USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. II > Part 27
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MINOR PARAGRAPHS.
SCHOOLS IN THE LAST CENTURY .- Notice is hereby given that John Searson opened a school on Monday the fifth day of May, at the house of Mrs. Coon, opposite to the Post Office, where will be daily and diligently taught Spelling, Reading, Writing, Arithmetick, vulgar and decimal, Mensuration, Trigonome- try, Navigation, Surveying, Dialling and Merchants' Accounts, Agreeable to the most modern and methodical Manner, at very Reasonable Rates : And as 'tis evident it would be tedious, and require too much Leisure and Time for the Shopkeeper and Retailer, to keep to all the Rules of Merchants' Accompts, said Scarson proposes to teach a very short and perspicuous Method for Retails, &c., to adjust their Accompts. Those Gentlemen and Ladies who are pleased to honour me with the Education of their Children may depend on the utmost care and Diligence in their Progress. And as he has been employ'd some Years in the Instruction of Youth (in a neighboring Province) with good Success, he persuades himself (with God's Assistance) he'll give a general Approbation to all his Employers : Said Searson can have a Recommendation from Mr. Garret Noel, Bookseller in Dock Street .- Parker and Wegman's Gazette, May 12, 1755.
Robert Leeth, Schoolmaster and Scrivener, is remov'd into the House in Car- man street inhabited formerly by the noted Mr. Gatehouse, deceas'd, where he teaches Reading, Writing, Latin and Arithmetick, vulgar and decimal, Book- keeping after the Italian method, Surveying, Gauging, Navigation, Great Circle Sailing and Astronomy, the Construction of the Plain and Mercator's Chart on the same Sheet, which cannot but give the young Artist the clearer idea of the error of the One and Truth of the other ; also the Projection of the Sphere, &c., thereon, in order that he may the better understand the Nature and Use of the Terraqueous Globe. - Parker and Wegman's Gazette, May 12, 1755.
Writing, Arithmetick, Merchants' Accounts, Navigation, Surveying, Mensu- ration, Guaging. Dialing, and Astronomy. &c., regularly taught by James Wragg, who is removed on the New Dock near the Ferry Stairs; where there is a Commodious Room for Young Gentlemen, to be instructed in any of the Branches of the Mathematics, retir'd from those that are only taught Reading, Writing, and Arithmetick. Due Attendance will be given to Young Gentle- men and Ladies at their Houses if required. Gentlemen, Sailors and others are taught Navigation in a short time, and reasonable.
N. B. Four poor children will have their Education Gratis .- Parker and Weyman's Gazette, May 12, 1755.
MOVEMENTS IN PROPERTY UPTOWN-THE CITY EXTENDING NORTHWARDS. -Since the Central Park was commenced there has been a great movement going on in the northern end of the island, and property in that vicinity has rapidly been acquiring an increased value. Before long we shall see the whole line of the Harlem and North Rivers covered with stores and factories ; and when the Harlem River is cleared, as contemplated, and navigation established with Spuyten Duyvil creek, thus connecting the East River with the Hudson,
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the entire space between Tubby Hook and Harlem River will be thickly popu- lated and devoted to business purposes, of course with the exception of that portion around Washington Heights, which is not available for streets, and which nature specially designed for a rus in urbe. Up to that point the ground lying between the two rivers is comparatively level, admits of an easy grade, and can be easily converted into streets and avenues.
It is already contemplated to construct a village which will occupy all that space ; and with that view we perceive that some five hundred lots are to be sold at auction to-day at the Merchants' Exchange.
The natural tendency of our population towards the neighborhood of the Central Park, and the cis a tergo with which the increase of business is compel- ling the trade and commerce of the metropolis to extend themselves in that direction are manifest to every one. The picturesque beauty of the park, as well as the natural charms of the locality itself, affords an attraction without parallel to erect residences all around in that vicinity, while the pressure of a rapidly increasing trade must compel us to convert that portion of the island lying above it, as far north' as Washington Heights, to business and manufac- tures. There can be very little doubt then, we think, that all that portion of the island will be so occupied in a few years, provided that the Corporation or the Legislature do not interfere with private enterprise by getting up any jobs there, by appointing commissioners to open up streets and so forth, as they have done elsewhere. The Corporation has already got through one infamous railroad job for the profit of a few individuals, and we have no doubt that attempts will be made in the next Legislature to get commissioners appointed for opening streets and all that sort of thing in this ;locality. We hope all. such attempts will be resisted and defeated. There is no need of any commis- sions or jobs of any other character. The work will be legitimately accom- plished sooner and better without the aid of legislation .-- Herald, December 21st, 1859.
