of accounts, that the funds of which the Board has been put in possession, are all pledged in the erection of the building on hand, and will scarcely be adequate to its completion. The House of Refuge has been brought into existence by the animating sympathies of our city for the destitute objects whom it embraces. But how it is to be supported,-by what unquestionable means its continuance and its prosperity are to be secured, are considerations which call for the deliberate attention of the Society, and which cannot but excite a feeling in the breast of every enlightened member of our community, who has turned his attention to the nature and tendency of this institution. That the free-will offers of benevolent citizens will, when called for, still flow to its support, cannot be doubted from the manifestations already obtained of heart-felt interest in our cause. The same liberal hands that have given us a place and a name, are able to insure our continuance, and even to enlarge the sphere of our useful activity. But the question will naturally arise,-Ought such an institution as this to rest for its support on the voluntary contributions of a city, whatever may be the extent of the benevolence which it is calculated to excite? Is it of that local and incidental character which places it in the class of those objects which are fitted merely to awaken the impulse of spontaneous charity? We would venture to call upon the members of our Corporation and of our state Legislature, to view the facts in relation to this question. Can there be a more legitimate and worthy object of legislative provision than the education of the destitute? And of all classes of the destitute, have not they the most emphatic claim to the charity of public instruction, who have the misfortune to be drawn into the vortex of crime, by the force of inevitable suffering, by the urgency of guilty parents, by the excitement of wicked associates? Our state is beginning to stand in the very front of those countries which view the question of education under the most truly enlightened aspect;-which conceive it to be a solemn duty to provide liberally for the instruction of all its children, and to spare the hand of correction, and the brand of infamy, from those whose juvenile de

linquencies spring from the combined influence of ignorance and wretchedness. On the importance of a legal provision for the education of the poor, there is hardly at present a divided opinion. But how are the peculiar objects of your bounty to be educated, unless they are entirely withdrawn from the purlieus of wickedness, and their habits radically changed, by the impossibility of criminal indulgence? We would appeal to the good sense of every citizen who hears or reads our statement. And above all we would appeal to those who have visited our House of Refuge, imperfect as it still is, and have witnessed the altered countenances, the modest demeanour, the cheerful industry, and the promising indications which its inmates exhibit. Ought such a school to be left to the casual charities of the kindhearted-annually to be sought after, with difficulty gathered-and of doubtful efficiency? Can it be questioned that the redemption of all such children from such schools of crime as our Bridewell and County Prison, and sending them forth, in due time to the world, honest, intelligent, and industrious, will be to strike at the root of those alarming evils which fill our State Prisons, and greatly augment the numbers of our city and county paupers? Will not then, such a provision as ours for juvenile delinquents prove a real saving to the state? We have the satisfaction to know that this question is affirmatively answered by most, if not all of those who have viewed the subject in all its bearings. Considered either as a school, a prison, or a work-house, it is deemed to have as just a claim upon the protection of municipal and state authority as any establishment of a similar denomination. With respect to the educational part of our system, we trust there will not be the least hesitation in any quarter. The state has already embarked in the glorious purpose of educating its children, and especially its poor. The only point which can suggest the least difficulty, is the question of a public maintenance of these children,-of supplying them with food, clothing, lodging, and all the apparatus of a perfect domicil. But when we reflect that these pitiable beings must be somehow maintained, and that by their depredations, and the expense

necessary to restrain them, they are the occasion of greater actual cost to society, than they will be when made to contribute by their own labour, under the guidance of experience and system, to their own support, the saving policy of such a provision cannot, we think, admit of a doubt. It will be proper to observe, that from the best estimates that can be drawn from the facts at present before the Board, it appears that the daily average cost of each subject, for clothing, food, fuel, light, hospital and school expenses, is 13 and 1-10 cents. This estimate is formed from the average number of 41 children, from the first of January to the first of October, embracing the first nine months of the first experiment of such an establishment. With a greater number and longer experience, the amount would in all probability be diminished. It includes also no other allowance for the work of the children than the saving of expense in the making of shoes and other garments. But when the Institution is well organized, it is the belief of the Managers, that the profits of their labor will cover a considerable portion of the expense of their maintenance. A little time and experience will enable the Managers to decide upon the most eligible occupation, for each and all of the inmates, and, it is presumed, to adapt their exercises to the difference of genius and capacity which may be found amongst them. We are encouraged therefore, -nay emboldened and animated in the belief, that upon the face of our unvarnished statement, there will not be found an individual member either of our city or state Legislature, who will say that an institution erected for such objects, and commenced under such auspices, ought to be left to struggle with the embarrassment of an uncertain support, but rather that it ought to enjoy that ample countenance, which the wealth and prosperity of our state enable it so freely to extend to institutions exclusively beneficent.

Nov. 1. For Repairs and additions to the buildings upon the premises
For Clothing, for the Children...

For Food and Provisions, for the Children..

To Balance, brought down, due the Treasurer..

768 30

NOTE.-The Balance due to the General Government, on the Real Estate purchased is $4000.

$1897046

An Estimate of the Funds that will be required to support the 'House of Refuge to 1st May, 1826.

For Food, Clothing, Shoes, School, and Hospital Expenses, for 60 Children

For additional Furniture, Beds and Bedding

$1666 32 248 65

For Fuel and Light, Alterations necessary to enlarge the

Girl's Apartment, &c.

460 49

For Salaries of Superintendent, Assistant, and Matron

1124 99

If the Society should receive into the House of Refuge, as many children as the two buildings can accommodate, (and which they intend to do, provided sufficient funds for their support can be obtained,)

viz:--Boys 130
Girls 40

3501 45

Making 170

It would cost for their maintenance in addition to the

The special Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of the Board of Managers of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, presented the following Report which was adopted.

The Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of the Board of Managers of the Society recently formed in this city, for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, report,

That they have taken the subject into consideration, and conferred with gentlemen appointed on behalf of said Board, and they feel a pleasure in expressing their approbation of the laudable objects, which they have in view. Perhaps no institution is more desirable in our city, than one which affords a place of refuge for neglected and depraved children, just entering upon the paths of vice, where they may be reclaimed from their bad habits, their minds instructed in the rudiments of learning, and their time devoted to some useful employment. Also a refuge for those juvenile convicts, continually discharged from the Bridewell and Penitentiary, many of whom have neither friends, parents, nor employment

to return to.