City Crimes;
OR
LIFE IN NEW YORK AND BOSTON.
A VOLUME FOR EVERYBODY:
BEING A MIRROR OF FASHION,
A PICTURE OF POVERTY,
AND A STARTLING REVELATION
OF THE SECRET CRIMES
OF GREAT CITIES
{First published 1849}
CHAPTER I
A Young Gentleman of Wealth and Fashion—a noble resolve—theflatterers—the Midnight Encounter—an Adventure—theCourtezan—Temptation triumphant—how the Night was passed.
'What a happy dog I ought to be!' exclaimed Frank Sydney, as he reposedhis slippered feet upon the fender, and sipped his third glass of oldMadeira, one winter's evening in the year 18—, in the great city of NewYork.
Frank might well say so; for in addition to being as handsome a fellowas one would be likely to meet in a day's walk, he possessed an amplefortune, left him by a deceased uncle. He was an orphan; and at the ageof twenty-one, found himself surrounded by all the advantages of wealth,and at the same time, was perfect master of his own actions. Occupyingelegant apartments at a fashionable hotel, he was free from any of thosepetty cares and vexations which might have annoyed him, and he kept anestablishment of his own; while at the same time he was enabled tomaintain, in his rooms, a private table for the entertainment of himselfand friends, who frequently repaired thither, to partake of hishospitality and champagne suppers. With such advantages of fortune andposition, no wonder he exclaimed, as at the beginning of our tale—'Whata happy dog I ought to be!'
Pursuing the current of his thought Frank half audibly continued—
'Yes, I have everything to make me truly happy—health, youth, goodlooks and wealth; and yet it seems to me that I should derive a moresubstantial satisfaction from my riches were I to apply them to the goodof mankind. To benefit one's fellow creatures is the noblest and mostexalted of enjoyments—far superior to the gratification of sense. Thegrateful blessings of the poor widow or orphan, relieved by my bounty,are greater music to my soul, than the insincere plaudits of myprofessed friends, who gather around my hearth to feast upon myhospitality, and yet who, were I to lose my wealth, and become poor,would soon cut my acquaintance, and sting me by their ingratitude.To-night I shall have a numerous party of these friends to sup withme, and this supper shall be the last one to which I shall ever invitethem. Yes! My wealth shall be employed for a nobler object than topamper these false and hollow-hearted parasites. From this night, Idevote my time, my energies and my affluence to the relief of deservingpoverty and the welfare of all who need my aid with whom I may come incontact. I will go in person to the squalid abodes of the poor—I willseek them out in the dark alleys and obscure lanes of this mightymetropolis—I will, in the holy mission of charity, venture into the[Pg 5]vilest dens of sin and iniquity, fearing no danger, and shrinking notfrom the duty which I have assumed.—Thus shall my wealth be a blessingto my fellow creatures, and not merely a means of ministering to my ownselfishn