USA > New York > New York County > Manhattan > Manhattan: historic and artistic; a six day tour of New York city > Part 6
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THE VANDERBILT RESIDENCES .- The re- markably beautiful home of W. K. Vanderbilt, at the northwestern corner of 52d Street, is a very fine example of French Renaissance (just emerging from the Gothic) of the time of Fran- çois the First. The connected brown-stone houses between 52d and 5Ist Streets, are
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occupied by the widow of William H. Vander- bilt, and her daughter, Mrs. Sloan. Mrs. Van- derbilt possesses a very choice collection of paintings, and her gallery has been very freely opened to the public in the past; but the abuse of this privilege, having necessitated much more rigid rules, it is now quite difficult to obtain admission. The Roman Catholic Male Orphan Asylum is opposite. No. 634 is the residence of D. O. Mills.
THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PATRICK .- Be- tween 5Ist and 50th Streets stands a white marble edifice, which is the finest church building in the United States. Its elaborate architecture is of the decorated Gothic, or geo- metric style, similar to that of the cathedrals of Rheims, Cologne, and Amiens, on the con- tinent, and the naves of York Minster, Exeter, and Westminster, in England. Its length is three hundred and six feet, its width is one hundred and twenty feet, and its towers are three hundred and thirty-five feet, and nine inches in height. The Fifth Avenue entrance is at present very imposing, but its effective- ness will be greatly enhanced by the statues of the twelve apostles that eventually are to be placed within the grand portal.
The same architectural style is preserved throughout the interior of the cathedral.
ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL.
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Massive columns of white marble, elaborately sculptured, support springing arches of exqui- site proportions. The ceiling is groined with richly moulded ribs and foliage bosses. The high altar is of marble, inlaid with semi-precious stones, with the divine passion carved in bas- relief on its panels. The tabernacle over the altar is decorated with Roman mosaics, pre- cious stones, and a door of fine gilt bronze. The throne of the cardinal, which is Gothic in design, is at the right of the sanctuary. Among the beautiful stained-glass windows there are thirty-seven memorials. Many paintings adorn the walls, the most admirable of which, by Costazzini, hangs over the altar of the Holy Family. When the Chapel of Our Lady, which is included in the design, is completed, the entire cost of construction will be about two million, and five hundred thousand dollars.
The cathedral was projected by Archbishop Hughes in 1850, and dedicated by Cardinal McCloskey in 1879. It is open every day in the week.
The home of the Democratic Club is at No. 617.
The church edifice at the corner of 48th Street, is one of three belonging to the Colle- giate Dutch Reformed Society, next to Trin-
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ity, the oldest and wealthiest ecclesiastical corporation in the country. This organization, chartered by William the Third in 1696, vests the title and management of its large property in a legislative body, called the consistory, in which each of the three churches is repre- sented. The one just mentioned, the third of the series, is a fine specimen of ornamental Gothic architecture in brown stone. The residence of Jay Gould is at No. 579. The rooms of the American Yacht Club are in No. 574. No. 562 is the residence of J. W.
Harper, Jr. The Windsor Hotel is opposite, between 46th and 47th streets. The Church of the Heavenly Rest (Episcopalian) is just above 45th Street. The residence of Chaun- cey M. Depew is around the corner, at No. 22 East 45th Street.
THE CHURCH OF THE DIVINE PATERNITY (Universalist), long known as Dr. Chapin's church, is at the southwestern corner of 45th Street. The interior decoration of this edifice is quite a departure from orthodox ecclesias- tical styles. Musical services are held here Sunday evenings that offer a rare treat to visi- tors. Rev. Charles Eaton is the present pastor.
TEMPLE EMANUEL .- The attractive edifice with minaret towers, at the northeastern corner
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of 43d Street, is the finest specimen of Sara- cenic architecture in the city. The interior also is very elaborate, being profusely deco- rated with rich oriental colors. Rabbi Gott- heil, who preaches in this synagogue, is popu- lar with both Jew and Gentile.
THE CENTURY CLUB HOUSE, at No. 7 West 43d Street, is occupied by a society of the most influential literary, artistic, and profes- sional celebrities. This association, founded in 1847, has but recently erected its present home, the ornate style of which represents the school of Italian Renaissance.
THE RESERVOIR .- The distributing reser- voir of the Croton water-works, between 42d and 4Ist Streets, is one hundred and fifteen feet above tide-water, and has a capacity of twenty millions of gallons. Its sombre stone walls covered with vines, are rather pictur- esque than otherwise.
