floor. Upon the table still stood Fanny's work-basket-all just as I had found it when I had chosen my night's lodging there. "And Christopher has but just returned from the post-house ?" asked I. "Has he slept there all night?" "To be sure, you strange creature!" said Fanny, and patted my cheek. "He says, too, that you yourself told him to do so. Why have you passed the night on this sofa, which is as hard as a rock? Why did you not rout us out of our beds? How gladly would we all have been prepared for your reception!" I started with delight. "You have slept, then, safely and quietly all night?" asked I. "Only too soundly," said Fanny. "Could I have guessed that you were here in the summer-house there would have been an end of all sleep. I would have slipped to you like a ghost." I clasped the lovely Fanny more fondly to my heart; and with her and the children upon my lap, I felt, now more vividly than ever, the peace of a good heart and a quiet conscience. I INSIDE A PALANQUIN. CARE not who asserts to the contrary, and this is a bold challenge, but I maintain that there is no mode of conveyance at once so luxurious and convenient as a good Indian palanquin. Admitting that for speed it will bear no comparison with other vehicles, and for appearance is far less dignified than a four-in-hand; still I persist that for distance, night traveling, and a hot climate, for a country where hotels or inns are things yet to come, nothing can compete with a good palanquin, carried by a well-assorted private set of bearers. Every respectable resident in India employs private sets of palanquin bearers, who are in regular monthly pay; and, in addition to their stipulated business of carrying to and fro, make themselves useful in a dozen different ways; they dust the furniture, sweep up the dry leaves and litter in front of the house, help to water the garden, carry cocked-hatted looking “chits," (the Indian for billet-doux,) or scented invitations to balls from house to house, run for the doctor, help to pull the punkah, water the euscuss blinds during the prevalence of fierce hot winds, fetch chatties of water to the bath, rig up swings, or make palm leaf toys for the children. All these, in addition to carrying the Burrah Sahib to his office, and fetching him home in the evening. A fine, sturdy, healthy, good-humored people are these Hindoo bearers, full of good feeling, willing, active, and of Herculean strength. Seldom jangling among themselves, always neatly clad, and profuse and scrupulous in ablutions; respectful and respectable, and usually all of a like stature and equal strength. I speak of private sets that are chosen by the head bearer, who is himself a perfect Adonis, with a voice that can be heard a mile off on a calm day, and who is usually possessed of the faculty of telling poocheycarah (tamul, ogre, or ghost) stories, which hush the most obstreperous of AngloIndian children into terrified slumber. Such, at least, is a fair picture of the sets employed by us; ordinarily they are the same all over the presidency, and carry you with a precision and ease that renders the motion hardly perceptible, and tends to soothe one to rest. Such is not the case, however, with hired bearers, who carry hack palkees at so much a day. These are a very inferior class of people, and seldom of the true caste; rarely of an equal height, the deficiency has to be made up by a mass of shoulder cushions, the slipping or mal-arrangement of which cause excruciating joltings to the victim inside. Sometimes it occurs that ludicrous mistakes, rather aggravating to the bearers themselves, are brought about from ignorance of the people's language and customs. An old anecdote is current at Madras of a very corpulent shipmaster, whose weight threatened to force the bottom out of the palanquin, and grievously oppressed the unhappy men, who could only just crawl along with their burden. Conscious of his own misfortune, annoyed at the notice he evidently attracted, and enraged at the snail's pace they were creeping along at, the stout man lay smothering his anger till his fevered imagination interpreted the usual sing-song nasal drawl of the poor bearers into insulting insinuations toward himself. Their ah-be-fahpe, ground over and over again, sounded to him amazingly like a big fat pig, and so roused his indignation, that he jumped out of the palanquin, and violently assaulted the astonished and unoffending men. But to return to the argument with which I started. Traveling by train is doubtless agreeable and expeditious, when the journey occupies only a few hours, or at most a day and night. Travel as I have done, with hardly an hour's interval, more than a thousand miles, and however warm and comfortable the cars, the thing is no longer a joke; you feel as if every bone in your body was bruised; you feel as every man feels that has not winked at sleep for three nights; you are fit to go to bed, and to do nothing else. Travel, as I have done, also, on horseback, for thirty hours at a stretch, and tell it not, ye Fates, what is the result? If you had been broken on a wheel you could hardly be a greater martyr for a period. Travel on a camel's back, as I have been idiot