The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-02-06
DECAY OF THE FRENCH QUARTER.
The Usurping italian Has Crowded Ont
Many Of the Gallo Inhabitants.

The UsurpinE italian Has Crowde Ont
Many Of the Gallo Inhabitants.
Students Of New York mourn the fact that
the French quarter has almost ceased to be
distinctly French. Less than five years ago the
region centring about the corner of Blocker
street and South Fifth avenue was inhabited
chiefly by French-speaking people. who lived
as nearly as possible the lives they had lived
at homo In France. Within three years
Blocker street contained the most interest
Ing and characteristic French restaurants In
town. There are still more Participating
persons within five blocks OF the Blocker
street elevated station than in any other one
part OF this city. but the region has been
changed from an exclusively French quarter
to n polyglot quarter. where one encounters not
only many tongues but many races. A drug
Gist's sign on Prince street. which Is near
the southern limit OF this region. reads:
'Deutsche Apotheke: P%harmacie Francaise:
Farmacia Itaiiana: Boteca Espahola." Half a
dozen drug stores in the nsighborhood pro-
claim themselves German. and the announce
W WShs in s the very fbp eart Of H Whst Was VS. c recsnpI1
the French quarter there are as many Italian
signs as French signs:
Italians Into Spring. Prince. Houston. Wooster.
and Thompson streets: The negro quarter
ter. and a great wholesale region lay eastward
in Greene and Mercer streets. AS the Italians
BE ffssaka.l! and ntYP sSath i Fifth Avenue May 1nI great Mo4 busi:
ness honses began to be built in Houston
FiftS av MHHsto The s s@SIi han aha sssn pli sGp 81
with, the old three.story brick buildings in
French restaurants for atime held on in the face
OF competition from cheap Italian restaurants
who came in search Of impressions found
1t more fun to eat an Italian than a French
dinner dinner a md ssFIs snnahrs ene i BY one rent the oss French ;"om
M HEcosssf street or pr'p IN South u' &%ssh ing D,
Filth avon nHe above B BIZ The = Italians
were pressing n%orthward along al the thor;
streets. and the French restaurants retreatod
before their advance. The Grand yatel. long
I moSea u az tosS sG and COX TO- Rle aHotnor ns W COSTS Is
successor took quarters a few doors from the
only the sienboard, remains. Others almost
as well known as the Grand ,Natel gave up
rate French restaurants left in that thorough
fare. :, ,
town. save in the Teutonic and central Euro
pean east side. French groceries and val
much to allure and tantalize, haye also sprung
up IN various parts + Of . the city. Though it ssTsr a
the old French quarter. -.
The French Quarter. in becoming. as it
creased in population. The French arc ego
ians pack even closer. The region is changed
also In outward aspect. 1t Is moro gandy in
coloring. One used to encounter there the old
French peasant blue in women's gowns and
mems trousers. and now and then even an
kerchiefs. particolored skirts, conspicuous
iswelry. and those CATERS with elastic sides.
80 much In vogue with the Italians. The news
stands show more Italian than French. publ
cations. and one sees the announcement OF IN
athletic exhibition by the Sons OF Italy whore
Of the French Cooks Ball. italian banks.
Italian schools. and Italian libraries have
usurped the places Of French shops.