rived from other sources, the whole number of lunatics in the State cannot probably be less than 1,250, and of idiots, about 1,500. By the act for organizing this Asylum, it is made the duty of the assessors to ascertain the number and names of all insane persons in their respective towns and wards in all the State, and send their lists to the County Clerks to be transmitted to the Treasurer of the Asylum; but this duty has been so little heeded, that the Managers are yet without the means of knowing either the number or condition of this unfortunate class of persons. By the same act, the patients are received at the Asylum at State charge, on the written order of some Court, Judge, Justice, or Supreme Court Commissioner; and if at private charge, only on the sworn certificate of two physicians of good standing, that they (the patients,) are insane.

INSTITUTION FOR THE INSTRUCTION OF THE DEAF AND DUMB.

This institution made its first annual report to the Legislature in 1819. It is situated in the city of New-York, a little out from its more compact part. The corporate board, in which is vested the general control of the institution, as stated in the last annual report, (the 24th,) is as follows:

OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS.

Rev. James Milnor, D.D., President.

(Vacant,) 1st Vice-President.

Robert C. Cornell, 2d Vice-President.

Robert D. Weeks, Treasurer.

Harvey P. Peet, Secretary.

Lewis Seymour, Timothy Hedges, B. L. Woolley, Wm. L. Stone, Shepherd Knapp, Samuel Downer, jr., Jacob Drake, Wm. Kelley, John R. Willis, Henry E. Davies, Augustin Averill, Frederick A. Tallmadge, Samuel S. Howland, George S. Robbins, Prosper M. Wetmore, William W. Campbell, Benjamin R. Winthrop, William H. Macy, George B. Butler, Israel Russell-Directors. The teachers and other agents engaged in the instruction and discipline of the institution are as follows:

Harvey P. Peet, A.M., Principal.

PROFESSORS.

David Ely Bartlett, A.M., John Hancock Pettingell, A.M., Josiah Addison Cary, A.M., Aaron Lucius Chapin, A.M. Oran Wilkinson Morris, A.M., Jacob Van Nostrund, A.M.

Jeremiah W. Conklin,

Nathan M. Totton,

Monitors.

Samuel Sargent, M.D., Physician.

Miss Harriet Stoner, Matron.

Mrs. Mary E. Mitchill, Assist. Matron.

Edmund B. Peet, Steward.

Theodore Goerck, Cabinet Maker.

John C. Miller, Book-binder.

John Hackett, Shoemaker.

James M. Trask, Tailor.

Garret Mead, Gardener.

This list of teachers, and their designated functions, furnishes a general indication of the objects and employments of the institution.

The number of pupils on the 31st of December, 1841, was 162. During the year 1842, 36 pupils left the institution, and 28 were received, making the number 154 on the 31st Dec. 1842. Of these, 117 were supported by this State; 12 by the city of New-York; 5 by the State of New-Jersey; and the residue by their friends, or by the institution.

RECEIPTS.

The total receipts, during 1842, were $34,582.23, including the balance of $1,091.21 on hand at the beginning of the year. Of this amount the principal items were as follows: from the Comptroller on account of the State pupils $15,379.90; donation under the act of April 3, 1834, $5,000; from Regents of

the University $1,013.77; from New-York city $1,954.69; from New-Jersey $827.50; from private pupils $948.64; for sales of clothing and cash advanced to pupils $884.09; sales of articles from tailor's shop $487.45; for work done in the book-bindery $1,000; proceeds of investments in Treasury notes $5,363.15.

EXPENDITURES.

The total amount of expenditures in 1842, was $31,596.78; leaving a balance in hand, at the end of the year, of $2,984.45. The whole amount paid for salaries of teachers and the various assistants, was $8,876.71.

The average number of deaths per annum, for the last 14 years, has been but 1 to 130. During the year a new brick building has been erected for the accommodation of the mechanical branches of the institution, consisting of a centre, 3 stories high, with two wings of 2 stories, the whole being 140 feet long by 25 feet wide.

