The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1880-11-20
Notes from Aunt Chats Portfolio.

NOt$1S "A y
In the Solitude Of Gotham-The Delights
Of fShopping-Goupils Art Gallery-Gems
OF ofAntiquity-A Half Hour In Old Trinity
Religious Service by Deaf Mutes.
NEW York, Now 1880.
EDITOR CHIEF:
have just come in from the crush,
rush, jostlo and push Of lower Broadway.
It was bcwildering and exhausting.
suppose l don't understand the art of
slipping between elbows or pushing back
again-at any rate shall not let John
leave ma any more. Imagine a little mite
Of woman attempting to cross the street
amid the jam and tangle of vehicles. l
was amused at myself. l started and
hold back by turns, like a poor little
bird at its first lesson in flying, and l
suppose I would be standing OH the ban-
qnettc until this time, letting ~ dare
not, wait upon would" but for the as
sistance of big policeman, Goliath
in strength and stature, who was at his
post and not unmindfnl of his duty. His
word was law-he but raised his hand
and instantly every vehicle stopped and
passed nnscathed by wheel or hoof.
The policemen Of Broadway, Fifth
Avenue and the Park, in fact all the
thoronghfares are immense men. / am
told the authorities will employ none
other. But am wearied with the very
sight of people. Go where you will, on
the streets, the ferries, the elevated rail-
ways, in the horse-cars or the stages, the
people throng you-there is no escaping
them. Yet, where find greater solitude
than When surrounded by the Indifferent
multitude Of this animated city, un-
known, unsought, uncared fort
This is to DO alone-this, this is solitude!
These crowds arr not s:iuntering list
lessly or gazing idly; it all means busi-
ness, and gives one a faint idea of this
wonderful place, where every pulse tlrob
is work, work, work! For the business
and professional man, however, it is not
al! work and no play. The season is not
confined to a few months as it is in
Southern cities, and men work steadily
the whole year, with the exception Of a
few weeks in Summer. Custom has es-
tablished certain rules which govern ey
cry one. At 10 A. N. business begins,
and every body rushes as if under whip
and spur until P. NJ, when the strife
for worldly position and wealth ceases
and the excitement aud worry of Stock
Exchange, banks, insurance and law Of
fees may be dissipated in various recre-
ations until 6, the universal dinner hour.
Even the shops close at o'clock.
/ All, speaking of the shops not intend
ing to ignore them ut all, was here
three weeks before found time to look
in on them, and truly they are such mar
vels Of elegance and beauty it is no won
der that the ladies are tempted to spend
every dollar they have. Titfany's is equal
to an art museum, and in all the shops
there are rare displays of every thing to
render life luxurious and make one won
der at the ingenuity and capability of
man. Those of real aesthetic taste will
not fail to find Goupil's art rooms on
Fifth Avenue and there feast the souls
eyes on fine paintings. The reader of the
Home Journal ia advised Of the changes
in the collection, which are frequent,
gathers many ideas as to the fine points
Of tie paintings, learns to criticise and
becomes familiar with the touch of diff
ferent artists, just as one does with the
touch Of musicians. All, what exquisite
pleasure is derived from the fine arts,
e Pleasure which neither bushes nor ex-
pires," but how difficult, after the soul
has been elevated into idesI I, ~.ms, to
prevent discomfort gaining the ascend