CHAPTEB   TFTTTTT.
 

1795-1796.)
 

Bowling Oreen'-0Tig:ln of "Gotham'^^'The New Tork CHuetteer"—Ooit

of City Lighting—Beginning of Qaa Companies^

Burning of New Treaty,

In March, 1T3Z, It was resolved "That this corporation will lease a piece
of land lying at the lower end of Broadway, fronting to the Fort, to some
of the inhabitants of the said Broadway, In order to be inclosed to make a
bowling green thereof, with walks therein, for the beauty and ornament of
said street, aa well as for the recreation and delight of the Inhabitants of
the city, leaving the street on each side thereof flfty feet In breadth," John
Chambers, Peter Bayard and Peter Jay, lovers of sport, In accordance with
this resolution hired the ground for a term of eleven years, paying as rent
therefor one peppercorn a year, and prepared It for tho game of bowls. After
their tease expired John Chambers, Colonel Phllllpso sod John Hooaevelt
became the leasees for another eleven years, paying 20 abllllngs a year for
the privilege qf playing the game.

"Gotham" was satirically applied by Washington Irving in 1807 to tbe
city of New York in one of the "Salmagundi" papers, entitled "Chronicles ot
the Renowned and Ancient City Of Qotham," most likely because of the
almplicity of its Inhabitants in the old days. He took the appellation from
a pariah of Nottinghamshire, England, called Gotham, whose inhabltanta
were aald to have simulated almplicity to avert a King's anger.

'The prettiest atreet In all New York," at one time RIvlngton atreet,
was not named after "the only London bookseller In America," as James
RIvlngton styled himself in 17A0. He had acquired wealth aa a publisher in
Paternoster Row. London, but It ia said the Newmarket bookmakers induced
him to play too many "tips," with the result that be looked on the new world
aa the only place to retrieve his losaes. Connected with bis bookshop In Han¬
over Sduare In 1772 was a printing offlce, whence a year later ho laaued "The
New York Gasetteer/' In 1775 he aald bis paper was "printed at hla open and
uninfluenced presa fronting Hanover Square," though he retained the royal
arma on the title of hla paper when other printers were removing tbem.
After the attack on hla ahop by the patriots in 1775 for hla zeal aa a Tory,
he went to England, and on hla return in 1777 began again the Issue of his
paper, with the sub-title "Published at New York by James RIvlngton*
Printer to tbe King'a Most Excellent Majesty." He died In 1802, at Nn. 166
Pearl streeL

It baa been said that the power of comparlBon gives deflnlteneaa and

IIS