A SUNDAY PAPER, published at the Tontine Coffee House. Price to sub- scribers, four dollars per annum if delivered and three dollars if called for .-- Elliot and Crissy's New York Directory, 1811, page 484.
MULLER & Co. have been engaged during the week in selling about a thousand building lots, situated between Fourth and Seventh avenues and Sixty-third and Seventy-third streets. The lots, comprising nearly 15 blocks, presented a surface of a little more than 63 acres. Thirty years ago this land was purchased by the late James Amory for $4,400 ; now it sells for about eight hundred thousand dollars. Thus, a lot which in 1822 cost $4.29 sells for $780, or an acre at $70 in 1822 brings $12,700 in 1852. These lots are in an unsettled portion of the island, and but few of the streets are opened. A rise of six hundred per cent. per annum in thirty years on so large a plot of ground is probably without a parallel even in this go ahead city. In this instance the original investment had doubled every sixty days .-- Tribune, March 20th, 1852.
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JORN HENEG ETARIN
OLD NEW YORK.
DECEMBER, 1890.
DIARY OF DR. ALEXANDER ANDERSON. OCTOBER, 1795.
1st. I find considerable employment. The business of spread- ing plasters for the Blisters is no small Job, as I have applied them very freely. 3 patients were admitted to-day, 1 dismissed, 1 hired for a Nurse, & 4 Died. I received a letter from my mother in the after-noon by MeConnel, who takes great pains to obtain a sight of his Niece. In the afternoon Drs. Smith & Nicoll," and 3 others of the committee were here.
2d. I am much pleased with the marks of affection of a young man to his Sister. He attended her carefully on her way here, and yesterday having got a permission to see her he staid all night, & walked home in the morning. This Evening he return'd here to repeat the same friendly office. My Mother sent me a fine bunch of grapes by McConnel. The New Room being furnished we got several patients remov'd into it. 5 admitted, 2 Died, 1 Dismiss'd. Dr. Smith was here in the afternoon, and MeLeant & Jo. Bailey -- I hear that Johnston is worse.
3d. My Business increases upon me, although I discharged 3, and 4 died, 8 more arrived. So many little incidents have hap- pened that one huddles another out of my mind. Dr. Bard came -wondered at the mortality-& sent a patient from Genl. Gates's,¿ a neighboring seat. Dr. Corner paid me a visit with Mr.
* Dr. Samuel Nicoll, of No. 4 Queen street.
+ McLean was the apothecary and Joseph Bayley the house surgeon at the Hospital.
# General Horatio Gates, the commander of the Northern army at the time of the surrender of Burgoyne, was in 1795 a resident of this city, having moved here in 1790. After the battle of Camden, in June, 1780, he was superseded by
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Bell, formerly a patient of mine. Dr. Nicoll was here likewise. I was preparing for a walk to town, when Fisher inform'd me that some of the Committee were to be here. They never came and I was disappointed.
4th. Sunday. About 11 o'clock, having settled matters in pretty good order I took a walk to town and was kindly received at my Father's. After dinner I set off in company with my brother part of the way, and got to the Hospital just before the boat arrived with a patient, not long after another, and in the evening 2 more came. Dr. Smith came here with a Dr. McFarling who proposes to be my partner in this business some of the Committee were here too. I lost 5 to-day, dismiss'd a little boy, cured McCormack, en- ter'd service as a Nurse. Last night I was call'd up to see Rebecca Sicor by her Brother, who nurses her with the most affectionate at- tention. I went down to the Kitchen to prepare a Glyster, and happening to complain of a sore throat the alarm was spread that the Doctor was sick.
In the morning Fisher came into my room as I was dressing, with the marks of consternation in his countenance, but seem'd much pleas'd to find me well.