The annual charge for a pupil is $130, which includes board and every thing except clothing and travelling expenses. The regular time of admission is the 1st of September in each year; and none are admitted under 12 nor over 25 years of age, unless in very special cases and at the discretion of the Board.

NEW-YORK INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND.

This institution was incorporated by legislative aet, passed May 21, 1831, under the name of "The New-York Institution for the Blind." Its general control is vested in a Board consisting of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and twenty Managers. Its instruction and discipline are entrusted to a Superintendent, Principal Teacher, Teacher of Music, vocal and instrumental, Matron, and Teacher of basket-making, and band-box making.

From the last annual report, dated March 2, 1843, signed by Anson G. Phelps, President, George F. Allen, Recording Secretary, and Edward Roome, Corresponding Secretary, and from the accompanying reports of sub-committees of the Board, the following particulars are derived:

In addition to the ordinary rudiments of district schools, the pupils are taught Natural Philosophy, Astronomy, Algebra, and Geometry.

The pupils, generally, are arranged in two divisions, each receiving instruction in the above branches half the day, and the other half engaged in music and manufactures. The inmates of the institution, not included in the above divisions, are eight in number, who are somewhat more advanced in life, and are wholly engaged in accomplishing themselves in some species of manufacture, or in music.

During the last year nine new male, and thirteen new female pupils, were received, making the whole number, at the close of the year, 38 males and 20 females. During the same period 11 left the institution.

The handicraft employments are willow work, weaving, and band-box and other paste-board work. The value of the fabrics of the first kind, made during the last year, was $2,375.35; of the second, $733.06; of the third, $1,

579.68.

The report of the physician of this institution shows a most gratifying condition of general health.

During the vacation, in the month of August, an excursion was made into the western part of the State by several of the pupils, under the care of a committee of the Managers and officers, for the purpose of diffusing a fuller and more general knowledge of the character of the Institution, and the great benefits it is capable of conferring on the blind. As the Institution is a public one, this step was eminently proper, and its results were every way favorable.

STATE LIBRARY.

This Institution was founded in 1818. It is deposited in the Capitol; and inludes an extensive Law Library of about 5,000 volumes, and a library of general literature and science of about the same number, kept in separate apartments. The general superintendence of the establishment is committed to certain State Officers, viz: the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Comptrolder, and Attorney-General, who are styled Trustees of the State Library, and who direct the purchases of books and all other matters connected with the institution, and falling within the powers conferred on them by law. They appoint the Librarian, also, who receives a salary of $700, and who is required to enforce the regulations prescribed by the Trustees.

The latest report of the Trustees is dated February 14, 1842, and from it the following facts are derived.

The whole sum appropriated for the use of the Library, for the year ending 30th December, 1841, was $4,318.58.

The whole sum appropriated for the use of the Library, for the year ending 1st Jan. 1842, was $4,318.58.

Among the rare and valuable works in this Library are the following:"Meerman's Treasury of the Civil and Common Law," in 7 vols. folio. This fine copy is from the library of the late Baron Bollance, of the Exchequer. It is a work of high reputation, and it is believed that this is the only copy in the United States. A rich addition is also made to the same department in "The Theodosian Code, with Commentaries by Jacob Gothofried," in 6 vols. folio. The other works, worthy of special notice for their scarcity and value are, "Cases of Appeal to the House of Lords," in 12 vols. folio. These cases were published only for the use of members, and to be obtained only on sale of the library of a member of that House.

"Archæologia, or Tracts relating to Antiquities," in 25 vols. 4to.

"The Gentlemen's Magazine," complete from 1731 to the present time, in 167 vols. This work, containing, as it does, notices of the current events of the day, in one unbroken series, for more than a century of the most interesting period of the world, furnishes a mine of history of incalculable value.

Journals of the House of Lords and Commons," a complete set from the commencement of the printed series in 1508, with indexes, &c., in 188 vols. folio.

"Reports of Parliamentary Committee, from 1700 to 1800,” a complete.series, in 16 vois. folio.

