and present it to General Assembly. Notice was given in the papers when the next meeting would be held, and the object of it ; and all who were favorable to the project were invited to attend. This caused a meeting of a considerable number of citizens who were favorable to the undertaking, but who had not before attended the meetings. They were pleased with the plan, and the progress made in the establishment, and joined heartily in its support. At this period, a number of the Directors of the Banks in Newport came forward, and used every argument in their power to persuade those who originated the project, and those who had united with them, to abandon it assigning as a reason, that there would not be sufficient deposited to render it profitable. The charter was granted, and at the first meeting of the Corporation, twenty-four Direc tors were chosen, all of whom, except one, accepted the appoint`ment. At a subsequent meeting of the Directors, they elected a President, and appointed a Treasurer and Secretary, and the Savings' Bank of Newport went into operation. At the first meeting of the Board, more than $1,000 had been deposited. Since its establishment, hundreds of thousands of dollars have been deposited, and occasionally withdrawn with interest, by depositors. At this time, September, 1850, the number of de posits are near one thousand (nine hundred and eighty-six), and the amount in deposits is $163,395. The depositors are chiefly minors, girls out at service, laborers, seamen, and operatives in the manufactories, saved from their earnings. The money deposited is invested in bonds and mortgage on real estate, and in bank stock. The interest on the sum now in deposit amounts, at 6 per cent., to over $9,800 per year. The institution, since its establishment, has never paid less than 5 per cent. interest per annum, to the depositors. At this time, and for some time past, a semi-annual dividend is declared, of 3 per cent on all sums that have been in three months after a dividend has been declared; that which is not called for is, at the end of three months, added to the sum deposited by each depositor. The institution is well managed, and has attained a high reputation The philanthropic citizen who first proposed its establishment, is a descendant from one of the ancient families of Newport, born before the Revolution, being now near eighty years of age.

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He was chosen as one of the first Directors of the Bank, and has been annually reelected from that time to the present.

THE ASYLUM FOR THE POOR.

This is an establishment worthy of commendation and praise, as a humane institution, highly creditable to the town. The former Poor establishment was, for many years, an almshouse and work-house connected. It was located on the west side of the common burying ground, where the abject poor, the lame, the blind, and the insane were sent by the overseers of the poor. Those who were able to do something towards their support, were employed (by the keeper appointed by the town) in the work-house, in spinning, picking oakum, &c. To those whose feelings of humanity induced them occasionally to visit the establishment, the inmates always complained of ill fare, and of not having sufficient food. Be this as it may, they were meanly clad, and all who were sent there went stricken with the idea that their next removal would be to the adjacent burial ground. A part of those who were able to hobble out, were allowed daily, except Sundays, to roam the streets in their rags, and the town was constantly, to its disgrace, infested with beggars, to the great annoyance of the citizens and visiting strangers. Those poor who could partly support themselves by their labor, were allowed pensions by the town, of from fifty cents to a dollar a week, to aid them in their support, which, together with the alms-house expenses, occasioned a heavy tax on the people, of which they complained, but knew not how to remedy. It was for many years in contemplation to alter and improve the plan of the establishment for the poor, and the mode of their support. Many plans were suggested from time to time, but none that met with general approbation; they were generally objected to, as being more expensive in their erection and support than the town could afford. At length, the same philanthropic and humane citizen who first proposed the establishment of the Savings' Bank, and who by his perseverance had got it into successful operation, encouraged by the favor with which it had been received by the public, after ob

taining information in regard to the establishments for the poor, and the manner and expense of their support, in various places, communicated the information obtained to those acquaintances who were favorable to an improvement in the condition of the poor, and proposed a plan which was approved. It was proposed that a new house should be built for the accommodation of the poor, in a suitable location, with land attached, on which those who were able to work might be profitably employed; to do away with the odious idea of an alms-house; to call it "The Newport Asylum for the Poor"; to abolish the pension system, and oblige all who required aid from the town to go to the Asylum for their support.

This plan being arranged, a Town Meeting was called, at which it was submitted for the consideration of the freemen ; the meeting was numerously attended, and the plan was generally approved, and a committee appointed to visit several lots belonging to the town, and also Coaster's Harbor Island, and to recommend such a location as they should think most suitable for the establishment.

