The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1895-01-05
TWO LANDMARKS GONE.

Two historic places of public entertain
ment. the Delavan of Albany. N. Z, which
was burned last week, and the Metro
politan of New York City. which is about
to be converted into a block of stores. are
soon to become mere memories. Both VIII
soon be forgotten except by old men.
The Delavan was built by old Edward
c. Delavan, who, after making fortune
by the sale of liquors. became an ardent
prohibitionist and erected hotel to be
temperance house. 1t did not long main
tain that character. and soon became cele-
orated for its famous brew of apple teddy
and its sound Albany ale. In the old days
before and Immediately after 1850 the
DelaVan was the headquarters of New
York State politicians. Off the Office were
small rooms in which such eminent Demo-
Gratis as Samuel ]. TildeD, William L.
Marcy, Silas Wright, John Van Buren,.
Peter Cagger. Dean Richmond. Azariah
G. Flagg and Preston King used TO as
BILE, and not unfrequentIy such Whig-
Republicans as Govern or Seward. Thurlow
Weed, Horace Greeley and James Watson
Webb would meet them for an interchange
of views and a good-tempered contro-
"
on which the glasses Of these political
sages rested size by SIDE with pans for
their cigar ashes. The doors of the rooms
were open and strangers could enter if
they chose, but when they did. walters
had a way of informing them with the
sweetest smile that the head barkeeper
wished TO see them, and they were elimi-
mated.
In those days the Delavan was a social
as well as political center. Albany used
to be called a place where people break
tasted. The night boats from New York
arrived just before breakfast and the train
for Saratoga started after breakfast from
the Delavan courtyard. 1t is safe to say
that every pretty girl, not only from New
York City, but also from Philadelphia.
Washington and the South, put in an ap-
pearAnce once at least in the season at the
Delavan in all the bravery of summer
silks and lawns and cambrics and bronze
slippers and rose-eolored silk stockings.
1t was picture to see the dainty maidens
skipping from the hotel piazza to the train
and to listen to the gay trills Of Laughter
which were provoked by the prospect Of
a triumphant season atthe great watering
place. And now the statesmen are dead.
the blithe maidens are old women and the
old DelaVan is pile of ashes.
The career of the Metropolitan was
equally memorable. It was built forty
years ago by Philip Van Rensselaer,, the
son of the last of the PATRONS. 1t was
the largest hotel in New York, and the
furthest uptown. The Lelands. who
leased it, gave an opening ball, at which
five hundred of the best people were in
yited, and Stephen A. Douglass delivered
an address of welcome. 1t entered upon
career of rivalry with the AstOr, and
people took sides with one or with the
other with heat; the Wings, under the
lead of Daniel Webster and Thurlow
Weed, remained faithful TO the old cara
vansary on the park; bnt the Democrats
followed Lewis Cass and Douglass to the
new house. The latter ecipsed its rival in
cuisine and in the size and decoration of
its ballroom. For many years municipal
balls and other entertainments of quasi
public nature were given therein. For
eigners of distinction were generally en-
tertained there. Old New Workers recall
a rece ption which was given in its grand
hall to foreign prince. The buffet was
gorgeous and fairly groaned under an ar
ray of punch bowls. Approach TO it was
so blockaded at a late stage Of the festivi-
ties that prominent Alderman spI ang Oh
chair and called 10 the jewellers in a
Bowery voice: MAKE room, you fellows;
every man take his tod and fall back, SO
the Prince can get TO the place where the
iiouor flaws"