USA > New York > New York City > History of New York City : embracing an outline sketch of events from 1609 to 1830, and a full account of its development from 1830 to 1884, Volume I > Part 20
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General and Mrs. Cummings, who were married in 1822, are yet blessed with vigorous physical and mental health, the love and reverence of their children and their children's children, and the exquisite delights of a pure and serene domestic life of more than sixty years. They have also been blessed with fourteen children. Of their five sons, only one remains. The first died in youth. T. Augustus became a painter of consider- able eminence, and died at the age of thirty-five. Henry R. became an eminent lawyer, and died leaving a family. Charles P. was a partner in one of the oldest and most respected banking houses in the city, and died leaving a family, George F., the last survivor of the sons, is a broker, and enjoys a high reputation in the moneyed cireles of Wall Street.
* The National Academy of Design has had seven presidents - namely : S. F. B. Morse, A. B. Durand, Daniel Huntington, H. P. Gray, W. Page, J. Q. A. Ward, and W. Whittredge. The officers in 1553 were : Daniel Huntington, president ; T. W. Wood, vice-president ; T. Addison Richards, corresponding secretary ; H. W. Robbins, record- ing secretary ; Alfred Jones, treasurer. These are er-ofidio members of the council. Other members of the council are : J. G. Brown, S. J. Guy, E. Wood Perry, J. Q. A. Ward, Charles L. Brandt, and M. F. H. De Haas.
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Almost contemporaneously with the founding of the National Acad- emy of the Arts of Design was the organization of the Sketch Club, one of the brightest and most intellectual of the social institutions in the city, composed of artists and literary and scientific men. The Bread and Cheese or Lunch Club, founded by James Fenimore Cooper and others in 1824, had expired in consequence of extravagance, in the spring of 1827. It had a happy existence. The inscription on a baby's memorial stone might have been adopted as its own :
"Since I so soon am done for, I wonder what I was begun for."
The Sketch Club originated in this wise : One pleasant evening in May, 1827, Messrs. Morse, Durand, Cummings, and Ingham were engaged in social chat in the Antique school-room of the National Academy, over Tylee's baths. The just defunct Lunch Club was spoken of, when Ingham remarked, " Now is an opportunity for the artists to form a club." The suggestion met with a hearty approval, and it was agreed that the four artists present, each a founder of the Academy, should consider themselves the nucleus of such a club. The following week a meeting of the principal artists and literary men of the city was held at the house of Mr. Ingham, where the Sketch Club was organized. Mr. Ingham was chosen president, and John Inman secretary.
At that first meeting the rules for the government of the club were discussed. The Lunch Club, at which bread and cheese were the ballots used when voting for members (hence its other name), had met fortnightly at the old Washington Hotel, corner of Broadway and Chambers Street, where they were entertained at the expense of the host for the evening. This arrangement caused a rivalry in expense, which led to the breaking up of the club. It was resolved by the Sketch Club to shun this dangerous rock, and it was agreed that the members should meet at each other's houses in rotation, and to have the expenses as light as possible. It was decreed that the entertain- ment on such occasions should be confined to dried fruit, crackers, milk. and honey. Candidates for membership were elected by unanimous vote only.
The first meeting of the club was at the house of Thomas Cole. Everything was pleasing, even the figs. milk, and honey. An intel- lectual and merry company were present. The leading artists of the city were there, and a generous sprinkling of literary men-W. C.
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Bryant, R. C. Sands, G. C. Verplanck, Fitz-Greene Halleck, Jol? Howard Payne, James Hillhouse. D. C. Colden, and others.
The club was avowedly organized for the encouragement of good feeling among the members and improvement in the art which was to be practised at its meetings, namely, off-hand sketches of any subject. either with the pen or pencil. Though the arts of design were never wholly lost sight of, they were made subservient to the social element from the beginning.
There was much genuine fun-rare mingling of wit and wisdom-at the gatherings of the club. There were funny drawings, funny essays, funny sayings, funny songs, and rollicking good-humor. These were the chief features of the entertainments, as the minutes of the club abundantly reveal.
