VALENTINE'S MANUAL

ceeded the war with England greatly diminished the inl^
portance of "Training Day," and the men finally appeared
in such wonderful garments that the function excited
merriment at first, but finally disgust not only at the
grotesque appearance of the men, but at their behavior.
It had reached the stage of a farce, not immixed with
scatldal. The day was made the excuse for a general
public debauch, and soon the custom was totally al)olished.
So ended a national institution that began with the JMinute
Men and had served us well during the troublous period
of our early republican days. All that now remains of
this formidable parade ground is the few acres we now
Call Union Square and the slightly larger space further
north—Madison Square.
 

Fifth Avenue in Civil War Days

The Americans, I cannot repeat too frequently, are an
eminently hospitable and generous peojjle. A stingy
American is a monster. You hear of no gripe-fists, no
pinch-pennies. They make their money quickly and they
spend it quickly. They have nt) time to be miserly, for a
short life and a merry one is at least the New York motto.
When a l)roker finds Wall Street frown upon him, or a
merchant is on the eve of bankru])lcy, he proceeds to
I^elmonico's and has a ca])ital dinner with plenty of
Cliquot champagne. In prosperity he might condescend
to Mimim, or dry Verzenay, but when his estate promises
to jjay something under five cents on the dollar, nothing
less than the Veuve Veuve's best brand will suit him. He
not only dances over a volcano—he liquors up while he is
in it.    A "smart" American may "do" you. but you are

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