Rick: It's not particularly my beloved Paris.
Heinz: Can you imagine us in London?
Rick: When you get there, ask me!
Captain Renault: Hmmh! Diplomatist!
Major Strasser: How about New York?
Rick: Well there are certain sections of New York, Major, that I wouldn't advise you to try to invade.
Casablanca (1942)
The 1859 edition of Phelps’ Strangers and Citizens’ Guide to New York City offered sage words of advice to visitors in the metropolis. First, as to places of amusement, the Guide noted that “there are some places where the morals of strangers or citizens will not be particularly improved by visiting, so say nothing of the bodily danger one incurs, especially in the evening and unattended.” It also noted that “Pickpockets are found among crowds around the doors of places of amusement, in railroad cars, and omnibuses, who are very expert at their calling, and appear like gentlemen.” It also warned against the purchase of brass watches that were represented as gold.
On a less cautionary note, the Guide observed that hotels were numerous and easily found with rates running from seven to sixteen dollars per week. Eating-houses were plentiful as well with charges starting at six cents. “In some of these houses good lodging-rooms can be had for three dollars per week.” However, it went on to warn that “At some of the cheap (often dear) lodging-houses where gilt or illuminated signs, “Lodging 12½ cents,” are conspicuous, a person might not be safer than in the Astor House. A little caution here may not be amiss.”
The Guide noted that omnibuses ran constantly in almost every part of the city south of Fiftieth Street and charged a fare of six cents. City railroads ran along the avenues (north-south), and charged five cents.
Travel by hackney coaches and cabs was dearer. A ride not exceeding one mile cost 50 cents and not exceeding two miles cost 75 cents plus, in each case, 37½ cents for each additional passenger. A cab ride to 40th Street, remaining half an hour and returning cost $1.50; to 61st street, remaining three quarter of an hour and returning cost $2.00; and to 86th street, remaining one hour and returning cost $2.50. For the price of $5.00 one could travel to Harlem, High Bridge (at the Harlem River and 173rd Street, 11 miles from City Hall) or King’s Bridge (230th Street), remain three hours and return or one could use the coach for a full day.
In 1861 New York City licensed 760 cabs and hackney coaches. One English visitor to the United States in the mid-1850s described dealings with hackney coaches as follows:
The 1859 edition of Phelps’ Strangers and Citizens’ Guide to New York City offered sage words of advice to visitors in the metropolis. First, as to places of amusement, the Guide noted that “there are some places where the morals of strangers or citizens will not be particularly improved by visiting, so say nothing of the bodily danger one incurs, especially in the evening and unattended.” It also noted that “Pickpockets are found among crowds around the doors of places of amusement, in railroad cars, and omnibuses, who are very expert at their calling, and appear like gentlemen.” It also warned against the purchase of brass watches that were represented as gold.
On a less cautionary note, the Guide observed that hotels were numerous and easily found with rates running from seven to sixteen dollars per week. Eating-houses were plentiful as well with charges starting at six cents. “In some of these houses good lodging-rooms can be had for three dollars per week.” However, it went on to warn that “At some of the cheap (often dear) lodging-houses where gilt or illuminated signs, “Lodging 12½ cents,” are conspicuous, a person might not be safer than in the Astor House. A little caution here may not be amiss.”
The Guide noted that omnibuses ran constantly in almost every part of the city south of Fiftieth Street and charged a fare of six cents. City railroads ran along the avenues (north-south), and charged five cents.
Travel by hackney coaches and cabs was dearer. A ride not exceeding one mile cost 50 cents and not exceeding two miles cost 75 cents plus, in each case, 37½ cents for each additional passenger. A cab ride to 40th Street, remaining half an hour and returning cost $1.50; to 61st street, remaining three quarter of an hour and returning cost $2.00; and to 86th street, remaining one hour and returning cost $2.50. For the price of $5.00 one could travel to Harlem, High Bridge (at the Harlem River and 173rd Street, 11 miles from City Hall) or King’s Bridge (230th Street), remain three hours and return or one could use the coach for a full day.
In 1861 New York City licensed 760 cabs and hackney coaches. One English visitor to the United States in the mid-1850s described dealings with hackney coaches as follows:
The hackney-carriages of New York are very handsome, and, being drawn by two horses, have the appearance of private equipages; but woe to the stranger who trusts to the inviting announcement that the fare is a dollar within a certain circle. Bad as London cabmen are, one would welcome the sight of one of them. The New York hackmen are licensed plunderers, against whose extortions there is neither remedy nor appeal. They are generally Irish, and cheat people with unblushing audacity.
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