The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-05
THE NEW WORK HOUSE.


On the northeast side of the Aims House, new
work house in course Of erection for the reception
Of ablc-boded men, from both the Aims House and
the Penitentiary. 1t is a building more intended
for the employment of INDECENT poor rather than as
az house Of correction. The northern work shops
are already rooted in, The north wing is rooted in
for length Of over one hundred feet, and the super
structure of the centre building is in an advanced
state. The total amount OF money expended on
the building, up to the LIST Of January, 1852, was
si3,915 81.
THE LUNATIc ASYLUM.
We next proceeded to the Lunatc Asylum where
the same neatness and regularity. which we have
described as pertaining to the other institutions, arc
apparent ut the first approach The building is
very spacious, and the internal management reflects
the highest credit upon DR.. Ranney, the skiliul
physician and warden, who is well assisted by Or.
Kerr. and another deputy. There at present in
the asylum $50 male and female lunatics; some OF
them Of refractory class. fifty men and one hum
dred women are confined in separate building
called the lodge. The various dclusions under
which many OF those poor creatures labor, are
strange and ludicrous One old lady fancies herself
Queen Of America, that the republic should not ex-
ist and that it is only continued by interested par
ties-whgs, democrats, and barnburners-for the
purpose Of keeping her from her legitimate right,
the throne OF America. One Of the male patients
fancies he is General Taylor, and thinks it too bad
that q man of his rank should not have better
clothing on being told it was, perhaps, because
the weather was 80 warm that he was SO light
" clad, he seemed contented and walked away,
saying s'he supposed that must be the cause" y A
Frencbman who had been lieutenent in the army
of his own country, and enlisted in the United
States service as private soldier in which capacity
he fought in the Mexican war, believes that he is
the Emperor Of France and wrongfully detained here
Many other cases Of hcatrending nature came un-
der our notice. and the kindness and suavty Of the
doctors manners in oil instances, seemed to please
and soothe the poor creatures for each oil them he
had kind word and promise. In each OF the
sleeping apartments Of the females looking glass
hung over the dressing table, luxury which has
been introduced at the instance Of Dr. Kanney; and
even in madness, woman's vanyis such that not one
OF them has ever been broken, either through neg
rence or malice Knives and forks are also allowed
the lunatics, and accident has oceurredfrom the
use. Tho health Of the patients is very good The
house has always an abundant supply Of Crotor
water; the reservoir is Of sufficient height to force
the water to the highest part Of the building ant
tanks containing 10000 gallons, are constantly full
from that source. Many radical changes have beer
| effected during the present wardenship, and have
been conducive to favorable MODIFICATION Ok tht
temper and conduct Of the inmates.
> From the last annual report OF the warden, w
take the following extracts showing the number o
asa's 0r the past eYs yaazS tas avaRsr u pssIsR"