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

superintendent has a higher object than his pay.  God 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 Mitchell, 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.

Saturday 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,