USA > New York > New York County > Manhattan > Manhattan: historic and artistic; a six day tour of New York city > Part 5
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MADISON SQUARE GARDEN .- The most con- spicuous building in this vicinity is situated in Madison Avenue, between 26th and 27th Streets. Its ornate style attracts immediate attention. The architectural design, partly Moorish, and partly Spanish Renaissance, is novel to us, and the arrangement of electric lights, fantastically grouped about the minaret domes and the tower, until they terminate in a brilliant crescent under the feet of the bronze Diana at the apex, is an exceedingly pleasant vision, suggesting unlimited delights for sum- mer evenings in the garden on the roof. The auditorium has a seating capacity of fifteen thousand. Boxes and galleries surround its
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walls, and tables as well as chairs, are placed on the main floor for the benefit of those who desire refreshment during the performances. Concerts, spectacular displays, horse, bench, and flower shows, that require commodious accommodations, usually form the attractions
MADISON SQUARE GARDEN.
at this place. The northern portion of the building contains a small theatre and a beauti- ful concert hall. An elevator carries visitors to the tower for twenty-five cents.
The old Madison Square Garden, which for- merly occupied this site, had previously been known as Gilmore's Garden; earlier, it was
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Barnum's Hippodrome, and for many years before that time it was a passenger station of the Harlem Railway.
Madison Avenue extends northward from this point to Harlem.
THE MONUMENT TO ADMIRAL FARRAGUT, which stands at the northwestern corner of Madison Square, is much admired. It was erected by the Farragut Memorial Association, and the statue was made by Augustus St. Gaudens.
THE WORTH MONUMENT, at the intersection of Broadway and Fifth Avenue, is the most prominent object in Madison Square. It is a granite obelisk, erected by the corporation of the city in memory of Major-General Worth; who first achieved distinction at Chippewa, under General Scott in 1841, and afterward participated in the war with Florida Indians,- 1840 to 1842,-and in the Mexican struggle of 1846 to 1848. The name of Anthony Street was changed to Worth Street in honor of this soldier.
THE STATUE OF WILLIAM H. SEWARD, by Randolph Rogers, which is placed at the south- western corner of the park, represents that statesman in a sitting posture, surrounded by huge tomes. It was unveiled in 1876.
The white marble building at the north-
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western corner of Fifth Avenue and 23d Street, is the Fifth Avenue Hotel, which at the time of its completion in 1859, caused the residents of the city to wonder how so costly an edifice could obtain sufficient patronage at this then remote locality.
GOUPIL'S ART GALLERY, at the corner of 22d Street and Fifth Avenue, always contains a choice assortment of paintings. The other standard galleries are: Wunderlich's, No. 868 Broadway, Schaus's, No. 204 Fifth Avenue, Reichard's, No. 226 Fifth Avenue, Avery's, No. 368 Fifth Avenue, and Keppel's, No. 20 East 16th Street.
TWENTY-THIRD STREET .- West of Madison Square, 23d Street for one or two blocks, is a modified reproduction of 14th Street, although it is somewhat less democratic in character. The business building at the southeastern cor- ner of 23d Street and Sixth Avenue was for- merly Edwin Booth's elegant theatre, built and made famous by Booth himself.
The Masonic Temple, which is headquarters for the Masonic order throughout the State, occupies the northeastern corner of the same thoroughfares. This building was erected in 1867. For several blocks north and south from this point Sixth Avenue vies in importance with Broadway as a retail business street.
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EDEN MUSÉE .-- This attractive museum is situated on the northern side of 23d Street, between Sixth Avenue and Madison Square. The exhibition mainly consists of life-like wax figures of noted persons grouped in historical tableaux, and musical performances are given.
MADISON SQUARE THEATRE .- This is a beautiful little house, just west of Madison Square, in 24th Street. The decorations are exceedingly artistic. The drop-curtain is a marvel of embroidery, worked by the skilled hands of the Associated Artists. A novel feature of this house is its double stage, one part of which can be lifted and arranged while the performance is being conducted upon the other. The orchestra occupies a gallery above the stage.
NYMPHS AND SATYR, by William Bougue- reau .- This great painting which is exhibited in the Hoffman House Café, in 24th Street, opposite the Madison Square Theatre, is con- sidered by the eminent artist himself to be one of his most important works. The trees seem to balance in the wind, and the flesh tints are superb; the attitudes of the nymphs,- who pose in every variety of position as they play with a satyr whom they are endeavoring to force into the water,-are such wonderful
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studies in anatomical structure as to announce the master whose art almost conceals the evi- dence of art.
