Journal of a Voyage across the Atlantic Part 2

Sauterne 1 00 Morton's Y. Chem 2 00 Pints 1 00

HOCK.

Markgraefer, delicate 1 00 Rudeshoimer, 1834, pints 1 50 Marcobrunner 2 00 Steinberger Cabinet, 1831 2 50 Sparkling Hock 2 00 Ausbruck Cabinet Rothenberg of 1831 3 00 Ausbruck Cabinet Graffenburg, 1831 4 00 Ausbruck Cabinet Rothenburg, 1822 4 00 Cabinet Schloss Johannisberger, 1822 5 00 Prince Metternich's Castle, bottled, yellow seal, 1831 5 00 Metternich's Castle, bottled, red seal, 1822 5 00 Prince Metternich's celebrated Castle, bottled, gold seal, Johannisberger vintage 1822 8 00

CHAMPAGNE.

Schreider 2 00 Napoleon 2 00 Cliquot 2 00 Heidsieck 2 00 Ruinart 2 00 Perriot 2 00 Star 2 00 Venoge, J.T.B. 2 00 Duc de Montabello, dry 2 00 Do. do. sweet 2 00 Do. do. Ladies' wine 2 00 Pints do. do. 1 00

CLARET.

Table Claret 0 50 Do. do. 0 75 Pints of Barsolou 1 00 St. Estephe, V. Barsalou 1 00 St. Julien, do. 1 25 Leoville, do. 1 50 Pontet Canet, do. 1 50 Chateau Latour, do. 1 75 Battailly, Barton, and Guestier, 1834 1 50 Chateau Beychevelle, do. 1834 2 00 Mouton, do. 1834 2 50 Latour, do. 1834 3 00 Chateau Lafitte, do. 1834 3 00 Chateau Margeaux, do. 1834 3 00 St. Julien, in pint bottles, V.B. 0 75 Leoville do. do. 0 75 Pontet Canet, do. do. 0 75 Latour, do. do. 1 00 Lafitte 1 00

PORT.

Particular 2 00 Tower 2 50 Brazil 2 50

BURGUNDY.

Macon 1 50 Do. pints 0 75 Pouilly, White Burgundy 1 50 Do. do. pints 0 75 Pomard 2 50 Chambertin 3 00 Romanee 3 00 Vosne 3 00

SHERRY.

Harmony, Amontillado, delicious 3 00 Sherry, Pale, N.O. 1 00 Sherry, S.S. 1 00 Yriarte, Pale, delicate 2 00 Yriarte, Gold G. 2 00 Crowley (Sayres) Gold 2 50 Do. do. Brown, extra 2 50 Do. do. Amontillado 3 00 Imperial, Pale 4 00 Brown, imported in gla.s.s 4 00 Romano, do. very old 3 00 Romano, Pale, very old 3 00 Lobo, Brown, FO, long bottled 3 50 Ne Plus Ultra 4 00

MADEIRA.

Henry Clay, imported into Boston in 1826. 3 00 Madeira, F.B. 1 00 Madera Oliveiro 1 50 L.P. Madeira 2 00 Blackburne's 2 00 Blackburne's Reserve 2 50 Howard, March, and Co.'s Madeira, imported for the Astor House, F. 2 00 Newton, Gordon, and Murdock's (GM) 2 00 Oliveires Reserve, 17 years old 2 50 E.I. Leac.o.c.k, old, dry 2 50 Leac.o.c.k, M.L., imported, 1826, into New Orleans 3 00 Murdock, Yuille, and Woodrope, MY 3 00 Yellow Seal, original N.G.M. delicate 3 00 D.V. Sercial, very delicate 3 00 Brazil, V.I. very old, a favourite wine 3 00 Brown Seal, old Monteiras, 'superior' 3 00 Nabob 3 50 Red Seal, old, bottled, East India 3 50 Eclipse Madeira 4 00 Rapid, imported 1818 4 00 Green Seal, Virginia Madeira, light and very delicate 4 00 White Top, very old and delicate 4 00 Thorndike, very old and 'superior' 4 50 Edward Tuckerman, Esq., Scott, Laughnan, Penfold, and Co.'s, imported 1820, P.M. 5 00 Gratz, yellow seal, 1806 5 00 Do. green seal, 1806 5 00 Do. black seal, 1806 5 00 Do. red seal, bottled 1806 5 00 Wanton, exceedingly delicate, thirty years in wood, W. 5 00 John A. Gordon's Madeira, imported into Philadelphia 1798 5 00 Caroline, an old family-wine 5 00 Gordon, Buff, Inglis, and Co.'s, imported by H.G.

