ch a compact and secure connection is formed, while all the
necessary flexibility is preserved.

=THE GREAT FAIR.=

The American Institute appears emblematical of the genius of our
countrymen--unsubdued even by conflagration, and looking upon
obstacles as incentives to redoubled effort. Contrast the smoking
ruins of Niblo's with Castle Garden, having its whole amphitheatre
enriched with a tastefully arranged collection of the most varied
products of American arts and manufactures, and behold an evidence
that we even inherit perseverance, enterprize and skill. We here see
the embodiment of the excellence of greatness of our country--an
unerring index of our future advance--if it be not that the signs of
the times indicate that madness in our rulers which precedes and
forebodes heaven's wrath. But it cannot, it must not be, that the
blood of _labor_ shall cry from the ground of America. It must be
sheathed, it must be protected. Protection is nature's first law.
Expose the bleating flocks to the hungry beasts of the forest; cut the
wings and pluck the feathers of her whom nature teaches to protect her
brood from cold and rain; say to the mother to leave her babe
unprotected and in free competition with all the elements of
destruction, sooner than refuse the protection of our Government to
the hitherto flourishing American manufactures.

Castle Garden, or more correctly Castle Clinton, is at the southern
extremity of our city. It was built for a fort--is of a circular form,
of solid mason work, surrounded by the waters of the bay--connected to
that ornament of the city, the Battery, by a long bridge. This bridge
the managers have covered with a roof, and thus secured a very
eligible and spacious apartment for the exhibition of carriages,
sleighs, carts, farming implements and machinery in great variety.
Thence the ingress suddenly opens into view the whole interior,
creating the most lively and pleasing emotions.

In the columns of the Scientific American we shall endeavor to give
those details that will, we trust, interest our readers and promote
the cause of American improvements.

=BATHS.=

After leaving the bridge, the passage way to the interior of the
Castle is ornamented on both sides with a pleasing display of
Baths--the immersion bath made of tin and of iron, and these combined
with the showering apparatus. The shower baths are variously
constructed, and some of them are of finished workmanship and cos