Thestoresarepoorerhere；thepassengerslessgay。Clothesready-made，andmeatready-cooked，aretobeboughtintheseparts；
　　andthelivelywhirlofcarriagesisexchangedforthedeeprumbleofcartsandwaggons。Thesesignswhicharesoplentiful，inshapelikeriverbuoys，orsmallballoons，hoistedbycordstopoles，anddanglingthere，announce，asyoumayseebylookingup，'OYSTERSIN
　　EVERYSTYLE。'Theytemptthehungrymostatnight，forthendullcandlesglimmeringinside，illuminatethesedaintywords，andmakethemouthsofidlerswater，astheyreadandlinger。
　　Whatisthisdismal-frontedpileofbastardEgyptian，likeanenchanter'spalaceinamelodrama!-afamousprison，calledTheTombs。Shallwegoin？
　　So。Along，narrow，loftybuilding，stove-heatedasusual，withfourgalleries，oneabovetheother，goingroundit，andcommunicatingbystairs。Betweenthetwosidesofeachgallery，andinitscentre，abridge，forthegreaterconvenienceofcrossing。Oneachofthesebridgessitsaman:dozingorreading，ortalkingtoanidlecompanion。Oneachtier，aretwooppositerowsofsmallirondoors。Theylooklikefurnace-doors，butarecoldandblack，asthoughthefireswithinhadallgoneout。Sometwoorthreeareopen，andwomen，withdroopingheadsbentdown，aretalkingtotheinmates。Thewholeislightedbyaskylight，butitisfastclosed；andfromtherooftheredangle，limpanddrooping，twouselesswindsails。
　　Amanwithkeysappears，toshowusround。Agood-lookingfellow，and，inhisway，civilandobliging。
　　'Arethoseblackdoorsthecells？'
　　'Yes。'
　　'Aretheyallfull？'
　　'Well，they'reprettynighfull，andthat'safact，andnotwowaysaboutit。'
　　'Thoseatthebottomareunwholesome，surely？'
　　'Why，weDOonlyputcolouredpeoplein'em。That'sthetruth。'
　　'Whendotheprisonerstakeexercise？'
　　'Well，theydowithoutitprettymuch。'
　　'Dotheyneverwalkintheyard？'
　　'Considerableseldom。'
　　'Sometimes，Isuppose？'
　　'Well，it'sraretheydo。Theykeepprettybrightwithoutit。'
　　'Butsupposeamanwerehereforatwelvemonth。Iknowthisisonlyaprisonforcriminalswhoarechargedwithgraveoffences，whiletheyareawaitingtheirtrial，orunderremand，butthelawhereaffordscriminalsmanymeansofdelay。Whatwithmotionsfornewtrials，andinarrestofjudgment，andwhatnot，aprisonermightbeherefortwelvemonths，Itakeit，mighthenot？'
　　'Well，Iguesshemight。'
　　'Doyoumeantosaythatinallthattimehewouldnevercomeoutatthatlittleirondoor，forexercise？'
　　'Hemightwalksome，perhaps-notmuch。'
　　'Willyouopenoneofthedoors？'
　　'All，ifyoulike。'
　　Thefasteningsjarandrattle，andoneofthedoorsturnsslowlyonitshinges。Letuslookin。Asmallbarecell，intowhichthelightentersthroughahighchinkinthewall。Thereisarudemeansofwashing，atable，andabedstead。Uponthelatter，sitsamanofsixty；reading。Helooksupforamoment；givesanimpatientdoggedshake；andfixeshiseyesuponhisbookagain。Aswewithdrawourheads，thedoorclosesonhim，andisfastenedasbefore。Thismanhasmurderedhiswife，andwillprobablybehanged。
　　'Howlonghashebeenhere？'
　　'Amonth。'
　　'Whenwillhebetried？'
　　'Nextterm。'
　　'Whenisthat？'
　　'Nextmonth。'
　　'InEngland，ifamanbeundersentenceofdeath，evenhehasairandexerciseatcertainperiodsoftheday。'
　　'Possible？'
　　Withwhatstupendousanduntranslatablecoolnesshesaysthis，andhowlounginglyheleadsontothewomen'sside:making，ashegoes，akindofironcastanetofthekeyandthestair-rail!
　　Eachcelldooronthissidehasasquareapertureinit。Someofthewomenpeepanxiouslythroughitatthesoundoffootsteps；
　　othersshrinkawayinshame-Forwhatoffencecanthatlonelychild，oftenortwelveyearsold，beshutuphere？Oh!thatboy？
　　Heisthesonoftheprisonerwesawjustnow；isawitnessagainsthisfather；andisdetainedhereforsafekeeping，untilthetrial；
　　that'sall。
　　Butitisadreadfulplaceforthechildtopassthelongdaysandnightsin。Thisisratherhardtreatmentforayoungwitness，isitnot？-Whatsaysourconductor？
　　'Well，itan'taveryrowdylife，andTHAT'Safact!'