enough to travel, and how do you feel after the first hour or so, with regard to breath and stiffness? Journey upon an elephant, with a well-fitted howdah, and, apart from the elephant's vagaries, such as filling his trunk at every puddle, and deliberately squirting the contents all over you-the very recollection is productive of an ague. So with regard to stagecoaches, carriages, cabs, carts, wagons, omnibuses, all these are agreeable enough, and full useful for a measured distance. But I should like to see the man who would undertake to travel night and day in these without dismounting, save for a few minutes at a time, and so continue traveling through eight successive days and nights, as I have traveled, dawk in a palanquin. With a couple of thousand miles to traverse, give me the palanquin before any other mode of conveyance. I remember an old anecdote told of a stage coachman, when railways first came into vogue, which certainly was the most clearly-defined explanation of the difference between where are you? and there you are. The "old whip," hard upon the new-fangled innovations, brought matters to a crisis, and his argument to a dead settler, by illustrating two imaginary accidents, and drawing his own satisfactory conclusions from the results. 66 "A railway," said he, "why there's the engine goes a bursting, or is blown up, or running into each other, or over pressempieces, (precipices,) and then where are ye? Whereas a coach-wheel may bolt off, or a haccident occur—mayhap you get a bruise or two-mayhap a broken limb; but-there you are—we sees you, and we picks you up, and carries you to a hospital-now that's what I call a hadequate advantage." Precisely so; I am perfectly of honest John's opinion, with this even more hadequate advantage," that my palanquin has no wheels to lose; no restive or kicking horses to contend with; if an accident happens at all, it's the poor bearers' shins that suffer, not mine, and the utmost inconvenience I am put to is the abruptness of the jolt. And now for the inside of my palanquin —that palanquin in which I traveled, and where I always found myself cosy and snug. My palanquin, then, was about six feet long by three broad, and three in height. It was lined throughout with green morocco, well padded and stuffed. The mattress and the cushions (one flat and one round one) were covered with the same material, also well stuffed and padded; over these, at night-time, or when anxious for a nap, the head bearer carefully spread blankets and sheets, and placed a couple of bed-pillows, when my palanquin became as luxuriant a four-poster as one could wish for in a hot climate. At other times, these were removed and folded together, and placed behind the palanquin cushion, so as to prop one up into a comfortable sitting posture; then the palanquin answered for an easy chair or a couch. The cushion, moreover, was so arranged by means of leather straps and buttons, as to admit of my altering the angle of support for the back, by raising or lowering the cushion at pleasure, when growing weary of one posture. Behind my head, and over either shoulder, were a couple of carriage lamps, fixed outside the palanquin, but which threw all the light, when they were lit at night, into the interior, through small panes of glass, which had curtains to shroud the glare at pleasure. On the other hand, also, were pockets and contrivances for holding a tumbler, a bottle, a small goglet (Indian porous jars) of water, biscuits, sandwiches, newspapers, and a book or two. So much for the upper end. From the knees downward extended, at an elevation of a foot and a half from the bedding, a firm shelf, with a ledge, and a good secure drawer in it. Here was packed away hat-box, dressing-case, desk, more books, more papers, (and in most gentlemen's palkees, cigars,) and other odds and ends, while in the drawer itself were brushes and combs, looking-glass, pens loose a flood of light from the lamps at night, and impenetrable darkness fell into the roadside hedges. No monarch newly come to the high dignity of sway enjoyed | a thing more than I did this first palanquin journey. INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. TO Massachusetts belongs the honor of establishing the first state farm school for the salvation and reformation of its exposed and criminal boys. In this Magazine, some two years since, we presented an illustrated sketch of that institution, which is located in the pleasant agricultural town of Westborough, and now covers with its benignant shelter six hundred boys. Since its establishment, ten years ago, over a thousand youths have been sent forth from under its training who are giving hopeful assurances of integrity in the various industrial positions which have been provided for them. This alone is an ample return to the commonwealth for all the outlay occasioned by the building and maintenance of the school, over and above the pecuniary loss she must have suffered if they had continued in the courses of vice to which they seemed inevitably predestined. and ink, and other little requisites. Over this shelf, suspended from the ceiling of the palanquin, was a strong open net, capital contrivance for preserving