isitor will sometimes find a large crowd
of men collected in it, not all of whom are unfortunates or criminals.
Some are well-dressed, well-to-do persons, who have had the misfortune to
be drunk and noisy on Saturday night. Some are strangers, residents of
other cities, who have started out from their hotels to see the sights
and have a merry time, and who have fallen at length--and fortunately for
them--into the hands of the police. A few are persons who have been
wrongfully or maliciously accused of crime.

From sunset until long after midnight on Saturday, the police are busy
with ridding the streets of drunken and disorderly persons. As soon as a
person is arrested, he is taken to the Tombs or to one of the
station-houses. It is the duty of the officer in charge of the precinct
to lock up every one against whom a definite charge is brought. Even
though satisfied that the person is wrongfully accused, or is simply
unfortunate, he has no discretion. He must hold for trial all charged
with offences, and at the Tombs the officer is obliged to throw persons
who command his sympathy into the company of the most abandoned wretches
for an entire night. Drunkenness, disorderly conduct, and fighting, are
the principal charges brought against the occupants of the Bummers' Cell.
The noise, profanity, and obscenity are fearful. All classes and ages
are represented there.

During the year 1870, 49,423 persons were confined for various periods of
time in the Tombs.

The Tombs Police Court offers some interesting and instructive
spectacles. It is opened at six o'clock on Sunday morning. It is
presided over by Justice Joseph Dowling, a short, thickset man, with a
handsome face, and a full, well-shaped head, indicating both ability and
determination. Judge Dowling is still a young man, and is one of the
most efficient magistrates in the city. His decisions are quickly
rendered, and are usually just. His long experience with criminals has
given him an intimate knowledge of the men with whom he has to deal, and
their ways. This often helps him to a conclusion which is really true,
although the evidence in the case does not confirm it, and he frequently
startles criminals by boldly declaring that they did thus and so at such
a time. The criminal overwhelmed with astonishment and confusion
generally admits the charge, and is sentenced accordingly. A stranger is
at once struck with the quick and penetrating power of Judg