USA > New York > New York County > Manhattan > Manhattan: historic and artistic; a six day tour of New York city > Part 4
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Titian, Rembrandt, Del Sarto, Paul Veronese, and Murillo. The Egyptian collection contains a fac-simile of the Rosetta Stone, mummies of the sacred bulls, with portions of the chariot and rope-harness found buried with them in the tombs at Dashour, vases, agricultural and sacrificial implements, and a great number of other equally interesting relics from that an- cient civilization. There are besides some specimens of the sculpture of ancient Ni- neveh, as well as several pieces of modern times.
The society includes over two thousand members, through whose courtesy alone ad- mittance to the building is obtained. As the organization is unincumbered by debt, it is confidently hoped that a new building soon will be erected which can be utilized for the benefit of the public.
STUYVESANT SQUARE, through which Second Avenue passes on its way northward, is one of the most attractive of our city parks, the land for which was deeded to the "Mayor, Aldermen, and Commonalty of the City of New York" (this is our legal title) by Peter G. Stuyvesant in 1836. The donor intended that the park should be called Holland Square, but its title was changed by request of the recipients. As according to the terms of the
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deed, business houses are not permitted to en- croach upon this locality, it still remains a desirable down-town place of residence. These grounds once formed the northern portion of the Stuyvesant farm, which extended south- ward to 3rd Street, and from Third Avenue eastward to the river. On a spot within this farm, now identified by a plate at the corner of 13th Street and Third Avenue, there flour- ished for nearly two hundred years a pear tree which was brought from Holland by the orig- inal Peter Stuyvesant, and planted by him to preserve the memory of his name.
THE FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE AND SEM- INARY are at the left of Stuyvesant Square. The Quakers, who suffered much persecution at the hands of Dutch governors, as well as from Puritan authorities, could not firmly es- tablish themselves in this city until the begin- ning of the eighteenth century, when they erected their first meeting-house near Maiden Lane. Since that time they have successively put up a number of buildings, but at present these just referred to, belonging to the Hicks- ite branch, and one other, belonging to the orthodox sect, are the only meeting-houses that remain standing. Through all the vicis- situdes of the city's growth the Quaker element ever has been bold, peaceful, prudent, and
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practical, and our present prosperity owes much to their discreet activity.
SAINT GEORGE'S CHURCH, (Episcopalian) at the 16th Street corner, is in its architectural style a transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic. Two spires of such beautiful .pro- portions that they challenged general admira- tion, recently have been taken down because they were considered unsafe. Fortunately they are to be rebuilt. This church originally was one of three chapels belonging to Trinity Corporation, but it became a distinct charge in 18II. Its first edifice was erected in 1752, on ground near Beekman Street, called "Chapel Hill." The present structure was built in 1849. For many years this parish was pre- sided over by the celebrated Dr. Stephen H. Tyng, whose remarkable insight and energy organized a work which is now ably continued and enlarged by the present rector, Dr. W. S. Rainsford. The presence of thirty women in the vested choir is an innovation and improve- ment in the service. The building at the rear is a sort of church club-house, where members have the advantages of reception and class rooms and a fine gymnasium.
Sixteenth Street extends westward from Saint George's to Irving Place, and Irving Place leads southward to East 14th Street.
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A picturesque little theatre called the "Am- berg,"-formerly Irving Hall,-at the corner of Irving Place and 15th Street, is appropriated to German plays.
THE ACADEMY OF MUSIC, at the 14th Street corner, was built in 1854 and rebuilt in 1866. Although the exterior of this edifice is very plain, the interior is renowned for its perfect appointments. Italian opera long found a home in this building, during which time its walls echoed to the world's most perfect voices. Great dramatic stars, among them Rachel, Ristori, Booth, Salvini, and Janauschek, also have appeared upon its stage. Until the erec- tion of the Metropolitan Opera House the Acad- emy was the popular place for balls and pub- lic meetings, but it is now entirely used for dramatic presentations.