　　Againheclinkshismetalcastanet，andleadsusleisurelyaway。I
　　haveaquestiontoaskhimaswego。
　　'Pray，whydotheycallthisplaceTheTombs？'
　　'Well，it'sthecantname。'
　　'Iknowitis。Why？'
　　'Somesuicideshappenedhere，whenitwasfirstbuilt。Iexpectitcomeaboutfromthat。'
　　'Isawjustnow，thatthatman'sclotheswerescatteredaboutthefloorofhiscell。Don'tyouobligetheprisonerstobeorderly，andputsuchthingsaway？'
　　'Whereshouldtheyput'em？'
　　'Notonthegroundsurely。Whatdoyousaytohangingthemup？'
　　Hestopsandlooksroundtoemphasisehisanswer:
　　'Why，Isaythat'sjustit。WhentheyhadhookstheyWOULDhangthemselves，sothey'retakenoutofeverycell，andthere'sonlythemarksleftwheretheyusedtobe!'
　　Theprison-yardinwhichhepausesnow，hasbeenthesceneofterribleperformances。Intothisnarrow，grave-likeplace，menarebroughtouttodie。Thewretchedcreaturestandsbeneaththegibbetontheground；theropeabouthisneck；andwhenthesignisgiven，aweightatitsotherendcomesrunningdown，andswingshimupintotheair-acorpse。
　　Thelawrequiresthattherebepresentatthisdismalspectacle，thejudge，thejury，andcitizenstotheamountoftwenty-five。
　　Fromthecommunityitishidden。Tothedissoluteandbad，thethingremainsafrightfulmystery。Betweenthecriminalandthem，theprison-wallisinterposedasathickgloomyveil。Itisthecurtaintohisbedofdeath，hiswinding-sheet，andgrave。Fromhimitshutsoutlife，andallthemotivestounrepentinghardihoodinthatlasthour，whichitsmeresightandpresenceisoftenall-
　　sufficienttosustain。Therearenoboldeyestomakehimbold；noruffianstoupholdaruffian'snamebefore。Allbeyondthepitilessstonewall，isunknownspace。
　　Letusgoforthagainintothecheerfulstreets。
　　OncemoreinBroadway!Herearethesameladiesinbrightcolours，walkingtoandfro，inpairsandsingly；yondertheverysamelightblueparasolwhichpassedandrepassedthehotel-windowtwentytimeswhileweweresittingthere。Wearegoingtocrosshere。
　　Takecareofthepigs。Twoportlysowsaretrottingupbehindthiscarriage，andaselectpartyofhalf-a-dozengentlemenhogshavejustnowturnedthecorner。
　　Hereisasolitaryswinelounginghomewardbyhimself。Hehasonlyoneear；havingpartedwiththeothertovagrant-dogsinthecourseofhiscityrambles。Buthegetsonverywellwithoutit；andleadsaroving，gentlemanly，vagabondkindoflife，somewhatansweringtothatofourclub-menathome。Heleaveshislodgingseverymorningatacertainhour，throwshimselfuponthetown，getsthroughhisdayinsomemannerquitesatisfactorytohimself，andregularlyappearsatthedoorofhisownhouseagainatnight，likethemysteriousmasterofGilBlas。Heisafree-and-easy，careless，indifferentkindofpig，havingaverylargeacquaintanceamongotherpigsofthesamecharacter，whomheratherknowsbysightthanconversation，asheseldomtroubleshimselftostopandexchangecivilities，butgoesgruntingdownthekennel，turningupthenewsandsmall-talkofthecityintheshapeofcabbage-stalksandoffal，andbearingnotailsbuthisown:whichisaveryshortone，forhisoldenemies，thedogs，havebeenatthattoo，andhavelefthimhardlyenoughtoswearby。Heisineveryrespectarepublicanpig，goingwhereverhepleases，andminglingwiththebestsociety，onanequal，ifnotsuperiorfooting，foreveryonemakeswaywhenheappears，andthehaughtiestgivehimthewall，ifhepreferit。Heisagreatphilosopher，andseldommoved，unlessbythedogsbeforementioned。Sometimes，indeed，youmayseehissmalleyetwinklingonaslaughteredfriend，whosecarcasegarnishesabutcher'sdoor-post，buthegruntsout'Suchislife:
　　allfleshispork!'burieshisnoseinthemireagain，andwaddlesdownthegutter:comfortinghimselfwiththereflectionthatthereisonesnoutthelesstoanticipatestraycabbage-stalks，atanyrate。
　　Theyarethecityscavengers，thesepigs。Uglybrutestheyare；
　　having，forthemostpart，scantybrownbacks，likethelidsofoldhorsehairtrunks:spottedwithunwholesomeblackblotches。Theyhavelong，gauntlegs，too，andsuchpeakedsnouts，thatifoneofthemcouldbepersuadedtositforhisprofile，nobodywouldrecogniseitforapig'slikeness。Theyareneverattendedupon，orfed，ordriven，orcaught，butarethrownupontheirownresourcesinearlylife，andbecomepreternaturallyknowinginconsequence。Everypigknowswherehelives，muchbetterthananybodycouldtellhim。Atthishour，justaseveningisclosingin，youwillseethemroamingtowardsbedbyscores，eatingtheirwaytothelast。Occasionally，someyouthamongthemwhohasover-
　　eatenhimself，orhasbeenworriedbydogs，trotsshrinkinglyhomeward，likeaprodigalson:butthisisararecase:perfectself-possessionandself-reliance，andimmovablecomposure，beingtheirforemostattributes。