oranges and other fruit, so refreshing on a sultry day, and which on this present occasion was well filled with mangoes and custard apples, which were sadly diminished in proportion as the first day's journey drew to a close. Under the mattress itself, spread out between two sheets, was the limited change of linen, etc., allowed for the journey, and what was soiled was transferred to a flat tin box on the outside, which covered two thirds of the palkee roof. There was, moreover, outside of the palanquin, and just over the front pole, a large open wicker-work basket, well fastened to the iron rods that secured the pole, and which contained a large-sized goglet of water, bottles of wine and beer, a few spare tumblers, and a plate or two. Behind, in a similar position, and similarly secured, were metal basins and jugs, with a wooden camp wash-hand stand, and with what Jonathan calls all the fixings. The sliding doors of the palanquin opened on either side, at least two feet wide, and had, in addition, three distinct sets of curtains, which all rolled up into a comparatively small space at the top. There were green silk curtains for fine weather, oil cloth ones for wet, and euscuss blinds to shut out the dreadful long shore winds, which are bad enough in the best house, but insufferable out of doors. By keeping these damp, and renewing the supply of water at every puddle or stream we came across, the scorching wind lost its effect, and blew in cool and invigorating. Talk to me of luxuries and inventions in traveling. I should like to know what could surpassing illustration, that it is made up of sevthe comforts of that palanquin? It was a portable palace, a locomotive drawingroom, a dining-room, studio, bed-room, everything and all things at once and in one. It was an enchanted castle, (I recollect thinking so at the time,) in which I had only to harbor a wish, and that wish was instantly gratified. I thought "mango," and straightway fisted one out of the curtain; "wine and water," it was at my right and left; so with biscuits, so with anything to read, so with sleep, so with all the shadows from light to darkness; and, at night, vice versa. I had only to close the sliding doors, and the brilliant glare of day was gone; to let VOL. XI.-5 To Massachusetts also belongs the honor of instituting the first industrial school for the rescue of her exposed girls; and also of attempting the first reform school upon the family system as distinguished from the penitentiary. Instead of one large building, elaborate and expensive in its appointments, surrounded by walls, or forming a wall itself by inclosing a hollow square, it will be seen by the accompany eral edifices, plain in their architecture, and arranged to accommodate separate families, forming a little industrial village around their common chapel. The school was opened on the 27th of August last, and immediately began to receive inmates. At this time three homes, as they are appropriately called, were completed. Each house is perfect in itself, having accommodations for the instruction, industry, and domestic training of thirty girls. Over each house two matrons, (one called the assistant,) and affectionately addressed as mother and aunt by the girls, are placed, into whose hands is given the entire care and discipline of the family, the superintendent being their counselor, and affording advice and aid whenever requested. In addition to the three homes, is a house for the superintendent, who is also the chaplain of the institution; a house for the farmer, and a chapel. The school is situated in the quiet and beautiful old town of Lancaster, about thirty miles from Boston; a little aside from the main routes of travel, but of easy access from all parts of the state. The town, with its village hamlets, stretches along the two branches of the Nashua, which unite a short distance from the institution and flow at the foot of the farm. The great feature of the town is its wonderful growth of elms, which line all the woods and embower the private residences. The plateau upon which the school buildings are erected is thickly studded with elms of, a hundred years' growth, which cover its buildings and lawn with their venerable arms. Besides the family system, the institution differs from others in that its subjects are saved from the dishonor of a sentence from a criminal tribunal. No girl is sent to it from the courts; but special commissioners are appointed by the executive, (the judges of probate being commissioners ex officio,) in the various towns in the state, before whom the girls are brought, and who have authority to commit them to the institution for the term of their minority. The object of the school is to succor and save such girls, under sixteen, as are exposed to a life of crime, through orphanage, vagrancy, unsuitable homes, etc.; or have been guilty of acts of petty crime, but have not become habitual and hardened criminals. It is painful to know how large are the statistics of these classes, even in our most Christian Massachusetts. In the city of Boston alone, the chief of police returns, as the result of a careful examination, four hundred girls under sixteen exposed to almost