TAMMANY HALL, which is situated east of the Academy in 14th Street, is headquarters for the Tammany Society, or Columbian Order, -an organization founded in 1789 for the pur- pose of perpetuating a true love of country. In order to propitiate the Indians the society adopted aboriginal forms and christened itself with the name of an Indian chieftain. At first a national society, based upon general princi- ples of patriotism and benevolence, it became partisan when the administration proclaimed
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neutrality during the French Revolution. It is now the most thoroughly organized political body in the country, polling about half of the entire city vote. Every district has its com- mittee, which is under the direction of a gen- eral committee of eleven hundred members, who are in turn controlled by a "Grand Sa- chem," or "boss." It was this order which inaugurated the perpetual commemoration of Washington's birthday. The first Tammany Hall, or "Wigwam," stood on the site now occupied by the Sun Building. The present edifice was built in 1867.
STEINWAY HALL, once made classical by the best concert music, but now converted into piano warerooms, was in the Steinway Build- ing, at the west of the Academy in 14th Street.
UNION SQUARE .- A few steps westward and an open park is reached, which affords a breathing space to the public in the very heart of the city. Business has so engrossed this locality that but very few of the old resi- dences remain. A flag-stone in the sidewalk at the east side, upon the surface of which is cut, "Union Square, founded in 1832," identi- fies the former home of the person who was most active in securing the early improvements for this place, Mr. Samuel Ruggles.
UNION SQUARE FROM THE SOUTH.
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THE COLLEGE OF SOCIAL ECONOMICS, which occupies the southeastern corner of 16th Street and Union Square, represents a new departure in educational lines, its object being to found a School of Economics that shall be distinctly American, thus giving to students a broader basis upon which to form a judgment of new social conditions than is made possible by ap- plication of the doctrines of the Manchester School. A business college forms a part of the institution, and free lectures on themes of popular interest are delivered Wednesday evenings.
THE BRONZE EQUESTRIAN STATUE OF WASH- INGTON, of heroic size, which stands near 14th Street, was the first public work of art ever set up out-of-doors in this city. It was erected in 1856 by enterprising merchants. H. K. Brown was the sculptor.
THE GREAT WAR MEETING OF 1861, called in response to Lincoln's appeal for troops "to sustain the Federal Government in the present crisis," was held under this fac-simile of the benign face of our first President.
The park contains about three and one-half acres of ground that are kept in excellent order. The fountain pond is filled with exot- ics similar to those already observed in other parks, and bordered with brilliant foliage
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plants. From the balcony of the cottage north of the fountain officials review the parades that frequently take place on the 17th Street Plaza, banners and a row of gas-jets making the place brilliant on special occasions. A drinking
fountain stands at the western edge. The bronze statue of Lincoln, erected by popular subscription shortly after his assassination, and modeled by H. K. Brown, is at the southwest- ern corner. A statue of Lafayette, facing toward the south, was modelled by Bartholdi, and erected in 1876 by French residents in token of gratitude for the sympathy for France shown by America during the Franco-Prussian war.
Union Square Theatre faces the park at the 14th Street side. The pavement in front of this theatre is popularly known as the "Slave Market," from the fact that actors make this their lounging place while waiting for engage- ments.
WEST FOURTEENTH STREET, which well may be called "Vanity Fair," is the great shopping centre of New York, as the perpetual crowd, the bargain announcements in the shop windows, and the street venders of every description of goods, from choice roses to stove-blacking, will testify.
MACY'S, at the corner of 14th Street and
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Sixth Avenue, represents a small world of traf- fic in itself. At first but an insignificant shop in an out-of-the-way quarter, it afterward suc- ceeded in forcing trade to its own locality and became the nucleus of the present business of the street. Within this great mart may be found every variety of dry-goods and notions; also confectionery, drugs, books, magazines, stationery, toys, shoes; a fine restaurant, a glove department, a saddlery-hardware depart- ment, and a department of ceramics, bronzes, silverware, etc. In short, nearly everything, down to the simplest of household utensils, and all at moderate prices. Like Whitely of London, Macy has aimed to be an "uni- versal provider," and it will be seen that he has practically succeeded.
It is a curious sight to watch the purchasers who often stand three and four deep around the counters. Women of wealth and simply- dressed country dames jostle each other in their efforts to secure the attention of the ever busy clerks. Children clap their hands at sight of a beneficent Santa Claus dispensing beautiful toys, or wail from the nervous fatigue of so much excitement, while cash girls in bright red aprons run hither and thither with their package baskets, endeavoring with all their might to expedite matters for the crowd
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that seems never to diminish and never to cease buying. It was Macy who originated prices in odd numbers, and also the Christmas window,-a moving panorama which annually proves so attractive that during the holiday season it becomes necessary to stretch a canvas across the stairway at the elevated-railway sta- tion in order to prevent spectators from using the stairs as a platform from which to view the windows.