Otis and Edward Tuckerman, Esq., 1811, G. 5 00 Stalk's Madeira, bottled in Calcutta, imported 1825 6 00 Hurd's Madeira, bottled in 1822 in Calcutta 5 00 Ess.e.x, Jr., imported 1819 6 00 Smith and Huggins, d.y.k.er's White top, bottled in 1800 in St. Eustatia 7 00 Tuckerman's B., 1810 7 00 Thorndike's A., 1809 8 00 Wedding Wine 8 00 Gov. Philip's Wine 9 00 Gov. Kirby's original bottles, OO 12 00

_Monday_ morning, the 2nd.--After breakfast despatched three-quarters of a hundred newspapers to my old and valued friends in England. They keep no stock on hand for promiscuous sale: they printed them on purpose for me. After which I visited the business parts. All the streets filled with empty cases, which they had just cleared for the Fall trade: auctioneers hammering away in all corners, knocking goods about as if they cost nothing. In the stores there appears no system--all is confusion. The heat was awful till seven P.M., when the rain came down in torrents: at the same time the atmosphere was brilliantly lighted by flashes of electric fire. Took Mr. and Mrs. Green to the Park Theatre, to patronize Anderson as _Oth.e.l.lo_, Miss Clara Ellis as _Desdemona_, and a Mr. Dowsett as _Iago_, all of whom crossed with us. A poor set out.

Theatrical property in the States, I understand, is at a greater discount than in England. Poor Mr. Simpson, whom I sat next to in my pa.s.sage, is the proprietor--a worthy man, and much esteemed. To bed at eleven.

_Tuesday._--A long day of business. Observed with regret their loose mode. All busy; and they appear to think good times will last for ever.

Nearly all have failed at one time or the other. Bankers discounting liberally at present; and all appear to be trying who can sell cheapest.

Retired to rest at eleven, lost in amazement, and the reflection that this state of things cannot last long.

_Wednesday._--Ascertained the geography of the town pretty well; and so I ought, for I walked till I was nearly red in the face, and my s.h.i.+rt wet through. Engaged at the present moment, ten P.M., writing this, with all my bedroom windows open, and in my s.h.i.+rt. _Hot!_ HOT!! VERY HOT!!!

_Thursday._--Called upon Mr. J.J. Echalaz, at Goodhue and Co.'s, where I received marked attention from both Mr. E. and his employers. When I introduced my letters from E.B. Webb, at Baring's, got some valuable information, and letters of introduction to Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Was.h.i.+ngton, and Canada. Afterwards took a turn amongst the retail-shops, to see their system. Mr. Stewart, Broadway, and a few others, are done upon the London style, but the lower cla.s.s take any price they can get. Disco-

[Transcriber's Note: One page of text is missing here (page 15 in the original work).]

superintendent has a higher object than his pay. G.o.d grant that he may long be spared!--We then saw the avenues; and, as "variety is charming,"

we then visited Niblo's Theatre--something like what Vauxhall was: lots of handsome girls performing nonsense; and two or three men, more particularly one named Mitch.e.l.l, kept us in roars of laughter. Bussed it home: no conductor: the driver has a strap with which he shuts and opens the door, and you pay him through a hole in the roof. To bed at eleven.

Began to like my companion very much: found him a sober, religious, industrious man, who studies to make himself agreeable.

_Friday_ morning.--Bought a lot of books, new publications, at desperately low prices: bought also a capital map of the United States and Canada for 10 dollars to send to Bow Churchyard, to show my _journey_ when I return to Europe. Afterwards had a long consultation with my old friend and fellow-apprentice, Joseph Blane, who is in prosperity, esteemed by all who know him, and in possession of the best information about the standing of the different parties in the dry-goods trade. Spent the remainder of the day with George Pearce, and was rather favourably impressed with the object I had in view in taking this voyage. It is now ten, and I smoke my solitary cigar, having confined myself to one since my arrival.

_Sat.u.r.day_ morning.--Full of business all day. Had interviews with Brown Brothers, (the Rothschilds of America,) from whom I received marked kindness and attention, and most liberal offers to transact our money operations. Also spent an hour with Pickersgill and partners, who had been doing our business, and was much pleased with their straightforward manner. Also saw Mr. Ebbets, at the Union Bank, whom I found a business man. Heard all their propositions, and reflected upon them. Dined with Mr. Pearce, and stuck to my writing till seven o'clock.

