Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-22
EPISTLE FROM JOHN BOLIVAR
John Bolivars last letter is a prettv cut.
specimen of playing upon words. Here il is:
ROOM 1915, ST.. NICHOLAS HorELD

specimen OF piaylng upon words. Here it is:
Room 1916, ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL,
NEW YORK. June Ist, '5S.
Edifors boston Erening Gazette Only
think of it-SHnlmer aeaiuT What q world ci
enjoyment IS wrapped up in that little word
How pregnant with fun, love and sunshine il
Is How 1T whispers Of meadow larks, pure
mlrth and morning glories, and tells wild tales
OF green fields, white trousers and sherry cob
blers. Palpitating hearts beneath silk bodices
and eherry-colored vest patterns will welcome
1t with open arms, for to them it seemingly
places such halo of glory around the brow Of
Wednesday night. There's no such summer
here. In New York, summer is an abortion.
We lack the Common, with its chirpiny sduir-
rsls, frog ponds, and lovely dimity.
Strange ideas of fun here. too Got three
comic papsrs-POAee Gazette. Coroner's Vim
dicator, and Doctor Dixon's Scalpel-frst rate
to read when you We got the jumping toothache,
lost money, or are momentarily expecting a
visit from tho sheriff. Keep your spirits up
beautifully.
Since my last, have had two or three invi-
tatlons to visit well-knOwn aud popular New
York institutions, including Tombs, small pox
hospital, and Browns coffin warehouse on n
rainy day when the proprietor was sick New
orkers deem Boston dismal; but here eminent
strangers, guests of the city, are first conducted
by the authorities to POtter's field, dead house.
iunat!c asylum, and similar places of amuse.
ment, sometimes in company with three or fou r
coroners keeping up lively and agreeable con-
vsrsatiOn about = stiffs.' l don't like il. I'm
f1nd OF crickets, old cheese, fireworks, children
and other Boston Institutions displaying signs
of life. My head is full of lite l believe
wouldn't live if it wasn't for life
Well, went TO the City Prison Yesterday
IL WASH dressed In morning, so didnt yisi {
the Tombs until afternoon. To visit the Tombs
Is a grave affair for the undertaken. lisa dis
NAL looking edifce, built Of queer material
Man told me twas built of Tombs stone
Keepers careful whom they admit Must gen
orally get an endorsement from the Judge that
you are thief or such like. L got in as a re-
porter. just as good. Searched me though
might be confederate. Found comb, tooth
pick, three cents, and free pass On a railroad
All right. Member Of the press. introduced
"a rare compliment extended only to the press)
to the favOrite murderer Embraced him,
PromIsed me his life for the Gazette Intro
duced to the confidence man. Rugged him.
hIssed female hOrse-thief, and INDUCED in va
rlous other reportOrial luxuries for an hour
In an Old damp cell, saw young damsel-a sad
picture, which put NE in bad frame of miEd.
women are there confined with out sun or air-
curious berth for them. Here they are made
to lie because they have stolen. Saw thieves
of all descriptions, representing the industry
of all nations. Some were there for taking
photographs; others for hooking fish and one
lor stealing sewing machine and SO on
Gamblers we're there 10 scores One gave Inc
his card. He was trump. Would never for
get that spot His character had been tray
duced- Was no 6ctter since he bad been in.
Plenty of drunkards there Satisfied that
people who get high arc generally low charac-
teTs. Ono of these chaps was once a superior
Judge OF Ot,rt. But he had fallen, Prison
ers behave rudely sometimes. Have standing
rules set down Tor their regulation. Complain
OF bad air, close and confning That which
the prisoners fear the most is the at-Inos phere
Try to break out sometimes (Happen to get
the small pOx, break out very easy} Prison
ers have three meals a day-principally In
dian meal Never allowed for their fare Cof-
tee very weak, and when it stands too long
there are plenty grounds of complaint Can't
say it is troubled with consumption, though
On Sundays and other hOlydays have ercsI-
lent dumpiings. Taste as if they were made
OF gutta Peroha and stuffed with tape. Last q
month, one Of them will. Good for children to
cut their teeth on. Boys in the neighborhood
sometimes play ball with them-bounce beau
TRULY Most OF the prisoners stand up and
sleep. FratheT-beds, even for favorites. full
OF writing materials. etc. This is true, for it
Is hard to lie on them. One was dissected in
my presence, and found to conta ten uuiIls.
seventeen plucked rOOsters, three geese one
feather, and Il st:aw. / got dissusted, and left,
which was right. Let New Workers try Boston
Jail, if they want good accommodations.
must close. Several in my room insisting
on my visiting Potter's Field, New York Hos.
pital, etc. Will have to go. When you are
in Rome, etc. "Connery Green's just pass
ing by hOtel-band playing - Dead March -
organ grinder numbering = Poor Old Slave
right under my window, and room mate il
reading alone about shocking suicide
Never mind-withal, am still yours,
Jolly and contented,
,JOUN ROTIv,p