CHAP. XIII.] NEW CHURCHES. 181 



smoking, there being a smoldering heat in cellars filled with 

 &quot;dry goods.&quot; When the citizens of London rejected the splendid 

 plan which Sir Christopher Wren proposed for its restoration, he 

 declared that they had not deserved a fire, but the New Yorkers 

 seem to have taken full advantage of the late catastrophe. As 

 it was the business part of the city which the flames laid in 

 ruins, we could not expect much display of ornamental architec 

 ture ; but already, before the ashes have done smoking, we see 

 entire streets of substantial houses which have risen to their full 

 height, and the ground has been raised five feet higher than 

 formerly above the river, so a to secure it from inundations, 

 which has so enhanced its value, that many of the sites alone 

 have sold for prices equal to the value of the buildings which 

 once covered them. Among the new edifices, we were shown 

 some which are fire-proof. Unfortunately, many a fine tree has 

 been burned, and they are still standing without their bark, but 

 the weeping willows bordering the river on the Battery have 

 escaped unsinged. 



Among the new features of the city we see several fine church 

 es, some built from their foundations, others finished since 1841. 

 The wooden spires of several are elegant, and so solid, as to have 

 all the outward effect of stone. The two most conspicuous of 

 the new edifices are Episcopalian, Trinity and Grace Church. 

 The cost of the former has been chiefly defrayed by funds derived 

 from the rent of houses in New York, bequeathed long since to 

 the Episcopal Church. The expense is said to have equaled 

 that of erecting any four other churches in the city. It is entire 

 ly of stone, a fine-grained sandstone of an agreeable light-brown 

 tint. The top of the steeple is 289 feet from the ground. The 

 effect of the Gothic architecture is very fine, and the Episcopa 

 lians may now boast that of all the ecclesiastical edifices of this 

 continent, they have erected the most beautiful. Its position is 

 admirably chosen, as it forms a prominent feature in Broadway, 

 the principal street, and in another direction looks down Wall- 

 street, the great center of city business. It is therefore seen 

 from great distances in this atmosphere, so beautifully clear even 

 at this season, when every stove is lighted, and when the ther- 



