The New York herald., 1874-12-06

| oepen0ence % secured In rne carrier periods OF
human life the individual's powers to cope with
ADVERSE circumstances diminish age advances,
nus hopes are gradually lost, and finally even the
attempt At seltsupport Is abandoned. Of she
tnat OF woman who came to this country rom
the North OF Ireland She IL now 1l0 years OLD,
Deing one OF the few female centenarians mere ere
AND there to be found In our land. Although sne
/ nece ssarily shows many OF the enects OF age sne
is stu IN the possession OF ali her mental iacutles'
The jury were much surprised by here witness
ing some or the singular effects sometimes pro-
duced by rheuma tisIn, disease rendered pecu'
liarly prevalent through individual II not popular,
carelessness In this ever changing climate. me
case is that Of woman who has been lald up IN
bed with this aiiiction for seventeen years. Her
nnrers. the nails OF which are over an inch in
4 length, drawn up and twisted IKE wire rope,
but Tar more rigid tnan the metalic STRANDS. a ne
withstanding these unnatural contoruons she
has not suffered any pains resulting from the dis
ease the past eight years, and, apart from this
rheumatic anection, Is In healthy condition.
At this institution the jury were invited to
said, as has been the case heretofore, that they
were "dined and winedn in that peculiar 'styie OF
the descriptive power OF the modern jenkins, the
.'bl OF faren is here given:-
Vecstables- Irish potatoes, boiled pars-
nips.
Bread-Prison baked.
Pastry-Plain bread pudding (penty OF bOth).
Drlnks-Coffee, cold water.
The walters were prisoners.
1t may also prove interesting to those who have
found so much fault with past Grand Jury lunches
to know that all these good things were prepared
in manner fully showing that cooking is not one
OF the .lost arts in the kitchens of our public in
sttutions; ana especially may II prove interesting
to all who may hereafter be called upon TO per-
as Grand Jurors to learn that these things were
not merely well cooked but that the supply OF
them was also abundant.
THE LUNATIC AsYLUMs.
The male Lunatic Asylum on Wards Island, the
jury were informed, contained 900 patients Mr..
Anthony Aaire is the Warden, and DR.. Il. L.
Parker, the Resident Physician. There are also
in this institution thirty lunatlcs-old men
who imagine they own the Island. The female
Lunatlc Asylum has l. 1859 patients. The general
healthy condition Of the inmates is shown by the
facts that there are seldom more than from ten to
fifteen sick in bed at a time. while the deaths are
only SIX per cent. Unsoundness OF body, IT would
appear, does not necessarily follow unsoundness
on their return to the foot OF Twenty sixth
street, East River, the jury visited
THE BELLEVUE HOSPITAL,
where they found everything in condition OF
cleanliness and good order and the patients well
cared for under the rule OF warden Brennan. MI.
Brennan conducted them through the institution,
and as he did so he was constantly giving some
evidence Of the natural kindness OF his disposi-
ton. He seemed incapable Of passing patient
by without addressing to him few words or SYM
pathy and cheer and these always appeared to
have an encouraging effect.
The jury were courteously received at the
various institutions visited. The oflcers and en-
ployes freely extended every assistance required
to facilitate their labor OF inspection, and readily
answered all inquiries and impaired every inior-
nation desired
The jury spent an entlre DAY IN making their ex-
amlnauons and inquiries, and closely scrutiniZed
every part oil the different institutions visited.
They were much impressed with the general el-
fectiveness OF the management and the efficacy of
the discipline observed. Good order and cleanli-
ness seemed to be rules specially enforced, and
everywhere exhibited their effects. WAne tie
inmates Of every grade and class appeare4 % be
held to strict conformity to the rules OF G.sci-
pine, iull attention was also paid to their wants
and comforts. so far as their physical condition
is concerned there appears TO be nothing lacking.
Our pubic institutions, therefore seem to be as
efficient In accomplishing the objects for which
they designed as could be desired, and In the
Just and nOeral, yet economical ana judicious ad-
ministration OF their affairs, the Commissioners OF
Charities and Correction, under whose control
these institutions are are credited with the exer-
else OF great ability, Judgment and care.