NARCISSUS, by Correggio, another of the choice paintings in this remarkable collec- tion, delights the eye with its deep color-tones.
A PIECE OF GOBELIN TAPESTRY,-made for Napoleon the Third,-representing the port of Marseilles, will challenge extreme admiration for the delicacy of its tints and the perfection of its design.
A PIECE OF FLEMISH TAPESTRY, taken from Constantinople during the Russo-Turkish War, represents a scene at the wedding feast of Queen Hester.
Other fine paintings decorate the walls, and statues, placques, vases, rare plants, and curious old clocks, adorn this most palatial of bar- rooms. Ladies visit the café, even without the attendance of gentlemen, during any hour of the day.
THE HOFFMAN HOUSE .- Many beautiful examples of decorative art are displayed in this hotel. The gorgeous banquet hall sug- gests " Aladdin's cave," and the private din- ing rooms, modelled from French, Turkish, Moorish, and other foreign apartments, and filled with curiosities from the civilizations of the old world, are most interesting. A collec-
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tion of fine paintings hangs on the walls of the parlors and corridors.
NORTH BROADWAY .- Several of the most popular theatres occupy prominent positions in Broadway between Madison Square and 34th Street. Among them may be mentioned Daly's, Palmer's (formerly Wallack's), The Fifth Avenue, Hermann's, etc. The Broadway Tabernacle, a Congregational church of which Dr. Taylor is the pastor, stands at the corner of 34th Street, where Broadway crosses Sixth Avenue. The bronze statue of William E. Dodge standing in the triangular space near by, was erected by the merchants of New York, in 1885. The Park Theatre is conspicuous at the left.
The Casino, a Moorish structure at the southeastern corner of Broadway and 39th Street, is devoted to the presentation of comic opera. The architectural design of this edifice is an adaptation of the Palace of the Alhambra in Spain, excellently carried out in detail. The interior contains a bewildering variety of arches, galleries, and foyers, so pleasing as frequently to divert attention from the stage. A lantern-lighted garden on the roof offers a delightful resort for summer evenings.
THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE .- The edifice occupying an entire block between 39th
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and 4cth Streets, is an example of a very simple treatment of Italian Renaissance. The audi- torium, which is enormous, contains one hun- dred and twenty-two boxes, each of which is connected with a salon in which refreshments may be served or visits received. Smaller rooms for concerts and lectures also are pro- vided, and are constantly patronized. The building was opened in 1883, under the man- agement of Henry Abbey. Since that time it has been principally devoted to splendid pre- sentations of the German and Italian opera, although great balls and mass meetings are held here during the season.
THE WORKING-MEN'S SCHOOL .- This insti- tution is situated east of Seventh Avenue (into which the car enters at 43d Street), at 109 East 54th Street. Educators and philanthropists from all parts of the world visit this place in order to study the methods that have been successfully conducted by the Society for Eth- ical Culture.
MUSIC HALL .- The close of the musical season of 1890-91 was made memorable by the opening of the edifice at the southeastern cor- ner of Seventh Avenue and 57th Street, an event made possible through the munificence of Andrew Carnegie. This stately structure, a very good example of the Italian Renaissance
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style of architecture, will change the centre of musical life from the vicinity of Union Square to the Central Park region,-close to the spot at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 59th Street, where Theodore Thomas, in his sum- mer garden concerts, may be said to have in- augurated his career as a musical conductor.
The building contains a series of halls adapted to every variety of musical assem- blage. Main Hall has a seating capacity of about three thousand, and is very perfect in its ventilation and acoustic properties. Recital Hall, Chamber Music Hall, and Chapter Room, comprise the other apartments, all of which are provided with the requirements necessary for the purpose indicated by their names, and decorated with tasteful elegance.
The Broadway Line terminates at 59th Street and Seventh Avenue, where the Na- varro Flats, called the "Madrid," "Cordova," "Lisbon," and "Granada," are situated. The cost of these sumptuous apartment houses was more than seven millions of dollars.
CHAPTER VII.
THE FOURTH MORNING.
FOURTH AND MADISON AVENUES .- The up- town portion of Fourth Avenue extends north- ward from Union Square to 32d Street.
ALL SOULS' UNITARIAN CHURCH, formerly presided over by the celebrated Dr. Bellows, stands at the southeastern corner of Fourth Avenue and 20th Street. The New York Flower Mission receives its supplies in the basement of this building.
