USA > New York > New York City > Old New York : a journal relating to the history and antiquities of New York City, Vol. II > Part 4
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NEW YORK IN 1756. .
For the following letter, written from New York about one hundred and thirty years ago, we are indebted to Mr. Charles Lanman, formerly of this city, but now a resident of Washington. The author of the letter was an officer in the British navy named Edward Thompson, and it was written while his ship was at anchor in the waters of the Hudson; and the document came into the possession of its present owner from the library of Henry Thomas Buckle.
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New York in 1756.
NEW YORK, August 15, 1756.
I never was so much surprised as in finding this part of the world superior to England-the air is serene and the land fertile; peaches, nectarines, apples and all other fruits peculiar to the soil of Europe grow wild in the woods, and only feed the particular beasts which inhabit them; I cannot say the taste is quite so ex- quisite and delicious, which I suppose may be owing to the want of grafting and transplanting-but the appearance looks so much like the golden age, and the first state of nature, that I could al- most determine to spend the remainder of my life here. The river leading to the city of New York runs a considerable way into the country, but has a bar at the mouth, which prevents the entrance of very large ships ; the lands are cultivated as far as the eye can range, and the cottages inhabited by a variety of people from Germany, Holland, etc.
New York is an island, situated above 30 miles up Hudson's River, bounded by Long Island on the east, and Staten Island on the south. The nobleness of the town surprised me more than the fertile appearance of the country. I had no idea of finding a place in America, consisting of near 2,000 houses, elegantly built of brick, raised on an eminence and the streets paved and spa- cious, furnished with commodious keys and warehouses and em- ploying some hundreds of vessels in its foreign tradeand fisheries -but such is this city that a very few in England can rival it in its show, gentility and hospitality. It is a royal government, and the officers appointed by the Crown. There are very few Indians on this island, being all either cut off by intestine wars or diseases ; the laborious people in general are Guinea negroes, who lie under particular restraints from the attempts they have made to massacre the inhabitants for their liberty, which is ever desired by those (you find) who never knew the enjoyment of it.
I cannot quit this colony without taking notice of a very par- ticular cataract, which forms a prodigious arch, and (according to the eye) may fall about 150 feet; but what is more extraordi_ nary, the mist, which is occasioned by the fall on a sunny day, forms a most delightful rainbow, and may be seen twelve miles off. There are romantic stories told of this cataract, but I am re- solved to relate no more than I have seen. The Iroquois often
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New York in 1756.
appear here on business, and their appearance is more savage than I can describe. I cannot help telling you the ceremony of bury- ing their dead ; all the relations paint their faces black, and twice a day make a most wretched lamentation over the grave ; the time of the mourning consists with the continuation of the black face, which is never washed, out of respect for the dead. The corpse is placed upright on a set,-and his gun, bow, arrows and money, buried with him, to furnish him with shooting imple- ments in the next world, where they believe is more game than in America-and that the delightful country lies westward. They have priests among them, called Pawaws, who, if it is pos- sible, make these wretches more ignorant than nature intended them to be. '
My stay, tho' very short here, has been attended with a most disagreeable circumstance. When about three leagues from the ship, the boat's crew (consisting of ten men) rose on me, bound me hand and foot and run the boat on shore, where I might have perished had not two returned and unbound me, which two I brought to the ship again. They confessed that they had at- tempted to throw me overboard (which I never perceived), but something always prevented. Had they perpetrated their vil- lainy, I should have died by the mouths of some thousands of sharks-as I was at that time fishing on a bank where nothing could be more numerous. This is so striking an act of Provi- dence, that had it happened to an atheistical person, it might have been the happy means of converting him. From hence we are bound to the West Indies, which is a secret which never trans- pired till the day of our departure. I am a little chagrined at the circumstance, not being provided for so long a voyage.
To H. M., Esq.
P. S. We have 150 people ill in fluxes, scurvies and fevers.
I am, &c., EDWARD THOMPSON.
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THE CHOLERA IN NEW YORK IN 1849.