THE SALVATION ARMY QUARTERS are in 14th Street, west of Sixth Avenue.
THE NEW YORK HOSPITAL, which now oc- cupies a building in 15th Street, between Sixth and Fifth Avenues, was chartered by George the Third in 1771, and was the second organization of its kind in this city. The original edifice in Duane Street, was destroyed by fire before patients could be admitted, and having been rebuilt, was occupied by American and British soldiers until the close of the war; so that it was 1791 before the real work of the institution could begin. Since that time, how- ever, the hospital has been almost unrivalled as a School of Medicine and Surgery. The present building, which is modern French Renaissance in design, was opened in 1887 with very perfect appointments, the upper story having been converted into a glass-roofed
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hall where patients may have the advantage of a sun bath. The first hospital on the Island, etablished by the Dutch near the old fort, was demolished by the British.
THE YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCI- ATION BUILDING, between Fifth Avenue and Union Square, was founded in 1870 for the purpose of assisting young women who are dependent on their own exertions. Classes are here instructed in sewing, book-keeping, etc. ; and an employment bureau assists women to find positions. The system also includes a circulating library and reading-room, supplied with current periodicals; a gymnasium, a board directory, an exchange for woman's work, concerts, lectures, and Sunday Bible instruction. An addition, called the Margaret Louisa Home, which accommodates working women with lodging and board, recently has been erected in 16th Street. The building was the gift of Mrs. E. F. Shepard; the Asso- ciation is supported by voluntary contribu- tions.
TIFFANY'S .- The great building at the cor- ner of 15th Street and Union Square is the far-famed jewelry store of Tiffany and Com- pany, an establishment which stands alone in the world because it is so great of its kind. Of course, as changes constantly are taking
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place, a description of what is displayed at any one time only will serve to convey an idea of the general characteristics of this institu- tion.
Upon the first floor there is a bewildering as- sortment of diamonds and other jewels, silver- ware, fans, etc. In the northwestern corner, devoted to Russian manufactures, a silver vase testifies to the remarkable degree of excellence arrived at by Russian artificers.
The second floor displays a varied and most interesting collection of artistic work. Among the marble and bronze statuary placed in a little room near the elevator, is Edward Thax- ter's "First Dream of Love,"-a life-size marble figure which challenges criticism as to the conception, -- for a maiden asleep in an up- right position, her limbs bound with a net, her feet unsupported by the ground, and trailing through bushes, is a confusing thought. The work, however, is good, and the infant "Love," who whispers in the maiden's ear, is skilfully modelled. A much more effective piece of work by the same artist is the bust of " Meg Merrilies," which occupies a pedestal in the same room.
Specimens of agatized wood from Arizona and Dakota, in which startlingly beautiful mineral colors have been produced by the
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wash of waters containing quartz in large quantities, are next shown. Near these curi- osities are antiques in wrought brass, armor, etc .; while everywhere are clocks that make the air musical with the chimes of Grace, Trinity, or Old World cathedrals.
Under a canopy in an apartment at the north side of the building, stands a time- stained statuette of Diana, which was found in a sarcophagus near Athens, and is supposed to be two thousand five hundred years old. This figure is rather sturdy for the modern ideal of beauty, but its pose is calm and digni- fied. A bas-relief of a woman's head and shoulders, in which the workmanship is so delicate and the elevation so slight as to sug- gest the possibility of a sketch in marble, occupies a place on the wall near by. William Cooper is the creator of this last mentioned thing of beauty.
The collection in this apartment also con- tains an electrotype copy of the Bryant Vase, manufactured by Tiffany, and exhibited by him at Philadelphia in 1876.
A group of Russian bronzes at the left of the elevator should not be overlooked, as the quality of the material, the detail of the work, and above all, the consummate skill with which spirited action is portrayed in every object,
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make this exhibit a special feature of the establishment.
On the floor above ceramics from all the great factories of the world are displayed.
CHAPTER V.
THE THIRD MORNING.
