1835.

OLD SENATE CHAMBER OF U.S.

From the Philadelphia Gazette.

79

The undersigned members of the Philadelphia Savings Institution, having been appointed by the directors, a committee to examine and investigate its affairs, and to report thereon, in conformity with the charter, have performed the duties assigned them.

OLD SENATE CHAMBER OF U. S.

The ambition of handing one's name down to posterity, as if to let after ages know, that there once lived so important a personage as the aspirant, appears to be an inherent frailty in man. One slays thousands of his fellow men, that he may appear in history as the victo rious soldier. Another traverses the ocean and buries in its bosom or mutilates his hundreds, that he may be renowned as the brave and skilful seaman. A third writes a book, that he may enjoy the immortality of an author. A fourth pants after public life, that he may acquire the fame of a Statesman, or of an Orator, and be looked upon as the Lycurgus or Tully of modern days. A fifth aspires to the fame of having possessed a great estate, and indentifies his name with splendid edifices, or public works.

There is however in the humbler and private walks

They have examined the several statements submitted and have compared them in detail, with the entries in the books-the vouchers for payments and investments and the amount of cash remaining in the hands of the Treasurer. They have extended their investigation to an examination of the various securities for sums invest-of life, ample evidence to show, that the aspiration ed, to the certificates of special depositors redeemed and cancelled, and to the items of the several general accounts, and state with pleasure, that they found the whole to correspond with the statements submitted, and the manner in which the respective accounts are kept, afforded a great facility in the investigation.

The Committee have also great satisfaction in stating that the Institution has met with no losses, and that the loans appear to be made on satisfactory security, and a large proportion of them are upon collaterals of Stocks, Ground Rents, Mortgages, &c.

Upon the whole, the committee have found the Institution in a flourishing condition, and believe it in every respect worthy of public patronage.

after earthly immortality is not confined to the great or to the rich. Where is there a watering place, or a rural spot fequented by parties of pleasure, where the albums and barks of trees do not bear the records of this vanity? Even the steeple of our state house can furnish abundant proof that the love of fame has ascendthe laying of the corner stone of a public building the ed there. And only behold the care with which, at undertakers cork up for the benefit of posterity their renowned names in bottles hermetically sealed, in order that those who may live a hundred years hence, may be apprized of the important fact, that Johney Nokes and Tommy Stiles, were at the time of laying the corner stone aforesaid, the veritable county commissioners for the time being.

But after all, perhaps we are too severe upon this fraility of our nature. We are all subject to it more or less, and so far as posthumous fame is to be acquired by inoffensive acts, there is no great harm done. Certain it is, that none has been done by a humble effort to reach posterity, which we are now about to record as follows.

On Friday last the 24th of July the County Commis sioners commenced some alterations in the Court room, which is situate at the corner of Sixth and Chesnut streets, on the South side of the upper story. This is the room which was occupied by the Senate of the United States from 1795 to 1800, and within which so many distinguished men poured forth their eloquence. The alterations determined upon, comprised the re moval of the gallery, and of much of the wood work which adorned the Chamber, amongst which were a number of small pilasters ornamented with stucco work. Upon the removal of these pilasters, one was discovered bearing upon its back, unseen for forty years, an inscription in pencil mark, intended no doubt to hand down to posterity, the name of the youthful journeyman carpenter, just out of his apprenticeship, by whom it was executed. As this pilaster has fallen temporarily into our hands, we are determined that the author of the record shall not be disappointed. If he be still living, we give him joy; if he be dead and have left posterity, the pilaster ought of right to belong to them, and we will use our influence with the owner to obtain it for the proper person, if he will apply to us.The inscription is as follows:

HAZARD'S

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.

EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD.

PHILADELPHIA, AUGUST 8, 1835.

VOL. XVI.--NO. 6.

HOUSE OF REFUGE.

No. 396.

mind is the subject of our unpretending but useful little

The Seventh Annual Report of the House of Refuge of library. Sources of attractive and valuable knowledge

Philadelphia, with an Appendix.

To the Contributors of the House of Refuge.

are here constantly within reach, and we are happy to say that they are made available in practice with a freedom that affords the best encouragement to perseve. rance in the efforts to enlarge this branch of the establishment. Additions have been made from different sources to the library. Seventy volumes have been presented, of which number 58 were donations from the American Sunday School Union, and 120 have been purchased by the Library Committee.

