Sketches of History, Life, and Manners, in the United States

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Bridewell and the Jail.-Bridewell and the jail are in
I wish

the park, near the city. hall; and iwo black, dismal look.
ing edifices they are; one stands at one end of the hall,
and the other at the other end : they are both built of
stone, and painted black.

Bridewell is a small building; ander

in it are confined all those who are committed for trial, is, as also those under sentence of death ; likewise the higher ce for

class of convicts : besides these, are a number of poor,
constantly in bridewell, who are picked up daily by the
watch and constables in the streets, and put in here un-

til they can be sent to the alms-house ; I saw about 15
be

of these, whom the keeper told me were brought in that asy.

morning! It appears to be the pride of New York, to

have no poor seen in the streets. It contains a hospital, ether

which is regularly attended by a physician, who also al-
tends the jail. Although the sessions are held monthly,

they cannot empty bridewell : 170 prisoners are arrany raigned on an average, and often 200 tried. I found

about 200 in this abode of wretchedness, white and

black, male and female, about one half of whom were poor. iemales. The males presented nothing in their appear.

ance different from their equals in the streets ; indeed, I

was struck with the innocence and modesty of their ds in

looks and behaviour: pointing to one of them, I asked 150

the keeper “ if it were possible that one of his interest. victs

ing appearance, could be guilty of a crime?" his reply

was, that he was charged with forgery. But the tender the

sex, I am sorry for them ; in all matters where they and

misfortune are concerned, nothing affects our nature so the

forcibly. To see a friendless female in a gloomy pris. s of

on, locked in with massy iron doors and grated windows, pt at

the mind that can think, and thc heart that can fccl, must
be shocked at the sight, however just it may be, and

however necessary for the good of society. But never ren,

did I, till now, feel that degree of compassion for the

sex, which the sight of those females called up. Here A

was a lamentable proof of depravity, of which I thought

human pature incapable! There were about forty feish.

males in brirlewell, for crimes, no doubt, and in the ), a whole of them there is not more prudence, virtue, or

modesty, than one ought to possess. They were the

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must abandoned, vicious, impudent; they were audaci

er, 1 ty itself, without one particle of'aught besides. ' Alas !

woul. once more for human nature-alas! for frail woman. Lost to the blush of shame, no compunction, not one

is ke

of br trace of contrition ventures to oppose That double head. ed monster, vice. They laughed, they romped, they Besic gigled, and saluted me with the familiarity of an old ać. quaintance ! asked if I came to keep them company?"

philo

fine I would have suffered the guillotine first. And is this

deaf woman? I asked, mentally ; can lovely, generous, heav

losos en-inspiring woman, become such a callous, I was going ing: to say brute ; but I will not insult the brute creation by the comparison. And this is the effect of great cities! But what a poor piece of the creation is woman! man,

iled when he comes finally to take leave of virtue, he pauses,

class he hesitates, he proceeds by degrees ; but woman makes

ties, one plunge, and is gone forever. Here is an instance before me; soine of these females are quite young, no!

try, ! more than fourteen or fifteen years of age. But what

Hus! most astonishes me is, that vice should be able so com.

meet pletely to crase the loves and the graces from the remale countenance, and change them into perfect demons, red a while the saine vices have not the same effect on man.

two ! Here are men who are said to be guilty of the blackest crimes, even murder, and yet they have some traces ol

presi

The The Jail.None but debtors are confined in the jail, als, s but it was at this time vacant !

Museum. - The collection in the museum of New. histo York, is nearly similar to that of Philadelphia, so far as it goes; in some things it exceeds it, in others falls short

gy, g of it. The birds I think are better preserved, and in a

ologj ncater condition. They have a huge white Greenland

subje bear; but I saw no portraits. I am told it belongs to a

lulin, Mr. S whom I had not the honour to scc ; bul with

ed by deference to him, he is as far behind Mr. P. in his cata.

amon Joguc, as he is in his title to patronage. I called one

7% day and paid iny entrance, but not being sufficiently at Livir leisure then, I returned next day to examine the collec. tion at my leisure ; when the fellow whom he employs whic to keep it, demanded another quarter ; 1 paid it, hower chief

the c

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grace left.