"MILTON'S VISIT TO GALILEO" is the sub- ject of a painting by Professor Gatti, of Flor- ence, which is exhibited in the art room of J. H. Johnston and Company's jewelry store, No. 17 Union Square. The poet, who is gaz- ing at the stars through a telescope, and the astronomer, who stands near him surrounded by his family, form a most interesting group, especially so when it is understood that each face is said to be an authentic portrait. The light from a candle in the hands of the maid, the rays from a lamp which is burning on the table, and the moonlight seen through the archway from which astronomical observations are being taken, form three luminous centres in which the proportionate relationships are maintained with a fidelity which attests great skill on the part of the artist. Extreme deli- cacy of drawing also is displayed in a chart of the heavens which stands on the table.
This art room also contains several excellent
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specimens of the French and Spanish schools, and American art is well represented. An admirable likeness of Thomas Paine, one of several portraits of that celebrated individual, painted from life, is one of the most notice- able features of this collection.
AN OLD MAJOLICA INKSTAND .- Among the ceramics exhibited in this establishment is a curious old inkstand which bears the signifi- cant date of 1492. Extremely clumsy in form, it is agreeable to look upon because of its har- monious coloring. The inscription on the cartouche, "I. H. S. ," with cross and nails, and the device of the Medici family,-the six pills, -on a shield in the lower division, testify to the correctness of the supposition that this relic was manufactured in the Caffagiolo factory near Florence, for use in a monastery, thus relegating the formation of the quaint struc- ture to a time only twenty-six years later than the Heraldic Shield which was exhibited with the Castellani collection at Philadelphia, in 1876. The Cluny Museum in Paris, and the Museum at Sévres, possess other pieces of the same school.
FROM UNION SQUARE TO TWENTY-THIRD STREET, Broadway is occupied by large retail dry-goods houses, and carpet and jewelry es- tablishments; as well as by florists, caterers,
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dealers in ceramics, etc., all of whom draw their patronage from among the wealthy class.
"CHOOSING THE BRIDE," by Makoffsky .- This elaborate painting, which is a companion piece to the "Russian Wedding Feast," is ex- hibited in Schumann's uptown jewelry store, at the corner of Broadway and 22d Street. The critical moment when a Russian prince selects his consort from a group of radiant beauties is the subject here portrayed. The dramatic action is not so fine in this as in the first-named picture, but the costumes and jewels of the noble damsels are quite as elabo- rate, and the scheme of color is harmonious and brilliant. An admission fee of twenty- five cents, which is appropriated to charity, is charged.
THE RESIDENCE BUILT FOR SAMUEL J. TILDEN is in Gramercy Park, two blocks east of Broadway, at Nos. 14 and 15 East 20th Street. The stone carvings on the exterior of this edifice are of great artistic excellence, the entire façade being enriched with divisional bands of beautifully sculptured foliage, and bas-relief figures cut in sunken disks, while the delicately chiselled heads of Shakespeare, Milton, Franklin, Goethe, and Dante, appear on a panel near the eastern entrance.
THE PLAYERS' CLUB HOUSE, at No. 16 East
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20th Street, is a gift to actors from the founder and president of the club, Edwin Booth. The building contains the libraries of Mr. Booth and Lawrence Barrett, and also the play bills collected by Augustin Daly. A general rendezvous of players takes place in these apartments every Saturday night.
GRAMERCY PARK is open to residents in the immediate neighborhood only. Cyrus W. Field, David Dudley Field, John Bigelow, and other well-known persons, occupy houses in this attractive locality.
Lexington Avenue, which extends north- ward from Gramercy Park, contains the former home of Peter Cooper. The residence of the philanthropist was at No. 9.
THE COLLEGE OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK stands at the southeastern corner of Lexington Avenue and 23d Street. Each year nearly one thousand young men here receive tuition in a classical, scientific, or mechanical course. A post-graduate course in engineering occu- pies two additional years. The college con- tains a fine library, a cabinet of natural history, and apparatus for the use of the scientific department. The institution is maintained at an annual cost to the city of about one hundred and fifty-three thousand dollars.
Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and
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Training School for Nurses are at the foot of East 26th Street. This hospital was founded in 1826, and is under the control of the city government; but the college, an independent institution, was not organized until 1861.
