The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-06-05
CITY NJ w S.
VISITS TO THE CITY ISLANDS
The Pablo Institutions-The Penitentiary-
Tho Lunatic Asylum-The Aims House,
and the Nurseries.

and the nurseries.
Who that has visited the public institutions, re-
fuges Of the helpless in body, the decayed in mind,
and the poor in pecuniary means, has not been
impressed with sense of the blessings that are
here bestowed upon humanity. SThere is not day
that passes but human wretchedness, in some shape
or ether tries sympahies in this great city, but
the feelings Of the heart are never so eiectually
aroused when the feebleness Of age, or the help
lesSness Of infancy, claims our attention. What a
roef to the neutrality-suspicious. balm to the heart
that feels for others wants. to visit those noble in
situations Of public charity. Hero we see the de-
cayed merchant, whom adverse circumstances have
hurled from his proud independence, enjoying Gf
there can be enjoyment for a sensitive mind when
dependant for support,) the comforts Of home, fed
clothed and sheltered from the rude blasts Of winter
or the burning rays Of the summers sun and though
he may sigh to think that, however tendery his
wants administered TO, his subsistence placed
in the hands Of charity, yet how far better for
him to be the inmate Of county asylum, than
TO be wandering about the city, under the gaze Of
every curious inquirer who may wish to know the
reason Of bis downfall. Many, many aching hearts
ARC daily relieved by moderate taxation upon this
vast community; and who, we again ask, that has
visited the islands, and the thousands that are
there harbored-the helpless young the tottering
and feeble aged, the lone widow and her orphaned
offspring, the weak in body, the mbecile in mind
who that could see the good his portion Of taxation
contributes to accomplish that would not willingly
cheerfully pay it, it tbreefold what tits The
culprit is reformed in the penitentary and the
houseless here also finds a shelter In the Innate
asylum. the aeDated mind is soothed back to the
Seat OF reason or hunored in its wanderings; and
at the almshouse the aged pauper is protected and
5he Child Of tender years is nurtured, tended and
instructed in the first elements Of religious and
Secular education. They all. the aged and the
young, brought to appreciate wise Creators good
ness IN snatching them from the lowest grade Of
deshtution, perhaps from destruction-death for
II left to wander uneared for, unprotected unptied
1hey would have no inducement to respect morality
or the laws. When the world is careless of us we
grow careless as to its opinions reckless of its laws
hateful Of those who make them; and thus proprety
becomes disregarded, decency outraged, and au-
7honty defed. But here we see the hand of good
work The little children, like delicate rosebuds,
might have been rudely tched from their parent
stem, and then flung upon the common path &c
man, to be trampled on, had not the piercing eve
pf charity discovered and rescued them.
In these institutions the inmates ACQUIRE habits Of
benevolenee. veracity. kindness-of minute atten-
Zion to their duties, of correct mental discipline
me iate eminent DR. Abercrombe, on the influence
OF habit, says" The principle of habit holds
a most consequential place in the moral condition
Ol man and 1t applies equally to any species of
conduct or any train of mental operations. which,
ey frequent repetition, becomes so familiar as not
40 DO accompanied by recognition Of the PRINCIPLES
from which they originally sprung In this manner
good habits are continued, without any immediate
sense Of the right principles by which they are
Iormoa out aiise from frequent and uniform act
ing upon those principles. and this is founded the
moral appreciation which attach TO habits Of this
description" Scripture says. i" Train up child in
tho way no should GO and in his age he will not de-
10 wander through the streets, they will sink into
habits OF lisess vacuity or frivolity of mind-of
vicious induigences and contracted selfshness-of
neglect OF important duties. disregard Of the feel
sngs Of Others and total Indifference to all those
considerations and pursuits which claim the highest
regard Of every respons BILE being.
We made visit to these institutions last week. |
We first went to
THE PENITENloARY on BLACKwELLs leland.
On landing from the boat, met the courteous |
and gentemanly warden (Mr. Keen), who conducted
AIS through the grounds, which most tastefllly
laid out and cultured with exceeding and neat
ness. On entering the male prison, the visiter is
Impressed with its extraordinary cleanliness. the
purity of the atmosphere, and the absence Of any
appearance that would lead him to suppose that SO
many persons dwell therein. 1t is long building,
with four tiers of cells each side and q spacious
area all around. Each cel-of which there are
256-is provided with an iron bedstead and comfort
able bea and bedding; and at the end OF the corri-
dor, Croton water, conveyed beneath the river in
gutta percha pipes, IS pentiiully supplied, where
each prisoner performs his ablutions every morning
ON leaving his cell There at present eight
hundred prisoners, male and female, pretty nearly
divided as to SEX but about two-thrds of whom are
foreieners-the majority Germans and Irish This
department is supplied with library of about 400
volumes, presented by Ned Buntline, and which the
inmates are permitted to avail themselves Of on
Sundays, or in inclement weather, when outdoor
work is not practicable. The female department
under the superntendcnce of Mr.. Hackett, is con-
6ucte ed with uniform and cleanliness, and the
whole arrangements, which have been greatly i'm
proved during the wardenship Of Mr.. Keen, are
ducive to health, comfort and economy He has
introduced deserved mark Of distinction between
4he criminal and the vagrant-the former wears the
prison clothes (blue and the latter striped dress,
notifying the difference between the criminal and
Abe pauper. All the clothing and shoes used by the
inmates made,in the establishment. All hands
are at work, some tilng, or quarrying at the new
Workhouse; others at trades and miscellaneous work.
The island produces all vegetables required for the
Penitentiary, except potatoes they bake their own
bread, which is excellent, and thus the burthen Of
supporting the institution must be very much light
eRed. We saw the men at mess, enjoying good and
substantial repast, and though formerly they were
Obliged to "tear'' their meat, they are now under
the present management. allowed knives and forks,
and Mr. Keen assured US that the privilege had been
M no instance abused even by the most reckless.
There is, however very wise prccaution adopted
of having one Of the keepers in attendance, armed
with loaded musket, whilst all the other keepers
are provided with revolyers. Yet with all the vigil
lance Of the authorities, prisoners sometimes escape
by swimming the liver. One man. few days since,
went to the dead house, stole two collins, fastened
them together, and embarked in his fral and fright
full vessel, to escape from imprisonment. He was,
however, recaptured-a boat being kept FOR the pur
pose of pursuit. There is a desperate character
here, whs has attempted to escape several times;
but who is now chained TO q ball OF considerable
weight, which he is obliged to carry when he walks,
and which would render his swimming across the
river in safety rather problematcal.
The object OF prison discipline-the punishment
and reformation Of criminas-is here strictly OBJ
served, and employment is given to all who able
10 work. We learn by the last annual report OF the
Warden, that the new workhouse, now in course of
erection, has furnished active employment for many
Of the able bodied convicts in the quarry dressing
stone, and performing the duty Of laborers on the
rorkhouse. All those having trades, such as car
penters, shoemskers blacksmiths, and tailors, are
employed in the various shops adapted to each de-
partment The females are kept at work. making
garments for prison use, binding shoes, knitting
stockings and sometimes in making clothes for the
children on RandalPs Island, and various articles
Il l.. H.. unx,A n.,nl. nnr