Year: 1876

Our New York Letter.


NEW York, April 2S, 1876.


The latest mania among our young
"bloods" and turfmen, and one which
seems likely to be the ruling one in
their intervals Of Centennial seeing
this summer, is the revival Of the old
fashioned English coaching system,
which with the post chaises formed the
main travelling facilities before the in
PRODUCTION Of railways. There seems
always to have been peculiar fascina-
tion to some people in the exhilaration
Of driving or riding on the top Of
these bulky conveyances, and if we
may credit those iuimitable descriptions
Of Dickens, vast deal Of dignity at
tached to the magnate who profession
ally held the ribbons" In spite Of
steam the stage coach has never become
quite extinct in gland, but to-day
the pursuit Of coaching among the aris-
tocracy amounts to passion. In sum-
mer many titled driver runs his daily
route out of London, and no more
thinks of missing trip on account of
weather.. or losing fare that can be
obtained by any Of the approved meth
DDS, than if his sole support was derived
from bis occupation. Well, as | have
said, the rage has spread to our shores,
and we are now the delighted passen-
gers Of Coaching Club" organized
and membered from the very 'upperest
crust Of society The first meeting Of
the season was on last Saturday. when
six new coaches participated in the
drive and a really elegant display re-
warded the thousands who lined the
streets to see the fun


SILVER COIN.


The paying out Of silver in exchange
for fractional 'tshinplasters'' bas been
going on for some ten days over the
counter Of the sub Treasury. but it
comes slowly into sight s100 600 has
already been thus put into the hands Of
the people, and it is intended by the
government to get $1,000. 900 of it in
circulation here as rapidly as possible.
But the novelty is as yet too great. It's
some sixteen years since we have been
able t. jingle the dimes and quarters in
our pockets without going to the
trouble Of buying them at big pre-
minm Of some broker or other bloated
aristocrat so now that we can hear
the exhilarating tinkle at small expense,
we have got to feast our eyes and ears
for awhile, before trusting the coins
out Of our hands. It's as good as a
play to see a crowd of little street
Arabs, most of whom were, SO to speak,
born into paper currency Cor rather
the lack Of it), get their heads together
over dime. The little sinner arouses
no tender recollections in them. Silver
had hid its head before their troubles
began; but the looks of eager curiosity
or pleased surprise as the centre Of
attraction passes cautiously from one
little grimy hand to another, together
with the various quaint and original
comments which are freely made, are
extremely amusing.


BARNEY WILLIAMS.


The death of the veteran Irish actor,
Barney Williams, has developed the
fact that. besides his rare professional
accomplishments, he was cultivated
and unusually exemplary man and citi-
zen. The notice Of his decease has
called forth numerous and warm eulo-
gies upon his character and career
through the columns of the press. He
was one Of the most wealthy Of con-
temporary actors, bis real estate in this
city alone being valued at upward Of
$50, 900


COMMODORE VANDERBILT


Vigorous as are all the attempts on
the part Of those interested to the sup
press the fact, it cannot be concealed
that Commodore Vanderbilt cannot sur
vive much longer Extreme age and a
complication Of diseases have SO far re-
duced his strength that even in walking
about his room be requires the assist
ance Of some supporting arm. Still, it
is astonishing to see what tenacious
grasp Of life and Of bis immense 10
terests an iron will gives him, and it
may possibly be some months ere he
succumbs to the fell destroyer. The
May number Of Frank Leslie's Pop
ular Monthly" which. by the way, is
decidedly the finest one yet issued, has
for its frontispiece the most interesting
picture Of Mr. VanderJil that has ever
been given to the public 1t is full
page photo-lithograph Of the old gentle
man, seated upon sofa in his private
apartment. arrayed in satin dressing
gown and his proverbia white neck
cloth. with sleeping grandchild nest
ling upon his arm. The whole air Of
the picture, with its elegant but home
like surroundings, is very faithful and
lifelike. and conveys the best idea pos
sible Of the veteran millionaire in his
every day life. The photograph was
taken expressly for this enterprising
periodical, which in addition contains
an exhaustive and highly interesting
illustrated article descriptive Of the
Commodore's life and enormous enter
prises RADIx.





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