5th. Dr. McFarling came this forenoon and we divided the patients between us. I find that his Father was intimate with our family some time ago. Fisher insists upon it that I am to be Head Doctor. I lost 2 patients this morning, Rebecca Secor and a welsh girl. Two more went off before night, 8 new patients arrived to. day, one discharg'd, Elisha Doty. Dr. Hicks came up in the after- noon. We got one of the corpses into the barn and opened the head & stomach. The vessels of the brain were overloaded ; the inner coat of the Stomach was quite eroded and the ends of broken vessels apparent. The Hearsemen came along just as we had got the body into the coffin, so we skulk'd into a corner 'till they took it away. Fisher & his wife happen'd to be absent from home at this time, so that it was not attended with such a rumpus
General Greene. His conduct was scrutinized by a Committee of Congress, but they were slow in reaching a decision, and he was not restored to action until after the surrender of Cornwallis. There was then nothing for him to do in a military way, and he retired to his farm in Virginia. Later he came on to New York, dying here April 10th, 1806. He was then seventy-eight years old.
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as on a former occasion. In the evening I went into an outhouse where our 3 worst patients are. I really could not help laughing to see the poor beings sprawling about the floor. That arch fellow, Wilson, is very assiduous in coaxing the sick people to leave their cloaths to him if they should die.
6th. Feeling myself more at liberty to leave the house I took a walk to town and din'd at my Father's, took a survey of the house and chatted awhile. Went to see Mr. West and Ryan's wife, who have been attack'd with the Epidemic. My Brother accompanied me part of the way back. I reached the Hospital about 3 --- 5 patients had arrived. We lost 2 to-day, 3 were discharged. Drs. Hicks & Buxton # came up in the afternoon, and having got another corpse into the barn, examin'd the Stomach, which we found in a state of inflammation. In the Evening, when I sat down to write a letter, old Wilson who had fuddled himself, came and bother'd me for his discharge. At last to pacify him I wrote the following, and got him to put his mark to it :
" This is to certify that James Wilson is as drunk as a Piper, and will continue so as long as he can come within haul of the bottle."
He got it read for him in the Kitchen where a general roar of laughter was the consequence, and Wilson became the object of Ridicule.
7th. My partner took a trip to town to-day. I read part of the life of Gustavus Vasa, the African. I admire his resignation, a very useful virtue, I speak from experience of the want of it in my- self. 4 patients admitted to-day -- 2 died. In the afternoon I took a little walk and enjoy'd the coolness of the air and the agreeable view of rural objects. Dr. Corner & Mr. Bell came in the even- ing to see an acquaintance here.
8th. A Rainy day. No arrivals to-day, and of course we found a little more leisure than usual. I found much entertainment in overhauling the journals of a young Man who died this morning, James Sackin, lately from England, Clerk to Drowly & Draw- bridge. His observations are very judicious ; his sentiments in religion similar to Dr. Priestly's. + The billiard room, as we call
* Dr. Charles Buxton, 168 Broadway.
+ Dr. Joseph Priestley's works were then much more read than they are now,
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it, really exhibits a curious scene. On the right hand as you enfer, lies an old fellow with his head always muffled up in his blanket. On pulling this off you disclose his yellow phiz, and something very humorous in the look he gives you. In answer to my enquiry how he was this morning, he said he "felt like the divil," and then bundled himself up in his blanket. On the left lies another who has got up in the night and dragged his bed into the middle of the floor and next made a migration into the corner of the room. In another corner is a Barber who came in last even- ing, and seems much disposed for a conference with his neigh- bours. In the night he converted his hat into a chamber pot. I could not help bursting into a laugh at this. conjunction of ludicrous objects, notwithstanding the melancholy condition of the poor beings. 3 died to-day. McFarlane was surgeon on board an English ship, and has visited most of the West India Islands. It began to clear off at Sunset, when the Clouds, together with the Rainbow exhibited a beautiful appearance. We took the liberty to discharge a nurse and employ another, a decent looking old woman in her place. Our reasons for this step were these. In the first place she is addicted to liquor, and of course the patients must suffer from neglect, but they likewise suffer from her be- haviour which is very rough and illy fitted to sooth the mind of a sick person.
as they had the charm of novelty, Unitarian views being much more unusual and few works having been recently published upon the subject of the unity of God. He had, too, recently come to America, England having be- come intolerable to him. Dr. Priestley was born at Fieldhead, England, March 13, 1733. His early opportunities for education were limited, yet he succeeded in amassing much learning. In his early life he was a teacher, but afterwards became a dissenting minister. His religious views became widely different from those common in England at that time, and he published many works in explanation and defense of them. He was also famous as a chemist, making many notable discoveries, among them that of oxygen. He attained high honors in England, being among other things a Fellow of the Royal Society, but finding that his peculiar religious and political theories were repugnant to those around him he left England for Pennsylvania April 7, 1794. He settled in Northumberland. He did not find his anticipations realized, as the country people in his neighborhood were not in harmony with him in religious matters, and looked upon him, as he says, "as a French spy." He died February 4, 1804, aged seventy-one. His collected works reach twenty-five volumes. He left behind him an enviable character as a man, a philosopher, and a philanthropist.
