man, from Delmonico's
down to the Fulton Market stands. A very large number of persons live
altogether at these places. They are those who cannot afford the expense
of a hotel, and who will not endure a boarding-house. They rent rooms in
convenient or inconvenient locations, and take their meals at the
restaurants. At many nominally reputable establishments the fare is
infamous, but as a rule New York is far ahead of any American city with
respect to the character and capabilities of its eating-houses.

The better class restaurants lie along Broadway and Fifth avenue. The
other longitudinal streets are well supplied with establishments of all
kinds, and in the Bowery are to be found houses in which the fare is
prepared and served entirely in accordance with German ideas. In other
parts of the city are to be found Italian, French, and Spanish
restaurants, and English chop houses.

The fashionable restaurants lie chiefly above Fourteenth, and entirely
above Canal street. Delmonico's, at the northeast corner of Fourteenth
street and the Fifth avenue, is the best known. It is a very extensive
establishment, is fitted up in elegant style, and is equal to any
eating-house in the world. The prices are very high. A modest dinner,
without wine, for two persons, will cost here from four to five dollars.
The fare is good, however. The house enjoys a large custom, and every
visitor to New York who can afford it, takes a meal here before leaving
the city. Delmonico is said to be very rich.

A young man, to whom the ways of the house were unknown, once took his
sweetheart to lunch at this famous place. His purse was light, and when
he came to scan the bill of fare, and note the large sums affixed to each
item, his heart sank within him, and he waited in silent agony to hear
his fair companion make her selection. After due consideration, she
ordered a woodcock. Now woodcocks are expensive luxuries at Delmonico's,
and the cost of one such bird represented more than the total contents of
the lover's purse. He was in despair, but a lucky thought occurred to
him. Turning to the lady, he asked with an air of profound astonishment:

"Do you think you can eat a whole woodcock?"

"How large is it?" asked the fair one, timidly.

"About as large as a full grown turkey" was the grave reply.

"O, I'll take an oyster stew," said the lady, quickly.

The fashionable restaurants make large profits on their sales. Their
cust