We have finally the report of the Sanitary Committee of the Board of Health in relation to the cholera as it prevailed in this city during the past Summer. The committee, in opening their report, observe that its issue has been considered essential not only as a record for future reference but as a justification of some of the measures which they have felt themselves obliged to take in opposition to the remonstrances of many of their most respected and valued fellow citizens. The Sanitary Committee were appointed by the Board of Health on the 16th of May last, and invested with full powers of the Board. Their first busi- ness was to associate with them sundry medical counsel. The first case of cholera was announced on the 14th of May, at the Five Points, where several succeeding cases occurred. The condition of that den of filth and iniquity at this time was quite sufficient to breed any epidemic of the most virulent character- much more to imbibe the seeds of infection when once prevalent in the atmosphere. To separate the sick from this lazar house was then of course the primary concern. For this purpose, accordingly, a small two-story building at 127 Anthony street was occupied as a temporary hospital, and Dr. W. P. Buel appointed the attending physician. To this place seven patients were con- veyed, and the question of hospital accommodations generally immediately came up. It was found that medical men of the highest eminence differed on this subject, and that not merely theoretical opinions, but facts were arrayed in favor of the oppos- ing doctrines. The question of contagion was thoroughly can- vassed, yet, as a general rule, the disease did not appear to the interested parties to be propagated in this way, however certain isolated facts might seem to favor the doctrine-but that the cause of the disease appeared to exist in the atmosphere, and that its spread was entirely independent of any communication between the well and the sick. The committee having arrived at their conclusions, the large three-story building known as Monroe Hall, at the corner of Pearl and Centre streets, was
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The Cholera in New York in 1849.
obtained and occupied on the 18th of May. This building was in the neighborhood of the Five Points, but contained the ad- vantages of air and elevation. The two upper stories, consisting of large halls, were well calculated for the wards of a hospital. The building has since been known as the "Centre Street Hospital." Here all the patients were immediately transferred from the temporary house in Anthony street and the whole placed undei the care of Dr. Buel.
On the 21st of May the Sanitary Committee, in company with the Mayor and others, made a personal visit to the Five Points, and made no concealment of the truth. Hence their report of it was bad enough. The place itself is incapable of proper purifi- cation, and will continue to remain so until it is razed to the ground, filled up and suitably rebuilt. General measures were now at once acted upon to meet the impending danger. And in doing this, the Committee found several important facts which appeared to be well established, and which served as guides in their future course. These were: 1st. That the general cause of the disease appears to exist in the atmosphere. 2d. That in attacking individuals the disease generally gives notice of its ap- proach by some preliminary symptoms. 3d. That these symp- toms are ordinarily under the control of medicine, and, being arrested, the further development of the disease is checked. 4th. That the agency of various exciting causes is generally necessary to develop the malady. Among these the principal are the ex- istence of filth and imperfect ventilation, irregularities and im- prudences in the mode of living, and mental disturbance. With these facts and the purposes in view which were thence suggested, the committee commenced and continued their labors throughout the whole course of the cholera. They established hospitals in such succession and in such parts of the city as the spread of the disease required, until the whole number amounted to five. They commenced and accomplished a thorough purification of the city, such a one as it probably never had before. Through repeated publications in the daily journals and otherwise, they kept the community constantly alive to the important fact that the prog- ress of the disease depended in a great measure upon their own discretion in the manner of living. They endeavored to wake
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41
The Cholera in New York in 1849.
up an extra amount of moral courage, as one of the best pre- ventives against disease, and finally supplied the city with such an abundance of medical attendance that every person was secured the benefit of immediate attention. The names of the different ward cholera physicians (two for each ward) appointed under these arrangements have already been given to the public.
As it soon became evident that, should the cholera continue to increase, a number of hospitals would be required in different parts of the city, a sub-committee was appointed to report upon the subject; who, after a long investigation, suggested the pro- priety of continuing the appropriation of the edifices of the public schools, where needed, to the temporary purpose of hospitals. The friends of education, however, made still more strenuous opposition. Public meetings were held to protest against the measure, and a considerable degree of excitement was manifested for a time. After a full deliberation, the Sanitary Committee determined that everything should give way to the public good- and such of the public schools as were deemed necessary were successively occupied as cholera hospitals. The first schoolhouse selected for this purpose was No. 1, in William street-opened on the 9th of June, and placed under the professional charge of Dr. Alexander F. Vaché. The second was that in Thirteenth street, under the care of Dr. Ovid P. Wells. The third in Stanton street, under the control of Dr. Isaac Green; and the fourth in Thirty- fifth street, under the care of Dr. Buel, who was transferred from the Centre Street Hospital on the closing of that institu- tion -- which was subsequently reopened under the direction of . Dr. Vaché, and continued for the reception of patients until the disappearance of the epidemic in the city.
