selves, its pleasures and its dangers, and to
enable them to enjoy the former without either the fatigue or expense
demanded of an active participant in them, and to appreciate the latter,
without incurring the risks attending an exploration of the shadowy side
of the Great City.

To those who intend visiting New York, whether they come as strangers, or
as persons familiar with it, the writer has a word to say, which he
trusts may be heeded. An honest effort has been made in this work to
present the reader with a fair description of the dangers to which
visitors and citizens are alike exposed. For the purpose of performing
this task, the writer made visits, in company with the police officials
of the city, to a number of the places described in this work, and he is
satisfied that no respectable person can with safety visit them, unless
provided with a similar protection. The curiosity of all persons
concerning the darker side of city life can be fully satisfied by a
perusal of the sketches presented in this volume. It is not safe for a
stranger to undertake to explore these places for himself. No matter how
clever he may consider himself, no respectable man is a match for the
villains and sharpers of New York, and he voluntarily brings upon himself
all the consequences that will follow his entrance into the haunts of the
criminal and disreputable classes. The city is full of danger. The path
of safety which is pointed out in these pages is the only one for either
citizen or stranger--an absolute avoidance of the vicinity of sin.

Those who have seen the city will, I am sure, confirm the statements
contained herein, and will acknowledge the truthfulness of the picture I
have drawn, whatever they may think of the manner in which the work is
executed.

J. D. MCC., JR.

NEW YORK,

_March_ 21_st_, 1872

CONTENTS.

I.
THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 33
I. HISTORICAL, 33
II. DESCRIPTIVE AND STATISTICAL, 49

II.
THE HARBOR OF NEW YORK, 59

III.
THE CITY GOVERNMENT, 64

IV.
THE RING, 75