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVEN- TION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS,-made effect- ive by the herculean efforts of the late Henry Bergh,-formerly occupied the building at the 22d Street corner, but is now temporarily dom- iciled at No. 10 East 22d Street. The old Boston Post Road turned eastward at this point, passing along the outskirts of Rose Hill Farm, the home of General Gates.
THE LYCEUM THEATRE is directly north of the Academy of Design. This play-house is renowned for the moral character of its pres-
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entations. The Fourth Avenue Studio Build- ing is at the corner of 25th Street. Besides this, and the one already mentioned in 10th Street, the other buildings devoted exclusively to artists are: "The Sherwood," in West 57th Street near Sixth Avenue, "The Rembrandt," near Seventh Avenue in West 57th Street, "The Holbein," 139 to 145 West 55th Street, Nos. 140 to 146, at the opposite side of the same street, and No. 106 West 55th Street. There are also a number of studios in the Young Men's Christian Association Building, and in the old Manhattan Club Building, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 15th Street. To some of these studios visitors are admitted at any time, while a special reception day is appointed for others. The janitors usually can tell what studios are open.
MURRAY HILL rises at 32d Street, where the ground is tunnelled for the passage of the horse cars. Above the tunnel a series of openings surrounded with flowers, gives the street the appropriate name of Park Avenue. At the corner of 32d Street stands a building which was erected by the late A. T. Stewart for a working-women's home. The experi- ment proved a failure because of the strin- gent rules, and the structure was converted into a hotel called "The Park Avenue."
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Considerable bric-à-brac from the Stewart Mansion now decorates the interior of this building.
THE CHURCH OF THE MESSIAH, of which the Rev. Robert Collyer is the pastor, is at the cor- ner of Park Avenue and 34th Street. This rise of ground once formed the estate of Robert Murray, the "Quaker Merchant of the Revolu- tion," and the father of Lindley Murray, the grammarian. The place was known as " Inclen- berg," and became historic through the adroit diplomacy of Mrs. Murray, who, by her hospi- tality and grace, detained the British officers, Howe, Clinton, and Cornwallis; while Putnam and his column, guided by Aaron Burr, passed within half a mile of her house, at the time of their retreat to Harlem.
THE GRAND CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION, facing the tunnel at 42d Street, is the ter- minus for the New York Central, the New York and New Haven, and the New York and Harlem railways, each of which has offices in the building, as well as passenger rooms. The space for trains is covered with a glass roof, having a single arch of a span of two hundred feet, and an altitude of one hun- dred and ten feet. The length of the building is six hundred and ninety-five feet. About one hundred and twenty-five trains arrive and
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depart daily, but confusion or crowding is almost unknown.
The site on which the station stands was once a cornfield belonging to the Murrays, into which the American soldiers plunged in their precipitate retreat from Kip's Bay. On a cross-road at about 43d Street, they were met by Washington, who is said to have been extremely severe in his condemnation of their panic.
MADISON AVENUE .- At 44th Street the horse-car tracks turn into Madison Avenue, whence they extend northward to Harlem.
ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH, a good speci- men of the Romanesque style of architecture, stands at the 44th Street corner.
THE MANHATTAN ATHLETIC CLUB HOUSE at the southeastern corner of 45th Street, is an attempt at the Romanesque, with Byzantine ornamentation.
THE RAILROAD BRANCH OF THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION occupies the building at the northeastern corner of 45th Street. This edifice, which also is Roman- esque in design, was a liberal contribution from Cornelius Vanderbilt.
COLUMBIA COLLEGE, which now occupies the buildings that cover the entire block between 49th and 50th Streets, was incorporated in 1754
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as "Kings College," the necessary funds hav- ing been obtained from England. Recitations were first heard in the vestry-room of Trinity Church, but when a grant of land was obtained from the "Church Farm" (in Park Place, near the North River), college buildings were erected, and occupied by the students until the outbreak of the Revolution. After the war it became necessary to re-create the institution, as the library was found to be scattered and the buildings demolished. It was therefore re-incorporated in 1784 under its present name, and its management was vested in a self-per- petuating body of twenty-four trustees.
Among the many historical personages who acquired their scholastic abilities in this insti- tution appear the names of Robert R. Living- ston, Gouverneur Morris, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and De Witt Clinton.
