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her conduct was such as to give little hope of reformation: she would use profane and vulgar language, was disobedient and disrespectful. She was soon given to understand, that this was not a place in which she could indulge in improprieties with impunity, and was treated as her conduct deserved.

After about two months, the treatment she received produced the desired effect, and she became directly the reverse of what she before was. The Matron now thinks her the best girl in the House, and says that if she offends in the most trivial thing, she is not content until she has asked and obtained forgiveness.

Many more cases of both sexes could be selected, but it is presumed that those mentioned will be adequate to convince every judicious person, that the House of Refuge has not been established in vain; and our subscribers, that they have not contributed their money to a useless purpose.

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The Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, in Account Current with Ralph Olmsted, Treasurer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HOUSE OF REFUGE.

THE Houses of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents, are situated about two miles north of the City Hall, at the junction of the Harlæm and Bloomingdale roads, on the ground recently occupied by the United States Arsenal. A more convenient or eligible situation could not probably have been selected. The lot of ground, 320 feet by 300, is enclosed by a stone wall 17 feet in height, and more than two feet thick. Within this enclosure, the Society has erected two stone buildings, each 150 feet in length by 38 in breadth, and two stories high. One of the houses is appropriated for Boys, the other for Girls, and the two being separated by a high wooden fence, there is no communication between them.

The first story of the Boys' Refuge is divided into five rooms, 30 by 34 feet, for Dining Room, Common Hall, Superintendent's Office, and Tailor's and Shoemaker's Shops. Three flights of stairs lead into the second story, which contains a Hospital, 30 by 34 feet, and two rows of Dormitories, each 3 feet by 7, and 6 feet high, for the accommodation of 132 boys with separate rooms, each of which is well ventilated by openings in the rooms and stone wall. Two aisles, 10 feet by 110, are used as School Rooms, and are furnished with desks and benches, suitable for the monitorial plan of instruction. The Garret is one large room, 150 feet by 34, and may be occupied when required as a work-room. The whole building is well lighted and ventilated.

The Girls' Refuge is finished in a superior manner to that for the Boys. The first story is divided into four rooms, 30 feet by 34, for a Kitchen, Dining Room, and Work Rooms. The other part of this story is occupied by a neat Parlor and Chamber for the Matron, a Committee Room, and a Laundry. In the south end of the second story is a handsome Chapel, with a gallery, sufficiently large to accommodate 140 boys, 70 girls, and 300 visiters. At the north end is the Hospital, 25 feet by 34, and the intermediate space is occupied by two rows of Dormitories, furnishing 68 rooms for as many girls, which are also ventilated similar to the Boys' rooms. The Garret is 150 feet by 34, and is intended for the stowing of goods and drying of clothes, and may be used as a work-room.

A two-story brick building, 40 feet by 30, situated on the southwest corner, is occupied by the Superintendent and his family. Near to this is another brick building, 22 feet by 60, occupied by the Superintendent, and by the Assistant Keeper and his family. Adjoining this is a two-story brick Work-House, 40 feet by 80, divided into four rooms, cach 40 feet square, in which 40 boys are employed in the chair-making business.

On the south-east part of the yard, is a one-story wooden building, 60 feet by 14, in which 30 boys are employed in the manufacturing of brass nails and sadlery, and in filing, &c.-to this is attached another wooden building, used as a foundry, &c. Near to the north wall is a wooden building, 80 feet by 18, used as a Bakery and Store-House, under which are large vaults for provisions, stores, and fuel; a stable and carriage-house under one roof, and some small out-buildings, complete the establishment.

A part of the ground is laid out into kitchen and flower gardens,

grass plots, and gravel walks. There are four wells on the premises, of excellent soft water. Adjoining the south wall, the Society occupies an angular piece of ground, containing about one acre, as a pasture.

The whole aspect of the establishment is cheerful and comfortable, and it has little or none of the appearance of a prison.

