Back again into the pleasant parlor, where hangs a full-length imperial photograph of Apollos R. Wetmore, the President of the institution as well as one of its founder -- a philanthropist of whom New York may well be proud. We were glad of the picture -- firstly, because the grand hearty, benevolent face did us good; secondly, because it formed such a capital text for the Doctor. He is so provoking modest that is only by his extolling the sort of thing he reveres one can surmise his own quality or estimate his enthusiasm in his lifework -- at least, it is the only conversational way, since we must in the end judge a man by what he accomplishes, and rate his opinions, not by what he makes of them, but by what they make of him.
     I felt in a peculiarly positive and practical frame of mind that day. Had the Doctor looked stern. forbidding , or worn a pompous institution expression -- had he had the slightest contradictory shade of conceit or hypocrisy, or even of downright assumption, I might have been very much more receptive. As it was, I resolved not to let the goodness in his face bias me. Perhaps, after all it might prove to be no great loss not to know all about "such a man," Theoph to the contrary nevertheless.
     It is hard though, to withstand a bright eye that is mild when it speaks of conquered difficulties, and flashing when it recalls righted wrongs; to wait for proof when an earnest, glowing face, wearing the peculiar, grieved look which such face always acquire after years of philanthropic labor -- very hard when almost with the realization of the beatitudes. But I wouldn't. I drank in every word of the conversation, felt happy and inspirited, but determined to wait till we had gone over the institution., How about that "big stick?"
     Meanwhile, we had gratefully obtained a good deal of information concerning the Asylum and its two very important adjuncts, the House of Reception and the Western Agency.
     To the former the children are in the first instance taken, either by their friends or by a policeman, as shone in the illustration. In the latter case, their parents or guardians are duly searched for and notified, if possible, ten days being allowed in which application for surrender will be heard. Sometimes several children are brought in during a morning; and often it happens that a solitary wretched, frighten little vagrant, taken in all his rags and dirt by one of the truant-police force, finds himself standing in the reception-office a prospective victim, as he believes, of every horror this side of hanging.
     All new-comers, after the required legal formalities are attended to , are medically examined, bathed, and provided with clean clothing before being permitted to join the other inmates. From that time their personal traits and habits are carefully studied; they are admitted to the chapel and schoolroom exercises, and every care is taken to fit them for entering the Asylum. For twenty days the magistrate has the unconditional right of discharge. After that time commitments become final, and the children are removed to the Asylum in a covered wagon, every precaution being taken that no mistakes or informalities shall occur.
     Detentions at the main institution are governed in each instance by the time required to accomplish a reform. Sometimes a few weeks will suffice to render it safe and wise to return a child to its parents, or to sent to a good western home; sometimes more than two years; the average period is about five months. European reformatories retain children for much longer period than ours -- four years for boys and five for girls being with the former considered the normal term.
     The importance of the present Western Agency can scarcely be overestimated. Formerly the agent who attended to the indenturing of asylum children to western farmers or other employers, and who was expected to find good Christian homes for scores of girls and boys, had no local habitation or post-office address. His "head-quarters" were on the railway or the saddle, and of curse under these circumstances it was impossible for him to fully meet the demands of such a work. Through the suggestion of Dr. Brooks a Western Agency is now firmly established at Chicago, and under its admirable organization an incalculable amount of good is being accomplished. Theoph and I have since read the reports of it principal, Mr. Wright. The Agency has constantly under its charge about fifteen minors, scattered all over the State, concerning whom it is his duty to keep himself informed, ready to hear complaints from either side, adjust difficulties, or remove dissatisfied wards to more congenial homes. Added to this are the cares incidental upon transporting, receiving, and distributing fresh instalments of children, as often as circumstances require. Thirty-four gatherings of the wards have been held by the agent during a single year at various points in the West. Our illustration represents a group of boys and girls who have thus fallen in with each other after having been happily located by the agency. "Number of the former wards of the asylum," he says, "are now married and owners of farms or prosperous reputable citizens. Numbers are in, and others preparing themselves for, the several professions of law, medicine, and teaching. One, a lawyer, although but twenty-four years of age, hold the office of State Attorney, having been duly elected thereto by his district; and another is Assistant Superintendent of a prominent Reform School. Others are partners and clerks in prosperous mercantile firms, engineers and mechanics, leading useful lives, and enjoying an average measure of lives blessings."