The latter part of August, while the disease raged with unabated violence in the upper wards, it was rapidly declining in most of the lower wards of the city. The culminating point of the epidemic was reached about the 21st of July, after which period it manifestly declined with rapidity, both in the number and virulence of the cases. On the 6th of September it was thought advisable to discon- tinue the daily reports to the public. As a precautionary measure, however, the Thirteenth Street Hospital remained open to the 11th of September, the Stanton Street till the 17th and the
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The Cholera in New York in 1849.
Centre Street till the 9th of October. The duration of the disease, with the exception of isolated cases introduced into the city from emigrant vessels, was from May 10 to October 1-making a total of one hundred and forty-three days. The number of per- sons admitted into the five hospitals was 1,901. Of these 985 were males and 916 females. The deaths were 1,021. Cured, 880. The percentage of cures, accordingly, was 46.29-deaths, 53.71. The following tabular statement exhibits the actual mor- tality in the city during the prevalence of the epidemic-a period of 22 weeks:
WEEK ENDING.
Total Mortality.
Cholera asphyxia.
Cholera infantum.
Cholera morbus.
Diarrhea
Dysentery.
Inflam'n stomach
Other diseases
stich and bow'Is.
Mortality from
bowel complaint.
May 19
323
1
6
5
6
10
1
29
June 2
270
29
2
9
11
6
11
1
69
16
425
145
5
13
4
1
15
183
30
734
286
34
15
17
18
18
1
389
14
991
484
64
14
55
44
14
1:
680
28
1,352
692
108
20
49
79
16
2
970
11
1,011
423
86
18
64
68
21
2
683
25
749
233
67
a
52
78
17
6
461
8
520
94
47
4
24
87
12
1
289
22
366
21
19
1
14
55
16
2
128
Oct.
6
312
6
12
2
S
38
12
1
79
249
3
4
1
7
29
18
1
63
Totals
15,219
5,017
901
226
615
949
344
34
8,064
1
4
3
16
37
9
409
121
4
12
17
11
13
181
23
473
152
10
10
10
13
16
211
702
317
31
10
25
25
7
415
21.
1.409
714
102
31
61
71
29
1,011
Aug.
1,278
678
105
29
54
58
26
3
944
18
968
327
98
18
55
78
18
3
652
Sept. 1
687
171
68
3
40
79
11
3
875
15
378
36
23
21
65
12
3
160
29
319
11
12
3
18
45
16
105
13
July
7
The aggregate mortality in the corresponding period of the pre- ceding year (1848) was but 6,362, and from bowel complaints 1,565 -while in 1849 the increase will be observed to have been much more than double these amounts.
TRIBUNE, November, 1849.
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JENNY LIND'S FIRST CONCERT.
The long-looked for event has come off. Jenny Lind has sung in Castle Garden to an audience of five thousand persons, and they have confirmed the opinions we had expressed upon her matchless powers of song. They have pronounced upon her merits in a manner not to be mistaken; and the small critics who ventured to disparage her in some particulars must look very silly by this time, even in their own estimation. Never did a mortal in this city, or perhaps in any other, receive such homage as the sover- eign of song received from the sovereign people, on this memor- able occasion. We say from the sovereign people; for it was not the aristocracy who were there ; it was the middle classes- the mechanics and the storekeepers, with their wives and daugh- ters and sisters, presenting an array of dazzling beauty, in which the upper ten were lost as a drop of water in the ocean. In the old country, none but royalty and the aristocracy could afford to pay such prices, even for one night, to hear the Nightingale sing. Here, the majesty of the people were present, and presented such a spectacle as we have never seen before. From the ceiling to the stage it was one dense mass of human beings, and the pas- sages all around were filled with those who were fortunate enough to obtain promenade tickets. Yet was there no confusion ; for every seat was not only numbered, but the color of the paper on which the number was printed was the same as the color of the ticket. The middle section of the house was yellow, the left red, and the right blue. At each section lamps were hung, of the same color as the section, whether in the balcony or parquette. Ushers were also stationed in different portions of the house with wands and rosettes of ribbons of the three different colors, indicating the portion of the house where they were ready to conduct the ticket holder. In addition to all this, at the entrance to each tier of seats were painted on the floor the numbers they contained, so that no person need have any trouble in finding out his own place. Thus there was a seat for everybody, and everybody had
5
44
Jenny Lind's First Concert.