Notwithstanding the indefatigable attention and high professional skill of the physicians, a greater mortality has prevailed than heretofore. We have to regret the resignation by Dr. Morris of his place as physician, although it has been satisfactorily supplied by the election of Dr. Rivinus. It has been deemed necessary to provide for the constant attendance of a nurse as a regular part of the establishment.

The Managers of the House of Refuge have the satis. faction to place before the contributors their Seventh Annual Report. This communication in pursuance of an established and useful practice, and agreeably to fundamental law, is designed to exhibit with perfect simplicity the prominent circumstances of interest which have occured during the past year, and the present condition and prospects of the Institution. An act of Assembly was passed on the tenth day of April, 1835, which makes some changes to which the public will not be indifferent. A power is given to parents and guar. dians to place their children in the house. A system of inspection is provided by which the Judges of the Courts are called on to make frequent visits at certain periods, with a view particularly to an inquiry into the causes of recent admissions, and to afford relief in all cases that may exist of irregularity or inadvertence.The most scrupulous will now be satisfied that although the power of restraint is necessarily conferred with a view to promote the great ends of reformation and instruction, there is not the slightest danger that it can be, under any circumstances, abused. An authority heretofore given to the Guardians of the Poor to send children to the House is now withdrawn from them. These are the three principal topics on which the Legislature has deemed it wise to make provision. It is matter of pride to the Managers that a full in-tution move together in harmony, and the result is doquiry into the condition of the House has been made by mestic regularity and comfort, and (we trust) public a committee of the Legislature. They have had (and they have fully and candidly availed themselves of) an opportunity to investigate the theory and observe upon the spot the practical operation of our system. That they have been satisfied of its usefulness, and have been pleased to approve of the management of its concerns will appear by their report which forms one of the exhibits attached to this address.

With a view to give increased efficiency to the action of the Board, and at the same time, to promote and secure harmony in all its movements, two standing committees have been added to those which already existed; one on the school, and one on repairs and the grounds. The members of these committees being exofficio members of the Executive committee, an increase of numbers is thus given to the last named body, which its intrinsic importance seemed to require.

The subject of Education is one of deep interest. No measure ought to be omitted which can improve this portion of our care. Little doubt can exist, that if every individual who goes from the house shall be fairly initia ted in the ways of wisdom, the danger of future error will be greatly diminished. We are aware that the period allotted for instruction is necessarily short. But its brevity is one of the strongest incentives for its im provement and proper use. During the winter an additional half hour has been given daily to the time for instructing the boys, and an additional hour is now given to the more deficient of both sexes, formed into preparatory classes. Connected with the improvement of the

VOL. XVI.

11

Religious services are faithfully performed in the chapel twice every Sunday. The Sunday schools are kindly and voluntarily conducted by the same individuals who have heretofore superintended them. The same zeal and energy are manifested in the arrangement of them, and the schools themselves continue to be of the greatest benefit, and deserve to be cherished and sustained. The Ladies' committee continues to afford its constant and kind attendance. The officers of the House are attentive and vigilant. The workshops are in the same useful condition which has heretofore been represented. In a word, the various parts of the Insti

benefit.

We have to regret the resignation of two highly Mr. John Sergeant, valuable members of the Board. (the President,) and Mr. Thomas Astley, one of the Vice Presidents, have felt themselves called on by other engagements, to withdraw from us the advantage of their counsel and assistance.

The several reports annexed will show the details which are connected with the particular objects to which they relate. All are submitted with cheerfulness and respect to the consideration of the contributors. By order of the Board of Managers.

ALEXANDER HENRY, Vice President H. R. Attested-JAMES J. BARCLAY, Sec'y. H. R. Philadelphia, May 1, 1835.

House of Refuge in account with Thomas Earp, Trea

1,249 61 and wretched. Without friends or parents, who are able 4,000 00 or willing to guard their tender minds from evil or to 200 00 instruct them in the path of duty, they are not unfre377 34 quently neglected, homeless beings, having no one to care for them. On their entrance into this house, they $26,316 56 are taught, that there are persons, who feel an interest in their behalf, and are desirous to promote their happiness and comfort. The principles of religion and morality are inculcated, as the only sure foundation on which to build a character for future I fe. A regard for Truth, honesty and decency may be anticipated. This we have reason to think has been the happy result in several cases, as has been illustrated in health and in sickness We will mention two instances. Susan B-n, a girl of whom very little hope was entertained when she entered the Refuge, improved so much as to gain the good opinion of all, and a few months since left the house which had reclaimed and sheltered her, with an excellent character.

Work done by the Girls as reported to me by Mrs. Cathe-ligibly, and write legibly, 38 read easy lessons, and the