The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-07-28
Frsm our Philadelphia Correspondent.
sE PuuADEIPHIA. july lth. 1853


any other than very dull impression.
All who possess the means have either gone
or are hasti y preparing to seek the cool shade
of the country, or the invigorating breezes to
be found at the sea shore. This season we have
a new place ofresort in addition tothe old estab
lshed one at Cape May. Atlantic City, or Alb
secum, as it is sometimes called. is but short
distance from the city, and easily accessible by
the Camden and Atlantic railroad, so that
many 90 there with their families, in order to
and return in the evening. Nature requires
this annual relaxation and freedom from the
care and tolls Of business. Life in the city at
any season is vastly different from life in the
country. Like the growth of plant in hot
house, sustained by artificial contrivances the
system will become sickly and enervated for
the want of that pure and wholesome element.
so necessary for the promotion of health. Air
in large cities possesses less in considerable
degree Of its life giving properties. 1t comes
in contact and is impregnatcd with SO much OF
impurity. that we cannot too highly value the
benefit of a month or two spent away from its
banelul influence.
Looking into some Of the alleys and courts,
which the love of gold and the ever accumula-
ting spirit of man cause to be seen here and in
other cities, one wonders how it is possible for
the many human beings we find gathered in
them to exist at all. They are mostly houses
with not more than three small rooms, built one
over the other. without yards or ventilation OF
any kind, and the sun never visible only from
the roof. But they do live, and it's mystery
that they do live as long as they do. The de-
scription given by an inspector of one these
crowded courts, during the time of Cholera in
New York. was not altogether exaggeratiop.-
Going into one of these rooms, on the second
story, by no means the cleanest he had ever
see, he inquired of a man sitting in the corner
how many families occupied it. Sure and there's
jest six Of us in ALL" What, you don't mean
six families--you mean six persons. don't you?"
"Ah niver bit Of it yer honor, sure and there
more nor that with the wife and Children
well, how do you all manage to lve?" "Ah,
bad enough, only Mike Mooney in the corner
forrest ye there, who has the names to take o
few boarders."
Cities ought to be built. and the houses and
streets arranged, with regard to the health and
comfort Of those who have not the means to
seek relaxation and change by going out of
them during the hot weather. Some of those
in embryo in the West should guard against
such small courts anfnarrow streets. Houses
for the poor could as we'll be built on wide
streets, where the air could have free access as
to crowd them into narrow dismal places with
scarcely air and sunshine enough for the life
and health of creatures Of the animal race,
much less hannah beings. Such confined places
always will be harbors for crimes and dissipa-
ton. They create our FIVE points and our Bed
ford streets.
The trial of Jacob Schlegal is now going on
for his supposed connection with the murder OF
his wife near Green Lane, on the morning Of
Easter Sunday last. 1t is before Judges Kelly
and Thompson. Vim. B. Reed and VIM. 3.
tavus and S. S. Remark for the prisoner. The
victim was a native of Bavaria-her maiden
name Magdalena Held. Schlegal heretofore
has always borne good character, and as yet
nothing very definite has been revealed to fix
the guilt upon him. The whole affair is wrapt
in mystery and there is great desire felt by
every one to have it unraveled. The testmo-
ny for the Commonwealth is to be resumed
this morning.
Last evening very large and deeply inter-
ested audience met in the first Reformed Pres
byterian Church of this city. 1t was the occa-
sion of farewell meeting before the departure
of three young men, who have devoted them
selves to the work of missions in northern In
dia. Governor Pollock presided. On the plat
form there were between thirty and forty
clergymen of the different denominations. Ad-
dresses were delivered by the three missiona
rie., johnson, Calderwood and Heron. And
very appropriate and instructive speeches
were made by DR.. Dales, Of the Reformed
Church, and jenkins of the New School p. es.
byterian Church. The concluding address was
delivered by the Governor, in which he spoke
of the Importance Of the work upon which
these young men had entered. Nothing could
have afforded more pleasure to the Christian
part Of the community than to see the chief
magistrate of our State, presiding at meeting
OF this character. and giving his countcnance
and influence towards the dissemination of the
principles of morality and religion throughout
world. Few men have ever held this Office in
Pennsylvania more universally esteemed than
Governor Pollock. His visit some months ago
to all the public schools. has won him a warm
and affectionate remembrance in the hearts of
the young. We hope he may long retain the
post of honor which he now SO nobly occupies
Whether our law pas ed by the last legislature
for the restraining of the sale of intoxicating
liquors, and which is to 60 into operation by
the first of next October. like that OF New York
is to become dead letter, remains to be seen.
Strange that the proper tribunal. whose duty
it is to pronounce upon the constitutionality of
any law passed by the legislature, should not
give their decision before the designated time
for its execution comes round. Had this have
been the Ca in reference to the law In New
York. though the decision might have been
against its execution, it would not have had
the effect to produces that reckless defian. spi.
rit which has now taken possession of those
who deal in this traffic, and increased places
Tor its sale.
The health Of our city is remarkable good