To those who intend visiting New York, whether they come as strangers, or as persons familiar with it, the writer has a word to say, which he trusts may be heeded. An honest effort has been made in this work to present the reader with a fair description of the dangers to which visitors and citizens are alike exposed. For the purpose of performing this task, the writer made visits, in company with the police officials of the city, to a number of the places described in this work, and he is satisfied that no respectable person can with safety visit them, unless provided with a similar protection. The curiosity of all persons concerning the darker side of city life can be fully satisfied by a perusal of the sketches presented in this volume. It is not safe for a stranger to undertake to explore these places for himself. No matter how clever he may consider himself, no respectable man is a match for the villains and sharpers of New York, and he voluntarily brings upon himself all the consequences that will follow his entrance into the haunts of the criminal and disreputable classes. The city is full of danger. The path of safety which is pointed out in these pages is the only one for either citizen or stranger--an absolute avoidance of the vicinity of sin. Those who have seen the city will, I am sure, confirm the statements contained herein, and will acknowledge the truthfulness of the picture I have drawn, whatever they may think of the manner in which the work is executed. J. D. MCC., JR. NEW YORK, _March_ 21_st_, 1872 CONTENTS. I. THE CITY OF NEW YORK, 33 I. HISTORICAL, 33 II. DESCRIPTIVE AND STATISTICAL, 49 II. THE HARBOR OF NEW YORK, 59 III. THE CITY GOVERNMENT, 64 IV. THE RING, 75 I. THE HISTORY OF THE RING, 75 II. PERSONNEL OF THE RING, 100 V. BROADWAY, 118 I. HISTORICAL, 118 II. DESCRIPTIVE, 123