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The Secrets of the Great City
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The Secrets of the Great City

A Work Descriptive of the Virtues and the Vices, the Mysteries, Miseries and Crimes of New York CityBy James Dabney McCabe
Michael Caine
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Length16h 13m

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In "The Secrets of the Great City," James Dabney McCabe embarks on a compelling exploration of urban life in 19th-century America, particularly focusing on the bustling metropolis of New York City. The book employs a vivid literary style characterized by its engaging anecdotes and meticulous observations, which collectively unveil the complexities of city living during an era of rapid industrial growth and social upheaval. McCabe's narrative deftly intertwines detailed accounts of urban crime, vice, and poverty with reflections on the human condition, set against the backdrop of a city that was both a beacon of opportunity and a crucible of hardship. James Dabney McCabe was a journalist and social reformer whose keen observations of society laid the groundwork for his critical assessments of urban American life. His background, deeply rooted in the social challenges of his time, fueled his desire to expose the realities of city living, making him a significant voice in the discourse surrounding urban reform. McCabe's experiences in the rapidly evolving landscape of New York informed his compassionate yet critical examination found in this work. This book is highly recommended for readers interested in social history, urban studies, and comprehensive literary portrayals of city life. McCabe's blend of journalistic rigor and literary flair provides an enlightening and engaging perspective on New York City, making it an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the multifaceted nature of urban existence in a pivotal era.

