The New York herald., 1874-02-21
PICTURES OF POVERTY.

The Bell of st. John's-A Morning
Among the Very POOr-Shylocl< at the
Bed OF Woman In Childbirth-The
Firth Avenue Of the Depths.
The spre OF st. Johns is surmounted By q vane
that throws upon the street in front In the early
morning the shadow Of cross When the clock
In the belry rang out the hour Of eight yesterday
there came thronging across this shadow half clad
figures Of men, women and children, who seemed
hike those ghostiy vsitants
OFT seen in sepulchres and charnel vaults
Lingering and sitting by a new-made grave.
At each clang OF the sonorous bell new figures
came forth from the intersecting streets adjacent
and mingled in the shadow. When the last peal
had gone forth from this brazen tongue, speaking
70 the poor, the iron gates swung inward upon
their hinges and motley gathering began TO pour
through the courtyard and into the vestbule
Of the Guild building. The writer was thinking
long after OF this magic Of the bell, when he heard
awarning sound and it began Its clamor again,
crying out to the people OF the neighborhood the
hour OF ten. little while later and the rattle of
IN approaching carriage was heard, and from that
time till four in the afternoon there came an end
less procession OF coupes, landaus and clarences
TO the doors. Hundreds OF ladies representing the
highest circles OF culture, refinement and wealth.
entered and soon began to busy themselves in aid
OF the uDiortunates around them. Some came to
oner their services as visitors, and not a lew
brought with them lists OF those they had already
called upon ana to whom they had rendered tenn
porary assistance. In the clothing bureau there
was dearth OF supplies, as over $4,000 garments
have been furnished to the unclad du ing the pas Z
week, and unless liberal supplies are soon received
but lew more can be clothed.
sHyLocx AT THE SICK BED.
In Hudson street there was accidentally dis
covered case OF extreme destitution tnat had
been hidden from the earlier visitors. A young
m nd If1lir hal,tt n..s
been discharged from employment during the
panic and was living here in poor rooms with his
daily In close contact with and we'll
known TO the members OF the Guild, which
he had assfsted In the days his prosperity failed
from a false pride, TO let his distress be known.
The vile was lately connned, and for days
before her baby was born and ior several days
since the landlord has kept her In constant state
OF terror from his semi-dany demands Tor rent
aud his threats to "throw them all out upon the
street without more ado" The rem has been paid,
and the poor woman and her newborn infant nave
at least ood and shelter for the present. Thanks
TO the lady visitors OF the Guild and the gen.
erous he arts OF New York.
THE LOWER FIFTH AVENUE.
South Fifth avenue Is the shadow OF the Filth
avenue OF the rich. Rags here taKe the place OF
Mowers in the dooryard and plate glass windows
are supplanted by broken panes IN dingy sash,
INTO the apertures ' that ADMIT more cold than
hsnt. In rear building at No. Ga building ap-
preached by narrow passagewa reeKing with
nlth-llves an aged pair. Their home Is den IN q
DIRTY cehar, and you have to bend low al you cross
the threshold TO enter once this place your first
and only anxiety IL to get out again. and even
the black and fearful court you have to cross, and
the foul alley through tue winding way OF which
you must pass seem inviting when YOU have for .
moment breathed the deadly gas. miscalled the
atmosphere, OF this cellar. Grey haired and feeble,
these Two, man and woman, are slowly dying
In this fearful place. The worst cell in the city
prison IL s8natorium when compared to such a
human stye, and to the hopeless inmates OF a place
like this "death is kind" They had not tasted
iood ior many hours, bat coal and groceries were
supplied them, and they are now about as COM
Portable as soldier who having finished a hearty
dinner, has surrendered himself as supper ior
sandnies.
THE coMPosER's FAMILY.
MT James L. Armstrong, OF No. 372 Fifth avenue
YESTERDAY forwarded check for $50 to the family
OF the composer Other sums are required by the
committee 10 remove the family from their in
deDtedness and they wiz doubtless be received.
knor@ are Also being made to secure for the
father musical professorshp IN some OF our in.
stttauenA , position for whlss he y splpsptiy