or INDIAN AFFAIRS.
"You occupied prominent position IN washing.
ton :"
Eyes, SIR" Judge Herring replied; atnat was
tile principal interruption OF my residence IN New
York. l went to Washington for some years.
was the first Commissioner OF Indian Affairs ever
appointed. While there / was intimate with
almost al the distinguished men OF that time ana
particularly with Daniel Webster who was a VEN
young man then"
twho would not appear young man TO q lavyss
OF ninety-eighti A man OF thirty he would DO APPS
TO regard a a mere iniansl
and what do you think OF the changes these
many years have wrought In the American people,
in our customs, manners, &c.S"
BAD OPINION OF FoRErGNEEs.
"weL when was a young man there was more
morality no doubt. AT that time we mad scarcely
any foreigners. we were all Yankees or Kuicker
bockers mere in New York, and we were very
honest people. There was very little chesting.n
"Did the people dress pretenfiously Sn
"Well, we used 10 oress very well. Everybody
VINO could AFFORD it used TO dress IN hroadciotn.
very ew In homespun garments"
lie remembered the first steamboat that ever
went TO Albany. lie thought IL was commanded
oy Commodore WiswaL
Tue OLDEST LAWYER IN TIE WORLD.
The interview drew 10 a close. At parting the
writer asked Mr.. Herring to what causes ne a.
tributed his remarkable age. He replied, to his
moderatIon In all things to his careful avoida nee
or excess In anything. and finally, to the divine
blessing lie took scarcely any Stimuants ana
enjoyed generally good health. Il tnink there
are few men," he said, proudly, solder than am
or in better health. And. among lawyers, think
am the Oldest lawyer In this city and probably
in the woridri
The writer left him with heartfelt wishes for mis-
good health and the hope that he might be per-
mitted to come and congratulate him on his hun.