Produced by Suzanne Shell, Linda Hamilton and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net CITY CRIMES; OR LIFE IN NEW YORK AND BOSTON. A VOLUME FOR EVERYBODY: BEING A MIRROR OF FASHION, A PICTURE OF POVERTY, AND A STARTLING REVELATION OF THE SECRET CRIMES OF GREAT CITIES {First published 1849} [Illustration: Title page of _City Crimes_, 1849 edition. Reproduced with the permission of The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.] CHAPTER I _A Young Gentleman of Wealth and Fashion--a noble resolve--the flatterers--the Midnight Encounter--an Adventure--the Courtezan--Temptation triumphant--how the Night was passed._ 'What a happy dog I ought to be!' exclaimed Frank Sydney, as he reposed his slippered feet upon the fender, and sipped his third glass of old Madeira, one winter's evening in the year 18--, in the great city of New York. Frank might well say so; for in addition to being as handsome a fellow as one would be likely to meet in a day's walk, he possessed an ample fortune, left him by a deceased uncle. He was an orphan; and at the age of twenty-one, found himself surrounded by all the advantages of wealth, and at the same time, was perfect master of his own actions. Occupying elegant apartments at a fashionable hotel, he was free from any of those petty cares and vexations which might have annoyed him, and he kept an establishment of his own; while at the same time he was enabled to maintain, in his rooms, a private table for the entertainment of himself and friends, who frequently repaired thither, to partake of his hospitality and champagne suppers. With such advantages of fortune and position, no wonder he exclaimed, as at the beginning of our tale--'What a happy dog I ought to be!' Pursuing the current of his thought Frank half audibly continued--