　　Thestreetsandshopsarelightednow；andastheeyetravelsdownthelongthoroughfare，dottedwithbrightjetsofgas，itisremindedofOxfordStreet，orPiccadilly。Hereandthereaflightofbroadstonecellar-stepsappears，andapaintedlampdirectsyoutotheBowlingSaloon，orTen-Pinalley；Ten-Pinsbeingagameofmingledchanceandskill，inventedwhenthelegislaturepassedanactforbiddingNine-Pins。Atotherdownwardflightsofsteps，areotherlamps，markingthewhereaboutsofoyster-cellars-pleasantretreats，sayI:notonlybyreasonoftheirwonderfulcookeryofoysters，prettynighaslargeascheese-platesorforthydearsake，heartiestofGreekProfessors!，butbecauseofallkindsofcatersoffish，orflesh，orfowl，intheselatitudes，theswallowersofoystersalonearenotgregarious；butsubduingthemselves，asitwere，tothenatureofwhattheyworkin，andcopyingthecoynessofthethingtheyeat，dositapartincurtainedboxes，andconsortbytwos，notbytwohundreds。
　　Buthowquietthestreetsare!Aretherenoitinerantbands；nowindorstringedinstruments？No，notone。Byday，aretherenoPunches，Fantoccini，Dancing-dogs，Jugglers，Conjurers，Orchestrinas，orevenBarrel-organs？No，notone。Yes，Irememberone。Onebarrel-organandadancing-monkey-sportivebynature，butfastfadingintoadull，lumpishmonkey，oftheUtilitarianschool。Beyondthat，nothinglively；no，notsomuchasawhitemouseinatwirlingcage。
　　Aretherenoamusements？Yes。Thereisalecture-roomacrosstheway，fromwhichthatglareoflightproceeds，andtheremaybeeveningservicefortheladiesthriceaweek，oroftener。Fortheyounggentlemen，thereisthecounting-house，thestore，thebar-
　　room:thelatter，asyoumayseethroughthesewindows，prettyfull。Hark!totheclinkingsoundofhammersbreakinglumpsofice，andtothecoolgurglingofthepoundedbits，as，intheprocessofmixing，theyarepouredfromglasstoglass!Noamusements？Whatarethesesuckersofcigarsandswallowersofstrongdrinks，whosehatsandlegsweseeineverypossiblevarietyoftwist，doing，butamusingthemselves？Whatarethefiftynewspapers，whichthoseprecociousurchinsarebawlingdownthestreet，andwhicharekeptfiledwithin，whataretheybutamusements？Notvapid，waterishamusements，butgoodstrongstuff；
　　dealinginroundabuseandblackguardnames；pullingofftheroofsofprivatehouses，astheHaltingDevildidinSpain；pimpingandpanderingforalldegreesofvicioustaste，andgorgingwithcoinedliesthemostvoraciousmaw；imputingtoeverymaninpubliclifethecoarsestandthevilestmotives；scaringawayfromthestabbedandprostratebody-politic，everySamaritanofclearconscienceandgooddeeds；andsettingon，withyellandwhistleandtheclappingoffoulhands，thevilestverminandworstbirdsofprey-Noamusements!
　　Letusgoonagain；andpassingthiswildernessofanhotelwithstoresaboutitsbase，likesomeContinentaltheatre，ortheLondonOperaHouseshornofitscolonnade，plungeintotheFivePoints。
　　Butitisneedful，first，thatwetakeasourescortthesetwoheadsofthepolice，whomyouwouldknowforsharpandwell-trainedofficersifyoumetthemintheGreatDesert。Sotrueitis，thatcertainpursuits，wherevercarriedon，willstampmenwiththesamecharacter。Thesetwomighthavebeenbegotten，born，andbred，inBowStreet。
　　Wehaveseennobeggarsinthestreetsbynightorday；butofotherkindsofstrollers，plenty。Poverty，wretchedness，andvice，arerifeenoughwherewearegoingnow。
　　Thisistheplace:thesenarrowways，divergingtotherightandleft，andreekingeverywherewithdirtandfilth。Suchlivesasareledhere，bearthesamefruitshereaselsewhere。Thecoarseandbloatedfacesatthedoors，havecounterpartsathome，andallthewideworldover。Debaucheryhasmadetheveryhousesprematurelyold。Seehowtherottenbeamsaretumblingdown，andhowthepatchedandbrokenwindowsseemtoscowldimly，likeeyesthathavebeenhurtindrunkenfrays。Manyofthosepigslivehere。Dotheyeverwonderwhytheirmasterswalkuprightinlieuofgoingonall-fours？andwhytheytalkinsteadofgrunting？
　　Sofar，nearlyeveryhouseisalowtavern；andonthebar-roomwalls，arecolouredprintsofWashington，andQueenVictoriaofEngland，andtheAmericanEagle。Amongthepigeon-holesthatholdthebottles，arepiecesofplate-glassandcolouredpaper，forthereis，insomesort，atastefordecoration，evenhere。Andasseamenfrequentthesehaunts，therearemaritimepicturesbythedozen:ofpartingsbetweensailorsandtheirlady-loves，portraitsofWilliam，oftheballad，andhisBlack-EyedSusan；ofWillWatch，theBoldSmuggler；ofPaulJonesthePirate，andthelike:onwhichthepaintedeyesofQueenVictoria，andofWashingtontoboot，restinasstrangecompanionship，asonmostofthescenesthatareenactedintheirwonderingpresence。
　　Whatplaceisthis，towhichthesqualidstreetconductsus？A
　　kindofsquareofleproushouses，someofwhichareattainableonlybycrazywoodenstairswithout。Whatliesbeyondthistotteringflightofsteps，thatcreakbeneathourtread？-amiserableroom，lightedbyonedimcandle，anddestituteofallcomfort，savethatwhichmaybehiddeninawretchedbed。Besideit，sitsaman:hiselbowsonhisknees:hisforeheadhiddeninhishands。'Whatailsthatman？'askstheforemostofficer。'Fever，'hesullenlyreplies，withoutlookingup。Conceivethefanciesofafeverishbrain，insuchaplaceasthis!
