s by which its most
important functions are now performed, the establishments where these
engines are invented and made, and fitted into the ships which they are
destined to propel, constitute really the heart of the metropolis;
though, the visitor, who comes down for the first time by the East
River, from the Sound, in the morning boat from Norwich or Fall River,
is very prone to pass them carelessly by--his thoughts intent upon what
he considers the superior glory and brilliancy which emanate from the
hotels and theatres of Broadway.

In fact, there is very little to attract the eye of the unthinking
traveler to these establishments as he glides swiftly by them in the
early morning. He is astonished perhaps at the multitude of steamers
which he sees lining the shores in this part of the city, some drawn up
into the docks for repairs; others new, and moored alongside a pier to
receive their machinery; and others still upon the stocks in the
capacious ship-yards, in the various stages of that skeleton condition
which in the ship marks the commencement, as in animal life it does the
end, of existence. Beyond and above the masts and spars and smoke-pipes
of this mass of shipping, the observer sees here and there a columnar
chimney, or the arms of a monstrous derrick or crane, or a steam-pipe
ejecting vapor in successive puffs with the regularity of an animal
pulsation. He little thinks that these are the beatings which mark the
spot where the true heart of the great metropolis really lies. But it is
actually so. The splendor and the fashion of the Fifth Avenue, and of
Union-square, as well as the brilliancy, and the ceaseless movement and
din of Broadway, are the mere incidents and ornaments of the structure,
while these establishments, and others of kindred character and
function, form the foundation on which the whole of the vast edifice
reposes.

We select, rather by accident than otherwise, the Novelty Works as a
specimen of the establishments to which we have been alluding, for
description in this Number. A general view of the works as they appear
from the river, is presented in the engraving at the head of this
article, with the docks and piers belonging to the establishment in the
fore-ground.

The entrance to the inclosure is by a great gateway, through which the
visitor on approaching it, will, very probably see an enormous truck or
car issuing, drawn by a long team of horses, and bearing some ponderous
piece