"A New York Institution" July 24, 1858 Harper's Weekly

"A New York Institution" July 24, 1858 Harper's Weekly

News article

The article, “A New York Institution,” reveals a man named Dawson and his unlawful practices, trapping women inside his home for his pleasure while being in a state of great wealth and hedonism. The audience that this article refers to is probably the public of New York, with the writer (unnamed) showing the raw and real New York in their view – as a setting of crime and of the “vilest characters” (“A New York Institution” 466). Seeing the use of the word “vilest” reminded me of the work by George Foster titled “New York by Gas-Light.” Not only was New York a new city with many neat innovations; it also had the same petty crimes and unusual characters like in other cities. In both Foster’s work and “A New York Constitution,” there is a depiction of people who possess a more depraved sense of morals and show that in what they practice, such as prostitutes and sex slave holders. The character being described in the Harper’s Weekly article would be similar to Foster focusing on one drunk man or prostitute throughout “Gas-Light” rather than providing an entire landscape of New York late at night. The author of the article does this succinctly, knowing that the purpose of the magazine is for entertainment and leisure time, but also wanting to get their point across that a “vile” man has been arrested once again in New York City. The author could be saying that on the outside, New York City is desirable and has many opportunities for wealth, but behind closed doors, there are people that are depraved and void all morals, which could also be compared to Foster as well. Overall, the article is an exemplary piece of work that tells of the local news during the time and shows how authors are able to pull their views into it as a reflection of their feelings.

Harper's Weekly

“A New York Constitution.” Harper’s Weekly: A Journal of Civilization 2.82 (1858); 466. Print.

Harper's Weekly

July 24, 1858

Jonathan Lim

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July 24, 1858