The committee, at the suggestion of the projector of the plan, first visited Coaster's Harbor Island, and after considering the advantages and disadvantages of the place, unanimously recommended it, on every account, as the most suitable place for its location.

At a subsequent Town Meeting, the report of the committee was received and approved, and a building committee appointed to draw a plan of said building, and estimate the expense. The edifice was to be built of stone, of which there was abundance on the spot. The projector of the plan was one of that committee, and drew the plan and elevation of the Asylum, which the Town adopted, and according to which it was erected, with the exception of the cupola, which was objected to as an unnecessary expense, but has since been added. The plan of the building is considered admirably calculated for the purpose for which it was intended, containing every necessary apartment for the accommodation of the poor, as well as the family of the keeper, and ample room for the whole.

Coaster's Harbor Island, on which the Newport Asylum is erected, belonged to the Town; it contains about ninety acres of upland, and the shore affords an abundance of sea manure.

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Those who are able to labor are employed upon the farm, which is in a good state of cultivation, and the products go far towards the support of the establishment.

The island is situated about one mile north of the compact part of the town, and separated from it by water, which is not fordable, about ten rods wide, which prevents the inmates of the Asylum from visiting the town without permission.

The Asylum was completed, and ready for the reception of the poor in 1822; before their removal to their new habitation, they were well cleaned, and clad, and left their dirt at the old establishment. The pension system was abolished, and all those pensioners, who chose to avail themselves of the support offered them, were removed to the new establishment. The citizens of Newport have the pleasure to enjoy the complete success of the new system, as an amelioration of the condition of the poor, as well as a great saving of expense in their support; and to see them well supplied with wholesome food, comfortably lodged and clothed, and the town relieved from the disgrace of having the streets infested with beggars, as formerly, to the great scandal of the citizens and annoyance to strangers.

No spot can be more charmingly situated than the one selected; it rather resembles the country-seat of a gentleman, than an Asylum for the poor. Let the interior resemble the exterior.

As this Asylum was established expressly for the improvement of the condition of the virtuous poor, the vicious and the unprincipled should be kept separate, and not suffered to associate with them, or to eat at the same table. Let the Commissioners labor to make this institution a model, worthy of imitation by every city and town in the country.

The whole establishment, including land, is worth about $15,000. The Overseer of the Poor distributes the rent of a lot of land, containing about seven acres, left by Mr. Freebody, and also the interest of the "Derby Fund," to such persons as he may think proper. And, the Commissioners of the Asylum distribute, in the same way, the dividends of one share in the New England Commercial Bank, left by the late Mrs. Sarah. Redwood.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

We have already alluded to the interest which was taken by the town of Newport, in the promotion of education, as early as 1640; and private schools have ranked as high in this place as that of any section of the country.

The Newport Academy, Col. Levi Tower, Principal, had a very extensive popularity. Students from the South, as well as the New England States, were to be found under his instruc tion and guidance. The higher, as well as the common branches of education were taught. In penmanship the pupils excelled. Many of them are occupying places in countinghouses, banks, &c., in the various cities in the Union. Once a week, the older male scholars engaged in declamation, at which their parents, and other spectators were present, and who were both highly amused and gratified. It is no flattery to say of Col. Tower, that the school under his supervision, has never been excelled, if equalled, by any other in the State. It was the ne plus ultra !

In March, 1825, the freemen of Newport decided, by vote, to establish free schools in the town; and a Committee, in May following, recommended to erect two school houses, to obtain the Church school house, and thus establish three free schools in the town.

、 In 1820, a Committee of the town reported on a resolu tion of the General Assembly of this State, calling on the several towns for information on the subject of free schools, and recommended that the town instruct their representatives in General Assembly, to unite their efforts, to procure an act for such a general system of public schools, as in their wisdom they may devise.

On the 14th of July, 1826, the corner stone of the town school house, No. 1, was laid by Lieutenant-Governor Charles Collins. The Rev. Mr. Gammell offered an appropriate prayer on the occasion.

A Committee was appointed in April, 1826, to investigato and enquire into money, said to be due from the town, for or on account of school lands. In their report they say, "The undersigned, a Committee of said town, appointed on the 3d of