The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-03-10
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.

PETERSBURG, March ., lc@6
Perhaps there are 10 charitable institutions
which so much deserve the sympathy ana sup
mort of the benevolent rs the few Orphan A7N-
iums in our State, particularly those for girls.
After a long and sangulnary war the number
oforphan children has been greatly multiplied,
and il is the manifest duty OF all good men, and
Of all Christian denominations, TO extend TO-
wards them a fostering hand When we consider
that the life and essence OF our molly religion
consists in the exercise OF CHARITY IN It's most
comprehensive sense, II Is thing 10 Dc mar
yelled al that every evangelical denomination,
especially in our large cities, should not have
one of these Institutions under It's peculiar
care. There Is certainly room enough, ana
objects enough, for many such charities The
painful spectacle might not then be daily pre-
sented of applications Tor admission being re-
iected for want OF accommodations.
There are two Female Orphan Asytums i'll
this city, whose history is interestin One OF
them was established many years ago by the
united efforts of all the religious societies. and
was sustained for u considerable time under
their combined auspices. al length, how
ever, from some cause, II came under the eN-
elusive management OF the Episcopal Church.
Since the war, when its usefulness should
have been greatest, ii has been III lansulsh-
ing condition-not from any want OF interest
in its administration but from the pecunlary
difficulties of the times. The munificent dona-
ton OF 4 thousand dollars by Mr.. Corcoran
saved il, perhaps, from the necessity OF closing
its doors Other contributions have since been
TIE iAipoi tsthl VI "hish 10 Pioo
ceeds of Il lecture delivered for its benefit by
the Rev. Mr.. Cosby, rector OF ST. PauIs
Church in this city. If its existence can be
prolonged through the present financial trou-
bles, IL will doubtless become in Il few years
more useful institution than ever. The ave-
rage number of inmates has not exceeded twelve
or fifteen, which, perhaps, may not be re-
garded as Il small number when ii is consi-
dered that one OF the objects is TO provide COM
Portable homes for the children as soon as they
are capable of being useful.
The other is the Thomas Paul Asylum,
which has been in operation nearly twenty
years. IL was SO named after the youngest
son OF the now venerable ID Arcy Paul, who
died at an early age. He was young man OF
rare promise and of sincere piety. On his death
bed he requested his father 10 appropriate
such portion of his estate as might have fallen
10 his share 10 the endowment OF an asylum
for female orphans. His wish was faithfully
executed, and as Mr.. Paul was one of our
wealthiest merchants, the asylum has been
well sustained, and has been the means of
effecting much good. Like all other charitable
institutions, however, its means have been
impaired by the general prostration which has
fallen on the fortunes of the South. But there
is no danger of its being permanently crippled;
for what with the ample, though now COM
paratiyely unavailable means OF Mr.. Paul, and
the assistance which will not fail To- be rem
dered, if needed, by the powerful denomina-
ton of Methodists, OF which he il a communi-
cant, ii will be able 10 survive almost any
shock The average number OF inmates mas
been, believe, about twelve.
These two charities are undoubtedly among
the most important in the city, but IL is
believed they are far from being sufficient 10
meet the peculiar wants they Were designed TO
relieve. SyoWDEs