The entrance of a great country into a war of such a serious character as the one now confronting us, brought forth in New York one of the most patriotic demonstrations ever witnessed in the history of the City.

Flags, banners, streamers, badges, buttons, and every device by which the national colors could be appropriately displayed were everywhere in evidence. When the great War Commissions appeared, and Joffre, Viviani, Balfour, Udine and Marconi were actually in the streets, the Allied flags promptly made their appearance and the effect was indescribably beautiful.

Luncheons, dinners and every sort of public appreciation was lavished upon the distinguished visitors and New York gave unmistakable evidence of her pro-Ally leanings. The main thoroughfares like Broadway, Wall Street, Fifth Avenue, the Battery, etc., were a living mass of color. Such a wealth of decoration never appeared before and it will be a long time before it is repeated. So important did this seem to us that we had a number of views specially painted to record this demonstration. These pictures in all probability will soon become of great historic value, as we know of no others in existence.

The views are by our own special artist, Miss Alice Heath. They are an interesting souvenir of a rare occasion and are worthy of careful preservation. The most important concession the New Yorker has yet made to the war is to agree to go home not later than 1 a.m. At least, all cabarets, theatres, restaurants, etc., close at that hour and when you deduct the time spent in rising when "Poor Butterfly," the "Star Spangled Banner," "My Country 'Tis of Thee," and "Dixie" are played, you can readily see that the poor New Yorker is really quite a patriotic martyr. He never knows exactly for which tune he should rise, so he stands for all and thus performs a needless amount of labor and besides lets his dinner grow cold.

Nevertheless he is bearing up bravely, and the outward signs of the city seem to indicate that "Business as Usual" is largely his guiding star for the present in this crisis.

Other unusual incidents were the parade of the salesmen who were delegated to dispose of the Liberty Loan Bonds and the fact that all sorts of merchants in the retail line willingly set aside room and clerks in order to facilitate the work of the Government in selling these obligations.