Audiobook details

GenrePsychology
Length16 hrs 13 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateAug 1, 2022
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1CHAPTER I.
174CHAPTER XXVIII.: BEGGARS.
2THE CITY OF NEW YORK.: THE POPULATION.
175CHAPTER XXIX.
3CHAPTER II.
176EMIGRANTS.
4THE STREETS OF NEW YORK.
177THE BATTERY.
5BROADWAY.
178CASTLE GARDEN.
Show all chapters
6THE BOWERY.
179EMIGRANT REFUGE AND HOSPITAL.
7THE AVENUES.
180PERILS OF EMIGRANTS.
8CHAPTER III.
181CHAPTER XXX.: THE BUMMERS.
9THE CITY GOVERNMENT.
182CHAPTER XXXI.
10POLITICAL BLACK MAIL.
183THE SOCIAL EVIL.
11THE RESULT.
184FIRST-CLASS HOUSES.
12CHAPTER IV.
185SECOND-CLASS HOUSES.
13THE METROPOLITAN POLICE.
186WHERE THE UNFORTUNATES COME FROM.
14THE NEW SYSTEM.
187A CASE IN POINT.
15"KING KENNEDY."
188RECRUITS FROM NEW ENGLAND.
16THE FORCE.
189SAVED IN TIME.
17ON DUTY.
190THE SISTERS' ROW.
18HEADQUARTERS.
191THE ALBUM BUSINESS.
19THE TRIAL ROOM.
192EFFORTS TO BREAK UP THESE HOUSES.
20MISCELLANEOUS.
193A NEW RUSE ADOPTED.
21CHAPTER V.
194A SOILED DOVE.
22SOCIETY.
195THE MIDNIGHT MISSION.
23WHO ARE THE FASHIONABLES.
196CHAPTER XXXII.: ASSIGNATION HOUSES.
24A DEFEAT AND A TRIUMPH.
197CHAPTER XXXIII.
25WHAT THEY TALK ABOUT.
198STREET-WALKERS.
26FASHIONABLE DISSIPATION.
199BED-HOUSES
27EXTRAVAGANCE.
200TRAVELLING STREET-WALKERS.
28A LADY'S GLOVE.
201PANEL THIEVING.
29MARRIAGES.
202THE "HUSBAND GAME."
30FASHIONABLE DEATH.
203CHAPTER XXXIV.
31A ROMANCE OF FIFTH AVENUE.
204CONCERT SALOONS.: THE WAITER GIRLS.
32ETIQUETTE OF CARDS.
205CHAPTER XXXV.
33AN ECONOMICAL WEDDING.
206DANCE-HOUSES.
34THE BEST SOCIETY.
207HOW THE LAW AIDS VICE.
35CHAPTER VI.
208WHERE THE WOMEN COME FROM.
36THE TOMBS.
209CHAPTER XXXVI.
37THE BUMMER'S CELL.
210THE WICKEDEST MAN IN NEW YORK
38THE TOMBS POLICE COURT.
211THE WATER STREET REVIVAL.
39A SAD CASE.
212THIS DANCE-HOUSE IS CLOSED.
40SAVED IN TIME.
213THE OTHER SIDE.
41RELIGIOUS SERVICES.
214THE LAST OF THE WICKEDEST MAN.
42CHAPTER VII.
215THE RESULT.
43REFORMATORY ESTABLISHMENTS.
216CHAPTER XXXVII.: CHEAP LODGING HOUSES.
44THE PENITENTIARY.
217CHAPTER XXXVIII.
45THE HOUSE OF REFUGE.
218BLACK-MAILING.
46CHAPTER VIII.
219A MINISTER BLACK-MAILED.
47LINES OF TRAVEL.
220A BRIDE IN THE TOILS.
48THE STREET CARS.
221DESPERATE CHARACTERS.
49THE STAGES.
222CHAPTER XXXIX.
50THE FERRIES.
223CHATHAM STREET.: FORCED SALES.
51CHAPTER IX.
224CHAPTER XL.
52STREET MUSICIANS.
225THIEVES.
53THE ORGAN GRINDERS.
226THE THIEF LANGUAGE.
54THE WANDERING MINSTRELS.
227PROFESSIONAL THIEVES.
55CHILD MINSTRELS.
228HOW FINE HOUSES ARE ROBBED.
56AN INCIDENT.
229A HAIR THIEF.
57A SAD STORY.
230THE THIEVES' EXCHANGE.
58WHAT BECOMES OF THESE CHILDREN.
231CHAPTER XLI.: PICKPOCKETS.
59CHAPTER X.
232CHAPTER XLII.
60THE PRESS.
233DRUNKENNESS.: BUCKET HOUSES.
61THE MORNING PAPERS.
234CHAPTER XLIII.
62THE HERALD
235GAMBLING HOUSES
63THE OTHER JOURNALS.
236FIRST-CLASS HOUSES.
64THE EVENING PAPERS.
237JOHN MORRISSEY'S HOUSE.
65THE WEEKLIES.
238HOW THE VICTIMS ARE PROCURED.
66THE RELIGIOUS PAPERS.
239GAMING A NATIONAL PASSION.
67PRINTING HOUSE SQUARE.
240THE GUESTS.
68A PRESS CURIOSITY.
241A CARD-TABLE ROMANCE.
69CHAPTER XI.
242SECOND-CLASS HOUSES.
70WALL STREET.
243DAY GAMBLING HOUSES
71ITS HISTORY.
244CHAPTER XLIV.
72THE SUB-TREASURY.
245KIT BURNS'S.
73THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
246THE RAT PIT.
74BANKING HOUSES.
247THE DOG FIGHTS.
75THE STOCK EXCHANGE.
248THE REVIVAL AT KIT BURN'S.
76THE OPEN BOARD.
249CHAPTER XLV.: SAILORS' BOARDING HOUSES.
77THE GOLD ROOM.
250CHAPTER XLVI.
78CURBSTONE BROKERS.
251THE CHURCHES AND THE CLERGY.
79STOCK GAMBLING.
252SAINT ALBAN'S.
80A KEEN GAME.
253THE CLERGY.
81A "DEAR" SALE.
254CHAPTER XLVII.
82HOW FORTUNES ARE MADE AND LOST.
255CEMETERIES.
83BOGUS STOCK COMPANIES.
256GREENWOOD.
84A PETROLEUM PRINCE.
257THE EVERGREENS.
85CHAPTER XII.
258CYPRESS HILLS.
86BUSINESS IN NEW YORK.
259WOODLAWN.
87EXAMPLES.
260CHAPTER XLVIII.: THE BAR.
88REAL ESTATE OPERATIONS.
261CHAPTER XLIX.
89CHAPTER XIII.
262THE METROPOLITAN FIRE DEPARTMENT.
90FASHIONABLE SHOPPING.
263THE NEW SYSTEM.
