The marble block which the firm now occupies was built nearly twenty years ago. It had been the site of an old-fashioned hotel--which, like many others of its class, bore the name of 'Washington,' and which was eventually destroyed by fire. Mr. Stewart bought the plot at auction for less than $70,000, a sum which now would be considered beneath half its value. To this was subsequently added adjacent lots in Broadway, Reade and Chambers streets, and the present magnificent pile reared. To such of our readers as walk Broadway, we need not add any detail of its dimensions, nor mention what is now well known, that, large as it is, it is still too small for the increasing business. Hence another mercantile palace has been erected by Mr. Stewart in Broadway near Tenth street. This is intended for the retail trade, and is, no doubt, the most convenient, as well as the most splendid structure of the kind in the world. After the retail department shall have been thus removed up town the present store will be devoted to the wholesale trade. If any of our readers should inquire what impulse moves the energies of one whose circumstances might warrant a life of ease, we presume that the reply would be force of character and the strength of habit. Mr. Stewart has an empire in the world of merchandise which he can neither be expected to resign or abdicate. We cannot regret that law of centralization which builds up one marble palace, where hundreds have failed utterly to make a living. Centralization of trade has its objections, and yet, upon the whole, there is, no doubt, a much healthier and happier condition prevailing among the parties connected with Mr. Stewart, than would be found among the struggling concerns (say fifty or more) whose place he has taken. Centralization is a law in trade whose movement crushes the weak by an inevitable step, while, by compelling them to take refuge beneath the protection of the strong it affords a better condition than the one from which they have been driven. To his early perception of this law Mr. Stewart largely owes his present colossal fortune. UNHEEDED GROWTH. As on the top of Lebanon, Slowly the Temple grew, All unobserved, though every shaft A giant shadow threw: Unheeded, though the golden pomp Of ponderous roof and spire, Wrought in the chambers of the earth, Like subterranean fire: Until the huge translated pile, By brother kings upreared, On Zion's hill, enthroned at last, In silence reappeared. So, not with observation comes God's kingdom in the heart; But like that Temple, silently, With golden doors apart. And all the Mighty Ones that watch, With folded wings above, Trembling with awe, now stoop to earth, On messages of love. Another Temple riseth fast, Unbuilt of mortal hands, Upheaving to the battle-blast Of Freedom's conquering bands!