THE ASSOCIATED ARTISTS occupy premises at No. 115 West 23d Street. This is a stock- company of women, who are placing a com- mercial value on the talents of women, and who expect eventually to make of their or- ganization a School of Design which shall be distinctly American. Embroidering and dec- orative drawing and designing for wall paper, tapestries, and fabrics, are taught to the pupils of this establishment, who become a part of the institution after a three years' course. To those persons who are investigating the prog- ress of decorative art nothing can be more delightful than a few moments spent in exam- ining the products of this fairy workshop. Silks, soft and fine as any woven in Oriental looms, and with colors so perfectly combined that artists frequently suppose the material to have been treated with the brush, delight the eye, while the patriotic sense is gratified with the knowledge that only American flora and fauna form the basis of the designs for these exquisite fabrics. Many color studies in textiles and tapestries are displayed, in which
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the workmanship seems little short of marvel- lous. A characteristic feature of the tapes- try-work is the poetic thought woven in with the threads. At the present time deft fingers are producing a series of curtains that portray the heroines of Hawthorne's novels with such unmistakable originality of design that the artist, Dora Wheeler, is immediately recognized. Visitors are welcome at the show- rooms of this establishment throughout the day.
THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF DESIGN .- The beautiful structure of artistically blended gray and white marble and blue stone, stand- ing at the northwestern corner of Fourth Avenue and 23d Street is in part a copy of the Palace of the Doges in Venice, its architectural design being the Italian Gothic. The vesti- bule floor is of variegated marbles, and a mas- sive marble stairway leads to the galleries above. Here every spring and autumn, an exhibition of new paintings takes place, and prizes are awarded. Other organizations sometimes rent these galleries for the display of their art work among them the American Water Color Society holds an annual exhibition during the month of January, which is ex- tremely popular. Free art schools and lecture rooms, open to both sexes from October until 6
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June of every year, occupy the first and second floors of the building.
The inception of the Academy, now the foremost art institution in the country, was due to Professor S. B. Morse, who was himself an artist of no mean ability. About the year 1815 he founded a society of artists of which he became president, and before which he
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delivered the first course of lectures on the fine arts ever given in this part of the world. Although this organization thrived, its exist- ence was nomadic until 1863, when the present building was erected, and dedicated with im- posing ceremonies.
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The members of the institution consist of academicians (N.A.), and associates (A.N.A.), who acquire either rank of professional dis- tinction by merit.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION BUILDING is opposite the Academy, at the southwestern corner of 23d Street and Fourth Avenue. This edifice, which is French Re- naissance in design, contains a reception and reading room; a concert hall, seating four thousand, a lecture room, library, gymnasium, and bowling-alley ; besides parlors, class-rooms and baths. The building is open every day in the year, including holidays, and many opportunities for instruction and entertainment are afforded the members. The association has six branch organizations in different parts of the city.
CHAPTER VI.
THE THIRD AFTERNOON.
THE AMERICAN ART ASSOCIATION .- The beautiful galleries of this institution at No. 6 East 23d Street, usually are occupied with interesting collections of paintings. The as- sociation holds two exhibitions yearly, at which prizes valued at two thousand dollars are awarded for the best paintings, while gold medals worth one hundred dollars are bestowed for works of secondary merit.
MADISON SQUARE, which is bounded at the south and north by 23d and 26th streets, and at the east and west by Madison Avenue and the intersection of Broadway with Fifth Ave- nue, contains about six acres of ground, made beautiful with shade trees, flowers, and a fountain.
Until the year 1847 this part of the Island was rather unsightly, and previous to the time of its improvement, was occupied only by Cor- poral Thompson's little yellow tavern, and an old arsenal which was utilized as a house of refuge. At present this park is the centre of
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MADISON SQUARE AND FIFTH AVENUE, LOOKING NORTHWARD.
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a world of fashion and amusement. The Madison Avenue side is occupied by the Metro- politan Life Insurance Company Building,- an example of the Italian Renaissance style of architecture, very rich in its material and de- tail,-a Presbyterian church, and the building which formerly belonged to the Jockey Club, and later to the Union League, but is now the home of the University Club. In this organi- zation membership is restricted to men who have graduated from some college, university, or professional school, from the United States Military Academy at West Point, or the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
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