OF JVEW YORK CITY.                      857
 

CHAPTER XXXVI.

I have frequently alluded to the old iron mongers, as
the hardware merchants were designated until about a
half century ago. I mentioned that they frequently
had over their doors, on the front of their stores, pecu¬
liar signs. One would have an old scythe snath, paint¬
ed handsomely, and perhaps gilded. Another would
have a golden padlock of Immense size. That denoted
everything for sale, because it locks up everything.
Another was a handsaw. The scythe Indicated that all
sorts of farmers' utensils were kept, as it is only within
the recollection of many when agricultnral stores have
become a specialty in this city. Another sign, and one
that many wUl remember, was a hardware store in
Greenwich street. It was an immense long plane, near¬
ly half a foot square, that extended from the third
down to the second story. That indicated all sorts of
carpenters' tools kept in that particular hardware store.
Other signs were equally significant— the " golden tea
kettle,'' " the anvU," as large as life, but made of wood,
and painted iron color. About the first of the hard¬
ware merchants that had the boldness to move up town,
or go above Canal street, were the Delevans.

B^orty-two years ago the house of Edward C. Dele¬
van was at 121  Pearl street, and Mr. D. lived at 396