BRYANT PARK .- At the rear of the reservoir is another restful shady spot in the midst of the city's busy life. This plot of ground was covered in 1853, by the Crystal Palace, a build- ing constructed of iron and glass, and erected for the purposes of an international exhibition, As a novelty it created great enthusiasm, and the display of sculpture and painting gave a special impetus to the patronage and culture 8
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of the fine arts. An attempt was made to maintain a perpetual art exhibition in the pal- ace, but the worthy effort failed. The " House of Glass" was also the scene of a magnificent ovation to Cyrus W. Field, when, in 1858, the Atlantic cable had abolished the ocean as a barrier of intercourse. Shortly after this memorable event the beautiful building, with its glittering dome and lofty galleries, was destroyed by fire.
A colossal bronze bust of Washington Irving, which stands near the 40th Street entrance to the park, was executed by Beer, a European sculptor, and presented to the city by a private citizen, in 1866.
The Republican Club occupies commodious quarters at No. 450 Fifth Avenue.
THE UNION LEAGUE CLUB HOUSE .- The elaborate building of red brick and brown stone, at the northeastern corner of 39th Street, is Italian Renaissance in design, and occupies a site which displays its architectural features to very fine advantage. The interior decora- tions are extremely tasteful, and the arrange- ment of the halls, galleries, and various rooms is well suited to the requirements of cultured gentlemen. The library contains over three thousand volumes, besides rare collections of engravings and etchings. A magnificent
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fresco by La Farge adorns the ceiling of the dining-room. Landscape paintings, and por- traits that are owned by the club, hang on the walls of the different apartments, but the gal- leries are reserved for monthly exhibitions of loan paintings. To these, ladies are admitted if provided with cards from members. The annual reception given by this club, is always one of the most brilliant of the New York season.
The Union League, really the child of the United States Sanitary Commission, was or- ganized in 1863,as a league of men of "absolute and unqualified loyalty to the United States," who were unwavering in their efforts to sup- press the Rebellion. The club is still the stronghold of the Republican party, but since the war it has been more social than political in its character.
The home of Austin Corbin is at No. 425. The rooms of the St. Nicholas Club are at No. 415. This society is composed exclusively of gentlemen of the Knickerbocker stock, the families of whom resided in New York State prior to 1785. The Brick Church (Presbyte- rian) is at the 37th Street corner. A former edifice belonging to this society once was a conspicuous feature of City Hall Park. No. 400 is the home of Robert G. Ingersoll. Pierre
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Lorillard lives near by, at No. 389. One of the oldest and most fashionable of clubs, the New York, occupies the Queen Anne mansion at the 35th Street corner.
THE STEWART MANSION .- The former resi- dence of the late A. T. Stewart, at the north- western corner of 34th Street, was built about 1866, at a cost of two millions of dollars. It is constructed of pure white marble, and arch- itecturally is a good exemplification of the classical Italian Renaissance. The rare paint- ings and statuary that Mr. Stewart collected, have been scattered in many directions, and the house having been unoccupied for several years has had the appearance of a stately mausoleum. It is now the home of the Man- hattan Club,-an organization intended to ad- vance democratic principles, and promote so- cial intercourse.
The residence of William Astor is opposite the Manhattan Club House, at No. 350 Fifth Avenue. A former residence of the Astors recently has been replaced by the hotel at the 33d Street corner. The Knickerbocker Club House is at the northeastern corner of 32d Street. The members of this organization belong to exclusive social circles. Several coaching and polo teams form a part of the club institution. A new and elaborate hotel
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at the southwestern corner of 30th Street, is called the Holland House. Holland Church, the second of the Collegiate Dutch Reformed Soci- ety series, stands at the 29th Street corner. It is built of Vermont marble, in the Roman- esque style of architecture, and in front of it is placed the "silver-toned bell," to which refer- ence has been made. A silver baptismal basin, -procured in 1694, and engraved with a sen- tence composed by Dominie Selyns,-is an- other relic of the past, still in use in the Dutch Reformed Church recently erected at the corner of Second Avenue and 7th Street.