The "figs, milk, and honey" fare was soon abandoned for more generous, though not generally extravagant refreshments. The first outbreak was at the " up-town" residence of James Hillhouse, a mem- ber, on Broadway, between Broome and Spring streets. The hour devoted to drawing had passed, and the poets and essayists had read their impromptu sketches, when the drawing-room doors were thrown open and an elegant supper appeared. There was a general protest against this violation of the rules. But artists and poets are mortal, and in less than fifteen minutes all were seated in profound harmony at the well-loaded supper-table, seemingly unconscious of any misdemeanor. After that the records show that the members did not support existence on the food of John in the wilderness. On March 25, 1830, is this record in the minutes :
" An atrocious night, but good singing and estimable oysters. Punch supernatural, and fun abundant."
Another record was as follows : " Resumed the consideration of rail- roads, architecture. play-actors from Garrick and Henderson down to Kemble and Jefferson. miniature painters, and divers other matters of no less interest. At length our numbers began to diminish insensibly. and by a strange coincidence the club grew musical as it grew thin.
" Song and instrumental music." says Mr. John Durand,* * often occur on the pages of the Sketch Club, while there are similar notices of stories, discussions, mirth, and philosophy. We find Mr. Bryant propounding 'a sage notion that the perfection of bathing is to jump head foremost into a snow-bank.' Scientific inspiration shows itself on this question : 'Does heat expand the days in summer ?' Mr.
"Prehistoric Notes of the Century Club."
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Verplanck throws antiquarian light on . the precise form and capacity of antediluvian butter-churns.'"
The Sketch Club was reorganized in 1841, under the title of The Artists' Sketch Club, and was really a more professional organization than the old one, retaining. however, the literary and social elements in its membership. It existed two or three years, when its members founded the now famous Century Club of New York.
THE BREAD AND CHEESE or Lesen CLUB has been alluded to. Its membership embraced men who were conspicuous in the world of letters, the professions, and in public life. The club met bimonthly at the Washington Hotel. and there they frequently entertained distin- guished guests. To this club the late Dr. John W. Francis belonged. " Our most renowed poet" [among the members] wrote Dr. Francis, " was Fitz-Greene Halleck : our greatest naturalist was Dr. James E. De Kay ; * William and John Duer were among the representatives of the bar ; Renwick of philosophy ; letters found an associate in Verplanck and Charles King ; merchants in Charles A. Davis and Philip Hone ; and politicians who had long before discharged their public trusts were here and there chronicled in fellowship. The meet- ings (or lunches) of the club were often swelled to quite formidable assemblies, by members of Congress t and other distinguished public men.
Dr. Francis relates the following circumstance in connection with the Bread and Cheese Club. A theatrical benefit had been announced at the Park Theatre ; the play was Hamlet. A subordinate of the theatre came in haste to Dr. Francis's office for a skull, and he was compelled to lend that of his old friend George Frederick Cooke, the actor. " Alas, poor Yorick !" It was returned in the morning. The ensuing evening there was a meeting of the Bread and Cheese Club. The circumstance became known to the members, and a general desire was expressed to investigate phrenologically the skull of the eminent actor. It was taken to the club by Dr. Francis. Daniel Webster. Henry Wheaton, the eminent writer on the " Law of Nations, " and other distinguished persons were present, and joined in the investiga- tion in accordance with the teachings of craniological science.
* A pleasant anecdote is related of Halleck and De Kay. They were both smitten by the charms of a young lady, and both paid court to her. Their rivalry was warm, but good-natured. Halleck, doubtful and impulsive, said to her one day, " Tell me, please, would you rather have Fitz or go to De Kay ?" " Go to De Kay," was the reply. Fitz remained a bachelor.
t " Old New York," by John W. Francis, M.D .. p. 291.
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" Cooper," says Francis, " felt as a coadjutor of Albinus, and Cook enacted a great part that night."
Club life had not then become so conspicuous a social feature in Non York City as it was a few years later, and is now. There had bory now and then a club in the city since colonial times. About 1750 their was a convivial club of which John Bard, Cadwallader D. Colder. Leonard Cutting, and others were members, and they were occasionally honored by the presence of men like Dr. Franklin and Chief-Justice Chew, of Philadelphia, and other distinguished persons from abroad.