a seat corresponding with the number of his ticket. The seat of Mr. Genin, the hatter, was a very handsome spring cushion crimson velvet chair placed right against the front of the centre post, and just opposite to Jenny Lind. It was marked A 1, and Genin was first among the foremost, and no mistake. Every eye was upon the $225 seat.
Opposite the stage and over the balcony was the following in- scription upon a white ground, bordered with green and orna- mented with flowers: " Welcome Sweet Warbler." The build- ing was beautifully lighted with magnificent chandeliers.
To facilitate egress, a large door was opened in the rear of the building. To secure order and prevent confusion, as well as im- position, there were three doorkeepers to be passed before you obtained admission to the temple of song which Jenny Lind was to consecrate by her divine melody. From the outer gate to the Castle the bridge was covered with a grand awning, at an ex- pense of $1,000. At the gates of the Battery, police officers were stationed to compel the drivers of hacks and carriages to enter by one gate and return by another. The police were in attendance in large force, all around the Garden, and did their duty admira- bly. It was rumored that there was to be an attack made by the unterrified, in boats, on the rear, and that was effectually guarded against by a force stationed there by Mr. Matsell, the chief of police. The rumor turned out to be well founded. The scene was truly surprising. The river was completely covered with boats, filled with the hardest kind of looking customers. They had absolutely besieged the Castle, and made several attacks to force themselves into the garden. They numbered something like five hundred, and would have succeeded in forcing a breach, but for the Chief placing a very active body of policemen to repel the invaders. As it was, however, a bold effort was made, and several landed in the garden. The police pursued them, took them into custody, and expelled them from the premises. The boats continued to the end of the performance, and we learn that . those who occupied them could distinctly hear the powerful voice of the nightingale as it issued from the open doors of the balcony. Around the outer gate, for a considerable distance, a chain was extended, and no person was admitted inside who could not show
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Jenny Lind's First Concert.
a ticket. To this contrivance the visitors were indebted for an easy passage through the dense crowd that filled the Battery.
In fact, all the arrangements were most perfect. The orches- tra was admirably disposed on the stage, and this arrangement was facilitated by substituting light iron music stands instead of wood. We mentioned before that the orchestra was placed be- hind, instead of in front, of the singers as formerly-a change de- cidedly for the better. Instead of the curtain was a sounding board which added wonderfully to the effect. It was handsomely papered, and the whole appearance of the Garden last night was very beautiful. Since this alteration was made, there is no build- ing in the world better adapted for singing. The voice sounds most powerful in it. Besides it is isolated by water, and removed to a distance from those confused noises of a city which more or less destroy the effect of the voice. In a poetical sense, could any spot be more appropriate for the Nightingale than an island gar- den, washed by the great ocean, on whose bosom floats the com- merce of the world ? And imagination fails to picture any scene more beautiful than that presented to the spectator standing at the door of the outside promenade looking up to the spangled heav- ens, down on the blue waves upon one side, and on the other upon the great city of the new world, with its shores on either river lined with shipping, and, within the building, upon the Queen of Song, the bright particular star of the firmament of music, swaying all hearts by her enchantment.
