The sun., 1908-12-20

standing he wrote Of Long Acre so few
wears ago when it was the most hopeleesly
torn up clutter Of place in New York
and lined, for the most part, with ram
shackle buildings. II not then, certainly
a few years before 1t was the dreariest
place at night to be found on the island of
Manhattan.
The whimsically worded forecast OF
the Acre has more than come true. There
arc more theatres. hotels. restaurants
ard clubs in the neighborhood than even
we're seen by the authors prophetic eye.
and If tho old Acre is not yet the centre
of the world by the general consent Of
the world it certainly Is to America, in
cuding Canada and Mexico and most Of
South America. what the Place de Ia
Concorde is to Europe. the centre of a
continent.
Long Acre Square is more than an acre
and not square. yet that is its name. be-
loved by its habitues. and no laws Of the
State or ordinances Of Aldermen can
change IL. The space to which the name
spplesis thatirregular widening Of Broad
way as that thoroughfare makes its slow
crossing Of Seventh avenue. where the
two combine at Forty-third street. to
their separation at Forty-seventh street,
only four blocks in length, and at no
point much wider than many broad village
streets.
But Long Acre district, as distinguished
from the square. is more extensive. be-
ginning at Broadway and Thirty-eighth
street and spreading for about half a
mile TO Fifth avenue on the east and Eighth
avenue on the west. Within that COM
pact little patch Of Manhattan there are.
to be exact. twenty-one first class theatres,
about the same number of clubs. among
sive in the city. Americas most FAM
ous restaurants. including Delmonico's o.
sherry's, Shaniey's. Rector's. Churchills,
Harvey's and the restaurants OF the
Hotel Astor and Knickerbocker.
There are not less than a dozen hotels,
such as the Algonquin. Iroquois, Seymour.
Royalton, Woodstock, any Of which
twenty years ago would be observed for
It's great size and elegance. There are
literally hundreds of apartment houses
Of every grade OF. excellence. there are
artist studios where artists paint and
studios where people Of no visible means
Of support seem to exist in comfort and
sven luxury. and there are furnished
room houses where people sometimes go
hungry. 1t Is even said that there are
gambling establishments and resorts Of
other kinds whereof nearly all who kDow
the Acre know-exoept the police.
But one mentions such sorts for the
value Of contrast: the characteristic Of
the Acre is gayety. light, laughter. good
dressing. feeding, drinking and good
fellowship; and IL people will crawl into
its corners and starve there they fail to
diminish the general tone Of the Acre.
which is exceedingly lively.
Before consideration il given to the
activities Of the Acre which have in 80
short time made it the best known spot
in America, the most written about, the
Mecca not only Of the stranger In NewYork,
but Of all New York as well. bit OF a
stroll about the district will help to an
understanding Of the mighty forces.
social and professional and business.
converging In the Acre. First the two
blocks running east from the centre OF
the Acre. Forty-fourth street.
kt the corner Of the Acre is the Cri-
terion Theatre, and few steps toward
Fifth avenue one comes to two little