The New York herald., 1876-09-25

ference OIL opinion between scientific men as 10 WheeT
nitro-gycern can be exploded BY shock from dis.
tance" Commissioners Brennan, despite his apparent
dread Of the tube which the reporter made OF OUR
ing the conversation ~ gesticuating batou, be-
came Immediately interested. snow, here is tho
Volpt," continued tho reporter "Don't let living
know anything about this till tho result tells its
OVID story In order to test this question thoroughly
that divides tho scientists intend to place this
tube at the west end OF Baekwelps Island,
The Commissioner with his face betokenng the utmost
alarm, looked down from his immense hight, and
claimed
"Rut heavens and earth supposing this tube should
explode ?" The reporter explained that the theory Of
those who believed that gycerinc would explode
by shock Tor distance would then be confirmed
s.And what would become OF the people Black wells
Islands" gasped the Commissioner. The reporter
shrugged his shoulders replied, '.rhe Lord only
knowsl" Amer y deal OF persuasion tho re-
porter consented not to make his experiment and
1t may be said soto that the material In the tube
simply alcohol and anime dye-a spirit level In
fact the vibrations OF the earth II anv were
caused by tho explosion ''welp', said tho Comms-
sioner the reporter left tho boat. ''that may DO
spirit level but I'm on my way to Wards Island"
rIrIFuL SCENE.
The saddcst scenc that human eyes probably ever
witnessed Backwells Island, took place alter the
police left the boat at the landing and distributed
in patrols along the river front all four sides Of The
island Before their coming tho inmates OF tho Aims
House had been marched out Of doors to point far
south OF their usual quarters, aud the pris-
the Psntentiary securely lodged their cells
Then came tho trying scene, tho removal of the IN
sane females from the asylums In troops, accom-
paued by their Keepers the harmless women were
allowed to wend their way toward the sorehouse aud
the other buildings near tho boat wharf, where they
were to be kept until the explosion had occurred
Most all OF them had blankets thrown over theis
shoulders, some shawls others netner blankets nos
shaws; some barefootcd, others in their stock.
ing soles. aud yet others with but shoe on, the
other being hugged the Of its owner as though
Il were something too precious to bc basely used.
Thoro disorder, confusion. The roadway
was lined with policemen, SO as to prevent any oi
tho poor creatures from taking fatal fancy 10
the Of tho river which beat mournfui cadence
against the rocks and tho motley procession passed
slowly for half hour, some gesticulatng wildly ~
the passing steamers others singing stray sna,ches OF
different songs and with but lew exceptions, each one
apparently obIvous OF the existence OF the other IL
sad sight; indeed, It must have been truly sad,
when II drew forth from Of the policemen. whose
eycs were suIused with tears Rabclais saying.
zone half the world really knows not how the other
half lives" But II this procession was q sad
one, tho removal Of the violent patients was sor.
row ITSELF who were a taken in wag-
ons from the asylum to largo one
story building tho westerly side of the Island
The Aimshouse Those who could least be trusted we're
conveyed In a sort Of hack with wooden blinds tightly
closed Tho lady keepers appeared to have wonderful
control tho poor unfortunates word from ono OF
tbcm apparently acting Ike oil to tho troubled watcra
Considerable difficulty experienced In getting tncm
tho wagons At tho asylum and even more in get
ting them out Of them at the place Of assured safety
Several Of them In strait jackets, moroso and
savage even the keepers having to give the lady
keepers helping hand occasionally to prevent dis
order, II not worse. None OF them, Of course know
what all the fuss about; most OF them appeared "a
look upon the removal recreation ''What u nice
pcnicl" exclaimed really pretty GIRL as she steppod
from the wagon and glanced about tho room
where others violent had preceded
her She took seat In corner and
mover uttered word afterward during tho whole after.
noon One Of the most violent Irish girl who
In strait jacket Even In her madness ner
native Wit flashed out occasionally in bright sallies
There small sign ''No Smoking Allowed" hang
ing in tho middle OF the room An attendant camc IN
smoking pipe. '.Siop that smoking" she shrilly
cried '.or take down that sign" In moment she
had forgotten the and his pipe and was singing
"Pat Aalloy" IN sweet and melodious voice. Ono
attracted the attention OF the reporter more
than any other Of her profanity Tho oaths
and blasphemies she uttered fairly made the listeners
blood grow chill 'Tha. woman" said one Of tho doc
tors In attendance, 'before she became INSANE was
devout member OF tho Church, and from ali can learn
was pure and good from her grlhood. The
worst BIAS sphemcrs among the insane, my experience
has taught me, those who. when sane, wore any
thing but profane" The reporter on his way 10 the
north end OF the Island camo across mother, crying
on tho shoulder OF her son, who had come
over from New York to visit her to ZEE
that she out Of tho reach Of danger.
1t was hsartrending. She begged TO DO taken home,
aud the policemen who lockers turned to one
side conceal their emotion. When the two were
parted tho OLD lady back to her place among hes
ielowx, and n . moment was as contonted with he's
lot apparently a. though she had chosen it 0f hcl
own free will
There were but few visitors on the Island, as the
Commissioners had not boen, wisely enough too free
with their passes and those who did prefer TO land
there than 10 proceed to Wards Island appeared to
have their interest equally divided between
the explosion and the removal of the insane
patients When tho arst gun WAS fred all
who had passes made thoir way toward the
north end Of the Island, the lighthouse, whore
excellent view Of Haetrs Point was afforded Though
II was raining quito hard at tho time tho New YORK
shore opposite the Island was black with spectators,
the umbrellas under which tho multitude had sought
shelter presenting werd appearance through the
delicate that at the timo hung tho river The
tower ON tina Island Invaded with eagcrness %
rst ty tho spectators but after tho first gun every
body scamporod down in hot haste except the man In
charge said he goin' to keep out Of the ram,
no matter what happened" Strange to say, ~ every
visitor stepped out OF tho door and rapidly walked
respectable distance from the tower- each had the
same for his retrca-'You can't any better
up there thaa down hero" Finally the second gun
was nrcd aud after that overy ono awaited In
breathsss suspense tho moment OF tho explosion IL
may have been Imagination on tho part Of tho
porter, but, a. no cast rapid glance around, he
thought he detected tho policemen and vsiton