Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-26
FIFTH AVENUE.
NEW Works. LINE OF MAGNIFICENT
BROWNSTONe PALACES.
Tho Great Defect of Its Architecture
The Profusion OF Display u Trihe
Barbaric-Pe People Who Live
Side by Side.
lJoe Howard In Philadelphia Press.l


1t is tho habit of New Workers to style
Fifth avenue the first street in America 30
far as wealth, anl extent aud uniformity
of buildings go, it probably IS. Beginn
at Washington square, it extends above
Harlem; and as far as Fifty ninth street, 1t
Is almost an unbrokeu line of brownstone
palaces, while from that point up its mag
niticence is marvellous The architecture is
not only impressive, It IL oppressive. Its
great defect Is in its monotony, which soon
grows tiresome. A variation Il contrast
something much less ornate or elaborate
would be relief. Its lack OF enclosures, Of
ground, Of grass-plats Of gardens, is visual
vice Block after block, mile upon mile, of
the same lofty brownstone, high stoop
broa1-stared fronts wearies the eye. 1t Is
like the perpetual red brick, with white steps
and white door and window facingS for
which Philadelphia ha. become provsrbial
One longs In the avenue for m>re marble,
more brick more iron, more wood even
some change IN the style and aspscts II tho
sombcrSecmng houses, Hhose Occupants,
one fances from the exterior, look think,
dress and act alike.
1t is Il grievous pity that whore there is
80 much money there + SO little tasts. The
sum OF Fifth avenue wealth is unquestion
ably far beyond that of any street in tho
country. ue NNclllu5S CbsI more; tn9
niture and work of art are more expensive;
tho incomes Of the inmates are larger and
more prodigally spent than they are any
whore on the continent. The interior of the
houses is often gorgeous. Nothing within
moneys pLrchase, but much that perfect
taste would have suggested, seems omitted.
There ara few Of the mansions that do not
reveal something like tawdrineSs in the ex-
cess OF display. The outward eye il
too much addressed. The profusion is a
tritle barbaric. The subtle suggestions Of
complete elegance arc not thera Still, to
those who have suffered from the absence
OF mStsrial comfort, or 70 those whose TOM
peramentA are volupeuuIs and Ipdoient, Us
most poetic opes arc, Q feeling akin to hap
pineSs must be born OF the splendid sur
roundings that belong to the houses OF the
Fifth avenue rich What soft velvet car
pets are theirs; what handsome pictures;
what rich curtains; what charming fres-
Goes; what marbles Of grace; what bronzas
OF beauty; what charming prodigality Of
p rettiness,
The soft warm, yet fresh odor Of luxury
comes from every angle; fills the corridors
and the delightful chambers, whore sleep
seems to be hidden beneath the spotless pill
lows OF lace; steals out Of the half open Ii,
brary, where hundreds Of morocco volumes
stand silent with the treasures Of time and
mind in thetr keeping; creeps up and down
the Stairways like the breath Of flowers
blown by the gentle wind. Whateysr the
senses Could ask, or culture require, or
fancy crave might be had in tho walled
paradise Of those splendid homes
The people who live side by side In the
pretentious avenue know each other not.
knickerbooker aud parvenu, tho inheritor
Of wealth and the architect Of his own fort
une, the genuine gentleman and the vulgar
snob, reside In the same block, Que house
Is visited by the best and most distinguished;
the house adjoining by mep who talk loud
In suicidal syntax. and women who
veaS holly hooks In their hair,
and yellow dresses With pink
trimmings Here dwells an author
whose works give him large income; over
the way, fellow who has genius for
moncy'getting, but who cannot solve the
mysteries Of spelling. Some Of the most
spacious and expensive mansions on the
avenue always have a deserted look. Only
the occupants and servants appear on the
high, carved stoopi only the carriages the
masteS Of the establishment owns stop bs
fore the door That family purchased q
house In the avenue, but society has not &C.
cepted its members They have nothing
bus u new fortune to recommend them
1hay must bide their TINA
The first generation Of the recognized
fares hard The second Is educated, and
the third claims lneage-prates Of "gen-
tility," and frowns upon what its grand
parents wora To get into the avenue and
into its society are different things They
who struggle to enter certain circles are not
wanted. Those who are indifferent to mere
fashion are In request; for not 70 seek,
socially, Is usually 10 be sought Destiny
appears willing always to grant what we do
not want, and determined to withhold what
"A