James Dabney McCabe (1) (1842–1883)

title page:
The Illustrated History of the Centennial Exhibition held in Commemoration of the One Hundredth Anniversary of American Independence.
With a Full Description of the Great Buildings and all the Objects of Interest Exhibited in them.
Embracing also a concise History of the Origin and Success of the Exhibition, and Biographies of the Leading Members of the Centennial Commission, to which is added a Complete Description of the City of Philadelphia.
by James D. McCabe, Author of the "Centennial History of the United States", "Pathways of the Holy Land", etc. etc.
Embellished with Nearly 400 fine Engravings of Buildings, Exhibits and Scenes of the Great Exhibition.
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This book is a commemorative edition produced at the time of the fair. Heavily illlustrated with engravings of scenes of the buildings, and some of the items exhibited. Interesting to see what was considered state of the art technology at the time.… (mere)

To live at the expense of other people, and to procure the means of living in comfort without working for it, is an art in which there are many proficients in New York. Certain of those who practise this art are known in city parlance as "Black-mailers," and they constitute one of the most dangerous portions of the community. The Blackmailer is generally a woman, though she is frequently sustained or urged on by a rough, professional thief, or pick-pocket. The indiscretions of men of nominally spotless character are constantly becoming known through the instrumentality of the gossips, and as soon as these reach the ears of the Blackmailers, who are ever on the watch for them, they proceed to take advantage of them to extort money from the person implicated. They are not content, however, with making victims of those who are really guilty of indiscretions, but boldly assail the innocent and virtuous, well-knowing that nine persons out of ten, though guiltless of wrongdoing, will sooner comply with their demands than incur the annoyance of a public scandal. Such persons think the wretch will never dare to charge them with the same offence or endeavor to extort money from them a second time, and make the first payment merely to rid themselves of the annoyance. They ought never to yield, whether innocent or guilty, for the Blackmailer is sure to repeat her demand. The law makes it a crime for any one to endeavor to extort money in this way, and no person so threatened should hesitate to apply to the police for protection.… (mere)