Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1843-09-20
From the National A. S. Standard.

From the National A. s. Standard
LETTERS FROM NEW YORK.
J went last week to Blackwell's isl
and, in the East river, between the cit,
: and Long Island. The environs of the
city are unusually beautiful, considering
how far autumn has advanced upon us.
Frequent rains have coaxed vegetation
into abundance, and preserved it in YER
dant beauty. The trees are hung wi h
a profusion ofvines, the rocks are dres-
sed in natures green velvet ofmoss, and
from every little cleft peeps the rich fol-
Iage ofsome wind-scattered seed. The
island itself presents quiet loveliness
OF scenery, unsurpassed by anything |
have ever Witnessed; though Nature and
l are old friends, and she has shown me
many of her choicest pictures, in light
let in from above. No form of grace
fulness can compare with the be.,d Of
flowing waters all round and round a
Verdant island. The circle typifes Love !;
and those who read the spiritual alpha
| bet, written all over the earth, will see
that circle of G1uLerS must needs be
very beautiful. Beautiful il is, even
when the language it speaks is an u1-
known tongue. Then the green lis
beyond look SO veTy pleasant in the sun
sh ne, with homes nesting among them,
like dimples on smiling face. The
island itself abounds with charming hooks
open wells in shady places, screened
by large weeping willows; gardens and
arbors running down to the rivers edge,
to look at themselves in the waters !;
and pretty boats, like white-winged birds,
chased by their shadows, and breaking
the waves into gems.
But man has profaned this charming
retreat. He has brought the screech
owl, the bat, and the vulture, into the
holy temple of Nature. The island be-
longs TO government; and the only build
ings on it are penitentiary, mad house,
and hospital; with few dwellings oc-
cupied by those connected with those in
stitutions. The discord between man
aud nature never before struck me SO
painfully; yet it is wise and kind to
place the erring and diseased in the
midst ofsuch calm, bright influences )
Man may curse, but Nature forever bless
es. The guiltiest Of her wandering chill
dren she would fain enfold within her
arms to the friendly heart-warmth of a
mothers bosom. She speaks to them
ever in the soft, low tones ofearnest love;
but they, alas, tossed on the roaring,
stunning surge of Society, forget the
quiet language.
! As looked up at the massive walls
of the prison, it did my heart good 10 sse
doves nesting within the shelter of the
deep, narrow, and grated windows. |
thought what blessed little messengers Of
heaven they would appear to me, if
were In prison; but instantly a shadow
passed over the sunshine of my thought.
| Alas, doves do not speak to their souls
as they would to mine; for they have los
their love for childlike, and gentle things.
/ Ho,O have they lost it? Society with
its unequal distribution, its perverted ed
ucation, its manifold injustice, its cold
neglect, its biting mockery, has taken
from them the gifts Of God. They are
placed here, in the midst of green hills,
and flowing streams, and cooling doves,
alter the heart is petrifed against the
genial influence of all such sights and
| sounds.
As usual, the organ Of justice (which
phrenologIsts say is unusually developed
In my skull) wac rou>ed into great act.
witty by the sight oil prisoners They
said, Would you have them prey on So
cIety!" | answered, g [ am troubled
that society has preyed upon them.
will not enter into an argument about the
right Of society to punish these sinners;
but ! say she made them sinners.
/ How much have done toward it, by
yielding to popular prejudices, obeying
false customs. and suppressing vital
truths, know not; but doubtless have
done, and am doing, my share. God
forgive me. file dealt with US, as we
deal with our brother, who could stand
| before Hlm2
While 1 was there, they brought in
the editors ofthe Flash, the Libertine.
andthe " eekly Rake. My very soul
lotahes such publications; vet a sense of
! justice again made me refractory
! These men were perhaps trained to such
service by all the social influences they
had ever known. They dared to pu5.
lash what nine-tenths of all around them
tired unreproyed Why should they be
imprisoned, while---f 1ourished in the
full tide of editorial success, circulating
a paper as immoral. and perhaps more
dangerous, because its indecency is
slightly yelled? v by should the Neck
ly Rake be shut up, when daily rakes
walk Broadway in fine broadcloth and
silk velvetl
Many more than half the inmates of
the penetentiary were women; and Of