On Tuesday next, October 3d, the Fair of the American Institute (exhibition of American manufacturers, is the proper phrase,) commences at Castle Garden. I stepped in yesterday afternoon, and made my way with difficulty through the vast confusion of articles that lie along the covered bridge, and the ample area inside. Time was when this exhibition produced good effects; but that time has gone by. Under the management of superannuated old men, wedded to the notions of the past, it is entirely behind time. This is a pity, too; because an institution of this sort is capable of doing much real benefit. It must strike higher though, than the aim of bringing together some large pumpkins, rich plum-cakes, and curiously patched bed-quilts.
A new daily paper, to be called "The Drawing Room Journal," is on the eve of its appearance in this city; its editor is Mr. G. G. Foster. Book publishing languishes badly enough, about now. Harpers, Wiley, Putnam, Appleton, etc., now and then bring out a reprint; but all are waiting till after election before doing much in this way.
Towards sundown yesterday afternoon, Capt. Jas. Baker, of the ship Thomas H. Perkins, lying at one of our wharves, Narrowly escaped with his life from the hands of an infuriated mob, who seized him because he had shot and cut one of his crew, named Wm. Leonard. The latter was a sort of rival to the Captain, in the good graces of a female steerage passenger. He went, yesterday, in the cabin for his pay; was ordered out; altercation arose, and the Captain ran for a pistol and cutlass, and shot and cut Leonard so that his life is despaired of. A mob rapidly collected, and were so incensed that they dragged, cuffed, and bruised Baker pretty severely. The police came down in force, and, partly by stratagem, and partly by force, carried the Captain off to the Tombs, where he is at present locked up. The public mind here in New York is highly incensed, of late, against the cruelty of marine officers. There is a plentiful dash of Jacobianism among the "common people," which breaks out, sometimes a little too hastily perhaps, against those in authority. Jacobianism is far, far, far better though than the lethargic cowardice which will let a whole people stagnate in mean submission to any sort of tyranny.
John S. Austin, well known as a prominent member of the Empire Club, was arrested last night, charged with the murder of a young man named Timothy Shea. The affair occurred in a low place in Leonard street.
Postmasters, Customhouse officers, and other United States officials, are being removed pretty extensively in this State; cause—adhesion to Van Buren instead of Cass and Butler. The Customhouse and Naval office were closed yesterday, in respect to Mr. Hoffman, deceased.
I confess plumply to have made a blunder in predicting the nomination of Walworth by the anti-renters. It appears that they have nominated John A. Dix, the Barnburner candidate for Governor. This is somewhat remarkable, for Dix was understood to stand by Gov. Wright in his anti-rent measures.
The Odd Fellows of this State seems to be getting up a little bit of a row among themselves. What it is about I must confess I do not exactly understand. The Lodges of the Oneida District have resolved not to submit to a certain important decision of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Very likely you know more about it than I do.
Greeley comes out in this morning's Tribune with the regular whig ticket flying at the head of his paper. His leader, attempting to fortify his course, is lame and impotent. Still, time remains for him to plaster the flaws up, pretty well, before the election. Undoubtedly these defections from the Free Soil ticket will reduce its vote considerably. The whigs hold a grand pow-wow at Vauxhall this evening, to clinch the "harmonizing" of the elements, and the return of the various prodigal sons. Leslie Coombs is to speak. Both whig and democratic (Cass) meetings, thus far, have had the worst speaking that has marked any political campaign within my remembrance. Every body acknowledges that the orators and the addresses are positively shocking.
MANHATTAN.