　　Ascendthesepitch-darkstairs，heedfulofafalsefootingonthetremblingboards，andgropeyourwaywithmeintothiswolfishden，whereneitherrayoflightnorbreathofair，appearstocome。A
　　negrolad，startledfromhissleepbytheofficer'svoice-heknowsitwell-butcomfortedbyhisassurancethathehasnotcomeonbusiness，officiouslybestirshimselftolightacandle。Thematchflickersforamoment，andshowsgreatmoundsofdustyragsupontheground；thendiesawayandleavesadenserdarknessthanbefore，iftherecanbedegreesinsuchextremes。Hestumblesdownthestairsandpresentlycomesback，shadingaflaringtaperwithhishand。Thenthemoundsofragsareseentobeastir，andriseslowlyup，andtheflooriscoveredwithheapsofnegrowomen，wakingfromtheirsleep:theirwhiteteethchattering，andtheirbrighteyesglisteningandwinkingonallsideswithsurpriseandfear，likethecountlessrepetitionofoneastonishedAfricanfaceinsomestrangemirror。
　　Mountuptheseotherstairswithnolesscautiontherearetrapsandpitfallshere，forthosewhoarenotsowellescortedasourselvesintothehousetop；wherethebarebeamsandraftersmeetoverhead，andcalmnightlooksdownthroughthecrevicesintheroof。Openthedoorofoneofthesecrampedhutchesfullofsleepingnegroes。Pah!Theyhaveacharcoalfirewithin；thereisasmellofsingeingclothes，orflesh，soclosetheygatherroundthebrazier；andvapoursissueforththatblindandsuffocate。
　　Fromeverycorner，asyouglanceaboutyouinthesedarkretreats，somefigurecrawlshalf-awakened，asifthejudgment-hourwerenearathand，andeveryobscenegraveweregivingupitsdead。Wheredogswouldhowltolie，women，andmen，andboysslinkofftosleep，forcingthedislodgedratstomoveawayinquestofbetterlodgings。
　　Heretooarelanesandalleys，pavedwithmudknee-deep，undergroundchambers，wheretheydanceandgame；thewallsbedeckedwithroughdesignsofships，andforts，andflags，andAmericaneaglesoutofnumber:ruinedhouses，opentothestreet，whence，throughwidegapsinthewalls，otherruinsloomupontheeye，asthoughtheworldofviceandmiseryhadnothingelsetoshow:
　　hideoustenementswhichtaketheirnamefromrobberyandmurder:
　　allthatisloathsome，drooping，anddecayedishere。
　　Ourleaderhashishanduponthelatchof'Almack's，'andcallstousfromthebottomofthesteps；fortheassembly-roomoftheFivePointfashionablesisapproachedbyadescent。Shallwegoin？Itisbutamoment。
　　Heyday!thelandladyofAlmack'sthrives!Abuxomfatmulattowoman，withsparklingeyes，whoseheadisdaintilyornamentedwithahandkerchiefofmanycolours。Noristhelandlordmuchbehindherinhisfinery，beingattiredinasmartbluejacket，likeaship'ssteward，withathickgoldringuponhislittlefinger，androundhisneckagleaminggoldenwatch-guard。Howgladheistoseeus!Whatwillwepleasetocallfor？Adance？Itshallbedonedirectly，sir:'aregularbreak-down。'
　　Thecorpulentblackfiddler，andhisfriendwhoplaysthetambourine，stampupontheboardingofthesmallraisedorchestrainwhichtheysit，andplayalivelymeasure。Fiveorsixcouplecomeuponthefloor，marshalledbyalivelyyoungnegro，whoisthewitoftheassembly，andthegreatestdancerknown。Heneverleavesoffmakingqueerfaces，andisthedelightofalltherest，whogrinfromeartoearincessantly。Amongthedancersaretwoyoungmulattogirls，withlarge，black，droopingeyes，andhead-
　　gearafterthefashionofthehostess，whoareasshy，orfeigntobe，asthoughtheyneverdancedbefore，andsolookdownbeforethevisitors，thattheirpartnerscanseenothingbutthelongfringedlashes。
　　Butthedancecommences。Everygentlemansetsaslongashelikestotheoppositelady，andtheoppositeladytohim，andallaresolongaboutitthatthesportbeginstolanguish，whensuddenlythelivelyherodashesintotherescue。Instantlythefiddlergrins，andgoesatittoothandnail；thereisnewenergyinthetambourine；newlaughterinthedancers；newsmilesinthelandlady；newconfidenceinthelandlord；newbrightnessintheverycandles。
　　Singleshuffle，doubleshuffle，cutandcross-cut；snappinghisfingers，rollinghiseyes，turninginhisknees，presentingthebacksofhislegsinfront，spinningaboutonhistoesandheelslikenothingbuttheman'sfingersonthetambourine；dancingwithtwoleftlegs，tworightlegs，twowoodenlegs，twowirelegs，twospringlegs-allsortsoflegsandnolegs-whatisthistohim？