THE LITTLE CHURCH AROUND THE COR- NER .- Just east from Fifth Avenue, in 29th Street, stands the Church of the Transfigura- tion, made famous because an actor was per- mitted burial rites at its altar. The Reform Club (Democratic), organized for the purpose of promoting ballot and tariff reform, has its home at the northeastern corner of 27th Street. The Hotel Brunswick is between 27th and 26th Streets, and Delmonico's is opposite, at the 26th Street corner. The historical house for- merly the home of Professor S. B. Morse, is at No. 5 West 22d Street. The Union Club House, at the northwestern corner of 2Ist Street, is the home of a non-political institution ranking very high socially. The Lotos Club,
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which occupies the house at the northeastern corner of the same street, is composed of art- ists, actors, literary and professional men. This organization gives a series of receptions to ladies every year, when artist members ex- hibit their new paintings. No. 109 was the home of the late August Belmont, who pos- sessed one of the finest collections of paintings in the country. Chickering Hall, at the 18th Street corner, is used for concerts, lectures, etc. The Society for Ethical Culture meets in this building every Sunday morning to lis- ten to the eloquent discourses of Felix Adler. Mrs. Marshall O. Roberts lives at No. 107. Edwards Pierrepont resided at No. 103, and the home of Vice-President Levi P. Morton is at No. 85. The First Presbyterian Church is at the corner of IIth Street, and the Church of the Ascension is at the 10th Street corner.
THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST, by John La Farge .- This great painting, which occupies an area forty feet square, above the altar in the last mentioned church edifice, is considered to be, by many good critics, the most important work of its kind yet produced in the United States It is crowded with a multitude of life- size figures, ranged in ascending vaults on either side of the central Christ. The painting is very powerful both in color and sentiment,
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and may be viewed any afternoon, as the church is open daily at that time.
General Daniel E. Sickles lives at No. 31, and John Taylor Johnston at No. 8, after which residence Fifth Avenue emerges into
WASHINGTON SQUARE .- This inviting park occupies about nine acres of ground. In the early New York days it was a potter's field, surrounded by wretched shanties, and called Union Place. When in 1832, the city con- verted it into the Washington Parade Ground, and expended large sums of money for its improvement, fashionable residents were at- tracted to the locality, who gave to it the aristocratic features that have characterized it to the present time.
Washington Square has been the scene of several brilliant pageants, one of the most elaborate of which occurred November 1830, as a public demonstration of the sympathetic joy which America felt for the French people, who had dethroned their faithless and tyran- nical monarch, Charles the Tenth. This cele- bration was participated in by members of every profession, officers of the army and navy, and a vast number of persons who rep- resented the trades. Several individuals were present who had borne an active part in our own Revolution; among them were Ex-Presi-
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dent Monroe (who died soon afterward), and two persons who had hoisted the American flag at the Battery after the departure of the British troops in 1783.
In 1889, during the centennial celebration of Washington's inauguration, the Square was one of the prominent places of interest in the city, the military and civic parade both passing through it. A wooden arch, erected for this occasion at the Fifth Avenue entrance, has been reconstructed in stone, as a memo-
rial of the event. The corner-stone of this arch was laid May 1890, the Bible used during the ceremony having been the one on which Washington took the oath of office as first President of the United States.
A music-pavilion, a fountain, and a statue of Garibaldi, are placed in this park; the latter ornament, which was a gift to the city from Italian residents, is the work of Giovanni Turini.
An unsuccessful attempt has been made to secure ground in the Square for an entrance to the Hudson River tunnel, which probably will come to the surface in an adjacent street. This herculean enterprise is expected shortly to be complete. Two other equally great attempts to connect our Island with the shores east and west of us are being made, work hav-
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ing been begun on both. One project is to tunnel the East River from Long Island to our city, and the other is to bridge the Hud- son River in order to make New York, instead of the towns on the New Jersey side, the ter- minus of western railroads.
