The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-08-05
SUNDAY MORNING AT THE ToMBS.
The Scene and the Actors.

ACtOr9s
One OF the most vivid pictures OF the working
of New York life be studied advantage any Sum
day morning by Watching the ante-prandia clearance
Of the Tombs lookup Hore sees all the eleterious
effects Of dissipation passion and drink exhibiting them.
selves in the wretched images Of Gods likeness"-
those debased debauched and demoralzed examples OF
"loose morals and "fast' life who keep up Saturday
nigh well that they End themselves Sunday morning
In prison. The Ii dramatic In It's force and colorng
Without the Tombs all is still and quiet betoksning the
rest OF the Sabbath; within Is s'ife" In all its worst
features The fresh morning air which percolates
through the hushed streets although the weather ID
misty and vaporish breathes Of the freedom Of hcavon
the close atmosphere of the prison suggests the conne
ment OF the lower regions The and the sky with
speak OF nature and natures Cod the closed DOORS
the iron gratngs the bolts and bars and jaors within
symbolca Of naught but the Master Of Evil and his
handwork. The contrast is great at nrst sight;
but the picture develops inquiries into Its
inner workings and akes note Of the different specimens
Of humanity let loose from durance vie," in which
they have been kept all night, and brought up in the
morning for judgment before the stern Rhadamanshus
OF the court of Hades Yesterday proceedings will do
for example,
soene-The Tombs; six O'Clock, Sunday morning.
Drdmotls PersonG-P0ice Justice sergeants, officers
Prisoners
Present time.
In two separate pens so to speak a. tho enclosures
are rallied IN and parttoned on with iron rails and
women OF these must DO confessed that the genter
sex looked the most wretched aud disspated Clad IN
old bonne,s, they had any. torn shaws and ragged
faces they sat huddled together and quareling =. an
under tone with each other before they wS co up
to be examined and let of or cont bach - 'nsr ses oy
the sitting police justice. some ~ o,S 1n, wee
young some old some ectsd ss Conscious yee 'n ~
THAR disgrace 'S shame in being there The
msiori,. % Spsared to be horribly at ease. and
better lot although, II may be truly said 'bad
best" These better dressed and exhibited traces
more Of having been ''out on SPREE" and Their demo-
ralization being only temporary, than that reckless
erontery and hopelessly fallen appearance which
women showed on their countenances.
Among the male prisoners were two or three dark
complexioned citizens, who appeared to be more happy
and composed than their white, brethren Every now
into the respective pen OF his or her sex. when, II
woman, there would BIO immediate whispering and nut
tered comments; but II OF the serner he would be
received by his companions in silence II ominous
and produced grating sensation the to hear
ushered within the enclosed dock-it seemed like the
funeral kns Of their hopes, their future and their
lives for good while the horrid eldrich laughter which
occasionally arose from some historical woman only
made the illusion stronger.
Among the prisoners the greater number charged
with drunkenness and dlsordery conduct nm Brows,
old offender brought up for usjsg threatening
and abusive spguago In the public strs 70 provofea
ana Eliza tsr~ wore accused . sseauring the police
and The complaining officer said that
the male prsner-whose aeaa seemed 70 nave oeen
much clubbed-was the worst man on his beat Com
After halls dozen such cases tried, batch Of
praonerr we're brought up while their accusing
ocers stood before them in front Of the Judicial plat
form and enclosure. One ser another they were called
over sent back to prison. orlet on and toid 10 sin no
woman who said she resied when at homo" IN Flat
bush, was brought up for dunkenesa She advised
S,scnsared Amelia and Bmmsline wiilia%s two young
airs SISTERS aged probably twelve and nfteen years.
charged with bad conduct sne ssreess snu S,
mitted for trial II was sad 20 two such youtnu
specimens OF dspravity, and shs s,nzusgs ,hey used
when IN vvsts TO their cell sho~eo no" nops'es'y oao
'neg ss, rs.,sc,.e ,kng men, charged with assault
and battsrv were discharged, - the complainant did
s curious essures in other cases were then devs
oped Mary Clark another old offender started out on
an exploring expedition on sasuruay ana o,ougn'
She made the usual pretence Of wishing 70 purchase
aud succeeded IN obtaining possession Of five pairs OF
shoea which she under her convenient shawl
and made tracks for the door, George B. Fancher en-
poy6 was suspicious Of the fair Marys intsnops; he
consequently watched ner mS 10 ,S snd hna
cinc who found her in possession Of the stolen prop
erty On being araigned before tho police Justice
s sns sa,ns MAI m. VENT and wen. down.
Two cases FOR breach OF the Excise law were tnen
brought forward Paul Chrstanson Of 4o4 Pearl street
and August l. Nosser OF 800 Pearl street, charged with
having exposed liquors for sale nj unlawful hours wefo
the Offenders: and these having given bail for their APP
pearancc were remanded to the Court Of General ses
sons.
Small cases OF drunkenness were invariably lot of,
nights confinement IN prison being thought sufficient
for them. On the clearance Of batch or
PRISONERS another lot brought up and the dock
cleared OF its al FIRST numerous nhabitsnts The lookup
OF the omos vas scs ns suop
for trial and detained n prison In all forty cases
weso thus disposed Of Yesterday morning BY seyeg
,nornnv A tho Tombs and the scene Is AZ an end