Morning herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1837-1840, 1837-07-27
Visit 20 Bellevue, Dlsckwelrs Island, A"
the L0nx IslnNd Hacms. -

the Long Island Farms. M
On Tuesday last made visit to Bellevue and BLACK
wells Island, taking particular notice Of the way OF
life in the latter, as il is the place where my young
friend John Haggerty, Jr, says am going to be sent
for saying he and his father had failed in business
when they did not
Having received polite invitation from Two Of the
aldermen, Messrs. Smith and Barnes, made one OF
small party and started from the City Hall about 10
o'clock. Mr.. Commissioner Engs promised to join
us at the Island and just at the dinner hour ne drop
ped in-of which more anon.
No particular accident or event took place I'LL we
reached Bellevue, except few soppages here ana
there in Chatham street, which is in quite state OF
dishabule and reconstruction.
At Bellevue we dismounted and discharged the
carriages, to call again fer in the afternoon. Here
we were shown through the several departments by
the keepers, and every where we observed ORDER
cleanliness regularity and comfort The female de
partment presented scene of great curiosity The
beds arranged endways along the two walls, and
the spaces between them are principally used as
apartments for the poor females. Around these little
apartments books, pieces of mirrors, and other
little delcacies of the tslette agreeable to the fc
male taste and character. We were shown through
the whole feraale department of the Poor House. and
it appeared in the highest order and most perfect state
Of cleanliness and health. Among them we were
t.ld that old Foote resides, formerly very good actor
at the Park, together with his aged wife, What sin
gular termination to long life Of theatrical excite
ment and eclat!
We then visited the bridewel part of the Bellevue
establishment, and found every thing in perfect order
There not many prisoners there as usual The
courts, since the wing accession to power, act with
rapdity and energy. Accused persons are acquitted
and dismissed, or condemned and sent to punishment
more rapidly than formerly. In this department. we
observed a number of fine looking black rascas-one
in particular, who stood up by the wall with single
blanket round his ons and thus exposed his bust and
shoulders down TO the waist. This fellow is called
Henry Williams and was born at Harrsburgh. H.
presen the finest form of head shoulders, and ge
neral frame that ever saw. He is perfectly black
bat more perfect black Adonis never Witnessed
He would be model for a Cnnova.
We then entered the female department. There are
not many here. One very beautiful female dressed
very fashonably in black silk struck nay attention.
With fine form, fine face, black hair and elegant
contour, she possessed grace and apparent delicacy
of feeling. We approached her cell she retreaed to
the interior. AS we entered the door, she turned TO
corner with lady like grace and stood in dropping
and graceful attitude.
"What is this fair creatures namel
That is Mrs. Thompson. She is here for passing
off count erfeit money She is an English lady, and
is tolerably accomplished"
She looked but mite. On her fingers were
three or four geld rings Of different shapes.
During the old regime we visited this establish
mens and we thought we discovered a great i'm
provemext in health, cleanliness and comfort to what
| 1t presented at that period
On retiring from the Pententiary department, we
crossed the street to the Insane establishment
| Around this building the shrubbery and flowers are
very beautifully arranged. Doctor Ogden, the mcdi-
cal attendant. present. very politely carried US
the whole apartments. saw some Of the poor cid
crazy creatures had seen year ago. Some of them
had the same story tleir lips-ohers having il
varied since last visited them.
There is no sight more melancholy than to see the
wreck Of mind presented by an Insane Hospital. II
is utterly impossible to describe the feelings we enter
tain. Sometimes you look upon them little chill
drcn perfectly unconscious of what they say or do
then unfortunate adults who have lost their wits
by some inscrutable decree of PrSviaence-then as
poor creatures whose conformation of the he lad ant
and brain mperfectly made by nature and hence
| they only carrying on the scheme of life III,
very principles on which they were created.
Doctor Ogden carried US through his whole apart
ments, male and female Some of the wilder naniacs
are terrific, and have to be confined in cells well Sc
cured. AS we entered the gallery containing a rang,
of these cells one Of them climbed up to the uppe
bars and talked loud and incohereny
down." said the Doctor and down he went at tn,
word.
A number Of them were loungin in the yard-som
sleeping on the grass, and in the sun others unde
an awning One poor fellow was raving agains
arisocracy, and then bcratng the luxury of riding il
carriages. He held in his hand little piece Of tin
formed like the steps Of carriage
"There,' sad he, putting his finger 10 the tin
there you have TO walk up into your carriage"
He then wen, off in train Of moral reflections anc
ended in sad strain!
"Hushr' said the Doctor shaking his finger a
| him.
He continued noisy and incoherent and we left him
| "Who is that poor creatureT
"He is a farmer ofLong Island" After few othel
turns left the Insane Hospital, and moved toward.
the wharf where lay the new boat Of the Commis
sioners TO take us TO Blackwelrs Island. We shall
| give description Of this visit tomorrow.
| APsoPos.-Whie we are talking Of Bellevue, we
/ received the following note from Mr.. Epgs.
Il - a. d. - $50 H.. d.