The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-27

n inded and injurious party spirit which is the
SimOom of America. sickening and bhghtng
every thing Of wholesome lite within its reach,
was forced upon my notice; but never turned
my back upon It with feelings OF euch deep dis
gust and measureless contempt as when l
crossed the threshold OF this madhouse.
Al a short distance from this building lie an
other called the AlmshOuse- that is TO say, the
workbouee Of New York. This is large insti-
tuition also, lodging, believe, when was there,
nearly thousand poor. II was badly venti-
lated, and badly lighted was not too clean, aud
impressed me, on the whole, very uncomiorta-
bly,. But it must be remembered that New York,
as a great emporium OF commerce, and as
place OF general resort, not only from all parts
OF the States, but from most parts OF the world,
has always larger pauper population TO pro-
vide for, and labors, therefore, under peculiar
difficulties In this respect. Nor must it be for
gotten that New York is large town, and that
in all large towns n vast amount of good aud
evil is intermixed and iumb up together.
In the same Delghborhood is the Farm, where
young orphans are nursed and bred. did not
see II, but believe 1t is well conducted; and l
can the more easily credit 1t, from knowing how
mindful they usually are, in America, of that
beautiful passage in the Litany which remem-
beTs all sick persons and young children.
| was taken to these institutions by water in
q boat belonging TO the island Jail, and rowed
by crew OF prisoners, who were dressed in
striped uniform of black and buff in which they
looked Ike faded tigers. They took nue., by the
same conveyance, TO the Jail itself.
1t ie an old prison, and quite a pioneer
establishment, on the plan l have already
described. / was glad 10 hear this, for It
is unquestionably a very Indifferent one.
The most Is made however of the means 1t
possesses, and 1t is as well regulated as such
place can be.
The women worked in covered sheds erected
for that purpose. If l remember right there
are no shops fer men, but, be that las 1t may,
the greater part of them labor in certain stone
quarries near at hand. The day being very wet
indeed this labor was suspended, and the pri-
soners were in their cells. Imagine these cells,
some two or three hundred in number, and In
every one man locked up; this one at his door
for air, with his hands thrust through the gate;
this one in bed lin the middle Of the day, re-
member); and this one flung down IN a heap
upon the ground, with his head against the
bars, like wild beast.
Make the ram pour down. outside, in torrents.
Put the everlasting stove in the midst--hot and
su1Ocating, and vapoIous as witch's caldron.
Add a collection of gentle odors, such as would
arise from a thousand mildewed umbrellas, wet
through, and thousand buck.b baskets, full of
halt washed linen-a and there is the prison, as it
was that day.
The prfo for the State at sing-sng is, on the
other hand, model Jail. That and Auburn are,
believe, the largest and best examples OF the
silent system.
In another part of the city is the Refuge for
the Destitute, an institution whose object is to
reclaim youthful offenders male and female,
black and white, without distinction-to teach
them useful trades, apprentice them respectable
masters, and make them worthy members OF
society. It's design, it will be seen is similar to
that at Boston, and it is no less meritori-
Gus ard admirable establishment A suspicion
crossed my mind, during my inspection of this
noble charity, whether the superintendent had
quite sufficient knowledge of the world aud
worldly characters; and whether he did not
commit great mistake in treating some young
girls, who we're, TO all intents and purposes, by
their years and their past lives, women, as
though they were little children, which GER
tainly had ludicrous effect in my eyes, and, or
| am much mistaken, IN theirs Also As the in
stltution, however, is always under the vlgilant
examination of body of gentlemen of great
intelligence and experience, 1t cannot fail to be
we'll conducted; and whether / am right or
wrong in this slight particular is unimpOrtant
to its deserts and character, which it would be
difficult to estimate too highly.
In addition to these establishments, there are
in New York excellent hospitals and schools,
literary institutions, and libraries; an admirable
fire department Gas indeed it should be, having
constant practice) and charities of every sort
and kind. In the surbur bs there is a spacious
cemetery, unfinished yet, but every day improv-
ing The saddest tomb / saw there was, sThe
Strangers Grave. Dedicated to the different
hotels in this city,
There are three principal theatres. Two of
them, the Park and the Bowery, are large
elegant, and handsome Buildings and are. /
grieye TO write 1t, generally deserted. The
third, the Olympic, is tiny show box for
vaudeVilles and burleques. 1t is singu-
larly well conducted by Mr.. Mitchell,
comic actor of great quiet humor and origi-
DhDlJ, VINO lb MCll I6uemO6TeQ ana esteemed
by London play-goers. / am happy to report
OF this deserving gentleman, that his benches
are usually well filed, and that his theatre rings
with meniment every night. had almost for
gotten small summer theatre, called Nlblo's
with gardens and open.air amusements attached
but believe 1t is not exempt tIom the genera;
depression under which theatrical property, oil
what is humorously called by that name, un-
fortunately labors.
The country round New York is surprisingly
and eXeuisitely picturesque. The climate, as l
have already intimated, IN somewhat of the
warmest What it would be, without the sea
breeZes which come from its beautiful Bay in
the evening time, will not throw myself or my
readers into a fever by inquiriDg.
The tone OF the best society in this city is like
lat OF Boston; here and there, 1t may be, with
greater infusion OF the mercantile spirit, but
generally polished and refined, and always most
hoEpitable. The houses aud tables are elegant;
the hours later and more rakish; and there is,
| perhaps, greater spirit of contention In refer
enoe to Appearances and the display of wealth
and costly living. The ladies are singulaTly
beautiful
Before left New York made arrangements
for securing a passage home in the George
Washington packet ship, which was advertised
to sail in June; that being the month in which
! had deiermined, If prevented by no acCi-
dent in the course OF my ramblings, to leave
America.
/ never thought that going back to Eng
land, returning TO all who are dear to me,
and to pursuits that have insensibly grown
TO be part of my nature, could have felt
so much sorrow as endured when parted at
last, on board this ship, with the friends who
had accompanied me from this city. l never
thought the name of any place, so far away,
and so lately known, could ever associate itself
in m mind with the crowd of ahectionate re-
are those IN this city who would brighten TO
me, the darkest winterday that ever elimmered
and went out IN apland; and before whose
presence even home grew dim, when they and |
eXphaDpp0 that Dainfnl word xUhioh fafnOlac