　　Andinwhatwalkoflife，ordanceoflife，doesmanevergetsuchstimulatingapplauseasthundersabouthim，when，havingdancedhispartneroffherfeet，andhimselftoo，hefinishesbyleapinggloriouslyonthebar-counter，andcallingforsomethingtodrink，withthechuckleofamillionofcounterfeitJimCrows，inoneinimitablesound!
　　Theair，eveninthesedistemperedparts，isfreshafterthestiflingatmosphereofthehouses；andnow，asweemergeintoabroaderstreet，itblowsuponuswithapurerbreath，andthestarslookbrightagain。HereareTheTombsoncemore。Thecitywatch-
　　houseisapartofthebuilding。Itfollowsnaturallyonthesightswehavejustleft。Letusseethat，andthentobed。
　　What!doyouthrustyourcommonoffendersagainstthepolicedisciplineofthetown，intosuchholesasthese？Domenandwomen，againstwhomnocrimeisproved，liehereallnightinperfectdarkness，surroundedbythenoisomevapourswhichencirclethatflagginglampyoulightuswith，andbreathingthisfilthyandoffensivestench!Why，suchindecentanddisgustingdungeonsasthesecells，wouldbringdisgraceuponthemostdespoticempireintheworld!Lookatthem，man-you，whoseethemeverynight，andkeepthekeys。Doyouseewhattheyare？Doyouknowhowdrainsaremadebelowthestreets，andwhereinthesehumansewersdiffer，exceptinbeingalwaysstagnant？
　　Well，hedon'tknow。Hehashadfive-and-twentyyoungwomenlockedupinthisverycellatonetime，andyou'dhardlyrealisewhathandsomefacestherewereamong'em。
　　InGod'sname!shutthedooruponthewretchedcreaturewhoisinitnow，andputitsscreenbeforeaplace，quiteunsurpassedinallthevice，neglect，anddevilry，oftheworstoldtowninEurope。
　　Arepeoplereallyleftallnight，untried，inthoseblacksties？-
　　Everynight。Thewatchissetatsevenintheevening。Themagistrateopenshiscourtatfiveinthemorning。Thatistheearliesthouratwhichthefirstprisonercanbereleased；andifanofficerappearagainsthim，heisnottakenouttillnineo'clockorten-Butifanyoneamongthemdieintheinterval，asonemandid，notlongago？Thenheishalf-eatenbytheratsinanhour'stime；asthatmanwas；andthereanend。
　　Whatisthisintolerabletollingofgreatbells，andcrashingofwheels，andshoutinginthedistance？Afire。Andwhatthatdeepredlightintheoppositedirection？Anotherfire。Andwhatthesecharredandblackenedwallswestandbefore？Adwellingwhereafirehasbeen。Itwasmorethanhinted，inanofficialreport，notlongago，thatsomeoftheseconflagrationswerenotwhollyaccidental，andthatspeculationandenterprisefoundafieldofexertion，eveninflames:butbethisasitmay，therewasafirelastnight，therearetwoto-night，andyoumaylayanevenwagertherewillbeatleastone，to-morrow。So，carryingthatwithusforourcomfort，letussay，Goodnight，andclimbup-stairstobed。
　　Oneday，duringmystayinNewYork，IpaidavisittothedifferentpublicinstitutionsonLongIsland，orRhodeIsland:I
　　forgetwhich。OneofthemisaLunaticAsylum。Thebuildingishandsome；andisremarkableforaspaciousandelegantstaircase。
　　Thewholestructureisnotyetfinished，butitisalreadyoneofconsiderablesizeandextent，andiscapableofaccommodatingaverylargenumberofpatients。
　　IcannotsaythatIderivedmuchcomfortfromtheinspectionofthischarity。Thedifferentwardsmighthavebeencleanerandbetterordered；Isawnothingofthatsalutarysystemwhichhadimpressedmesofavourablyelsewhere；andeverythinghadalounging，listless，madhouseair，whichwasverypainful。Themopingidiot，coweringdownwithlongdishevelledhair；thegibberingmaniac，withhishideouslaughandpointedfinger；thevacanteye，thefiercewildface，thegloomypickingofthehandsandlips，andmunchingofthenails:theretheywereall，withoutdisguise，innakeduglinessandhorror。Inthedining-room，abare，dull，drearyplace，withnothingfortheeyetorestonbuttheemptywalls，awomanwaslockedupalone。Shewasbent，theytoldme，oncommittingsuicide。Ifanythingcouldhavestrengthenedherinherresolution，itwouldcertainlyhavebeentheinsupportablemonotonyofsuchanexistence。