The present buildings were mostly erected in 1857, when the Legislature granted twenty acres of ground to the college. Since that time its income chiefly has been derived from rentals of its real estate. In the near future the college probably will be removed to a site further uptown. The five collegiate depart- ments are: the Schools of Art, Mines, Law, Political Science, and Medicine. The corps of instructors numbers about sixty, and the aver-
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age attendance of students is about eighteen hundred. The college library, containing one hundred thousand volumes, is free to re- spectable strangers, as well as to students. Barnard College for women, at No. 343 Madi- son Avenue, is under the Columbia College instructors. The same regimen is required as for the male students. The Medical Depart- ment occupies a building in 60th Street, be- tween Ninth and Tenth Avenues, which was a gift from William H. Vanderbilt. Connected with this is the Sloan Maternity Hospital, a gift from Mr. Vanderbilt's daughter, Mrs. Sloan. These magnificent donations, together with the Vanderbilt Free Clinic and Dispen- sary,-for which funds were contributed by Mr. Vanderbilt's four sons,-place the Colum- bia College of Physicians and Surgeons in the first rank for facilities as well as for instruction.
THE WOMAN'S HOSPITAL OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK is one block eastward, in Fourth Avenue. This organization, in which only wom- en are treated, was founded by Dr. J. Marion Sims, and incorporated in 1857, by seven phil- anthropic ladies. The ground upon which the building stands formerly contained the re- mains of paupers and strangers, that several times had been transferred as the city grew northward. From here they were removed
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to Hart's Island, their present place of se- pulchre.
A FLORENTINE PALACE in Madison Avenue at 50th Street, of brown sandstone, with an open court leading to three separate en- trances, was built, but is not occupied, by Henry Villard. Climbing vines add greatly to the picturesque effect of this peculiar resi- dence.
THE PALACE OF THE ARCHBISHOP, at No. 452, and the rectory, at No. 460, correspond architecturally with the cathedral, which, with them, forms a group of majestic proportions.
A Roman Catholic orphan asylum occupies the eastern side of the block between 5 Ist and 52d Streets. The elegant Beekman Mansion, where the brave spy, Nathan Hale, was tried, condemned, and executed,-expressing in his last moments regret that he had but one life to lose for his country,-was in 5 Ist Street, near the East River. Lenox Lyceum, a popular concert hall, is between 58th and 59th Streets. B'nai Jeshuron, a beautiful Jewish synagogue of Moorish design, is near 65th Street.
ALL SOULS' CHURCH (Episcopalian), of which the Rev. R. Heber Newton is pastor, is at the northeastern corner of 66th Street.
THE SEVENTH REGIMENT ARMORY .- At 66th Street it will be necessary to leave the cars
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and walk eastward for a short distance. The armory, in Fourth Avenue, between 66th and 67th Streets, is a massive edifice of red brick, with granite facings, constructed without re- gard to any particular style of architecture, but very perfect in its interior appointments. The main drill-room is very spacious, the dimensions being two hundred by three hun- dred feet. Visitors are admitted on applica tion to the janitor.
Many interesting buildings are situated in this vicinity. Mt. Sinai Hospital is at the corner of 66th Street and Lexington Avenue, one block east of Fourth Avenue. The Chapin Home for the Aged and Infirm is in East 66th Street, at No. 151. The American Institute Hall,-in which industrial exhibitions are held every autumn,-is still further east, in Third Avenue at 63d Street. The Central Turn- verein Building is in 67th Street, east of Third Avenue. A Moorish structure in 67th Street, west of Third Avenue, betrays the Jewish tabernacle. The Headquarters of the Fire Department are at Nos. 157 and 159 East 67th Street. Seventy-four companies are located in different parts of the city, and over one thousand alarm-boxes are placed at the street corners. The maintenance of the department, -in which about two thousand men are em-
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ployed,-costs the city nearly two millions of dollars annually. A Deaf Mute Asylum is in Lexington Avenue, between 67th and 68th Streets. A Foundling Asylum (Roman Cath- olic) is in 68th Street, near Third Avenue. The Baptist Home for the Aged and Infirm is in 68th Street, near Fourth Avenue, and Hahne- mann Hospital occupies a block in Fourth Avenue, between 67th and 68th Streets.
THE NORMAL COLLEGE FOR WOMEN, at the northeastern corner of 68th Street and Fourth Avenue, is under the control of the Board of Education, it being a part of the common school system. About one thousand and six hundred students annually are registered in this institution, seventy-five per cent of whom become teachers in the public schools. The college curriculum includes Latin, physics, chemistry, and natural science, German, French, drawing, and music; and the cost of maintenance is about one hundred thousand dollars a year. This edifice, which is in the secular Gothic style, with a lofty Victoria tower, is unsurpassed by any similar structure in the country.
