The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1883-02-14
ECONOMY IN NEW YORK.

There is no prospect, in fact, of desira5is
hats--that is, apartments of any size, con-
venient. light, and airy-being other than
expensive in this city. It is Twelve years
since the first observation-disclosures were built;
hundreds of them of divers grades have been
put up all over town; but those capable of
accommodating small family, with an ele-
vator. and pleasant, well-vontilated rooms,
can not be had for less than from $1,000 to
! $1,000. There are fats in poor quarters
that rent for from 5000 to $500; but they
usually have dark chambers, they are ll-ar-
ranged, and are seldom really wholesome.
As generalization, it may be said that rea-
sonable apartments are not good. and that
good apartments are not reasonable. The
/ fond anticipations cherished eight or ten
! years ago that nice, healthful apartment
might be procured for from 500 to 5000
annually have long been dispeled They
who have no more than that TO spend for a
home, so called, are obliged TO put up with
sundry discomforts, and to jeopardze their
health moro or less by sleeping in dark, close
chambers.
II would seem as if economy of any kind
we're impraci;cable in this the eostliest of
capitals, The mere deceaoies of life are
well-nigh beyond the reach of men depend
I emit on salaries or ordinary incomes. The
average earnings here of men even of edusa-
ton and taste are not, it is alleged, in excess
/ of $500 to $1,000. and as the majority Of
them have families (the unwritten law of
{ AZ, 10
financially Independent, shall have more
than two children), they are forced into a
ceaseless contest for sells lstainment. They
toll through life, endure vexation, disap.
pointment tribuhtion, pain, and quit the
world leaving no provision for their families,
but generally in debt Comparatively Few
men who can commend credit die, it is said,
with all their liabilities discharged. Tie
proportion of New Workers of whom this is
true must be larger than of other citizens,
for credit here is easily got, and the cost of
living is far greater than elsewhere.
What can he expected of husband aud
father who can earn no more than 1880 or
SlG0OP How is ii possible for him to stem
the current always ranung so strong against
him, especially against the refined and sensi-
tive poor of Anglo-Saxon strain ? II is clear
that he can not live in the city proper he
must pitch his tent, rs it may justly be
styled, in the rear of Brooklyn. along the
lines of the Now Jersey railroads, among
the sand knoils OF Long Island, or amid the
pastures of Westchestar. He must come and
go daily to and from his business in every
sort of weather, keeping mind and nerves
on the stretch lest he miss the boat or train.
His wstful life is regulated by sehe dale
time he is ever hurried, planning to save a
few minutes, aud yet wasting, from the per-
petnal stress of circumstance, his entire
years. He has no leisaac, 10 repose he is
absorbed in town, feverish in the country !;
he sees little of his family, nothing of his
friends; he is engrossed with his petty at-
fairs, which he may des pise but which he
can not afford for an hour to neglect. His
life is dull, wearisoma round, his most Sc
rious thought ia how he shall get on, aud
! while Ntill thinhina af il tho cord snaI,z aud
the end comes He has done his work.
True; bat was it worth doing? After years
of grinding labor, what has he achieved ?
where is his recomponse2 He has been
striving faithfully for his family, and at tho
close he leaves them Encouragement of
hia example, aud probably legacy of debt.
Such is the inspiring destiny of the average
New-Yorker. Verify is honesty its own and
only reward. --Julias Henri Bropae, in
Ha'per's Magazine.