Then called upon Mr. Green; and he came and had an oyster supper with me. And I may here observe, they beat us altogether in cooking oysters: they fry, stew, roast, boil, and have every imaginable way of cooking them. Took a warm-bath to finish the week, and not before I required it, as I have been wet through every day with perspiration since I came here. To bed at ten.

_Sunday_ morning.--Rose fresh. Had my head shampooed and cleaned in a most extraordinary manner. Breakfasted, and to St. John's Episcopal Church, and heard a very good sermon by Dr. Milliner: I forget the text, although I was much impressed with the discourse. Returned to the Astor, where my old friend, Joseph Blane, was waiting to take me to his house to dine. He has the best house I had been in yet--774, Broadway; not living, like most of the New York merchants, at hotels, lodgings, or boarding-houses. Introduced to his wife, whom I found a delightful woman--of French extraction, but Yankee-born. Was introduced to Mr.

Deseze, Mrs. B.'s brother-in-law, a Frenchman, who fought under Napoleon at Waterloo, and was offered to retain his commission by Louis XVIII., but he declined it. This was one of the pleasantest days I had spent since I left my own fireside. It brought old recollections to my memory that had long been buried--scenes of my boyhood, when Blane and I were serving our apprentices.h.i.+p in Wigton. In the evening we went to Palmo's Opera-house, to hear Dr. Lardner, of Heaviside notoriety. It was his second lecture on the "Evidences of Religion afforded by the Phenomena of Nature, and the Consistency of Science with Divine Revelation." We were much pleased. He is the most complete elocutionist I ever heard, and impressed a crowded audience with his sublime subject. What a melancholy loss to England by his one false step, that degraded him in moral society! Walked to the Astor, and took one cigar each, when Mr. B.

told me he was collecting charity for the poor widow of H. W----s, who had left her without a s.h.i.+lling to support four helpless children. He had 6000 dollars a year, and Mr. F. discharged him for intemperance. He took to his bed, and died of a broken heart. I envied this man, when I lived with him at F.'s, for his position. Gave his widow 50 dollars; and to bed.

_Monday_ morning.--Had a long interview with Prime, Ward, and King, the first house here whom I had letters to from Barings and Overend, and Gurney. They gave me all the information in their power, and introduced me to Mr. Halford's agent, a bill-broker, 46, Wall-street. Was occupied till dinner writing to Bow Churchyard, and had Mr. Pearce to dine with me. Dr. Keene called in the evening, and we took steam-boat (as large as six of the Margate boats) to Holboken. Had a delightful walk by the Hudson River, and saw some Indians, real Natives, with whom I was much struck. Returned by a steam-boat, still larger and more crammed: I should think there must have been 2000 souls, with lots of trotting-horses, and gigs from 70 lbs. to 120 lbs. weight each, returning from a trotting-match. Heard some extraordinary gra.s.shoppers, which repeated "Kate she did!" and "Kate she didn't!" quite distinctly.

Thence, for the first time, to a mobocracy meeting, where they expressed awfully Liberal opinions--"Polk and Dallas for ever!" The room, a very large one, was crammed to suffocation: I should think there were 5000 wedged in, and I should say the thermometer stood at 106. Liberal as I am, I went no length to them. Beat all the speeches I ever heard. Dan.

O'Connell, Tom Duncombe, and the late Hunt and Cobbett were fools to them. Home again with a wet s.h.i.+rt, and to bed.

_Tuesday_ morning.--Received letters of introduction from Goodhue and Co. to Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Canada, and Was.h.i.+ngton. Had a long talk with Mr. M., 60, Cedar-street. Introduced by Pearce, about my intended trip: found him very useful. Received an order from a good house, without soliciting them. Wrote and finished my letters home per _Great Western_. Mr. Blane, and my old friend Brough, the performer, dined with me. Was introduced to Capt. M'Lean, of the _Swallow_, running to Albany; and then walked with Mr. R., of Manchester, down to the Battery: a beautiful walk. To the Castle Garden, where there was another Polk meeting, which I should think 10,000 people attended. Lots of Liberality again. The Fort close to this is a splendid affair. Came by White Hall back to the Astor, and wrote a long letter to my wife; and, as it is just now ten o'clock, good night!

