The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-03-02
NEW YORK HERALD.
w York. Thursday. March ., is4s.

that which we have derived from the pcrusal OF the
report of DR.. Griscom, the City Inspector. This
genteman's report is throughout characterized by
singular good sense, sound judgment, and an earnest
zeal fer the welfare OF his feow-citizens We
would be altogether nexcusabe were we to neglect
directing the most careful attention of the public TO
the important facts and suggestions presented
forcibly by Dr. Gnscom, and we therefore intend to
make his report the subject of one or two articles.
The mortality of the last year, in the city, was
less than the year preceding. After all due allow
ances, with respect to the character OF Its popula
ton, have been made, the salubrity Of our city,
when compared with that OF the other large cities
OF the Union, appears in a very favorable light The
deaths by consumption-thhi fatally prevalent
disease-have been in proportion TO those by all
other causes, as toSl36-agreatere exemption than
is given TO Philadelphia, which has been estimated
as more exempt than Boston from this disease 1t
is gratifying find that in the number of deaths by
diseases of the digestive organs, diminution of
nearly two hundred from the account of the previ-
Gus year, is apparent.
The arrangement of diseases adopted BY Dr. Girls
com, in his copious and valuable tables, is with
slight modification, that adopted by the Register
General OF England, In his reports OF the mortality
OF that kingdom, and was also employed by Mr..
Shattuck In giving an interesting erposf of the vital
statistics OF the city Of Boston. Il appears to APP
proach more nearly to truly scientific classical
ton than any other hitherto observed, and is well
adapted for the exhibition or connection with each
other, of the deaths by diseases of similar charac-
ter. Another important recommendation of this
mode is, that it affords great facilities for the ins-
tuition of comparisons of the relative salubrty of
different countries and sections, and their greater
liability to, and exemption from, any particular
class of disorders
One OF the most prominent causes of disordered
health and of death in this city, is the imperfect
ventilation, or rather total want of ventilation of
vast proportion OF the dwellings. 1t is almost i'm
possible 10 exaggerate the moral and physical evils
which have their origin here. DIR. Griscom has
made this the subject of attentive examination, and
the suggestions which he offers on this point are
eminently forcible and just He reprobates, in
strong and pointed terms that most pernlcious and
prevalent practice of keeping schools for young
children in underground Easements of dwellings
and churches. II is really most melancholy to re-
fleet on the condition of the multitudes of children
who are thus, day after day, consigned to these
damp, dark cellars, shut out almost altogether from
the light, and wholly deprived of the pure air of
heaven, and exposed to The noxious exhalations of
these vaults. II is entombing them in living
grave, for really know not in what respects these
horrible Easements of the churches differ from the
adjacent chsrnelhouses.
Most heartily do we re-echo the sentiments of DR..
Griscom where he says, that such seminaries
should he avoid ID by every parent, as they value
the health and safety oftheir offspring
The remarks Of Dr. Griscom on the squalid mi
sery and fatal disease, which prevail to such alarm
ing extent amongst the wretched cellar population
nd dial nd nh, nh
he suggests will form the subject of another article
MORE OF THE SoMERs TRAGEDY Every day, it
appears, furnishes with fresh developments, by
way of adding to the melo-dramatic effect OF this
sad tragedy of the seas We have had the colts and
the cats-and the cheers for the Supreme Being,
and the highly original episode Of the "bags'-and
we have additional evidence of the character
of the chief actor in this affair, in the testimony
respecting his reading the letters of Mrs. Spencer
10 the crew of the brig. This is positively scken-
ing. But it is true that on the Sunday following the
execution of the unfortunate Spencer, and when
the unfathomable waters, like broad, unscup-
tured tomb had closed for his boyish fol.
lies and lamentable fate, we find this Commander
Mckenzie assembling his crew, and reading aloud
TO them, with running commentary-whose tone
and character no one can surely be at any loss to
lMaglne-tne letters oil mother TO that lll-starred
son! Such sacregious invasion of universally
venerated right of ruthless trampng under foot of
the most halowed feelings of humanity-of wan
ton disregard of sentiments which are cherished in
barbarian breasts, and mollify the rude natures of
even the most savage tribes-is almost incredible
We have heard of gross ndignities perpetrated on
the mangled corses of murdered men-we have read
of envenomed hate which has exhumed the bones
and ashes Of the dead order to wreak on them its
insensate contumely-but never have we heard of
man, who, after executing another whether right
eously or no, care not, could invade the
sanctity of mothers letter, and read it to crowd,
exposing 10 vulgar years that mothers words of
yearning love; and, infamy nfamy! seeking to
make them cover with disgrace the memory of her
SON.
But II is unnecessary, and indeed we have not
the heart, to add another word on this outrage. 1t
presents an exhibition of character and feeling which
excite but one universal sentiment, and will
never be forgotten.
SMALL Pox This malignant and fearful disease
is alarmngly prevalent in many parts Of the Union.