　　Theterriblecrowdwithwhichthesehallsandgallerieswerefilled，soshockedme，thatIabridgedmystaywithintheshortestlimits，anddeclinedtoseethatportionofthebuildinginwhichtherefractoryandviolentwereundercloserrestraint。IhavenodoubtthatthegentlemanwhopresidedoverthisestablishmentatthetimeIwriteof，wascompetenttomanageit，andhaddoneallinhispowertopromoteitsusefulness:butwillitbebelievedthatthemiserablestrifeofPartyfeelingiscarriedevenintothissadrefugeofafflictedanddegradedhumanity？Willitbebelievedthattheeyeswhicharetowatchoverandcontrolthewanderingsofmindsonwhichthemostdreadfulvisitationtowhichournatureisexposedhasfallen，mustweartheglassesofsomewretchedsideinPolitics？Willitbebelievedthatthegovernorofsuchahouseasthis，isappointed，anddeposed，andchangedperpetually，asPartiesfluctuateandvary，andastheirdespicableweathercocksareblownthiswayorthat？Ahundredtimesineveryweek，somenewmostpaltryexhibitionofthatnarrow-mindedandinjuriousPartySpirit，whichistheSimoomofAmerica，sickeningandblightingeverythingofwholesomelifewithinitsreach，wasforceduponmynotice；butIneverturnedmybackuponitwithfeelingsofsuchdeepdisgustandmeasurelesscontempt，aswhenI
　　crossedthethresholdofthismadhouse。
　　AtashortdistancefromthisbuildingisanothercalledtheAlmsHouse，thatistosay，theworkhouseofNewYork。ThisisalargeInstitutionalso:lodging，Ibelieve，whenIwasthere，nearlyathousandpoor。Itwasbadlyventilated，andbadlylighted；wasnottooclean；-andimpressedme，onthewhole，veryuncomfortably。
　　ButitmustberememberedthatNewYork，asagreatemporiumofcommerce，andasaplaceofgeneralresort，notonlyfromallpartsoftheStates，butfrommostpartsoftheworld，hasalwaysalargepauperpopulationtoprovidefor；andlabours，therefore，underpeculiardifficultiesinthisrespect。NormustitbeforgottenthatNewYorkisalargetown，andthatinalllargetownsavastamountofgoodandevilisintermixedandjumbleduptogether。
　　InthesameneighbourhoodistheFarm，whereyoungorphansarenursedandbred。Ididnotseeit，butIbelieveitiswellconducted；andIcanthemoreeasilycreditit，fromknowinghowmindfultheyusuallyare，inAmerica，ofthatbeautifulpassageintheLitanywhichremembersallsickpersonsandyoungchildren。
　　IwastakentotheseInstitutionsbywater，inaboatbelongingtotheIslandjail，androwedbyacrewofprisoners，whoweredressedinastripeduniformofblackandbuff，inwhichtheylookedlikefadedtigers。Theytookme，bythesameconveyance，tothejailitself。
　　Itisanoldprison，andquiteapioneerestablishment，ontheplanIhavealreadydescribed。Iwasgladtohearthis，foritisunquestionablyaveryindifferentone。Themostismade，however，ofthemeansitpossesses，anditisaswellregulatedassuchaplacecanbe。
　　Thewomenworkincoveredsheds，erectedforthatpurpose。IfI
　　rememberright，therearenoshopsforthemen，butbethatasitmay，thegreaterpartofthemlabourincertainstone-quarriesnearathand。Thedaybeingverywetindeed，thislabourwassuspended，andtheprisonerswereintheircells。Imaginethesecells，sometwoorthreehundredinnumber，andineveryoneamanlockedup；
　　thisoneathisdoorforair，withhishandsthrustthroughthegrate；thisoneinbedinthemiddleoftheday，remember；andthisoneflungdowninaheapupontheground，withhisheadagainstthebars，likeawildbeast。Maketherainpourdown，outside，intorrents。Puttheeverlastingstoveinthemidst；hot，andsuffocating，andvaporous，asawitch'scauldron。Addacollectionofgentleodours，suchaswouldarisefromathousandmildewedumbrellas，wetthrough，andathousandbuck-baskets，fullofhalf-washedlinen-andthereistheprison，asitwasthatday。
　　TheprisonfortheStateatSingSingis，ontheotherhand，amodeljail。That，andAuburn，are，Ibelieve，thelargestandbestexamplesofthesilentsystem。