THE JUDSON MEMORIAL at Washington Square South .- A shining cross, at a height of one hundred and sixty-five feet, attracts at- tention every evening to a new and peculiar religious institution, which has just erected a series of buildings including, a church, apart- ment house, kindergarten, gymnasium, chil- dren's nursery, and young men's club. These together form a monument to the memory of Adoniram Judson, the first American for- eign missionary. The incredible hardships and practical Christianity of this hero sug- gested a tribute that should be in keeping with his useful life. The church, which is free and within easy access of the poorer classes, and the institutions connected with it, are to be supported by the receipts of the apartment house. Rev. Edward Judson, a son of the missionary, is the present pastor of the church. It was he who projected the work, and secured by subscription, the funds necessary to mate- realize the project. The cost of construction, four hundred thousand dollars, was covered
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by the contributions of wealthy individuals from all parts of the country.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK .- The Gothic structure with four octan- gular towers, which stands at the eastern side
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UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
of Washington Square, was erected in 1835, the University having been established in 1831, by public-spirited merchants and professional men. Professor Samuel F. B. Morse, who was one of the first professors of this institution, invented the recording telegraph in a room within this building; and in another apartment near by, Professor John W. Draper first applied photography to the reproduction of the human countenance. Portraits of the chancellors, and
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of many distinguished members of the council and faculties, are on the walls of the council- room. Henry M. MacCracken, D.D., LL.D., is the present Chancellor.
The departments consist of the Schools of Art, Science, Medicine, and Law, the latter recently having been opened to women. There is a graduate and an undergraduate division, the latter having been successfully carried on since 1832, the former only since 1886.
Another building belonging to this corpora- tion, is in 26th Street, near the East River. It
was erected in 1879, and is appropriated to the Department of Medicine. Much of the instruction is given to students in Bellevue Hospital, which is close by.
At No. 9 University Place, -a street extend- ing northward from the University to Union Square,-the New York College for the Train- ing of Teachers instructs students who already have acquired the elements of a secondary education, the degree conferred being that of Bachelor of Pedagogy. The departments in- clude the history, philosophy, and principles of education; the science and art of teaching psychology, and manual training. The col- lege also provides, by an extension system, free classes for teachers, mothers, and chil- dren, and a free lecture-course for the public.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE FOURTH AFTERNOON .- THE DRIVE.
" THE CIRCLE," at Eighth Avenue and 59th Street, is the point at which Broadway termi- nates and the Boulevard begins.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT ARMORY is situ- ated at the corner of 62d Street and Ninth Avenue, and a similar structure, belonging to the Twenty-second Regiment, stands in the Boulevard, at 67th Street.
THE DAKOTA FLATS occupy the corner of Eighth Avenue and 72d Street.
THE SOMERINDYKE HOUSE, which once stood in Ninth Avenue, near 75th Street, was the home of royalty during its exile. Here Louis Philippe and his brothers, the Duc de Montpensier and the Comte de Beaujolais, taught school for their living; and here they were visited by Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent.
THE APTHORPE MANSION, another residence of historic interest, was where Washington remained during the evacuation of New York, only retiring to Washington Heights with his
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SCALE OF MILES
0
X
Route of Fourth Day, P.M.
Reservoir
Ogden
Ridge
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SEDGEWICK
Ave
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Road
PARK
161ST IST.
E.
AVE.
155th
S:
Trinity Cemetery
150th
St.
(11th Ave.)
Mott
Ave.
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14320
ST.
0142ND ST.
AVE.
3rd
12th
BOULEVARD
(10TH) AVE.
Convent, & Ave.
8th Ave.
137th
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Content of the
Southern
Boulevard
AMSTERDAM
Sacred Ileurt
131ST
ST.
Harlem Bridge
JEROME
125th
St.
122ND
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HIGH
WASHINGTON BRIDGE
HEIGHTS
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BRIDGE
High Bridge
Ave.
Jerome
Centrul
Bridge
RIVER
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0
RIVERSIDE DRIVE
MORNINGSIDE
Morningside
ST. NICHOLAS
M.t. Morris Park
PARK
RANDALL'S I.
Insane Asylum
Bloomingdale
Park
RIVERSIDE
CENTRAL (PARK
Lenox Ave.
Ave.
(7TH)
Gen Grant's Tombi
Park Ave.
Ave.
WASHINGTON Ft. Washington
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staff, one hour before the British officers took possession of the premises. This house stood at the corner of Ninth Avenue and gIst Street, and only recently has been demolished.
MORNINGSIDE PARK, lately appropriated for its present purpose, is now being improved by the park commissioners. A retaining wall rests on the western ledge, which forms the roadway called Morningside Avenue. Hang- ing terraces and a terrace walk greatly enhance the beauty of these grounds. The East River, the suburban region of Long Island, and the wooded hills beyond, are visible from that por- tion of the park which soon is to be converted into a mall, and embellished with shade trees. At IIIth Street, where now stands the Leake and Watts Orphan Asylum, an elaborate and costly Episcopal cathedral is to be erected.
