The New York herald., 1869-01-02
ORPHAN ASYLUM OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL.

liable and ably conducted OF tine many numerous
establishments OF this description connected with
the Catholic Church. Three orphan children were
at first taken In and cared for by one OF the Ssten
at the suggestion Of Rev. Father Lafont. The NUM-
ber increased to seventeen, when the sister found
that this responsibility in connection with her scnooa
teaching was more than she could assume, Shortly
after the Sisters Of the Holy Cross took charge OF
the rapidly increasing number, and, with the as
sistance or eminent ladies OF this city, hired two
houses in Twenty sixth street. near Seventh ave-
nue. and there established an asylum and industrial
school for orphan children. Neither the ma
tonality, the religion Of orphans nor the
parish to which they belong are questioned
when admission to the asylum Is sought, thus max
ing 1t IN good earnest the worthiest Of charities
These two buildings are now crowded-appncanS
being daily on account OF this repetion denied ad-
mittance. The size Of these buildings rendering
them unit for further occupancy the pastor OF the
Church of st. Vincent de Paul and the managers OF
the Ladies' Benevolent Society attached to that
church determined to build an asylum large enough
to accommodate all the poor little orphans, half
orphans or children deserted by parents who ma de
application for homes large, elegant building oc-
cupytng fve and onethrd lots, in Thirty y-ninth
street. and 100 feet Of Seventh avenue s In pro-
cess of erection. The situation Is very fine emf
nenty healthy and convenient OF access where chill
dren OF any age will be taken and properly cared for
The ladies composing this benevolent society pay to
the Sisters the monthly sum OF six dollars for each
child and furnish comfortable wearing apparel. No
cropped hair here and checked uniforms to brand the
poor little inmates with the mark Of charity.
1t seems hardly necessary for any institution
of this character to adopt particular style OF Dress
1t is sometimes subject for speculation when visit
ing these establishments whether one has not by
nlya into fia maj of
spot rcdolent with "sweet charityn However, 30
long as good is accomplished, it is scarcely Christian
or in keeping with that lovelest Of all virtues, the
shrinking no ILL.," to sharply crtcise, but we shall
bless the day when every mark OF poverty shall be
removed from all such establishments, ana those
these places may not feel that the mark Of wretched
dependence is written all over them.
There are twenty-eight boys ranging In age, age from
to sixteen. Boys are not kept In the asylum after
their twelfth year. Girls are not allowed to leave
until sixteen, and then are found places as dress
makers, seanstreSses chambermaids cooks and 50
on through the different departments Of labor, by the
ladies connected with the church and society.
The children are taught botn English and French,
boys well drilled in mathematics and made compe-
tent at the early age % o. Ell eleven 70 ake "a
Great s taken In the selection Of such situar
tions The girls are all taught to sew. some bec0m-
ing quite proficient In the use OF the needles others,
with even more care and attention, botchtng fear
fully. proving the truth Of an idea which has only
not make GOOD seamstresses. Those who ind dim.
Guilty In learning to stitch are generally BRIGHT
g % 70 N ha - ohsr
Almost every nation Is here represented-Italian,
German, Spanish. French, Irish and American. Ono
Irish girl OF fourteen years. having been an inmate
OF the institution just hall her young life spoke
French with the 1uency OF a native.
The girls SchOOlrOOm Is large plain, uncarpetod
apartment with q circular row Of seats-wher0
the little ones SIT and study-immediately under
nGuence over the e. cndren is attributable quite IS
much to her love for them rs to any especial dis
cipline she may exert. II is good natured group.
Notwithstanding the meagreneSs OF furniture, tho
austerty OF bare walls and bare floors and certain
lndescribaDle sadness which the sight OF SO many
lovely little creatures will excite the prevailing feel
ing Is pleasant one. The faces are mostly bright
and intelligent. Questions are promptly answered,
upon visitors but shyly and with little twinkle OF
fun In their eyes, which poverty and cruel treatment
too often crush out OF the face and manners OF tho
funny even.
the boys schoolroom Is furnished in tie Same
manner, and the little fellows are wen kept aad tidy.
The dormtories clean anu in the best Of order,
but altogether too crowded for health having from
twelve TO eighteen beds IN each apartment, with
bed bed. This diculty viii viii be entirely obvIated in the
new asylum. which Is progressing as rapidly as tho
state OF the weather viii allow
The Industrial school Is a very interesting depart
ment, where the girs are taught every description
OF necdlework Fine underc.othing rs here made
TO order for different families IN the best style, two
Sisters having entire charge of this division. They
are required to exercise regularly, moi allowed To
SfOOp work, IN every detail preserve the
same method and neatness.
The culinary department OF this institution also
conducted by Sisters aud The fare Is extremely iru-
gal. Good bread, White and brown; meat ana yege-
table soups, potatoes, rice and moiasses with few
similar ARTICLES OF diet comprise the b OF fare No
tea coffee Is allowed on the premises. Last sum
mer Notwithstanding the crowded condition OF tho
asylum, the vitiated state OF the atmosphere and
the great diniculty attending ventilation, not .
single case OF illness occurred. The hysiclan (a0
patnicl who, by the way, gives his services gratui-
tously to the asylum, attributes this remark
.tktxr nF I'm
care taken in the preparation of food and
tie avoidance OF everything innammat0ry or
contrary to hygenic principles. The rent OF these
two houses is 400 and out Of the dollars month
paid for the board OF these orphans and the sale OF
ew desirable fancy articles the Sisters by the closest
economy manage 10 pay nall the rent, besides defray
ing every household expenditure.
The superintendent OF the bath dey0ves upon
two Sistersno small responsibility this Keeping such
q host of children sweet and clean. Nothing Is al
lowed to interfere with regular abutions. Cleanli
ness here Is certainly next to goiincss The oratory
which opens or The paror Of the Sisters he lat
ter small front room covered with neat hemp
carpet, straight backed sofa, and lew uncom-
Portable charsl, Is elegantly fitted up with all tho
pomp and beauty which distinguishes the religious
forms OF the Catholic Church. II was like coming
paraphernalia OF wealth and splendor. Coors hero
exquisltely blended pictures adorned the walls,
charm 20 the scene The infant Jesus looking for
all the world like live babe sweetly sleeping, lay
In cradle above the altar. Mary, her sweet face
The new Orphan Asylum Of st. Vincent de Paul n
progressing rapidly and It will be happy day for
both children and teachers when they are able To
occupy their new quarters for the crowded state Of
the houses IN Twenty-sxth street n rs detrimental
to health as to ncatness and comfort. fair waa
held Ct new Tammsny Hall In aid OF this great work
q short time ego, from which the handsome sum of
$4,000 was realized mostly from the French famL
lies or this city, There s certainly no institution Of
public charity more entitled to consideration and
sustaInment than the one which feeds clothes and
educates our orphaned little ones; and 1t IL to bo
hoped that members OF every religious denomina-
ton will insist upon the founding or such establish
ments Just to think OF it-all these poor little crea
lures now crowding our streets cared for aud taught
TO become honest men and women. Such work is
commencing at the foundation Of society, and will
do more towards the education OF the masses than
all the colleges and high schools combined God
speed the good work.
the RICHEST BOY IN AMERICA