In 1776 the Social Club was created in New York, composed of leading Tories, such as President Miles Cooper, of King's College. Lieutenant-Governor Colden, Dr. Clossy, and after possession of the city was gained by the British, it was swelled by army officers, among them Sir Henry Clinton and General Robertson.
After the peace no other social club appeared until the Tammany Society or Columbian Order arose, in 1789. The Belvidere Club was organized on the arrival of "Citizen" Genet, the Girondist of the French Revolution. It was vehement in the promotion of democratic doctrines. One of its members, a bookseller named Reed, had the head of Thomas Paine painted on his sign. At about the same time The Friendly Club sprang up, under the leadership of General Laight.
A literary club called the Drones, a society for the cultivation and dif- fusion of letters, appeared about 1792. Every member was to be recog- nized by proofs of authorship before admission. Among the members the famous Dr. Mitchill was conspicuous. The last survivor of the Drones was the late Chancellor Samuel Jones. Law, medicine, and divinity had each their representatives among the Drones. Samuel Mil- ler, Josiah Ogden Hoffman, John Blair Lewis. Charles Brockden Brown, and John Wells were members of the club. Through the medium of the club Dr. Mitchill addressed the ladies on the value of whitewashing as among the most important of the hygienic arts in housekeeping, and showing that the alkalies are powerful conservators of health.
Of club life in New York more will be said hereafter, but before leaving the topic let us notice three social-benevolent institutions characterized by the features of separate nationalities-namely, the St. George's Society, the St. Andrew's Society, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, or St. Patrick's Society. These still flourishing associa- tions were in existence before 1830.
THE ST. GEORGE'S SOCIETY was established in the city of New York in the year 1786. There had already existed a similar society with
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similar aims before the old war for independence. That war had caused the dismemberment of the British Empire. Native Englishmen who had determined to make the city of New York their permanent home could not repress their affectionate remembrance of their native land and people, and their hearts yearned to give aid and assistance to those in distress who should come to our shores. Out of this desire arose the St. George's Society, three years after the peace between the United States and Great Britain.
The most prominent man in the organization of the St. George's Society was John Wilkes, "a true-born Englishman, with a heart full of kindness, and abounding in all the social affections, whose worth, justly appreciated as it was by numerous and respectable connections, soon created subscribers to the constitution." Englishmen of charac- ter coming to New York almost without exception became members, either permanent or honorary, according as their residence was either fixed or transient. The Rev. Dr. Moore, afterward bishop of the Diocese of New York, was also an early, efficient and cheerful mem- ber, personally assisting in all the work of the Charitable Committee.
The first president of the society was Goldsbrow Banver, an English- man by birth, and an active public man. The seal it adopted bore the expressive motto, " Let mercy be our boast, and shame our only fear," and is indicative of its long career of usefulness.
During the prevalence of the yellow fever in New York in 1822, the records of the society were hastily removed to a place above Canal Street. Their " Book of Minutes" was lost, and has never been recor- ered. so that the detailed history from Mr. Banver's election to the presidency until 1824 is known only in vague recollection. It is known that until that time Mr. Banver had six successors, and that the good work of the society went steadily on.
The present charter of the society was granted by the Legislature of New York in March, 1838. Its constitution declares the object of the society to be to " afford relief and advice to indigent natives of Eng- land and the British colonies, or to their wives, widows, or children in the cities of New York and Brooklyn, and to promote social intercourse among its members. The property and income of the society can only be expended in charity. The persons eligible to membership are: a native of England, a son of a native, a grandson of a native, British officers and their sons wherever born, natives of any of the colonies, territories, or dependencies of Great Britain.
The society had. in 1>>2. nearly one hundred pensioners, who were paid monthly. Aid had been afforded to 1546 transients : 3662 meal
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and 1223 lodging tickets had been distributed : 15 situations had been procured ; 18 had been aided in getting to this country. and 174 to return to England.#
THE ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY of the State of New York was instituted in the city of New York in November, 1756, and is one of the oldest existing benevolent societies in the State or in the Republic. Several gentlemen, natives of Scotland and of Scottish descent, met and agreed to form themselves into a society for charitable purposes. They adopted a constitution, and elected Philip Livingston president, Dr. Adam Thompson vice-president, Malcolm Campbell treasurer, Richard Morris secretary, and David Johnston, Alexander Colden, Dr. James Murray, and Dr. William Farquhar, assistants.
