The San Francisco call., 1896-11-15
A New York Octogenarian Writes Book
to Swell the Jealous Pride
Of Gotham.
CONTESTS BosToNs TITLE TO "cRaDLE OF LIBERTY"
New york Had Revolutionary "Tea Party of Her Own
Shed the First Blood of the War for American
Independence

"REMINISCENCES OF AN oCToGENARIAN.
BY Charles III. Hasweli. Harper & Bros. For
sale by A. NJ Robertson, City. Price So.
The book covers the period between 1916
and 1860. The author is the compiler of the
well-known civil engineers and machin1sts'
manual called "Haswell." It contains many
interesting memories of the metropolis. The
writer starts out by surprising us with q tale
of the "New York Tea-Party,' which destroys
Boston's monopoly of fame on that line. The
New York party, without the cover of Indian
disguise, sent one of the tea ships back TO
England and upset the cargo of another into
the bay. He also claims for New York the
distinction of having shed the first blood of
the Revolution. This was at the battle OF
Golden Hill, which was two months earlier
than the Boston massacre.
Among the honors claimed for the city are
that it was the scene of the first victorious
fight for the liberty of the press, the birth
place of the Sons of Liberty, organized 10 re-
sist the stamp act, and ten years before the
revolution it was the meeting place OF the first
American Congress of nine colonies
few samples of the interesting reminis-
cences of old New York, CHILLED al random
from the books pages, will give some idea of
its historic treasures. The story is told OF how
Mrs. Murrays excellent Madeira, by OBTAINING
General Howe in the enjoyment of her hospi-
tality at a critical time, saved the Revolution
ary army from capture in New York. An
amusing story is told of the first attempt to in
troduce anthracite coal. 1t was mined in
Rhode Island, and samples we're distributed
among wellknown citizens to test and report
on its merits One of them, Martin S. wilkins,
made the following report: al am willing to
certify that, under favorable circumstances,
this coal is capable of ignition, and 1 am will
| ing TO further certify that, If Rhode Island is
| underlsid with such coal, then, at the general
| confiagration which our ministers predict, it
will be the last place to burn"
| 1t is related that as late as 1888 hair on the
face was SO much disapproved OF that when
Consul Glidden returned from Egypt one OF
his commentators wound up his praise with
the remark, what pity he should wear
mustache." In 1916 beard was such rarity
| that the wearer would attract attention as a
| curiosity and be followed down the street by
crowd of boys. Even in 1850 the writer ayers
| that he heard mustaches termed 'mon-
strous'' by persons OF taste, culture and sober
! judgment.
In 1925 it was officially estimated that
20, 900 hogs were at large on the streets of
New York. The year 1921 was a time of
very rapid building, and on the present
corner of Hammond and Fourth streets
corn was growing a Saturday ana the
next Monday one Sykes had completed a
house there big enough to accommodate 800
| boarders. On April 20, 1881, William
| c. Bryant, who was then editor OF the Even
/ ing Post had rencounter with William
L. Stone of the Commercial and struck him
with eowhide. Friends separated them, and
Stone triumphed to the extent of possessing
the whip after the battle. In 1929 Delmon-
ico's name and address first appeared. The
brothers commenced in a single room at %
William street, in which they and the female
members OF the family dispensed coffee, cakes.
liquors and confections. In 1881 the first
street railroad WAS put in operation. On Sep
tember 81, 1924, the Advocate, lead
ing paper, published the fact, accompanied
with expressions of its disapprobation, that a
| young man had been seen smoking on the
streets so early as o'clock in the morning.
! 1t is astonishing to note that Mr. Haswell
says that all men OF his age may look back to
the customs and conveniences of the past as
more rational, creditable and comfor table than
many of the present time.