CHAPTER I.—The earliest fire-engines—Devices and inventions— Some early records
of the Old Department — The first firemen ever appointed in America—The
first introduction of hose, etc., etc............................................      I

CHAPTER II.—Noted characters and resorts — Barnum's fire — Sam Welch's terra¬
pin stews — The " Herald " site — St. Paul's church — The notorious "Tappe
Franc"—Where the Empire Club dined and rendezvoused — An old-time stand¬
ing-place for cheats and robbers..............................................      8

CHAPTER III.— Old fire heroes —Fire company regulations —Chanfrau's Mose —
Cleanliness of the old vamps — Fines inflicted for swearing — An old volunteer
fireman's views on the Old Department — Doubtful charms of fire duty — Old styles
of fire-engines — Chief Carson and Matt Brennan — Big Woolsey— Unpaid hero¬
ism— Real firemen and the dudes of the Department —An old vamp's death —
Killed by fire duty—Toil and pleasure — Chowder parties of the old days.......    13

CHAPTER IV.— A glance at city life—The old Chatham Theater—Tom Flynn and
the Washingtonian crusade against rum—The greatest temperance speech — Chat¬
ham Garden Theater—The manager and the reporter—Five Points—The forty
thieves—Crown's grocery—"Chichester Gang"—" Union House"—A bad local-
- ity—Walton House ^The old dance-houses—Patrons of the Five Points —
Fighting and comic songs — Ann Street and Broadway—A committee on paint¬
ing— Memorable men — Names of old-time engines—"Mosquito Fleet"—
^' Holy Alliance "..........................."...............................    32

CHAPTER v.—The famed Con. Donoho—Politicians of note —Politics in Dooley's

" Long-Room "— Bill Nealis and Pat Kelly—A Sixth Ward alderman — Fidelity to
parties — Matt Brennan and Capt. Rynders — A memorable primary —The Depart¬
ment in 1832 — Fighting by champions—Old 21 Engine—Street girl-peddlers —
Hot corn — Molly and " Ole 'Leven " Engine — Ex-Mayor Tiemann — Knocked
down in church—"Riley's Pole" and the old-time "Mose"—Fred. D. Kohler—
A traveling museum — A terrible tragedy — Jim GuHck and the political factions —
Gulick's campaign for register — Faithfulness to officers........................    47