The objects of the society were the promotion of social and friendly intercourse among the natives of Scotland in America, their connec- tions and descendants, the relief of the worthy distressed, and finding employment for the industrious poor. In this work the society con- tinued until the war for independence broke out. Then the public meetings of the society were suspended, and its work was done more by independent individual action than by the organized society. Its records from 1775 to 1784 are lost.
When peace came the work of the society was revived in all its wonted vigor. Its former constitution was revised and amended, and. from that time until now it has never flagged in the faithful perform- ance of its prescribed duties. The duties of the managers became more and more arduous as the city rapidly increased in population, for the objects of their care were scattered over a large and continually widen- ing space. To relieve them an almoner was appointed in 1841, and that measure has proved very beneficial. The almoner visits in person every applicant, and reports to the managers. By that means all frauds are prevented and money most judiciously distributed.
The administration of the charities of the St. Andrew's Society is similar to that of the St. George's Society. During the year ending November, 1882, 3138 applications were attended to and favors be- stowed, and in 92 cases aid had been afforded to persons to reach some other part of the country. The number of the members of the society, honorary, life, and resident, is 357. The anniversary dinner has always been regularly held, excepting during the Civil War. This
* The officers of St. George's Society for 1882 were : F. W. J. Hurst, president : Edward Hill and Richard J. Cortis, vice-presidents : John G. Dale, treasurer, and Alex- ander E. Tucker and F. G. Richardson, secretaries.
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dinner is partaken of on St. Andrew's day, when each member appears with a St. Andrew's cross or a thistle displayed on the left breast. None but Scotsmen and the sons and grandsons of a native of Scotland, or the sons of a resident member, may be admitted as such .*
THE SOCIETY OF THE FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK is one of the old social-benevolent institutions of the city. It appears to be the suc- cessor of the Friendly Brothers of St. Patrick, which existed previous to the old war for independence. Like other similar organizations. its work and its records appear to have suffered from the confusion of the war of the Revolution. It reappeared after that event, and was reorganized in 1784.
According to Hardie, there was a society in New York " composed - chiefly of natives of Ireland," formed in 1815, called the Shamrock Friendly Association. Its object was to befriend Irish emigrants on their arrival in the United States by giving them useful information and procuring them employment. Their views and benevolent offices were " not confined to country, politics, or religion." said Hardie, who wrote in 1826 ; " it is enough that the applicant is a stranger to insure him protection."
This was probably the old society of Irishmen bearing a new name. and which was finally incorporated by act of the Legislature of New York, passed February 13, 1827, with its present title (1784) of The Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. This title appears to be the one it assumed at its reorganization in 1784. It proposed to cele- brate its centennial anniversary on the 17th of March, 1884.
In compliance with one of its by-laws, adopted in 1832, the members of the society meet in social intercourse at dinner on St. Patrick's day, each year, " the anniversary of Ireland's tutelar saint." as the law expresses it. These dinners have always afforded the most pleasant. witty, and agreeable social gatherings of the kind in the city. Perfect harmony prevails at these dinners, as well as at the meetings of the society. This is due to the fact that the association is composed of different religious denominations and of different political views. it the meetings of every kind the subjects of religion and politics are never discussed, only the charitable and social objects of the society. To this feature is due the long and healthful life of the association.
* The officers of the St. Andrew's Society for 1883 are : Walter Watson, president : Bryce Gray and James Fraser, vice-presidents ; J. Kennedy Tod, treasurer ; Walter C. Brand, secretary, and William Gordon, assistant secretary ; John Paton, William A. Paton, John Mackay, Thomas Henderson, Jr., Robert H. Robertson, and William Lyall. managers.
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HISTORY OF NEW YORK CITY.
