New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-12-09
BROOKLYN ITEMS.

| "A fOk lfLSlDENE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. -
now on exhibition in the store Of Mr.. Jacob March,
No. 1909 Grand street, valuable watch Of curious
construction, which is to be presented by some lead
ing citizens of Wiiamsburgh, to President Lincoln
The watch is said 10 have been at one time the
property of the Royal family of France. Beside
being timekeeper equal to the best chronometer, it
contains a music box which plays several airs The
dial is of fine enamel. with painted landscape view
of tie Palace of the Tuileries On the face are also
three moving figures Of solid gold and great beauty.
The estimated value of the watch is 5000. But it Is
sad to be of much greater value by reason Of inter-
esting associations.
MASON AND THomAs's CoEcERT.-The second
concert of Mason and Thomas's Brooklyn season
took place on Thursday evening, and was attended
by large audience. Everything passed OF to the
satisfaction of all excepting only that the indisposi-
ton of Mr. Bergner deprived his admirers of fine
violonceo and piano performance. The solos Of
Messrs. Mason and Thomas were exquisitely given
and warmly received. The success Of this season,
thus far is highly gratifying
TEE VoLUSTEER RELIEF CoMMIssIos.-This
Commission sits every day from o'clock a. m. to
O'Clock p. M, TO furnish relief to tie wives and
families Of volunteers. At the Office corner Of Court
and Remsen streets on Friday, the sum Of 81 200
was distributed among 300 applicants. The amount
appropriated for this purpose since the commence
ment of the war is nearly $780, 00 The families Of
2s3S volunteers are relieved weekly BY the Com.
mission. Each family receives from 81 TO 81 weekly.
LAUNCH OF THE GUSBoAr OcTARoRA.-On Sat-
urday afternoon at O'Clock, the new side-wheel
steamer which has been built at the Nayy-Yard,
Brooklyn, and named the Octarora, was duly
launched. This vessel is constructed 20 as to be
worked in the same manner as an ordinary ferry
boat, the engines being adapted for running back
ward and forward with tue same facility. This will
enable her to the time and to avoid the danger
of turning round in small creeks and inlets on the
coast. The assemblage which gathered TO see the
launch was very large The decks of all the vessels
at the yard were crowded by friends Of the officers.
The object of their attentions was spenddly decked
with bunting. Mics Emma HART, daughter of the
Assistant Naval Constructor performed very grace
fully the ceremony of christening the gunboat. The
launch was very gradual but successful and to those
on board, the motion was scarcely perceptibie. The
dimensions of the Octarora are: 207 feet over all
81 feet in BREADTH; and l2 feet in depth. She Is
about 800 tuns burden and Ia to draw feet inches
water. Her armament will consist Of two ll-nch
pivot guns fore and aft; and rifle guns amidshps.
She will soon DO taken into the dock and coppered
TIE TRUAsr IgsTITUTIoS.-The Annual Report
of the Truant Institution has been completed and
laid before the proper authorities II will be pre-
septed 10 the Common Council this evening. 1t
shows that there have been in the Institution since
is opening 629 children At the end of the FIRST year,
April 30, 1853, there had been received 50; at the
end Of the second 2i5 at the end Of the third 4I4,
Of which there are remaining l0l The duties Of the
officers connected with the Home, are, to visit each
school in their respective districts twice every week.
10 look after any case OF irreauarity reported 70
them by the teachers. From the semi-moDthiy re-
ports Of these officers it appears that great number
of cases of incpent truency have been checked and
many bsbtual truants reclaimed without proceeding
80 far as 10 commit them to the Home; but when
precautionary measures have failed, they have by,
and with the consent Of guardians and parents, made
the requisite complaint and procured warrants OK
arrest and commitment. More than i 800 Gala have
been made at the public schools during the year, and
in about 800 instances DO complaints have hesn re.
ceiyed. At least 800 children, on complaint
Of teachers for unexplained absence, received
their attention. OF these nearly 400 had
been excused by their parents. The re-
neining 500 were generally looked after, and
found, some about the docks. shipSards, and ship
ping Others in streets lots &C., always 10 debased
and debasng company, and frequently without
having seen home in days and weeks. The causes
of commitment during the pest year have been as
follows: Idle and truant, "; insubordinate, ~;
Migrants, 9; poverty OF parents " petty crime, IL
on recommtment, Is. Fifteen were years OF age,
twenty 10 years, eleven IL years, twenty IL years,
twenty.four Is years, and four ages not known.
There were ll2 boys and girls; IS were Of Ameri-
can birth, and IL foreign; were orphans. -Four
have been provided with homes, and one has
escaped. Seventy of the children are designated as
prepossessiug in appearance, lib as ordinary, and 70
as forbiddng. Other statistics are given Is TO the
habits and mode of living of the children before
commitment. The object of the House is to reform
the children by proper training. Their health -
good, bot two deaths having occurred during the
year.
BRooKLYs CRY MoRTALIrY.-The total number
al deaths this city last week 81 ofwhich ~ were males
aud 81 females The principal causes were consumption ,t
scarlet fever. debility, 81 msns-spotu, II messe' ~
group, 4, &C. Under year ofase, zJ'
CONFIDENCE GAaE.-A man called at the shoe
store Alex Mccoy in Atlantic street on Saturday nenns
and requested the proprietor to ssnd nan 991.n p o. aSes
his select pair from o9y was sent WITH TIE sIt
cles and met by the =. the door Who taking the
shoes sent him back for some slippers when the BOY fe-
nrned The man was gone and knew anything about
he Loes The the residence Of Dr. Bauer The
appears. called there for the Doctor and while the servant
had Zone 10 summon hlr he stepped and met tho COY
with the shoes. He was not seeh sherwArd
York STREET OPENISG.-The report Of the Conn.,
issionsr extending York street. thus opening direct
on on Saturday for confirmation The Hon. H. Murphy
pneered 10 oppoe confirmation Of the report behalf Of
6s property within the district OF assessment bat the
OF to Is that the awards for property
high and consequently the expense OF the Inn