The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1890-01-01
WHERE MANY RACES MEET
"A COSMOPOLITAN NE1GHBoRHooD
IN AnfER1cA's METROPOLIS.
There French, Italian ana Spanish
are Mostly spoken, and Strange
Dishes are ConcoCtcd.

There French, Italian and Spanish
are Mostly spoken, and Strange
Dishes are Concoctcd.
The Eighth Ward, or that portion Of
II lying west, Of the dry goods districts,
presents features that arc 70 be seen
nowhere else in this great city. II is a
cosmopolitan neighborhood. More diff
fcrcnt customs aud habits are to I've met
with there than in any other part Of
New York A greater variety Of races
and types Of people are to be seen and a
wider conglomcation Of languages are TO
bc heard.
What are called the Latin races abound
more so than elsewhere, French, Span
ish and Italian names and expressions
are very plcntifully mixed with the Ger
man. There arc a greater number Of
natives of France located there than in
any other quarter, and it is because they
and the Spanish-spcaking population OBJ
serve and maintain the customs and ways
of their native countries as far as posi-
bic that makes the ward characteristic.
Business sigus in French, Spanish and
Italian are everywhere.
The butcher shops are designated as
'Boucheries Francaisc, boarding houses
bear the sign "Nlaison Privee' aud the
dry goods dealer calls himself a "Nlercier
Franchise. The hat "Chappelerie. -
1t is a common sight to see on the signs
"Bon Marche. "Nouvetcs. 80 " Lingerie,
over shops Bleccker street, once the
fashionable place Of residence OF the
Lattings the Depaws and the Kcttlctons
resembles rue of Paris or calle of
Madrid or Barcelona. There arc all sorts
of trade places even to French American
fish market
The oyster saloon connected with it is
described as a depot dHuitres, and
''Fresh FISH daily in use Is made to read
"Pousson, Frais, chaque jour sur glace.
Beer, wines aud liquors sold in the cafes
and cabarets in the neighborhood are de
scribed by the signs "Biere, Wins ct Ii
queries. The painter styles himself in
his bushes card "Peiutre, and schools
are termed "ecoles.'
1t is in the Eighth Ward, too, that the
bulk Of the Spanish-speaking population
of the metropolis is settled. Like the
French they maintain the customs Of their
native countries to great extent The
Spanish population is recurited mostly
from the West India Islands, the Cubans
prcdominating.
Mixed with this population are the
immigrants from the Danish and French
West Indies. They are of one color
(black), but the types vary from the
shiny, ebony black to the saffron color
and mulatto. Their dialects differ and
it is sometimes difficult for the Cuban to
understand what the other West Indians
are saying. They follow the trade of
cigar making to large extent.
A fsvorite congregating place of the
Spanish Eighth Warder is a restaurant in
Bleecker street, kept by former slave
owner of Cuba. Here former masters
and bondsmen of the Spanish West Indies
meet and minglc, and Haytiens who were
lately opposing each other, either as Gd-
herents of the victorious Hippolte or the
defeated Legitime, shake hands, and
quafiing cup of chocolate or other
beverage. converse on the merits of the
past conflict. There are nearly as many
colonies and majors to be encountered in
the resort as at a Missouri crossroads.
They saw service in the Cuban war for
independence, and spend much time in
Jne'lking of the exploits of the time.
The place is the only one in town, it is
said, where cooking after the Spanish
style is used. Green corn is known to
almost every one, but black corn is not
common here. 1t is of purplish black
color and is very sweet When in season,
it and black beans form some of the food
products of Spanish Eighth Warders. A
peculiar dish, of which they are quite
fond, and which is not found in the Del
monico menu, is the famous ola pud-
ding, or the oily pot. 1t is a mixture of
black beans, rice and garlic with oil as
the main ingredient. 1t is palatablc to
many.
Among the other unfamiliar foods and
beverages peculiar to the Eighth Ward
is Chianti wine, an Italian decoctiOn of a
yellowish color, that comes in long, thin
necked bottles in glass castings. The sale
of it is extensive. The Italian groceries
and bake shops, of which there are many,
display a novel sort of bread. 1t is very
long and crisp and not thicker than the
finger, and sells for sixteen cents a
pound.
There are many romances and strange
tales to be heard among the Spanish
residents. In Washington Place, near
Washington Square, is a household of
Cubans, in which there is a girl who acts
as a servant, and who was brought by
them from Havana when slavery still ex-
listed there. She still works without
pay. Her master whips her sometimes
and she cannot be made to understand
that she is free to go or stay.-Ne0 R0rk
Ne,0s.
"Hard Winter" Signs