l laid off, and are in admirable order. In
short, the whole place is a model of neatness and careful administration.
None but the aged and infirm, who are destitute, are admitted. Each
newcomer is bathed immediately upon his or her arrival, and clad in the
plain but comfortable garments provided by the establishment. He is then
taken to the Warden's office, where his name, age, and bodily condition
are registered. At the same time, he is given a card inscribed with the
number of the ward and the class to which he is assigned, this allotment
being based upon an examination by the House Physician. The inmates are
divided into four classes, as follows: I. Able-bodied men. II. Those
who are able to do light labor and to act as inspectors or orderlies of
the different wards. III. Those who are able to sweep the walks or
break stones. IV. Those who are too old or infirm for any labor. Those
assigned to the first three classes are compelled to perform the duties
required of them on pain of dismissal. In the female house, the infirm
are more numerous than among the males. Those able to work are employed
in sewing and knitting, in keeping the wards in order, and in nursing the
feeble and cripples. In 1870, there were 1114 persons in the Almshouses,
from fifteen years of age upwards. A special provision is made in each
house for blind inmates.

Attached to the Almshouse are the Hospitals for Incurables, which consist
of two one-story buildings, 175 feet long, and 25 feet wide. One is
devoted to men and the other to women. In these buildings are quartered
those who are afflicted with incurable diseases, but who require no
medical attention.

The Bureau for the Relief of the Outdoor Poor is connected with the
Almshouse, though it conducts its operations in the city. The city is
divided into eleven districts, each of which is in charge of a visitor,
subject to the orders of the Superintendent of the Bureau. It is the
duty of these visitors to examine into the causes of sickness, crime, and
pauperism in their respective districts, and to report their observations
to the Superintendent, who communicates them to the Department of
Charities and Corrections. Temporary shelter is given to needy persons
in the winter, and money, fuel, food, clothing, etc., distributed to
deserving persons. In 1869, 5275 families were given money, and 7555
fuel by this Bureau; $128,000 being expended for these charities.