the
steamboats plying between the city and the neighboring towns. The Boston
boats, all of which run to points in Connecticut and Rhode Island, where
they make connections with the railways to Boston, are fine steamers.
Those of the Narragansett Steamship Company, the Bristol and Providence
by name, are the most magnificent steamers in the world. They cost
$1,250,000 apiece. They are simply floating palaces, as are also the
Albany night boats. The foreign steamers are huge iron vessels, carrying
thousands of tons of freight and hundreds of passengers. The sailing of
one of these ships always draws a crowd to her pier, and though from five
to eight of them leave the port every week, the attraction still
continues.

The ferries to Jersey City and Hoboken are all located on this river, and
are full of interest to the stranger. The Bethel, or floating chapel for
seamen, is also worth visiting. The ice trade of the city is carried on
on this front, the principal supply of that article being obtained along
the river, about one hundred miles above the city.

[Picture: BOAT STORES.]

The oyster boats, or boat stores, are peculiar to New York. They lie
chiefly in the vicinity of Christopher street, and are sources of
considerable profit to their owners. The Hay Scales are also curious
objects. At the foot of Fifty-fourth street the numerous telegraph lines
which connect New York with the States south of it, cross the Hudson.
They gain the Jersey shore in the vicinity of the Elysian Fields at
Hoboken, and thence continue their way to every part of the States
mentioned.

The East River front is the terminus of the ferry lines to Brooklyn, Long
Island City, and Hunter's Point. The shipping here consists almost
entirely of sailing vessels. The craft plying between New York and the
New England towns have their stations here, and here also are the
California clippers. The huge Indiamen lie here receiving or discharging
cargo. The whole river front is covered with merchandise representing
the products of every land under the sun.

The Floating Docks are among the principal sights of the East River, as
are also the vast coal and ship yards. This stream will soon he spanned
by an immense suspension bridge which is to connect the City Hall in New
York with the City Hall in Brooklyn. The total length of the bridge and
its approaches is to be 5878 feet. The bridge is to rest on cables,
suppor