New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-20
LIFE AT THE HOUSE OF MERCY.
HOW MAYNARD GIRLS AND CHILDREN
SPEND THE TINE AT INwOOD-
ON-Tup- HyrDSON

One does not naturally associate With the idsa
OF reformatory any OF the delights Of summer
days but the young girls in the House Of Mercy at
Inwood-on-the- Hudson have their merry outings
In the large grounds. and find recreation and In
terest IN the cultivation Of their gardens The Sis
ters look upon the gardening one OF the most
healthtul diversions for mind and body. visitor
who heard shouts on laughter and the chatter OF
happy Children came upon a member or the sister,
hood running down a hill with number OF little
girls the youngest OF whom was not more than
twelve years old. Their eyes were as bright and
their cheeks rosy those OF any children who
are free 20 where they will. and their guardian
I'D find any difficulty In maintaining necessary
discipline. though she had been for . time play
fellow
The house is beautifully situated on high ground
and commands view Of the river. the Palisades
and tho wooded country Of the neghborhood.
There great oaks and other nns old trees on
Is lawn. and the grounds surrounding It are ex
tcnsive. r. founded In 1854 by Mrs. william
Richmond and In 1891 II removed from West
Eighty sixth-st., NewYork City. TO the rev build
ing AZ Inwood Heights.
As 1t is rsformatory which women and
young girls committed by the courts. there are
necessarily barred windows and locked corridors,
and there Is also guard Of police outside the
walls But apart from these precautions. the
place gives impression Of Imprisonment.
There beautiful views from the windows. and
the rooms are large and airy. The cheerful dormi-
tories are furnished with iron beds and spotless
white counterpanes There are three main divisions
IN the work--the House OF Mercy. in the north
wing; St Agness House. IN the south wing and St.
Saviour's Santariurn-
St. Agness House. the most interesting depart
ment Is allied with young girls. many Of them little
ones not more than twelve years old. Some OK
them wlfu children who have been put under
the care OF the Sisters by their parents IN order
that they may DO preserved from bad company and
have the benefit Of good discipline and training ming
They are kept IN every way entirely distinct rom
the inmates Of the House Of Mercy proper They
e%ery weekday in English branches plain sewing
and embroidery Besides this, they receive thor
ough training for domestic service They are also
trained in singing and join in tho choir at the
chapel services. Various entertainments are pro,
vided for them and their lives are made as happy
as possible The department OF St Agnes's House
IS called tho preservation class" .,,.
in me House Of Mercy. but every effort is made TO
render the restraint a. little rksome as possible
books, periodicals and games, apd one contains
piano. The young women IN TINS mouse aIsT n aS
irstrrcti0u I'm English branches housework ano
sewing and family washing Is done In the lsundIy
moderate rates The girls have degrsss Q, Ge.i'
sG,ta TIE Sisters are always desrous to keep
obvi6.s, they say. that short term Ia rarely eff
fsctual in forming good habits IN those who nave
aast ariSs the restraints Of home lie and walked
their own wayward course 49, .,., ,,ud,ng I.
o.S9 70 he Care Of women who have been ad
dicfed 70 the excessive use Of drugs or Spite
Thev are OF the Weather classes and are sen. 20
the aaui'arum by relatives They have me PRIV
iege ~ private rooms and the treatment OF physl
- "a larerrI nursing Their Is a staff Of five
nhvsiriars and an ophthalmic surgeon.
The Internal government and Inanagement OF ne
house ls IN he hands y the sisters OF -. May
;rba trustees and Board Of Managers are men
Tho Voman's Committee. which meets on me nrst
Thursday - each month. gathers lnforrnau39n On
about Rirls who apply enter the House nlos
p'ace, r. those Who leave, and helps 20 Collect
firls Tho committee 's large one. consisting OF
r.nrcec,tatives from forty churches OF New-
york ana Vicinity Among these are MIS- Eo,, Esh
- vrs n Rrainerd Ray Miss Lucia Purdy Mrs
I, r Hais,,ad Mrs e " 3. Noyes. Mrs. Charles
b Meyer ana Mrs Beekman De Peys'er