152 NEW YORK. 



of Firemen, who are always ready to reply to the call of the 

 fire-bell. 



This useful institution consists of Volunteers, who buy, 

 not only their uniforms, but also the fire engines with all their 

 accessories, and keep them in the very best order. Some of 

 their engines are golden outwardly, and shine brightly. 

 There is a keen competition between the several brigades to 

 display the best horses, best engines, best of everything, and 

 this competition is not only seen in these displays, but also 

 in their splendid way of extinguishing fires. 



In 1853, there were six distinct companies of firemen, 

 all rivals. As soon as the City Hall bell was heard, it was a 

 positive contest between all the firemen to be the first in 

 bringing their engines to the scene of the fire, and to attack 

 it strenuously, and generally with success. 



This rivalry between the firemen in such circumstances 

 is a fact worth imitating in other countries. In 1853 they had 

 no horses, so they had to drag the fire engines on foot. 



In the greatest heat of the summer, or in the bitterest 

 cold of the winter, you could see them always running and 

 dragging their machines at a prodigious speed. The only 

 distinction in their costume was a woollen red shirt, and a 

 broad, varnished tin helmet. It was a point of honour between 

 the various Companies to arrive first on the scene of the 

 fire and to extinguish the same before the others arrived. 



At night, the sight of the firemen is worth seeing. Each 

 company is preceded by several tall fellows bearing lighted 

 torches. One in the middle has in his hand a large speaking 

 trumpet, with which he continually encourages the men by 

 energetic shouts of '■ Go-ahead! Go-ahead ! " which at the same 

 time serves as a warning to the crowd to keep the place clear. 



The running of these red costumed men drawing their 

 engines at full speed, the lighted torches, the blowing of the 

 trumpet, and the vociferous cries of Fire ! Fire ! by the 

 crowd who run behind the firemen, the fire itself, the whole 

 thing has an extraordinary aspect well worth seeing. 



The crowds as a rule are very well regulated, and, if 

 necessary, help as much as it is in their power to do ; and 

 as soon as the conflagration has been put out, many are 

 the hurrahs in favour of those who have distinguished 

 themselves. 



If salvage of people has taken place, those who have 

 done these more or less heroic actions are applauded in the 

 most vigorous manner, and in all the morning papers their 



