The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-10
Progress of the Metronoli..

The increased activity in building in the
city during the last two years is hopeful
sign. 1t indicates that New York is grow
ing, and that capital, which had been tim
idly withdrawn from useful employment, is
leaving its hiding places and again con-
tributing to the prosperity OF the city. II
l. true that the low cost Of building, now as
low as it has been at any time within the
last twenty-five years. encourages invest
ments in new structures, and that many
millions of money is in the hands Of capital
lists who are at IA loss what to do with 1t;
but the edlices would not be put up II there
was not demand for them, and activity in
building Is hcalthful token.
Our rapid transit is in many respects a
nuisance to the people who live along the
line Of tho elevated railroads, but it must
have the effect Of bringing back to New
York when there are dwellings for them,
large share OF those citizens who have
been chased away by the high rents. Say
what you may in favor Of Brooklyn and
those towns and cities of New Jersey which
have been built up by the overflow OF our
population residence III them offers few adj
vantages, save its greater economy, in COM
parison with life on Manhattan Island, with
its Astounding activities and innumerable
interests. The access 10 them, too, Is bur
densomc. Ferries are always things to be
avoided and rapid transit over the Brook
Ign Bridge is yet in the future
New York Is the great capital OF the New
World. and Is every day growing in desira-
bility as place of residence. The modern
tendency, also, Is toward the aggregation of
people in vast towns. where only the best
fruits OF the highest civilization may be
enjoyed. There il no city on the CONT
nent besides New York which is cosmopoli-
tan in its character, and no other which
can rank with the capitals of the Old World
and properly be called "A metropolis. Phila-
dclphia is only collection Of people, 1t Is
almost destitute of artistic or literary So
ciety, and its intellectual atmosphere Is
heavy with the commonplace Life there is
dull aud uneycntful, and the citizens present
few interesting characteristics. What
dreary waste Is the Philadelphia newspaper
press as whole! No population whose
minds were really awake could stand such
journals. Think OF the intellectual state of
city which has q. WASHINGTON CHILDs,
A. NJ, not merely for its obituary poet, a
function in which he is really unrivalled, but
Tor It's leading editor aud foremost citizen I!
Boston is a very interesting town, and the
people there are entcrprising and quick
witted; but they come to New York when
they wish to stretch themselves and broaden
the field of thor observation. II was once
the seat of American literature, the school
for our thought; but now 1t has lost that
eminencc, the metropolis having won the
lead in literature, as also in wealth and COM
merce. The Boston literary school, once 50
influential Is passing away, and the intel
lcctual decadencc * apparent in the iincal
work ~ the younger men We no longer
look to Boston for the genesis Of new ideas.
Everything that Is best in the country
tends 10 New York and contributes to swell
it, Importance rs a capital and add to its
charms as a place Of residence. Year by
year the number Of people Of taste and
wealth who flock hithcr from all parts of
the New World TO enjoy the advantages of
the capital during its gaycst season grows
larger, and, in consequence, the attractions
OF the city are Increased, while its business
gain 10y the free expenditures Of the visitors.
Our hotels and restaurants are unsurpassed
In the world There is no other city in the
country whcro a man with money can so
easily surround himself with the comforts
and Injuries Of life. Indeed there is no
other in which, for instance, can be found
restaurants Of the best class: while in New
York as in Paris, ono may be at a loss
which to choose among SO many. In moth.
ing has tho metropolis advanced moro dur
ing the last quarter Of a century than in H.
cookery, all tho materials for which abound
In markets which have no rivals for variety
Tho cost Of living here has also been greatly
reduced during the last five years, and now
man who understands the art can subsist
IN New York in comfort on small income
enjoying more advantages tor less money
than In any other city OF the United States
The cxtont TO which building has been
going on in New York since the beginning d
1911 Is shown by the statistics Of the Depart