At high noon the colossal figure of Washington on the steps of the Sub-Treasury looks down on the centre of the earth.

To the swarming thousands of the Ghetto, who seldom venture west of the Bowery, there is a point on the East Side that represents the pivot of things.

There are descendants of the Knickerbockers who cling arrogantly to the corner facing the Washington Arch.

Profound is the belief of the pleasure seeker in the lights, signs, theatres, and lobster palaces of Longacre Square.

To others nothing counts as the trees and fountains of Madison Square and graceful Diana and the great clock in the Metropolitan Tower count.