91STEWART'S.
264THE FORCE.
92INTERIOR OF A FIRST-CLASS STORE.
265AT WORK.
93CHAPTER XIV.
266CHAPTER L.
94IMPOSTORS.
267HARRY HILL'S.
95A FOREIGN SWINDLER.
268THE PROPRIETOR.
96CHARITABLE IMPOSTORS
269THE DANCE HALL.
97OTHER IMPOSTORS.
270THE DANCERS.
98A FASHIONABLE IMPOSTOR.
271CHAPTER LI.
99CHAPTER XV.
272THE WICKEDEST WOMAN IN NEW YORK
100SUNDAY IN NEW YORK.
273A BALL AT THE WICKEDEST WOMAN'S.
101CHURCH GOING.
274HOW SHE CONDUCTS HER BUSINESS.
102SUNDAY AFTERNOON.
275CHAPTER LII.
103THE EXCISE TRIALS.
276BABY FARMING.
104CHAPTER XVI.
277A JUVENILE ESTABLISHMENT.
105THE DETECTIVES.
278AN INCIDENT.
106BUSINESS OF THE FORCE.
279A FASHIONABLE "INNOCENT."
107A COSTLY CASE.
280FACTS.
108TRACKING A MURDERER.
281CHAPTER LIII.: THE FIRST DIVISION, NEW YORK NATIONAL GUARD.
109CHAPTER XVII.
282CHAPTER LIV.: PLACES OF AMUSEMENT.
110FIVE POINTS.
283CHAPTER LV.
111THE POPULATION.
284FORTUNE TELLERS AND CLAIRVOYANTS.: LOVE-CHARMS.
112THE LITTLE THIEF.
285CHAPTER LVI.
113THE HOME MISSION.
286THE HARBOR.
114OTHER MISSIONS.
287THE HARBOR POLICE.
115THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS.
288THE RESCUE STATIONS.
116CHAPTER XVIII.
289CHAPTER LVII.
117HOTEL LIFE.
290QUACK DOCTORS.
118THE GUESTS.
291PATENT MEDICINES.
119HOTEL SWINDLERS.
292RETIRED PHYSICIANS.
120HOTEL THIEVES.
293CHAPTER LVIII.: THE RACES.
121AN AGILE THIEF.
294CHAPTER LIX.
122CHAPTER XIX.
295MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENTS.
123RESTAURANTS.: THE BITER BITTEN.
296A DANGEROUS PLEASURE.
124CHAPTER XX.
297MATRIMONIAL BROKERS.
125BOARDING HOUSES.
298CHAPTER LX.
126FINDING A BOARDING HOUSE.
299PERSONALS.: "SERVED HIM RIGHT."
127EXPERIENCE.
300CHAPTER LXI.
128BOARDING-HOUSE CHARACTERS.
301SOLDIER MINSTRELS.: THE STORY OF A PATRIOT.
129A FASHIONABLE SWINDLER.
302CHAPTER LXII.: THE ABATTOIRS.
130A SHARP GAME.
303CHAPTER LXIII.: THE MORGUE.
131A TRIO OF FEMALE SWINDLERS.
304CHAPTER LXIV.: THE OLDEST MAN IN NEW YORK.
132CHAPTER XXI.
305CHAPTER LXV.: DIVORCE LAWYERS.
133TRINITY PARISH.
306CHAPTER LXVI.
134TRINITY CHURCH.
307PAWNBROKERS.: DIAMOND BROKERS.
135THE CHURCHYARD.
308CHAPTER LXVII.: THE MARKETS.
136CHAPTER XXII.
309CHAPTER LXVIII.
137THE HOLIDAYS IN THE CITY.
310PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
138NEW YEAR'S DAY.
311THE CITY HALL.
139GETTING READY.
312THE PARK BANK,
140NEW YEAR'S CALLS.
313THE ASTOR LIBRARY,
141THE NEXT DAY.
314THE COOPER INSTITUTE,
142INDEPENDENCE DAY.
315THE BIBLE HOUSE,
143EVACUATION DAY.
316THE ACADEMY OF DESIGN,
144THANKSGIVING DAY.
317CHAPTER LXIX.: THE POST-OFFICE.
145CHRISTMAS DAY.
318CHAPTER LXX.: THE PATTERERS.
146CHAPTER XXIII.
319CHAPTER LXXI.: LOTTERIES.
147THE CENTRAL PARK.
320CHAPTER LXXII.
148A WONDERFUL WORK.
321GIFT ENTERPRISES.
149THE LAKE.
322THE SYSTEM.
150PLEASURE SEEKERS.
323THE BANKERS' AND BROKERS' GIFT ENTERPRISE.
151THE ARSENAL.
324A CLEVER SWINDLE.
152THE CROTON RESERVOIRS.
325JEWELRY ASSOCIATIONS OR UNIONS.
153TRANSVERSE ROADS.
326DOLLAR STORES.
154THE ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN.
327CHAPTER LXXIII.: SITUATION AGENCIES.
155INTERNAL ADMINISTRATION.
328CHAPTER LXXIV.
156CHAPTER XXIV.: THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
329THE PATENT SAFE GAME.
157CHAPTER XXV.
330POCKET-BOOK DROPPING.
158THE POOR OF NEW YORK.
331THIMBLE RIGGING.
159THE LOWEST DEPTHS.
332SEWING MACHINE SWINDLES.
160TENEMENT HOUSES.
333THE POCKET TIME KEEPER.
161FALLEN FORTUNES.
334MOCK AUCTION'S.
162A ROMANCE OF A CHIGNON.
335CHAPTER LXXV.
163CHAPTER XXVI.
336LOST IN THE GREAT CITY.
164POOR GIRLS.
337MISSING MEN AND WOMEN.
165THE SEWING GIRLS.
338THEORIES ABOUT LOST PEOPLE.
166A LIFE-STRUGGLE.
339WHERE AND HOW PEOPLE ARE LOST.
167THE WORKSHOPS OF THE POOR GIRLS.
340LOST CHILDREN.
168TEMPTATIONS.
341THE DENS OF MIDNIGHT.
169CHAPTER XXVII.
342THE HORROR OF A BREAKING DAWN.
170THE STREET BOYS.
343MISERY, SHAME, AND DEATH.
171THE NEWSBOYS.
344CHAPTER LXXVI.: CONCLUSION.
172NEWSBOYS' LODGING HOUSE.
345WITH SCENES AND INCIDENTS IN THE GREAT REBELLION: AGENTS WANTED.
173THE BOOTBLACKS.

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