THE UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH occupies the group of handsome buildings at the western side of Fourth Avenue, between 69th and 70th Streets.
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This property is valued at two millions of dollars. The Presbyterian Hospital covers the block between 70th and 7Ist Streets, and Madison and Fourth Avenues. The Freundschaft Club House is in 72d Street, east of Fourth Avenue, and the Flemish mansion, built for Mr. Tiffany, but until re- cently the elegant home of Mr. Henry Villard, is in 72d Street, at the northwestern corner of Madison Avenue.
After inspecting the exterior of this unique, but palatial residence, the visitor will be pleased to begin the tour of the principal residence street of the city,-far-famed
FIFTH AVENUE.
THE LENOX LIBRARY BUILDING, which stands in Fifth Avenue, between 71st and 70th Streets, was erected by James Lenox, at a cost of over one million dollars, and endowed by him with a permanent fund of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. An example of the French classical Renaissance style of archi- tecture this imposing structure is made most pleasing to the eye because of the extreme purity of its design. A façade of ninety-two feet faces Fifth Avenue, which, with the wings that support it on either side, forms a court that is completed by a high stone wall with
THE LENOX LIBRARY.
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massive iron gates. The material used in the construction of this building resembles light granite, but is in reality Lockport limestone.
The library, which occupies the wings, con- tains about thirty thousand volumes, in- cluding: Shakesperiana, Americana, many first editions of the Bible, a perfect copy of the " Mazarin Bible," (the first complete printed book known, supposed to be the product of Gutenberg and Faust, at Mainz, in 1450); a large folio Latin Bible printed by Koberger, at Nuremberg, 1477,-which is densely inter- lined in the handwriting of Melancthon,-some " block books," that represent the stage of printing before movable types superseded the Chinese fashion of cutting the page on a wooden block, and many rare books from the early presses of Europe, the United States, and Mexico. There is also a valuable collec- tion of manuscripts, to which recently has been added a twelve-thousand-dollar treasure superbly illustrated by Giulio Clovio. The picture gallery, occupying the main por- tion of the second floor, contains many fine paintings, chiefly modern. Among them are several Wilkies, Verboeckhovens, Stuarts, Reynolds's, and Leslies; also two Turners and two Copleys; besides an Andrea del Sarto, a Delaroche, a Gainsborough, and a Horace
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Vernet. Munkacsy's " Blind Milton Dictating 'Paradise Lost' to his Daughters,"-which was considered to be the gem of the Paris Exposi- tion in 1878,-is one of the most attractive paintings in the gallery. The collection also embraces a large number of portraits, includ- ing one of Bunyan,-which is believed to be an original,-and five of Washington, three hav- ing been painted by Rembrandt Peale, one by James Peale, and one full-length by Stuart. This gallery recently has been further en- riched by the late Mrs. Robert L. Stuart, who bequeathed to it her valuable paintings.
The library is open every week-day, except Monday, from 10 A.M. until 5 P. M. No admis- , sion fee is charged.
Between the Lenox Library Building and 59th Street many stately mansions with broad porches and richly decorated vestibules, sug- gest a most inviting hospitality. This por- tion of Fifth Avenue, and the streets that lead eastward from it, quite recently have become a fashionable residence quarter.
The Progress Club, an organization of He- brew gentlemen, occupies the handsome building at the northeastern corner of 63d Street. This edifice is Italian Renaissance in design.
The approach to the park entrance in 59th
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Street, called the plaza, is surrounded by three elaborately constructed hotels. The elegant residence of Mrs. E. B. Alexander is at No. 4 West 58th Street. The home of Cornelius Vanderbilt, at the northwestern corner of 57th Street, is a beautiful specimen of the modern French Renaissance style of architecture. The English Gothic house at the southwestern cor- ner of the same street, is the residence of Ex-Secretary William C. Whitney. C. P. Hunt- ington is erecting a handsome mansion oppo- site, at the southeastern corner. The elabo- rate edifice in the early Gothic style, at the corner of 55th Street, is the Presbyterian church over which Dr. John Hall presides. St. Luke's Hospital occupies the northwestern . corner of 54th Street. The Gothic structure at the corner of 53d Street, is St. Thomas' Episcopal Church. The interior of this build- ing, which is particularly pleasing both in color and in architectural design, contains paintings by John La Farge.
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