Lights and Shadows of New York Life or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City

Dublin Core

Title

Lights and Shadows of New York Life or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City

Creator

James D. McCabe Jr.

Date

1872

Description

This text gives background to the many locations of entertainment and sightseeing in late 18th century New York. In the segment reviewed, the author speaks about a large and expensive opera house and he gives background information about it, including its physical set up and its selling price.

Contributor

Jjones53

Source*

McCabe, James D. Lights and Shadows of New York Life Or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Web. 4 Apr. 2015.

"The Project EBook, Lights and Shadows of New York Life, by James D. McCabe." Project Gutenberg. N.p., 27 Oct. 2006. Web. 08 Apr. 2015.

Rights

Original document is out of copyright (it was published before 1923). Every effort has been made to comply with the provisions of any licensing agreements associated with digitization of the original document. For further information, please see the “about” page.

Language

English

Text Item Type Metadata

Text

"The Grand Opera House is next to Booth’s in beauty. It is much larger than that theatre. But for its unfortunate location, nearly a mile from Broadway, it would be one of the most successful establishments in the city. The theatre is divided into two buildings, one fronting on the Eighth avenue and Twenty-third street, and containing the offices and entrances, and the theatre proper, which is in the rear of the former. The former building is a magnificent structure of white marble, in the Italian style of architecture. It fronts 113 feet on Eighth avenue, and 98 feet on Twenty-third street. It is adorned with statuary and carvings, and is far too handsome for the part of the city in which it is located. The greater portion of this p. 475building is taken up with the offices of the Erie Railway Company.

The theatre proper is connected with the front building by means of a superb vestibule, into which open the doors of the auditorium. It is one of the most beautiful halls in America, and one of the pleasantest lounging places. The auditorium is finished in light blue, white, and gold, and when lighted up is magnificent. Every appointment and decoration is tasteful and beautiful, and there are many persons who consider it the finest interior in America. The stage is large and convenient, and the scenery good. The performances are passable.

The house was built by Mr. Samuel N. Pike for an Opera House. It was not successful, and was sold by him to the late Colonel James Fisk, Jr., for $1,000,000, a slight advance upon its cost."

Original Format

Book

Files

p474.jpg

Citation

James D. McCabe Jr., “Lights and Shadows of New York Life or, the Sights and Sensations of the Great City,” American Women's Bestsellers -- Spring 2015, accessed March 28, 2024, https://202s15.cesaunders.net/items/show/114.

Output Formats