New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
A VISIT TO THE VAILED NURDEREss.
To a< Edttor Of 1zsS. y Tri1uae

SIR. There 10 always mOrOlu cul'-i1s e-isu1S 10
the common mind 10 know the history, condition and
appearance of persons supposed to be guilty of great
crimes. To this morbid curiosity am not willing TO
minister and yet believe there something benea'h
the surface Of all this which ia not only Legitimate,
but praiseworthy blind sympathy IN fact, beating
of the common pulse in accordance with one suffer
ing. even though guilty heart. More than this, by
detailing individual experiences some light may come
to Us for future application.
/ did not when went to Troy for the purpose Of
visiting the unhappy woman Mrs Robinson in her
gloomy cell design to make any public expression Of
what saw or heard but her Gaze is one 80 peculiar,
and sle IL 90 ,identIy OF insane orgsnizati0nso
evidently from the first cursed with disjOiuted and
irresponsible mental and moral sense that it seems
desirable 10 anal; ze her case somewhat. Further
than this, she has unquestionsby been more snued
gag ains than SHINING" No hand has been extended
10 aid and protect her in her weakness, while many
have aided in her downward tendency and with such
the guilt must rest.
doubt much if she could have well been held 10
the decorums Of life. Phreno'ogicaly her brain i
low above the ears and her coarse black hair grows
down upon the forehead even lower than that upon
the bust Of the celebrated antique Of Cite. She has
TIVE prof, ctons in the region If what il called Con-
s.-uctveness, extending backward, which Of them
selves would be sufficient to throw the whole character
out Of balance When you add to this brain re-
fped, ledy.ike form. round and impact, with tenn
ueraneut of the highest and most excitabe KIDD Il
will easily be seen that education might retard ard
modify Der destiny, but would hsrdly serve to re-
create her into a reliable or very safe character.
She evidently is possessed of a remarkably health
L rtl.t~ou md in
dicating longevity Her eyes have look of force
end vitality, and when not excited by an insane
mood are really fine. She is perhaps thirty, and
though an ideaist would never call her beautiful, she
is quite perfect in kind, and the Vulgar mind would
call her handsome
She talk Guently with a ready use Of language ald
appropriate imagery. As | sat by her, gathering up
nv feat from the floor for the mice were having per
feet carnival about the ncatykopt room, could not
bring my mind to think, that this young creature full
of health with nerves decately strung, would, in
less than ten days lie an inanmae cod and that, too,
by the hand Of violence. She had talked with me so
candidly often with such a chiloke simplicity, laugh
ing even bygone experience, and then weep
ing ike poor -1eated child, that ventured to say
as much to her.
"Yes she replied, "aweek from next Friday my soul
will be with God; want to die am sick Of this cold,
wicked world. where cannot trust anybody. Oh :
have found people cruel; they have made me wicked
when my heart was good. He gave me drugs, and
went mad more than once went mad Oh | long
to 60 home to God
could not look barshly and coldly upon the poor
weeping Magdalen. | took her little pale hand in
mine and wept with her, As yet she had talked per.
fectly sane. She seemed like very excitlbe
woman but Tot in the least like insane one.
One thing was noticeable in my interview. She
was reclining upon the bed, and ! sat also upon the
side of it, Her plain white dress or robe rather,
fastened at throat and wrist, thus cooceaing her
whole person, while large dark blue vail was thrown
over Ler bead hiding her face partially When her
mood was gentle or religious, whenever her own con
sciousness in the ascendant, her fogens moved
uneasy about her neck She would pull the collar
away from her throat and swallow. This was very
touching.
"But have come 10 see YOU and TO help save you
from the final penalty, and in that you would be
willing to live"
No, no; want to go home to my Cod am pre-
pared for death now. The mode is nothing to me
now that am at peace with God. He is more mer
ciful than men. He will forgive me and allow my
death 10 atone for my evil life. No, want to die
very decent it is. | shall be carried out her fin
gers were touching the side of her neck and die No
one will see my face. | shall be very still, and my
Savior lifting her eyesl will pity me. The Sisters
promise me that shall not be seen. They will bury
me away where | shall not be taken up. They have
promised to stay with me ard to receive my body,
and oil th,s is better than to live and perhaps lead an
evil life again, and then die unprepared and forsaken
4. rt,u
Surely the weakest heart-the wickedest heart that
ever beat IN a womans bosom-has spot over which
an angel might rejoice; dim, solitary chamber, which
might be swept and g4rnished, and made an altar
place for the good Father.
But il you go to prison or hospital and pre-
serve this frame of mind YOU can do good 10 othes,
you can teach the ignorant, and comfort the suffering
and take care OF the sick and dying"
81 don't know-I don't know; it is better for me to
die might live thirty years in prison. death seems
better"
looked ct her 1.-THE, active make, and could easily
divine that imprisonment would ethe greater penalty.
l then told her the melancholy story OF Margaret Di
vine, whom / believe to be entirely innocent Of the
crime for which che is convicted to twenty years Of
solitary imprisonment in the Newark, N-w-Jersey,
Peni eniiary. child OF fifteen losing the best years
OF her HE III PRISON, While hardened ruhlanly Vaus
are paIdoned out This girl, so young, gentle so
hopeless wearyine out her in the prison of f1reiyn
land, effects greatly and Mrs. Robinson listened
ard wept, and shud5ered at the recital
"What pity she exclaimed, they did not con-
Wet her.
"The public would not allow Of her execution.
"Bat they will let me die ?"
l shook my head.
"They viii, they must. Oh, l so sick of the
world Look here, please, my poor husband and