ever. The
Savings Banks are open to-night, many of them the best and most
respectable buildings on the Bowery, and thousands of dollars in very
small sums are left here for safe keeping.

Many of the Bowery people, alas, have no money for either the banks or
the lottery offices. You may see them coming and going if you will stand
by one of the many doors adorned with the three gilt balls. The
pawnbrokers are reaping a fine harvest to-night. The windows of these
shops are full of unredeemed pledges, and are a sad commentary on the
hope of the poor creature who feels so sure she will soon be able to
redeem the treasure she has just pawned for a mere pittance.

Down in the cellars the Concert Saloons are in full blast, and the hot
foul air comes rushing up the narrow openings as you pass them, laden
with the sound of the fearful revelry that is going on below.
Occasionally a dog fight, or a struggle between some half drunken men,
draws a crowd on the street and brings the police to the spot. At other
times there is a rush of human beings and a wild cry of "stop thief," and
the throng sweeps rapidly down the side-walk overturning street stands,
and knocking the unwary passer-by off his feet, in its mad chase after
some unseen thief. Beggars line the side-walk, many of them professing
the most hopeless blindness, but with eyes keen enough to tell the
difference between the coins tossed into their hats. The "Bowery Bands,"
as the little street musicians are called, are out in force, and you can
hear their discordant strains every few squares.

Until long after midnight the scene is the same, and even all through the
night the street preserves its air of unrest. Some hopeful vender of
Lager Beer is almost always to be found at his post, seek him at what
hour you will; and the cheap lodging houses and hotels seem never to
close.

Respectable people avoid the Bowery as far as possible at night. Every
species of crime and vice is abroad at this time watching for its
victims. Those who do not wish to fall into trouble should keep out of
the way.

IX. PUBLIC SQUARES.

I. THE BATTERY.

The lowest and one of the largest of the pleasure grounds of the city, is
the park lying at the extreme end of the island, at the junction of the
Hudson and East rivers, and known as the Battery. At the first
settlement of the Dutch, the fort, for the protection of the little
colony, was built at some distance from the