　　Inanotherpartofthecity，istheRefugefortheDestitute:anInstitutionwhoseobjectistoreclaimyouthfuloffenders，maleandfemale，blackandwhite，withoutdistinction；toteachthemusefultrades，apprenticethemtorespectablemasters，andmakethemworthymembersofsociety。Itsdesign，itwillbeseen，issimilartothatatBoston；anditisanolessmeritoriousandadmirableestablishment。Asuspicioncrossedmymindduringmyinspectionofthisnoblecharity，whetherthesuperintendenthadquitesufficientknowledgeoftheworldandworldlycharacters；andwhetherhedidnotcommitagreatmistakeintreatingsomeyounggirls，whoweretoallintentsandpurposes，bytheiryearsandtheirpastlives，women，asthoughtheywerelittlechildren；whichcertainlyhadaludicrouseffectinmyeyes，and，orIammuchmistaken，intheirsalso。AstheInstitution，however，isalwaysunderavigilantexaminationofabodyofgentlemenofgreatintelligenceandexperience，itcannotfailtobewellconducted；andwhetherIamrightorwronginthisslightparticular，isunimportanttoitsdesertsandcharacter，whichitwouldbedifficulttoestimatetoohighly。
　　Inadditiontotheseestablishments，thereareinNewYork，excellenthospitalsandschools，literaryinstitutionsandlibraries；anadmirablefiredepartmentasindeeditshouldbe，havingconstantpractice，andcharitiesofeverysortandkind。
　　Inthesuburbsthereisaspaciouscemetery:unfinishedyet，buteverydayimproving。ThesaddesttombIsawtherewas'TheStrangers'Grave。Dedicatedtothedifferenthotelsinthiscity。'
　　Therearethreeprincipaltheatres。Twoofthem，theParkandtheBowery，arelarge，elegant，andhandsomebuildings，andare，I
　　grievetowriteit，generallydeserted。Thethird，theOlympic，isatinyshow-boxforvaudevillesandburlesques。ItissingularlywellconductedbyMr。Mitchell，acomicactorofgreatquiethumourandoriginality，whoiswellrememberedandesteemedbyLondonplaygoers。Iamhappytoreportofthisdeservinggentleman，thathisbenchesareusuallywellfilled，andthathistheatreringswithmerrimenteverynight。Ihadalmostforgottenasmallsummertheatre，calledNiblo's，withgardensandopenairamusementsattached；butIbelieveitisnotexemptfromthegeneraldepressionunderwhichTheatricalProperty，orwhatishumorouslycalledbythatname，unfortunatelylabours。
　　ThecountryroundNewYorkissurpassinglyandexquisitelypicturesque。Theclimate，asIhavealreadyintimated，issomewhatofthewarmest。Whatitwouldbe，withouttheseabreezeswhichcomefromitsbeautifulBayintheeveningtime，Iwillnotthrowmyselformyreadersintoafeverbyinquiring。
　　Thetoneofthebestsocietyinthiscity，islikethatofBoston；
　　hereandthere，itmaybe，withagreaterinfusionofthemercantilespirit，butgenerallypolishedandrefined，andalwaysmosthospitable。Thehousesandtablesareelegant；thehourslaterandmorerakish；andthereis，perhaps，agreaterspiritofcontentioninreferencetoappearances，andthedisplayofwealthandcostlyliving。Theladiesaresingularlybeautiful。
　　BeforeIleftNewYorkImadearrangementsforsecuringapassagehomeintheGeorgeWashingtonpacketship，whichwasadvertisedtosailinJune:thatbeingthemonthinwhichIhaddetermined，ifpreventedbynoaccidentinthecourseofmyramblings，toleaveAmerica。
　　IneverthoughtthatgoingbacktoEngland，returningtoallwhoaredeartome，andtopursuitsthathaveinsensiblygrowntobeapartofmynature，IcouldhavefeltsomuchsorrowasIendured，whenIpartedatlast，onboardthisship，withthefriendswhohadaccompaniedmefromthiscity。Ineverthoughtthenameofanyplace，sofarawayandsolatelyknown，couldeverassociateitselfinmymindwiththecrowdofaffectionateremembrancesthatnowclusteraboutit。Therearethoseinthiscitywhowouldbrighten，tome，thedarkestwinter-daythateverglimmeredandwentoutinLapland；andbeforewhosepresenceevenHomegrewdim，whentheyandIexchangedthatpainfulwordwhichmingleswithoureverythoughtanddeed；whichhauntsourcradle-headsininfancy，andclosesupthevistaofourlivesinage。
　　CHAPTERVII-PHILADELPHIA，ANDITSSOLITARYPRISON
　　THEjourneyfromNewYorktoPhiladelphia，ismadebyrailroad，andtwoferries；andusuallyoccupiesbetweenfiveandsixhours。Itwasafineeveningwhenwewerepassengersinthetrain:andwatchingthebrightsunsetfromalittlewindownearthedoorbywhichwesat，myattentionwasattractedtoaremarkableappearanceissuingfromthewindowsofthegentleman'scarimmediatelyinfrontofus，whichIsupposedforsometimewasoccasionedbyanumberofindustriouspersonsinside，rippingopenfeather-beds，andgivingthefeatherstothewind。Atlengthitoccurredtomethattheywereonlyspitting，whichwasindeedthecase；thoughhowanynumberofpassengerswhichitwaspossibleforthatcartocontain，couldhavemaintainedsuchaplayfulandincessantshowerofexpectoration，Iamstillatalosstounderstand:
　　notwithstandingtheexperienceinallsalivatoryphenomenawhichI
　　afterwardsacquired。
　　Imadeacquaintance，onthisjourney，withamildandmodestyoungquaker，whoopenedthediscoursebyinformingme，inagravewhisper，thathisgrandfatherwastheinventorofcold-drawncastoroil。Imentionthecircumstancehere，thinkingitprobablethatthisisthefirstoccasiononwhichthevaluablemedicineinquestionwaseverusedasaconversationalaperient。
　　Wereachedthecity，latethatnight。Lookingoutofmychamber-
　　window，beforegoingtobed，Isaw，ontheoppositesideoftheway，ahandsomebuildingofwhitemarble，whichhadamournfulghost-likeaspect，drearytobehold。Iattributedthistothesombreinfluenceofthenight，andonrisinginthemorninglookedoutagain，expectingtoseeitsstepsandporticothrongedwithgroupsofpeoplepassinginandout。Thedoorwasstilltightshut，however；thesamecoldcheerlessairprevailed:andthebuildinglookedasifthemarblestatueofDonGuzmancouldalonehaveanybusinesstotransactwithinitsgloomywalls。Ihastenedtoinquireitsnameandpurpose，andthenmysurprisevanished。ItwastheTombofmanyfortunes；theGreatCatacombofinvestment；
　　thememorableUnitedStatesBank。
　　Thestoppageofthisbank，withallitsruinousconsequences，hadcastasIwastoldoneverysideagloomonPhiladelphia，underthedepressingeffectofwhichityetlaboured。Itcertainlydidseemratherdullandoutofspirits。
　　Itisahandsomecity，butdistractinglyregular。Afterwalkingaboutitforanhourortwo，IfeltthatIwouldhavegiventheworldforacrookedstreet。Thecollarofmycoatappearedtostiffen，andthebrimofmybattoexpand，beneathitsquakeryinfluence。Myhairshrunkintoasleekshortcrop，myhandsfoldedthemselvesuponmybreastoftheirowncalmaccord，andthoughtsoftakinglodgingsinMarkLaneoveragainsttheMarketPlace，andofmakingalargefortunebyspeculationsincorn，cameovermeinvoluntarily。
　　Philadelphiaismostbountifullyprovidedwithfreshwater，whichisshoweredandjerkedabout，andturnedon，andpouredoff，everywhere。TheWaterworks，whichareonaheightnearthecity，arenolessornamentalthanuseful，beingtastefullylaidoutasapublicgarden，andkeptinthebestandneatestorder。Theriverisdammedatthispoint，andforcedbyitsownpowerintocertainhightanksorreservoirs，whencethewholecity，tothetopstoriesofthehouses，issuppliedataverytriflingexpense。
　　Therearevariouspublicinstitutions。AmongthemamostexcellentHospital-aquakerestablishment，butnotsectarianinthegreatbenefitsitconfers；aquiet，quaintoldLibrary，namedafterFranklin；ahandsomeExchangeandPostOffice；andsoforth。InconnectionwiththequakerHospital，thereisapicturebyWest，whichisexhibitedforthebenefitofthefundsoftheinstitution。
　　Thesubjectis，ourSaviourhealingthesick，anditis，perhaps，asfavourableaspecimenofthemasterascanbeseenanywhere。
　　Whetherthisbehighorlowpraise，dependsuponthereader'staste。
　　Inthesameroom，thereisaverycharacteristicandlife-likeportraitbyMr。Sully，adistinguishedAmericanartist。
　　MystayinPhiladelphiawasveryshort，butwhatIsawofitssociety，Igreatlyliked。Treatingofitsgeneralcharacteristics，IshouldbedisposedtosaythatitismoreprovincialthanBostonorNewYork，andthatthereisafloatinthefaircity，anassumptionoftasteandcriticism，savouringratherofthosegenteeldiscussionsuponthesamethemes，inconnectionwithShakspeareandtheMusicalGlasses，ofwhichwereadintheVicarofWakefield。Nearthecity，isamostsplendidunfinishedmarblestructurefortheGirardCollege，foundedbyadeceasedgentlemanofthatnameandofenormouswealth，which，ifcompletedaccordingtotheoriginaldesign，willbeperhapstherichestedificeofmoderntimes。Butthebequestisinvolvedinlegaldisputes，andpendingthemtheworkhasstopped；sothatlikemanyothergreatundertakingsinAmerica，eventhisisrathergoingtobedoneoneofthesedays，thandoingnow。