EXTRACT FROM A REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

THE Sub-Committee to which was assigned the duty of providing the books, furniture, &c., required for the schools in the House of Refuge, Report

That they selected the east and west aisles of the second story, as most convenient for the purpose intended; and the necessary arrangements for this important part of our system having been completed, the boys' school was opened, and conducted on the monitorial plan of education. The committee have frequently visited the school, and Dr. Griscom has repeatedly delivered familiar lectures on Natural History and Natural Philosophy, which have instructed and interested the children, and have been listened to with eager attention. We have no design to convey to their young minds any profound instruction, or to prepare them for the pursuit of science; but the intellectual darkness in which they have been involved, and the difficulty of inducing them to devote the requisite degree of attention to their simpler studies, make it advisable to combine in their view, the ideas of study and amusement. We are persuaded, that if such lectures were more frequent, and accompanied with simple experiments, very beneficial results would be discovered.

The Committee purchased a library of 476 volumes, comprising History, Voyages and Travels, Biography, Fables, Poetry for Chil dren, Narratives and Anecdotes, and a few elementary Treatises of Science. Those boys who can read, avail themselves of the privilege of obtaining books from the library, and it is not unusual to observe them reading at table when their meals are finished, as well as during their leisure hours, and particularly on the Sabbath. Soon after the girls were removed into the new building, the east aisle of the second story was appropriated as a school room, under the care of the male teacher, when he is not engaged with the boys. When the funds of the Institution will warrant the expense, and the Female Refuge shall contain its full number of 70 girls, it will be proper to employ an assistant Matron, qualified to superintend their studies.

Agreeably to the direction of the Board of Managers, four hours daily are devoted to instruction in each house, and the Committee have the satisfaction of stating, that the Teacher is assiduous in the discharge of his important duties. He informs us, that the conduct of the children is such as would reflect credit on any well regulated school, and that, in general, they are gentle, studious, and obedient, and with few exceptions, are anxious for the arrival of school hours:

Donations of books, maps, slates, globes, &c. have been received from individuals, who are anxious that a good school should be established in the Refuge.

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The following are among the books used in the schools-Tytler's General History, Histories of England and of the United States, Park's Chemistry, Conversations on Natural Philosophy, American Speaker, Brief Remarker, Introduction to English Reader, Murray's Reader, Popular Lessons, Scripture Lessons, Spelling Books, Willet's Arithmetic, Hart's Geography, Daboll's Book-keeping, &c. One hundred and twenty six boys attend the school, who can all read, with a single exception-38 of these could not read, and many did not even know the Alphabet, when they were committed to the House of Refuge-70 now write on paper, and 56 on slates; a few study Geography and Book-keeping.

Of the 29 girls, 19 read in Scripture Lessons, and 10 read and spell in the Lancastrian Lessons on boards; 7 study Geography and Arithmetic, 14 write on paper, and 15 on slates.

Each School is supplied with Maps on large and small scales, and with a pair of 13 inch Globes.

The expenditure has been $776 76, viz.
For the Library, exclusive of donations,
For Stationary, Furniture, &c.

$200 00 576 76

We recommend that the weekly visiting Committee should be requested to visit the Refuge, during the school session, at least once in each week.

December 16, 1826.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TO THE

SUPERINTENDENT.

Sunday, July 2, 1826. By request of the Acting Committee, the Managers of the Society for the Reformation of Juvenile Delinquents, assembled at the House of Refuge this day, for the purpose of attending public worship, and of transferring the superintendence of the Institution to Nathaniel C. Hart, he having been appointed to this office in place of Joseph Curtis, who had resigned.

Many visiters were present upon this interesting occasion. After prayer, and a sermon by the Rev. John Stanford; the President of the Board, the Hon. Mr. Colden, delivered the following address to Mr. Hart :

SIR,

I am happy to address you on your assuming the Superintendence of this Institution. We know that you have left an establishment where your services have been pre-eminently useful, and we are persuaded, that you have been induced to change your situation with a view not of personal advantage only, but by considerations of public benefit. You are no doubt aware, that the House of Refuge had its foundation in the benevolence, and zealous exertions of a number of your fellow-citizens; under whose guardianship, and the liberal patronage of the State, it has assumed its present importance.

Hitherto it has answered the most sanguine expectation of its friends, and its success must be in some measure imputed to the exertions, industry, and good conduct of your predecessor. He has

* Mr. N. C. Hart has been one of the teachers in the Male High-School.

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