certain ruin, and yet still children, and nearly nine hundred just over sixteen. What a future is before these girls! What an expense will they be to the city and the state, and after all be lost! As a simple question of economy, how much cheaper to gather them up from their homes of sin and destitution, and train them to habits of industry and virtue ! At the present writing, less than six months since the opening of the school, some sixty girls, between the ages of eight | to this, after a pupil has remained long enough to awaken a personal affection for the matrons, than parents do in reference to their children. The trustees reason that it is better to be subjected to some inconvenience in securing the return of fugitives, if, on rare occasions, there are attempts to leave the premises, than to break so seriously into the family plan as to introduce physical restraint. In the case of two thirds of the present inmates, no ordinary inducement could lead them to leave without permission. The punishments are simple, appealing rather to the moral sense than to a fear of bodily suffer and sixteen, averaging about twelve, have been received. The present building can accommodate ninety, and there is abundant room for the construction of edifices for the homes of two or three hundred inmates, the institution being situated upon a farm of a hundred acres. The girls under the supervision of the matrons, perform the house-work, attend to the dairy, make their own garments, and soon will be able to aid with their needles in the support of the institution. About three hours dayly are devoted to the school. Prayers are conducted by the chaplain in the presence of all the families in the chapel, in the morning. The discipline chiefly relied upon, ing; the evening devotions take place in the several families under the direction of the matrons. Services adapted to the age and character of the children are held on Sunday in the chapel. Painful revelations are made by the disclosures of these girls, of the exposure of children and the powerful influences that draw them toward a life of crime. In a majority of cases there has been a change in their domestic relations; a large number have step-mothers; some step-fathers; in other cases the parents have separated or are deceased. In a number of instances they have suffered from the intemperance of parents. There is hardly one of them but was so exposed to temptation, or had so far fallen under it, as to create a strong presumption of ultimate ruin if not at once rescued, and there is scarcely one that does not, with the Divine blessing, afford a fair promise of hopeful reformation. Their appearance is often squalid in the extreme when they first make their appearance. They come from homes of sin and from an atmosphere of moral impurity. The miserable rags that cover them are at once committed to the flames, the grimed bodies to an unwonted bath, and it is wonderful to notice how early also the new and powerful spiritual influences seem to transfigure the character of the child. The school differs from others of the same class, in that it proposes to retain its subjects solely by a moral and social power rather than by walls, locks, and bars. It is surrounded by a simple paling fence, and the girls take their exercise as freely upon the lawn as children of the common schools. There have been (in six months) but two slight attempts to escape, and the officers feel no more anxiety in reference and thus far failing in no instance, is seclusion from their companions in their own or another room, with a light diet, and the affectionate and Christian expostulation of the matron. The most impertinent and obstinate, after a period of exclusion from the society of their companions, and of reflection, yield to the discipline of the school. The fact that they themselves measure the period of their seclusion, and the weight of the punishment, soon quenches the fire of passion by which their stubbornness was aroused. They respond quite readily to the direct and kind religious instruction, which in most cases for the first time in their life they receive; and the most effectual element of discipline is found to be the newly awakened sense of self-respect, and the consciousness that the eye of God rests continually upon them. These girls are placed in the institution until their majority, but the trustees have authority to bind them out in suitable families, whenever in their judgment it will be for the best interests of the child that this should be done, or when the work of reformation is so far completed as to give them confidence in the future integrity and virtue of their previous wards. Our space will not admit of a reference to the interesting personal incidents which are presented in the first report to the Legislature. In so short an experiment marked results could not be expected, but ample time has been allowed to show the feasibility of the system upon which it is founded. As the family is a Divine institution, and is the best nursery of childhood, so when the state assumes the care of its orphaned, or worse than orphaned, children, she should place herself as nearly as possible in the parental attitude. |