mens

cr, without endeavouring to convince him that the visit would perhaps, be as much for his interest as mine. It is kept in the “ New-York Institution," a large building of brick, 260 feet by 44, three stories; it stands in the rcar of the city hall, in the park, facing Chamber-street. Besides the museum, it contains halls for the literary and philosophical society, historical society, the academy of fine arts, the lyceum of natural history, the asylum for the deaf and dumb, and a dispensary. The literary and philosophical society consists of gentlemen of the first Icarning and talents, under a president, 3 vice presidents, 12 counsellors, 2 recording secretaries, 2 corresponding secretaries, a treasures, and curator: the funds are limiled 10 $5,000 per annum. They are divided into four classes, viz.- 1st. Belles-lettres, civil history, antiquities, moral and political science-2d. Medicine, chemistry, natural philosophy, and natural history-311. Mathcmatics, astronomy, navigation, and geography—41h. Husbandry, manufactures, and the useful arts. They mcet monthly, when all communications are referred to the counsellors. Genlleinen of all countries are admit. ied as members. The historical society is divided into two branches, the civil branch, and the natural branch. It consists of a society of literary gentlemen, under a president, secretary, committee, and special committee. The object of the first, is to collect books, MSS., nied. als, maps, prints, paintings, pamphlets, gazettes, busts, coins, and everything calculated to illustrate the civil history of the United States. The natural branch devolc tucir talents to the study and investigation of zoology, gcology, botany, mineralogy, and vegetable physi. ology ; procuring specimens and illustrations on these subjccts, from every part of the world, the whole constiluting a complete school of nature. It is richly endowed by the state, and the collection already acquired, amounts to $40,000.

The Academy of Fine Arls was founded by chancellor Livingston. It contains a great number of rare specimens in printing, statues, busts, bass-reliefs, and books, which last consists of views, designs, and drawings, chiefly relating to antique subjects, amongst wbich, are

was al

ind wei 24 superb volumes, presented to the academy by Nape moved leon Bonaparte. The academicians and associates must posed be artists by profession; the former must be 24 years of age, and within one year after his election every acade:hought mician must deposit a specimen of his talents in the When I academy, to become its property, otherwise be forfeits

man's fa kis election. Associates must be 21 years of age.

I did nc The Lyceum of Natural History is a society formed for

expecte the express purpose of cultivating natural history, their burn m researches extending to the whole terraqueous globe; ion! b they have already made considerable advances in this Lord G laudable undertaking, having travelling.committees out, planets . who are men of enterprise and talents, in pursuit of the Free various productions of nature.

constitu The Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb.- This institution of New resembles that of Philadelphia, the pupils mostly being a hook instructed gratuitously as well as fed and clothed. They he enco Jearn in the same way, but their number is small compar.

unds fo ed with that of Philadelphia, the funds not being suffi

consists cient to extend the design to any magnitude ; the funds of all

s are limited by charter to $6,000 per annum. ported partly by the state and partly by private contri Juisites. bution ; several of the pupils exhibited before me with

of certa surprising facility; their teacher making known to them

reasury my name, business, and place of residence, they, in an Bank, instant of time, wrote it in a fair hand, upon their slates, of dollar and even pointed out the siate on the map. Mr. Loof; have gi borrow, the principal, is a gentleman of education, and seems to possess an amiable disposition, of mild and con visited. ciliating manners, combining every requisite for his ar

are in c duous employment. He is assisted by Miss Stansbury, a lady from Philadelphia, who appears to possess all the

monitor swceiness and meek-eyed charity of her native city. Two of the deaf and dumb mutes are likewise assistants. The

teacher pupils are fond of their teachers, even to adoration. Mr.

room, ff L. favored me with a number of their specimens in com: position, of which, I have only room for the following: behind * When I was a little boy in ignorance, the world and

cacher, all things that are created, were unknown to me. I ob

a deskt served the numerous beautiful stars, and thought they

ave the were placed in the heaven by a great man to adorn i!;

It is sup

the seve

are con

hose sc

the pup

od for

and were like the candle. I believed the fire of the sun pa Napar moved around the plain earth, which was fixed. I supDe must

posed men might be inside of the sky, in which there Tool ars of

was a large circular iron wall and very thick door; I ade cade

:hought many inhabitants were cruel who belonged to it. tbe

the When I looked at the moon, I saw a resemblance of a ells orfeils

man's face, and imagined that he was watching the world. lie I did not wish him to see mc; I was afraid of him, for I Ink

expected to be caught suddenly through the moon to their burn me.

How foolish I was because of my imaginaInbe; ion! but I have been taught in school, now I know the this

Lord God has created the earth and stars, which are Duty blank out, planets.

JOHN H. GAZLAY." be free of the

Free Schools and Academies.-It would require the

constitution of Sampson, to visit all the public institutions TOM

cution of New York, and to do justice to them is impossible in being

hook of this size. The liberality of this state towards They he encouragement of schools, stands pre-eminent. The er lidt par sunds for supporting free schools throughout the state, - for suffi

consists “ of the proceeds of half a million acres of land! funds

of all surplus monies received into the treasury, from po heter

sup the several clerks of the supreme court for the fees, perontri

quisites, and emoluments of their respective offices, and with

of certain sums of money directed to be paid into the them

reasury, by the bank of America, and the City in ar Bank, which, in one year alone produced half a million

of dollars, giving a revenue of $36,000!"_" These sums Loof

have given rise to a vast number of free schools in the 7 น

and

state ; six of these are in New York city, all of which I visited. One of these is at the alms-house, the others

are in different parts of the city. The whole of them bury, are conducted upon the Lancasterian plan, that is, a I the

monitor attending cach desk; it being understood that Two