Out of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick grew the present Irish Emigrant Society and the Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank, now one of the largest savings institutions in the city. Prior to the organization of these institutions the St. Patrick's Society, com- monly so called, was very active in extending charitable aid to indigent persons of the Irish race in the city, especially in aiding emigrants upon their arrival in this country in finding employment. That duty is now discharged by the commissioners of emigration, of which the president of the Irish Emigrant Society is one .*
THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF. NEW YORK, founded in 1814, was composed of scientific and literary gentlemen. Among its founders were De Witt Clinton, Dr. Hosack, Dr. Mitchill, Dr. Macneven, Dr. Francis, Dr. Griscom, and others. Francis had just returned from Europe, and brought with him much knowledge of scientific facts and current history of philosophy abroad, derived from acute observation. Clinton was chosen the first president of the society. It gathered a valuable library, and flourished for many years among the useful institutions of New York City.
THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY was also a flourishing institution at the time we are considering. In its origin it was a private association of young gentlemen who held meetings occasionally in one of the lecture. rooms of the College of Physicians and Surgeons. It was incorporated by an act of the Legislature passed April 20, 1818, and was furnished by the city authorities with a suite of apartments in the New York Institution. It soon formed quite an extensive cabinet, and before the year 1830 no collection in the country was richer in the departments of herpetology and ichthyology. It had gathered an extensive collection of fossils from Europe, nearly a whole skeleton of a mastodon, and large portions of the only North American specimen of the mega- therium which had hitherto been discovered. It had recently estab- lished a new department of comparative anatomy, and was rich in cranial illustrations of ethnology. The presidents of the institution down to 1827 were Dr. Samuel L. Mitchill and Dr. John Torrey.
The Lyceum of Natural History is now situated on Madison Avenue, and besides a good library has a collection of more than three thousand specimens of plants.
THE NEW YORK ATHENEUM, alluded to in connection with the New
* The officers of the Society of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for 1882-83 were : Charles P. Daly, president ; John Savage, first vice-president ; Robert Sewell, second vice-president ; William Whiteside, treasurer : John MeK. MeCarthy, secretary ; Engene Kelly, almoner ; R. A Caldwell, M.D., physician,
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York Historical Society, was founded on the first of June, 1824. Until that time New York was probably the only city of equal size in the world in which an association for the promotion of the highest cultiva- tion in science, art, and literature combined might not be found. For the noble purpose of creating such an institution, and with the laudable ambition to make it the leading society of the kind, distinguished mem- bers of the professions, of the arts, and of literature in the city associ- ated, under the title of The New York Athenaeum.
The association consisted of resident and honorary members, the former divided into four classes, namely-associates, patrons, govern- ors, and subscribers. From these classes the funds for carrying ou the society were derived. It was decreed that $200 constituted a patron. 8100 a governor, 85 an associate, 820 and $10 a subscriber. the latter class being divided into two kinds. The $20 contributors were entitled to tickets of admission to the lectures, library, and reading- room for himself and family ; the 810 subscribers were entitled to these privileges for himself only. The patrons and governors were each entitled to three transferable tickets of admission to the lectures, the library, and the reading-room. and other tickets for the members of their families. The patrons constituted a board, and had absolute con- trol of the funds of the association, no part of which could be appropri- ated without their sanction.
The library was to comprise, when complete. all the standard elementary works of science and literature of every civilized nation, ancient and modern. Monthly lectures were to be given, open to both sexes. The Athenaeum was fully equipped for operations in 1826, and arranged the following scheme of lectures for that year : Roman Lit- erature, Professor Charles Anthon ; Phrenology. Dr. Charles King ; Taste and Beauty, Professor John Mc Vickar ; The Revival of Classical Literature, Richard Ray ; Chemistry, Professor James Renwick : Commerce, JJohn Hone, Jr. ; Painting, Samuel F. B. Morse : Political Economy, William Beach Lawrence : Poetry, William Cullen Bryant : Oriental Literature, the Rev. John Frederick Schroeder ; Anniversary Discourse, the Rev. James M. Mathews, D.D.
After engaging for more than twenty years in its useful labors, and accomplishing a vast amount of social benefit by infusing the hard materialism of purely commercial life with the spirituality and ameni- ties of intellectual culture and taste, the institution was merged into the New York Society Library in 1838, which became the recipient of its collection of valuable books.
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