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COPY OF VERSES WRITTEN TO A. TIEBOUT.
I insert them not from any supposed excellence but for the sake of recalling past Ideas.
Could flowing numbers animate my breast
And fire poetic raise a mind depress'd,
How would I catch from Friendship's genial shrine
The sacred flame and call the muses mine.
The Muses-no, a higher aid I call
Before whose Throne those fancied beings fall,
Who first to Mortal Man existence gave
And next consigned him to the silent grave,
In fairer day to rise and ope those powers
Which only budded in this world of ours.
O glorious prospect, worthy all our care, With hope to wait and for the event prepare; A great event, which different colours wears,
As man has reason for his hopes or fears.
To him who justice does and mercy loves
And fears the God who through all nature moves,
The prospect opens and in clearer skies
His soul expands, while radiant glories rise,
But he whose mind corrupted and debas'd,
The heavenly image of his God defac'd,
In keen remorse anticipates the day
When low in dust his guilty joys shall lay ;
When vengeance threatening long, now strikes the blow
Which breaks the stubborn heart and kindles woe;
'Till purged from every stain, Eternal Love
Removes the suppliant to the realms above,
Coeval with Eternity to sing
Th' unbounded goodness of our heavenly King.
9th. Pleasant cool weather. 2 patients admitted 5 discharged 4 died. I got an opportunity of sailing down to town and landed at Catharine Slip. Proceeded to my Father's where I din'd & staid 'till past 1 o'clock; called to see Mr. West. My Brother complains of the want of something to rouse him. My Father I found busy at his vendue, & my Mother at the writing desk. I have abstained from meat for some days past and feed chiefly on bread and butter; I think I find the advantages of such a diet. The number of our patients is reduced to about 28; of course I have less fatigue.
10th. But 2 arrivals to-day, 1 dead and 1 discharged. Pleasant weather, with enlivening breezes, although the morning began
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with Fogs. I found considerable leisure ; I finished reading Gus- tavus Vasa the African, and applied myself to Beatties Elements. McFarlane went to town. In his absence 4 of the Committee were here, who, after fortifyitig themselves with Porter, took a peep at some of the patients.
LIST OF THE DEATHS AND CURES THIS SEASON.
Dead.
From Aug. 5 - 12 to 31
Cured. 5
September 1 1
17 39
From Oct. 1 ) 32
18
to 10. 115
62 29 remaining under care.
11th. Sunday. It rained all night and part of the morning. I was much pleased with the behaviour of an Italian who has been under my care. When I delivered him his Discharge he seized my hand and applied it to his lips, in a manner which express'd his thanks more forcibly than words could have done. After dinner I got into the boat, but finding they were like to have a long passage was landed near Stuyvesants* and walk'd to my Father's. They were at church, I followed them there and heard a Discourse from Mr. Moore. Before 5 I set off and returned to Bellevue. 4 patients admitted, none died. Dr. Corner came to- wards evening to see some of the patients.
12th. One of our convalescents, McDaniel, had been longing for a chicken, but Mr. Fisher would not suffer one of his to be killed. At last Providence seemed to favor his wishes. A couple of ravens fell foul on one of the chickens and cut its throat. Of course it was cook'd for McDaniel. " Ah, the blessing of God
* This was near the residence of Nicholas William Stuyvesant, on Eighth street, between First and Second avenues. There was an indention of the river near this place, so that it was close to the shore. Just below on this side were the ship yards. In 1806 they were between Corlears Hook and what is now Stanton street, and between Corlears Hook and Catharine street. Above Cor- lears Hook and below Stanton street was what was then called Manhattan Island ; ship yards were there. Adam and Noah Brown had there a large ship-house. They and Christian Bergh were then eminent ship builders, says Valentine's Manual. Stuyvesant's meadows then embraced a large area of marshy low lands, on the east side of the city, much covered with water.