THE BLOOMINGDALE INSANE ASYLUM,-a department of the New York Hospital,-is in Tenth Avenue, between 114th and 120th Streets. This institution received its title from one of the many villages that were situated on the northern part of the Island before the city absorbed them all. The names of some of these little towns,-Manhattanville, Carmans- ville, and Harlem,-still remain to designate their old localities.
THE SHELTERING ARMS, at Tenth Avenue
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and 129th Street, takes charge of homeless children for whom no provision is made in other institutions.
THE CONVENT OF THE SACRED HEART is situated in beautiful grounds above 130th Street and east of Tenth Avenue.
THE HEBREW ORPHAN ASYLUM is at 136th Street.
THE GRANGE, the former home of Alexan- der Hamilton, still stands in Convent Avenue, between 142d and 143d Streets. The house, which was named from Hamilton's ancestral home in Scotland, is well preserved, as is also the grove of thirteen trees that the proprietor set out as symbols of the thirteen original States. This planting was done with much pomp and ceremony in 1802, after a banquet given for the occasion, and with the speech- making, and solemnity of prayer, customary to the olden-time festivities.
Each tree is named for a State, and what is most peculiar, each tree has kept pace in its growth with the State which it represents. New York is the most majestic of the group, Pennsylvania is the next, and Rhode Island is a mere sapling as compared with the larger trees. The "crooked tree," South Carolina, at one time turned abruptly out of the grove, and then just as abruptly returned and grew
THE HAMILTON TREES.
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straight The State for which it was named, -- the first to secede from the Union,-has been one of the most thrifty and flourishing since the restoration of peace.
"The Grange" was the residence of the statesman, at the time of his duel with Aaron Burr in Weehawken.
TRINITY CEMETERY .- The burial-ground for Trinity Church parishioners, since suburban interments were demanded, has been on either side of the Boulevard, above 153d Street. A wooden bridge over the roadway connects the eastern with the western portion. The Astor and the Audubon vaults are in this cemetery, also the vault of Madame Jumel.
The death of Colonel Thomas Knowlton is said to have occurred in this vicinity, in 1776, when, having been sent by Washington, (who was in the Morris House at 161st Street), to learn the position of the enemy, he met the advance guard and fell in the battle which fol- lowed.
To the right is " Breakneck Hill," so named by Thomas Jones,-the "fighting Quaker" of Lafayette's army,-who had helped to drive the British down its declivity.
The former home of Audubon, the great ornithologist, was directly north of Trinity Cemetery. Handsome residences are now at-
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tached to the original mansion, but the grounds are not divided by fences, and the place is very properly named Audubon Park.
THE MORRIS HOUSE .- This is one of the very few colonial residences extant. It is frame, painted white, and with the traditional pillars of its time adding dignity to its ripe old age. Overlooking the city and the quiet wa- ters of the Harlem, it stands on a bluff at the corner of St. Nicholas Avenue and 16Ist Street.
1,
THE ROGER MORRIS MANSION.
At first the property of Colonel Roger Morris, whose wife in her maiden days had been Wash- ington's sweetheart, it afterward became the
9
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home of Madame Jumel, who was married to Aaron Burr in its drawing-room after the downfall of that distinguished individual. The most interesting memoirs connected with the history of this mansion are of course the events that occurred during the time when Washington made it his headquarters, while Howe occupied the Apthorpe residence, three and a half miles distant.
WASHINGTON BRIDGE was opened for travel in 1889. This magnificent structure, in which sections of steel are combined and keyed into the central arches instead of stone, is two thousand and four hundred feet in length, eighty feet in width, and one hundred and thirty-five feet in height. Its cost of con- struction was about two million, and seven hundred thousand dollars. From the bridge a beautiful view of the valley of the Har- lem is obtained. Elegant residences and terraced grounds border the shores of the river, which is but a tidal channel connected with the Hudson by Spuyten Duyvil Creek, at the north of Manhattan Island. Through this section of the country legends innumerable abound, many of them having been immortal- ized by Irving. The queer name of the little creek recalls one of these, when Antony Cor- lear, on a stormy night, attempted to swim
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through the water from the island to the main- land, declaring that he would cross the current " in spyt den Duyvil" (in spite of the devil.) Improvements are eventually to be made at this point, in order to connect the East River with the Hudson by a ship-canal.
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