The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-27
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

an appropriate prayer.
THE PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The day was observed very appropriately In me
public institutions, and every effort that could In
any wise conduce to the enjoyment OF the inmates
was done by the Commissioners Of Charities and
Correction and the Commissioners Of Emigration.
BlackwcIi's Island
was, on account OF Its peculiar character, az mat
ter OF course, the principal object Of the Commits
sioners' 1t ia well known fact that for years
past in the public institutions, at least in the Lunatc
Department. the recurrence'of Thanksgiving Day
has been marked by nothing more extraordinary
than little extra effort on the part
OF the cooks in the "doing" the ordinary
dishes to which lunatic palates are well used.
This year, however thanks to the persuaslveness
OF the island authorities, the Commissioners pro-
vided the lunatics with an unusual spread. Seven
hundred pounds OF poultry dished up in various
styles; and for mince pies, no city bakery ever
saw the like, either in savory quality or In quantity.
Nobody was excepted in the enjoyment Of the repast
the inmates Of the Lodge" partakng freely OF the
good things the unfortunates in less crazy depart
ments. 1t may be that insane folks cannot appre-
ciate what Is commonly called 'mcntal feast' with
the same relish that sane blue stocking. Of an
are unable to Judge OF the unsavoriness OF juicy
pie tender chicken, then all the masticaton and
grins OF satisfaction INDUCED in around the festive
board Of Matron Goodwin yesterday were all piece
OF acting done brown and to order. But the
dinner was not the only attraction. ior IN the
are not considered dangerous outside Of their rooms
were allowed to get up ball on their own account
Kellogg and Parsons, and Mrs. Goodwin the matron,
were the presiding genuses and under their direc-
ticipated in by the insane Of both sexes with vim
and pleasure quite remarkable. The principal fea-
ture OF the occasion was the dancing OF young girl
tastic, a la Bonfanti in manner that would have
brought down any broadway audience. While she
her
her every movement with all the seeming
Tas tssvss IL e q DAY the we're
TO an end BY magic c.. lantern n., exhibition nt
the iunatcs and hop which was psrtcpated in BY
the sane people OF the institution and their friends
from the city Previous to the general festivities OF
the day Father Marshall preached sermon at the
Almshouse and Mr.. Cowley OF the Episcopal Church,
In another department..
Wards Island.
The emgrants on this island were inirated-at
least the great majority Of tnem-nto the mysteries
OF an American THANKSGIVING Day In manner that
was no doubt very gratifying to themselves. good
played an important part After dinner the warden
prepared various kinds OF entertainments for his
'.famlly" which kept them all in good humor until
nighrfaIL
Rapdnl,s Island
and the other Islands over which the Commissioners
authorities extend celebrated the day as best they
could in their imprisonment There was no extraor-
binary dinner provided, but the artists who have q
"high life below stairs'' amid iryingpans aud coffee
kettles did all they could, by lew extra efforts in
their culinary art, to make the usual meal Of the
prisoners as palalable and as much like thanks
giving morsel a. possible.
The Five Points Honse OF industry.
At this establishment, which Is one OK the soho
practical phanthropc institutions of the CITY, there
was such Teasing time AZ gave reason to at least
1000 beings 10 give especial thanks Shortly after ono
O'Clock the children belonging In the house some 400 In
number, took their places at the tables which had
been prepared for them. The children, ranging
from three four TO thirteen or fourteen years OF
age, all looked clean and comfortable, and as they
viewed the dainties on the tables their young eyes
sparkled with delight And We'll they might, for
there were rcast turkeys and chickens and lamb,
baskets OF apples. huge piles OF bread and pies and
cakes immense cans Of warm tea and monstrous
pans filled with the hearty, Puritanical dish of pork
and beans. When the little ones of the institution
had demolished goodly share of the provender the
young ragamunins OF the ncighborho0d, male and
female, to the number OF 1000 or more. were admitted
aud carefully waited upon by the good ladies In
attendance. What a picture was presented on the
ENTREES OF tho young democracy Bedam was out
DONE such pet names rs were cried aloud by vari-
Gus urchns 90 others ia n different row surely were
never heard before. "Eey, Stncy ~ cried one to
another who was further up on the line toward the
dining room door, 'pli give " collar for your
place, VIII your Not much; you tink dat I'm q
rat. 81 me choker, wil.- tCollar is the boot
blacks vernacular for two cent piece, and .choker
Tor i've cents.l ooh git OUT retorts number one
The superintendent, Mr.. Halliday, interrupted the
interesting dialogue by blow on shrill whistle,
which Immediately evoked echoes from number OF
fearless Threats. Mr. Halliday informed the crowd
that he had turkeys aud mince pics enough for
ALL but they must behave themselves The mention
or what was la store was sauted by the significant
smiles and utterances OF "Oh nnce pies ~ .Iur-
keys, oh turkcys'' The girls were fully as ungov-
ernablc nj first as the Youthful members OF the
sterner sex, but they all became manageable to q
certain extent, and when they got to work on the
edibles they plainly showed. as one youngster re-
Marked that they 'knowed how 10 60 for a good,
square neal.' After the youngsters had been pro-
vlded for the poor adults o the neighborhood took
their places. Then was squalidncss shown to a de-
gree There were women, pale aud sicky looking,
whose appearance spoke volumes OF misery and
mystery. To give nything Ike faithful descrip.
ton OF the scene would MI an entire page. 1t was
very evident that many had been anxiotlsly looking
forward to this Thanksgiving Day aud to this good
feast at the House OF Industry.
The New York Juvenile Guardian Society.
At least 700 youth OF both sexes connected with
iheyarious schools OF THIS society mad most enjoya-
bic time In the cOinnodlous han No. 207 Bowery.
Those present entered into the spirit OF the OCCASION
After music, singing and speaking, good portion
OF which were highly creditabe, the long tables were
loaded with thanksgiving good cheer. Thc feast
was IN every respect most acceptable.
The object or this society IL twofold-nrat TO
gather INTO Industrial aud other schools large class
Of young children needing charitable assistance and
VINO for the want oil suitable clothing are declared
from attending the public schools second 10 provide
temporary homo for such homeless chls,.ren as are
unfortunate but not dIssolute, aud VINO phOuld not
be mixed with the hardened criminals who NIL our
city prisons They have therefore purchased large
building In st. Marks place, nigh unto the dense
tenement population OF New York. at q cost OF
<2s0o0. Into this convenient place they expect to
move early In January. Victor NJ. Rice, late state
General superintendent OF PublIc Schools and David
Dudley Field were recently elected directors for the
two coming years.