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upon the two birds," says he, cramming himself heartily. 4 pa- tients admitted to-day, 1 died, 4 Discharged. Dr. Corner call'd in to look at the sick. Dr. Smith made us a visit. Buxton hap- pened to be here at the same time. Mr. Fisher was sadly afflicted with an audacious horse, who made a forcible entry upon his premises and repeated the offence, notwithstanding the ignomini- ous badge which he had ty'd to his tail.
13th. In the morning I indulged myself in a walk to the head of the lane, and in the afternoon rambled along the banks of the river. When I returned I found Dr. Corner & Mr. Bell at the Hospital. The former was relating some of his exploits which re- duc'd him much, in my esteem. Mr. Bell seem'd happy to see me and took delight in strolling about the scene of his late illness. 2 admitted to-day ; no deaths. McDaniel is wishing for the Ravens to return. She says he never need fear hunger when the fowls of the air provide for him. I receiv'd a letter from my Mother in which she relates the circumstance of her receiving a visit in the evening from the woman who passed for Mr. West's wife, and the humble manner in which she confess'd the real situation of her connection with him.
14th. Last night McFarlane lost one of his patients, and this morning another. I lost one of mine not long after. I have been rather too much confined to-day, McFarlane having gone to town. The situation of some of my patients gives me a little uneasiness. I cannot help looking back to my engraving table and thinking it a fitter station for me.
15th. This morning I set off in the rain about 9 o'clock, and walk'd to my Father's. Got pretty well soak'd on the road and was, perhaps justly, thought to merit the appellation imprudent. In the afternoon, it clear'd up and we had very high winds. Having pass'd a few hours agreeably, and din'd with the family I took leave and returned to the Hospital before 4. I had bought a coarse pair of shoes at my Father's for 5/6. Not long after my return one of my patients died, the 3d to-day-no fresh arrivals.
16th. Morning, after attending to my patients I took a walk in the vicinity of the place. Finding we were destitute of a certain medicine and being desirous of another walk, I took a trip to town and din'd at my Father's, after which I went and bought a pair of
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Stockings and a pair of Shoes, and the medicine in demand. My Brother has been rous'd up as he terms it, by reading a passage in Zimmerman.“ I had his company part of the way back. Mý Father has been somewhat indispos'd, and my Mother much alarm'd and very attentive to him. Indeed her medical skill and dose of Rhubarb have been of service to him, as well as several of the neighbors. Dr. Smith made his appearance at the Hospital this afternoon, he declares that he has but three decided cases of the Epidemic under his care. In the evening as I was going into the new Room I heard old Plumb the grave-digger at prayer for the patients. I lost one patient to-day. 2 were admitted.
17th. Cool weather and high winds. I received an old magazine by Fisher which afforded me entertainment. I likewise was much gratified in reading Franklin's works.| In the afternoon we ob- served a box floating in the river which from the depth to which it sunk in the water we concluded must be filled with something. McCormack undertook to pursue it in the boat but the tide soon took it to a great distance and he turned about to come back. . I
* This work of Zimmermann has been frequently spoken of before. It was the one commonly known as "Zimmermann on Solitude " (Ueber die Einsam- keit), which was published at Leipsic in 1784 and 1785, in four octavo volumes, although a sketch less elaborate had been wrought out by him thirty years be- fore. An English translation, which was really, however, only an abridgment, was brought out in 1791. A copy of the second English edition is in the Society Library. Johann Georg von Zimmermann was born on the 8th of December 1728, at Brugg, in Switzerland, and died October 7th, 1795, in Hanover. In early life he became a physician. His success in that occupation was marked, and through it and his various writings, which are both learned and acute, he won the favor of Frederick the Great and the Russian Empress, Catherine the Second. His writings exerted a great influence over his generation, and were much read even within the last fifty years. In his latter life he was af- flicted with strange hallucinations, and finally became insane. His works were voluminous. His character has excited much interest, and there are several lives of him in French and German.
{ The works of Franklin were collected during his lifetime by his faithful friend. Peter Collinson, the first edition appearing in 1751. It was enlarged in 1752, again in 1754, and a third time in 1766. This was in quarto, and amounted to five hundred pages. In 1779 Benjamin Vaughan brought out a collection, and in 1793, shortly after the philosopher's death, the Messrs. Robin. son, of London, published the Works of Franklin in two small volumes. In this Franklin's autobiography first made its appearance in English. This was probably the one read by Anderson.
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