which times the water-wheels were insufficient for the purpose. The expense of pumping by this means being very great, in the years 1864 and '65, the old undershot waterwheels were removed, and two of Kraat's turbine wheels substituted, with the expectation that the use of the steam engine might be dispensed with. These wheels, although using considerably less water, and being more effective than undershot wheels, yet have not at all times accomplished what was anticipated, and the engine is kept on hand as a resource in such periods.

The east basin receives the water from the creek. By means of a pipe, acting on a movable joint and attached to a buoy in order that it may rise and fall with the varying depth, the water is conveyed, from a point two feet below the surface, and above all sediment, into the west basin from which the city is supplied.

The sum of $16,903, the proceeds of 171 acres of land sold, forming part of the property acquired for the water works, should be deducted from the cost of said works.1

THE POOR HOUSE AND HOSPITAL.

The buildings of the county for charitable purposes are situated in Lancaster township, just without the eastern boundary of the city. A HOUSE OF EMPLOYMENT AND SUPPORT FOR THE POOR was established by legislative enactment February 27, 1798. Under that authority a large stone building, 150 feet in length, 42 feet in breadth and two stories in height, was erected and continues to be used in accordance with its original design. Internally, it is conveniently arranged for the boarding and lodging of the inmates and for their appropriate distribution according to sex, age and physical condition. Provision is made for such poor and impotent persons as have gained a legal settlement in the county, and for strangers, who are suddenly taken ill, or otherwise become indigent and must be relieved, until they can be removed to their proper place of settlement. Wandering paupers are also temporarily accommodated.

The erection of the present HOSPITAL AND INSANE ASYLUM was authorized by acts of Legislature of March 9, 1865, and April 4, 1866. The building is an extensive brick structure, its main portion 125 feet in length, 33 feet in breadth and three stories in height; and an adjoining wing—the old Hospital building refitted-100 feet in length, 40 feet in breadth, and two stories in height. It was fully completed in the fall of 1868, at a cost of $55,000. The interior of the principal part-exclusive of apartments occupied by the Superintendent-is divided into six wards for the reception of sick and infirm and mild lunatics, properly assorted and classified according to sex and physical and mental condition. In the wing are the male and female wards for the hopelessly and violently insane. Each ward is furnished with a bath room and other conveniences for the comfort and cleanliness of the occupants. The buildings are heated by furnaces and supplied with water from the city reservoir.

In the year 1868, orders were paid for the current expenses amounting to $31,318.56. The average number of inmates in that year was 265. 8,210 were admitted as wayfarers and furnished with supper, lodging and breakfast.

The county is also the proprietor of a tract of land containing 197 acres, on which the buildings described are erected. The land is of excellent quality, and is farmed by the inmates of the Poor House, under the supervision of a manager employed for the purpose. The farm has a barn and other suitable buildings on it, and is fully stocked. The Hospital is under the immediate control of a Superintendent, and the Poor House under that of a Steward. The general government of the Institutions is vested by law in six men, known as "Directors of the Poor," who are elected by the qualified voters of the county. They have power to appoint all inferior officers, and, with the 1. Contributed by William Leaman, Esq.

approval of the Court of Common Pleas, to make all rules and regulations they may think necessary and proper for the government and direction of the Institutions and the revenues belonging thereto. They serve for three years, and are divided into three classes, in order that the terms of two of them may expire each year.1

THE COUNTY PRISON.

The Lancaster County Prison is located in the eastern extremity of the city of Lancaster, between East King and East Orange streets, on a lot containing about 4 acres. The wall, fronting towards East King street, is built of sandstone, having large towers on either side of the entrance, and smaller ones at its extremities. A massive tower, rising to the height of 110 feet, constitutes the principal portion of the structure. From the base of this tower, proceeds a single long wing containing the cells, which are distributed in two tiers on either side of a passage dividing it throughout its entire length. The cells, eighty in number, are of the uniform size of 15 feet by 7 feet. Adjoining each of the cells in the lower tiers, are small enclosures, in which the prisoners are permitted to exercise at prescribed hours. A portion of ground surrounding the building and forming the prison-yard proper, is enclosed by a wall 18 feet in height. The Prison was finished and fitted for occupation in the fall of 1851, and prisoners were first received on the 12th day of September of that year. Its original cost was $110,000.

The Prison is under the management of a Board of Inspectors, consisting of six men elected by the qualified voters of the County, which appoints a Keeper and subordinate officers, and makes such rules for its internal regulation and control as shall not be inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth. The government of the Prison is conducted in accordance with the principles of what is known as the "Pennsylvania System." The convict is consigned to separate and solitary confinement in a cell numerically designated, and by which he or she is known during his or her imprisonment, and is required to labor from sunrise to sunset, with the exception of the necessary time for meals, or perform as much labor as would be done by a person in ordinary circumstances in that time. In case of misconduct, the prisoner is disciplined by a reduction of food, and in very refractory instances, confinement in a dark cell, and a ration of eight ounces of bread may be resorted to. Each convict receives one pound of rye or wheat bread daily; one pint of coffee in the morning; half a pound of beef made into a soup, and four potatoes at noon; mush in the evening; and half a gallon of molasses per month.

From the report of the Board of Inspectors for the year ending November 30, 1868, it appears that the entire number of prisoners confined since the opening of the Prison to that date was 10,674-white males, 8,097; white females, 1,420; colored males, 866 and colored females, 291. The number committed during the year, excepting those convicted, was 1,052, of which 898 were for vagrancy, drunkenness, and disorderly conduct resulting from drunkenness. There were sentenced during the same period, 62, of whom 32 were born in Lancaster county, 10 could not read, 16 could not write, and 46 were of intemperate habits. They were occupied as follows: 9 weaving carpets, 3 weaving bagging, 5 basket making, 6 cigar making, 6 shoe making, and 5 making garments, &c. The manufacturing operations during the year produced as follows: 6,481 yards of carpet for sale, 3,0214 yards of carpet for customers, 6,195 yards of bagging, 1,436 pairs of boots and shoes made and mended, 366,150 cigars, 942 baskets, 120 dozen grain bags, 322 nets, and 26,400 skewers. The profits of the labor of the prisoners were $3,813.32.

The whole number of days prisoners were boarded during the year, was 35,805; 34,596 at 30 cents per day, and 1,209 at 15 cents per day, amounting to $10,560.15,

1 Contributed by William Leaman, Esq.