ate operations of the street and the speculative ventures are
becoming more and more concentrated every year in the hands of a few
operators and capitalists. These move the market as they please, and
fill their coffers, and sweep away younger or weaker men with a
remorseless hand. It is useless to oppose them. They are masters of the
field in every respect, and when they combine for a common object, their
resources are inexhaustible and their power beyond computation. A dozen,
or even half a dozen of the great capitalists could ruin the whole street
were they so disposed, and once they came near doing so. This is the
secret of the cordial hatred that is felt by the majority of Wall street
men for Vanderbilt, Drew, and other great operators. They know and dread
the power of these men, and would readily combine to destroy them singly.

The mania for stock gambling which now sways such masses of people, may
be said to date from the war and the petroleum discoveries. Since then
it has rolled over the country in a vast flood. The telegraph is kept
busy all day and all night in sending orders for speculations from people
in other States and cities to New York brokers. Everybody who can raise
the funds, wishes to try his or her hand at a venture in stocks.
Merchants, clergymen, women, professional men, clerks, come here to tempt
fortune. Many win; more lose.

Fortunes are made quicker and lost more easily in New York than in any
place in the world. A sudden rise in stocks, or a lucky venture of some
other kind, often places a comparatively poor man in possession of great
wealth. Watch the carriages as they whirl through Fifth avenue, going
and returning from the park. They are as elegant and sumptuous as wealth
can make them. The owners, lying back amongst the soft cushions, are
clad in the height of fashion. By their dresses they might be princes
and princesses. This much is due to art. Now mark the coarse, rough
features, the ill-bred stare, the haughty rudeness which they endeavor to
palm off for dignity. Do you see any difference between them and the
footman in livery on the carriage-box? Both master and man belong to the
same class--only one is wealthy and the other is not. But that footman
may take the place of the master in a couple of years, or in less time.
Such changes may seem remarkable, but they are very common in New York.

See that gentleman driving that splendid pair of sorrels. He is a fin