At four o'clock Jenny Lind arrived at the Garden, in order to pass quietly and unobserved through the crowd. She dressed there instead of at the hotel. At five o'clock the gates were thrown open, and from that time until eight o'clock there was a continuous tide of human beings passing into the capacious build- ing. The numbers from the country were very considerable. They were from New Haven, Newport, Albany, Newark and various other cities; and when all were seated, it was indeed a splendid sight. The ladies' dresses were very magnificent, and such as the great mass of women in no other country in the world can afford to wear. The fair sex were not as numerous as might be expected, the gentlemen outnumbering them considerably ; but those who were present seemed to enjoy the concert in the
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Jenny Lind's First Concert.
highest degree. It is very probable that many ladies were kept away for the first night by the fear of being crushed; but when they find that their apprehensions were groundless, they will doubtless take the Castle by storm to-morrow night.
The excitement, which had been rising higher and higher every day for the last week, reached its climax last night, and the absent can form only a faint idea of it from the best description in the world. And here let us inquire into the cause of all this tumult of passion and excitement. Besides the innate harmony planted by nature in the human soul, sympathizing with all har- monious sounds, and especially with the sweetest and most melo- dious, there is in every breast the love of the wonderful, and many who visited Castle Garden last night went to see and hear not so much to gratify their love of music as their propensity for the marvelous. Is Jenny Lind a wonder? We answer, yes-the greatest prodigy in song that ever appeared upon the theatre of this world. For centuries, Italy, the cradle of music, gave birth to all the great singers that delighted Europe with their talents. Their style was characteristic of their country and climate -- soft, and sweet, and passionate. It was the school of the South. Jenny Lind arose like a meteor, or the aurora borealis, in the North, and flashed over the world, establishing a new school of song-pos- sessing the excellencies of all that went before her, but distin- guished from every one of them by peculiarities of her own. Endowed with a power of voice beyond the best of them, she has excelled them all in the cultivation of the gift of heaven. Her style is, therefore, a rare combination of originality and the highest and purest emanation of musical science. Theirs was voluptuous and earthly-hers is intellectual and divine. In her high moral character she excels them as much as she does in song. She is good as well as great, and her goodness captivates many a heart that her wonderful talent would fail to influence. Her magnanimous deed of yesterday could only emanate from a heroine of no common mold. She gave the entire proceeds of her share of the sale of tickets, amounting to $10,000, to the charities of New York.
Her motive in devoting the proceeds of her first concert to charity is of that lofty kind which we might expect from her
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Jenny Lind's First Concert.
beautiful character. She said she would not take the money from the rich, who paid such high prices to hear her. She preferred the money of the people who would come to hear her when the prices became lower. In this, Mademoiselle Lind is mistaken; for if only the rich went to hear her, she would have a very poor at- tendance indeed. It is emphatically the people who went to hear her at her first concert, and the high prices they paid for the en- joyment-prices entirely unprecedented in this country-are so many evidences of the admiration, respect, and love with which they regard this singular and glorious woman. With all her high intellectual and moral qualities-with all her transcendent execu- tion-she is, in the unaffected simplicity of her manners, like a child, and apparently as unconscious of the mighty power she exercises over the human mind as if she did not possess it at all. Her first appearance, therefore, in Castle Garden, was a triumph such as was never witnessed on this continent before.
At 8 o'clock Signor Benedict took his post as leader of the orchestra, with baton in hand, and was well received by the audi- ence. The concert then opened with the overture announced in the programme, which was performed very creditably, and elicited much applause from the audience. Belletti then sung " Mahomet's Address to his Warriors," an aria from the opera of " Maometto Secondo," by Rossini. The approbation of the audi- ence was manifested in the most decisive manner at the close. He was very warmly applauded. His style of singing and execution are faultless. It is very hard, indeed, to find such a baritone as Belletti.
But now the great object of attraction made her appearance. Jennie Lind was now face to face, for the first time, with an American audience-the largest before which she had ever sung anywhere-making her debut in the new world, where such high expectations had been formed of her. She trembled from head to foot, turned deadly pale, and the drops of perspiration ran down her face like rain She had been dejected all the evening, lest she should not come up to her own high standard of surpass- ing excellence; but when she actually came before the audience her heart sunk within her, nor did the hurricane of applause with which she was greeted sufficiently restore her tranquillity in
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