It may be added, that several valuable works have been purchased for the Library, by the agent of the State, in Holland, J. Romeyn Brodhead, Esq.

STATE PRISONS.

Of these there are two; one at Auburn, in Cayuga county, and the other at Sing-Sing, in Westchester county.

AUBURN STATE PRISON.

This prison originated in an act of the Legislature in 1816; and after several experiments and modifications, it was organized on its present plan of discipline and management, in 1823. Its general control is vested in a Board of Inspectors; and the internal discipline and management are entrusted to an Agent, with subordinates. The convicts are lodged in separate cells, at night; and during the working hours, by day, they work in company, but in absolute silence, all speech and communication by signs, or looks, being strictly forbidden. Many mechanical employments are pursued, and those who enter without any are taught some trade. Part of the plan has been to let the labor of the convicts to contractors, and the avails of this labor, as well as that which is done directly on public account, go to defray the expenses of the prison. The trades plied in the prison are coopering, cotton weaving, shoe-making stone-cutting, spinning, comb making, hame making, carpentry, and silk making

The manufacture of silk in this prison, was commenced in May, 1841; and the experiment, so far, has proved very successful. The prison is now a market for cocoons and reeled silk, and the supply comes from various and distant points, both in and out of this state. The article at present made for sale is sewing silk, and it is said to be of excellent quality. With the progress of time, the manufacture of other fabrics will be introduced; and the business promises to become extensive and very important.

The last Annual Report of the Inspectors, dated January 16, 1843, furnishės the following particulars for the year ending September 30, 1843.

The total amount of earnings of the prison by convict labor, erection of workshops, &c. is is stated at $81,349.15; and the total amount of cash disbursements, $67,870.79; showing a balance in favor of earnings, $13,478.36.

The principal sources and items of these earnings were as follow:-From the various mechanic shops of the prison $54,783.56; fees paid by visitors, $1,692.75; small jobs and articles sold for cash $1,173.88; materials and labor on workshops within the prison $13,746.48; increase of inventory in silk and other property $8,029.98.

The total amount of cash receipts from all sources was $69,106.09, from which the above disbursemets being deducted, left a cash balance in favor of the prison of $1,235.30.

The balances due from contractors on account of their contracts for convict labor was $12,585.56; and the value of silk, in different forms, on hand, was $8,779.56.

The report states that early in the winter just gone a contract was made with a large hardware dealer, Mr. James Horner, of Albany, for the services of not less than 10 or more than 300 convicts, for 5 years. at 30 cents each per day, to make files, and certain articles of cutlery of foreign fabric, and not now made in this country, the contractor to furnish his own water or steam power. was expected that operations under this contract would be commenced in April or May, 1843.

It

The whole number of convicts in the prison on the 31st December, 1841, was 707; the number received during 1842, was 244, making a total of 951.

The number discharged during 1842, was as follows:-by expiration of term 187; by pardon 38; removed to New-York House of Refuge 4; escaped 2; removed to Lunatic Assylum 1; died 7; leaving in the prison Dec. 31, 1842— 712.

The total number employed under various contracts, were as follows. In Cooper's shop 34; cotton weave shop 20; shoe shop 38; machine shop 43; tailor's shop 20; tool shop 28; carpet shop 76; stone shop 28; spin shop 29; comb shop 32; button shop 8; cabinet shop 57; hame shop 55.

The numbers employed on State account were as follow: In carpenter's shop 12; silk shop 41; making machinery for silk shop 3. The residue were employed in the prison kitchen, yards, hospital and various other services of the establishment.

The contract price for prison rations was one cent per ration more than in 1841, making a total difference of $2,073.87. The amount of visitors' fees was $940-87 less than in 1841; which is ascribed to the travel on rail-roads and the shorter stops consequent thereon. The diminution of earnings in 1842, caused by the operation of the act of April 9, 1842, relative to mechanical employments, is stated at $1,556.

A new two-story brick workshop, 425 feet long, with a basement under 240 feet of the length, was erected during the year, and very nearly finished throughout.

