Litchfield enquirer., 1866-12-27

: A1t1ts JUL, alW T HELD. CONN. THURSD. ApLEAsANT DAylAT THE REFORM
 SCHOOL < Ise8 NEw HAVEN, Dec. F. 1866.
 Irecently enjoyed the privilege ofspend- ing day at tho successfully conducted in- 1 stitution known as the State Reform School 1 of the Land of Steady Habits. situated at Meriden, and was especially impressed with
 the good order which prevailed and the perfection with which the boys were pre- pared for their duties, either in the shops or in the school-room. Dr. Hatch, the Su- perintendent, was absent in the forepart of the day, but the kind and cheerful Assis-
 tant Superintendent, MT. Little who has been connected with the institution for a period of nearly fourteen years, made our visit very pleasant and agreeable giving us . general history of the school, and relating
 many pleasing incidents connected with
 the reformation of the boys who had been entrusted to the watchful care of the Re- form School. The doctor got home about noon, when we were formally introduced
 to him and his very kind and amiable lady,
 who seems to possess all the qualifications
 that are so necessary to fit Q woman to dis charge the manifold and ardu duties of
 matron in an institution like tue State Re- form School of Connecticut The doctor is man well calculated, and fully qualified to fill the position of Superintendent which EAE E~~ ANll Ca, great satisfaction to the State and credit to himself. He has the reformation of these boys at heart and evidently judging from all times, they think much of him. Owing not get around over the farm, belonging to
 we made a general visit in and through all the buildings. In the tailor shop were some forty bright-eyed little fellows, that one would hardly think could be bad, hard
 ct work. some quilting others making and
 repairing shirts for the boys. The neat ness and dispatch with which these little ones do their work, as we'll as the good or- der in this shop, speak well for the lady,
 Miss Watson, who has it in charge. The
 majority of the boys work in the chair shops. under the instruction of MT Loomis
 We failed to hear any of that boisterous
 and obscene language SO common in many
 shops. Every boy was busily engaged,
 each one attending to his particular branch of the work. Mir. Botter, as usual was
 found in the Bake House, :" doing for the boys. All work in the different shops was
 suspended at half-past eleven, the boys
 then got ready to partake of good, sub
 stantial diuner. When the bell commenc-
 ed to ring, the boys began to march into the dining-room, for the purpose of fortify- ing the inner man. Each boy took his place at the table, remained standing till all were in and it had become quiet, then
 at the signal for seats,. every boy sat down
 as quietly as if they had been in kings palace. The signal for grace was given and
 every head was bowed and all united in re- turning thanks to God for the bounties of
 His hand placed before them. The after noon was spent in gaining information re-
 lative to the school Two boyswere honor
 ably discharged to the care of their parents while we were there. A portion of the eve
 ming was spent in the different school room
 with the boys, while they were pursuing
 their usual studies. There was no hesitan- cy or dejected looks, from consciousness of
 their inability to perform their task; but each seemed pleased with the privilege of being called ont to show we'll he had learn ed his lessons. The boys sang several songs, being led by the Superintendent,
 who is 'tall music. Bad boys are always
 smart, {" is an old saying, and here we find
 the truthfulness of this adage verified, that
 in school of about 260 boys, many of them taken as they are from the sinks of crime and corruption, that are found in
 the cities and towns of the State, are boys
 whose minds are just as susceptible of cul-
 tvation and improvement as many of those
 who have been more fortunate in life.
 Quite number of these boys are from
 higher walks of life but have wandered
 away from the beaten path of virtue, and
 to sape the boy he was sent to the Reform School. After the boys had done singing,
 I yas introduced to the school, as teacher
 from the State Reform School at Lancaster Ohio, and spoke to the for few moments,
 giving them incidents of boys who had been committed to the Reform School of
 Ohio, many of whom are now filing hon.
 orable positions in life, and comparing their situation with that of, very large
 class of boys and girls who are to be found
 in the streets of every city. In alluding to
 the attention shown me by the Superlnten-
 00QI, m8tEOu, ASSlSGAub 0upoIAuVcANCAt,
 and the overseers in the different shops, I
 must not forget to speak of the kindness of
 MT. Eastman, Miss Susan Watson, Miss
 Smith and another lady teacher, whose
 name did not learn, as well as of Mir.
 Shumway, MT. Andrews and MT. Larabee,
 who did all that was necessary to make our stay desirable. The visit could not have
 been more delightful Every comfort and |convenience that one could desire was amply provided by those having charge of this very excellent institution, which has
 for its high aim the true reformation and
 education of the wayward boys of Connect
 icut. Persons wishing to spend few
 hours in profitable manner to themselves and at the same time lend encouragement
 to those who are laboring for the welfare of humanity cannot do better than visit
 this large school of boys. You will be more than doubly paid for your time and
 trouble, and il, you now entertain any feel ings of prejudice against reformitory insti-
 tutions, which is SO natural with those un-
 acquainted with such schools, you will have them all removed before leaving the school The good people of Connecticut have much to be proud of in this school The amount of good that is accomplished in it can never be estimated in earthly e = . s..1A A.k- R-.