_Wednesday_ morning.--Bought three splendid rac.o.o.n skins--one each for Mr. Grouc.o.c.k, Mr. J. of Liverpool, and self, for our carriage driving-boxes (Mr. J. having put upon my finger a magnificent diamond ring very unexpectedly when I was leaving my native sh.o.r.e, as a mark of grat.i.tude for a disinterested act on my part towards him long, long ago, which he considered had been the groundwork of his fortune:) also some tobacco to pack in them, to prevent them spoiling. Then saw over the Custom-house, which is a very fine building; and the Exchange. Business is not done here as it is in London. Mr. Vyse, Mr. Palin, and I then visited the Tombs. Prisoners do not remain here long. If the sentence is long, they are sent to Blackwood's Island. The prisoners here are kept clean, have well-aired cells, and are allowed to walk about at their pleasure. They get only two meals a day: a quart of coffee or more, and as much bread as they can eat. Dinner at three, with plenty of beef and bread. For very long sentences they are sent to Sing-Sing, up the North River, and Auburn state-prisons. We then visited the Sessions-house, where there is no distinction between judges, counsel, or prisoners--all are in plain dress, spitting about in all corners. Heard an eloquent counsel defending a prisoner. Saw the lock-up, the warder's and grand jury rooms. Altogether the Tombs is a very fine building. Saw where the memorable J.C. Colt destroyed himself immediately after he was married, and two hours before he would have been hanged. We pa.s.sed Was.h.i.+ngton Hall, where many a fine fellow has been ruined by gaming and drinking; and dined at Astor House, where I was told it for a positive fact they take 500 dollars a day ready money for drinks of brandy by people standing. They pay 40,000 dollars a year rent. We then took a drive, saw Mr. Vyse's fine horse and sulky, and spent an hour at his apartments, which are first-rate: then to Trenton Hall to see a Mr.

Green, a reformed gambler, who exposed the rascality of gaming of all sorts, and taught me how to know the cards by their backs. I was much interested, and bought his "Life," with its scandalous exposures. Saw Captain M'Arthey, who shot his brother in a duel, and has been distracted ever since. To bed at eleven o'clock.

_Thursday_ morning.--Called upon Prime, Ward, and King, for letters of introduction for my future route. Read P. and S.'s articles of partners.h.i.+p. Wrote another long letter to my wife. Put Mr. Dowden's commission into Mr. Pearce's hands, and Mr. Carrick's into Mr. Brough's, who has friends at Vicksburgh. Bought my wife a handsome rocking-chair.

Then walked down to see the _Queen of the West_, the finest packet-s.h.i.+p I ever saw. Visited the different markets: saw lots of fruit, but do not think they touch us in anything but apples; tasted a large pumpkin, but did not like it. Dined at the Astor; paid my bill, and packed up. To bed at ten.

MY JOURNEY SOUTH.

_Friday_ morning, the 13th October.--I left New York at nine A.M., and crossed the North River per steam-boat to New Jerseytown, to the Philadelphian railway. Each carriage held about eighty; still they were comfortable with the windows up; and cheap--four dollars for 100 miles.

No second or third cla.s.s. Six carriages, all crammed. The first station we stopped at was Rohaio; thence to Elizabethtown; thence to New Brunswick; then crossed the Delaware to Trenton, Pennsylvania state, and to Bristol ferry, to the new Philadelphia steam-boat, waiting to take us down the Delaware to Philadelphia. The country is fertile, capable, with good farming, of producing good crops, which it has, of buckwheat, Indian corn, and peaches--any quant.i.ty. We pa.s.sed the seat of Joseph Bonaparte; and also the notorious Nicholas Biddle's, who was President of the United States Bank for twenty years, whose stock is now worth 5 that sold once for 140. I was much interested on my journey with a gentleman from Heilderberg region, in the Rensselaer country, where the native Indians, as they call themselves, a.s.semble masked; and on one occasion tarred and feathered the sheriff for attempting to enforce the rents of the Van Rensselaer family estates, the deluded beings having persuaded themselves they had as much right to the property as the family that had it confirmed to them by the law of the land. When will the _Locofocos_ be satisfied? Nearly opposite Philadelphia is a smart town called Camden, where the wealthy merchants reside. We saw lots of people shooting reed-birds on the banks of the Delaware. This is about ninety miles from Cape Mare: then it is open sea to England. I was struck with the town of Philadelphia. The streets all run in triangular directions, and, as in New York, are called First, Second, and so on; and many by such names as Cedar, Pine, Walnut, Chestnut, Mulberry, &c.

The ruined United States Bank is really a fine building of marble, uninhabited. The Exchange is worthy of remark. The receiving-room, where the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776, is magnificent. It has a statue of Was.h.i.+ngton, and a portrait of William Penn, the first white man as a settler in 1661. This building was erected in 1733. The Pennsylvanian Bank is a fine building. The Post-office small and inconvenient. I then visited the Sessions-house, and heard them trying the rioters. Home to bed at eight, tired out.