The Agent, Henry Polhemus, speaks in very encouraging terms of the success of the silk business as conducted in this prison, and believes it capable of advantageous increase to three or four times its present extent, though 41 convicts are now employed in it.

The Prison Physician considers the arrangements for eating, sleeping and working, as exceedingly well calculated to preserve the health of the convicts; and that the regulations for mental and moral improvement cannot be much amended. He states the whole number of deaths in the prison, for the 12 years, ending with 1841, at 162, giving an average of 13 per year, in an average annual number of 662 convicts. Of those 162 deaths, 71 or nearly half were from pulmonary consumption. But in 1842 the whole number of death

was only 7, out of 712 convicts; and in 1841, the deaths were only 9, out of a total number of 707 convicts. He ascribes this remarkable diminution of leaths to the general humane management of the present agent, Mr. Polhemus, and especially to the proper and sufficient feeding and clothing of the prisoners, and to the comfortable warming of the cells and supply of bedclothes in cold weather.

But the most remarkable part of the Physician's Report is that which relates to the use of cold water, by copious affusion upon the naked head and body of the convicts, as a means of discipline.

This instrument of discipline was introduced, for the first time, in April, 1842, pursuant to a suggestion made some nine months previously, by Mr. Louis Dwight, President of the Boston Prison Disciplin Society, who stated that it had been used in the Massachusetts State Prison for about two years, with eminent success, and to the exclusion of severe and cruel punishments. The first trial of this means of discipline at Auburn, was made on the 15th of April, by the discharge of two gallons of cold well water, through a funnel having at its vertex a bore of 24 inches in diameter, upon the naked head and body of one of the most refractory of the convicts. This affusion occupied 33 seconds of time. The keeper then stopped; but the convict made no expressions of submission, and two gallons more were applied in the same way. This effectually subdued the obstinacy of the convict, who promised reform, and was sent back to his shop, with no laceration of body or still worse exasperation of feeling, and he continued obedient and compliant.

This method has commended itself so highly at the prison, that the physician gives it his strongest recommendation.

The report of the Chaplain is also very interesting. Public worship, accompanied by singing, is performed in the prison once every Sabbath; a Sabbath-school is established; the bible is distributed to the convicts, and the Chaplain engages them in personal conversation as much as opportunity allows. These various means unquestionably do much good; and the Chaplain recommends one more celebration of public worship about the middle of the week; prayer with the reading of a short portion of scripture every morning at the table just preceeding breakfast. He testifies to the permanancy and reality of sincere religious convictions in many whom he has had occasion to observe after leaving prison; and furnishes good proof of the great value of the moral and religious means employed in this establishment.

MOUNT PLEASANT STATE PRISON.

This prison is at Sing-Sing, on the east shore of the Hudson river, 33 miles above the city of New-York. It was opened for the reception of convicts in 1827. It is organized on the plan of the Auburn Prison. The principal practical difference between the two, is in the great amount of convict labor bestowed at the Mount Pleasant Prison, in the marble quarries in the immediate contiguity with the prison and very extensive.

Connected with the principal prison, which is for males, is a well arranged and distinct department for female convicts.

From the last Annual Reports of the Inspectors, and its accompanying documents, dated January 13, 1843, the following particulars are derived.

The depressed condition of business in the country generally, materially diminished the receipts of the prison, by its effect on the means of contractors for fulfilling their engagements, and on the market for the various products of convict labor. The recent enactment of the legislature for restricting the employment of convicts in mechanical trades. With the design of carrying out the enactments referred to, the production and manufacture of silk has been introduced at this prison, and efforts have also been made to introduce the manufacture of such articles of hardware as are not made in this country, and the making of which at the prison would not interfere with the mechanical interests of the community. Something has been done beneficially in this way, but the state of the times has very much restricted the results. The cash receipts for convict labor during the year, ending September 30, 1842, were $71,923.10; and the disbursements were $72,801.28.

Some portion of these disbursements were for purposes not ordinary; and much useful labor was performed on the prison and its grounds, giving per