eads a life not to be envied in spite of
the luxury which surrounds her. The liege lord in his turn, never
suspecting his wife, but disheartened by her coldness to him, seeks his
"affinity" elsewhere; and, by and by, the divorce court tells some
unpleasant truths about the Avenue.

Contemplating these things, I have thought that the most wretched quarter
of the city hardly holds more unhappy hearts than dwell along the three
miles of this grand street; and I have thanked God that the Avenue does
not fairly represent the better and higher phases of social and domestic
life in the great city.

XI. STREET TRAVEL.

I. THE STREET CARS.

The peculiar shape of the island of Manhattan allows the city to grow in
one direction only. The pressure of business is steadily bringing the
mercantile district higher up the island, and compelling the residence
sections to go farther to the northward. Persons in passing from their
homes to their business go down town in the morning, and in returning
come up town in the evening. Those who live in the better quarters of
the city, or in the upper portion of the island, cannot think of walking
between their homes and their business. To say nothing of the loss of
time they would incur, the fatigue of such a walk would unfit nine out of
ten for the duties of the day. In consequence of this, street railways
and omnibuses are more necessary, and better patronized in New York than
in any city in the Union.

The street cars are the most popular, as they constitute the quickest and
most direct means of reaching the most of the city localities. There are
about twenty-two lines in operation within the city limits. The majority
of these run from north to south, and a few pass "across town" and
connect points on the North and East Rivers. A number centre in Park Row
at the new Post-office, and at the Astor House. The fare is usually five
cents below Sixty-fifth street, and from six to eight cents to points
above that street.

The Street Railway Companies are close corporations. Their stock is very
rarely in the market, and when it is offered at all sells readily at high
prices. The actual dividends of these companies are large, often
reaching as high as thirty-five per cent. This, however, is carefully
concealed from the public, and the companies unite in declaring that the
expenses of operating their roads are too heavy to admit of even a
moderate profit. This they do, n