Orphan Asylum Society of New-York Anniversary: 59th

     The review also includes a description of receipts and expenditures by the asylum over the course of the year…“The fifty-ninth anniversary of the Orphan Asylum Society of New-York, was celebrated at Irving Hall yesterday afternoon.  A large and fashionable audience was present.  About 160 of the children under the care of the society were on the platform, the boys dressed in brown and gray, the girls in blue, with white aprons trimmed with red.  Several of the youngest children were brought in their nurses’ arms.  All appeared to be healthy and happy.

      After prayer, and the reading of a portion of scripture by Rev. Dr. Montgomery, an anniversary hymn was sung by the children, with commendable attention to time and tune.  Dr. Montgomery then read the annual report, from which it appears that, on the 1st of April, 1864, there were 211 children in the asylum; 52 were admitted during the year; 33 were discharged, 3 were sent to the Juvenile Asylum, 1 to Randall’s Island and 2 died; leaving 172 under the care of the institution on the 1st ult.  Of these, 103 are boys and 69 girls.

     A number of recitations were then given by the children, and some excellent piano music by Prof. Lasar.  A piece called the ‘The Haymakers’ was performed by eight little girls and the same number of boys, the lads doffing their jackets and the girls donning their straw hats with blue ribbons.  The whole party, being provided with hay-making implements, went through the appropriate motions, accompanying them by singing ‘Mowers and Spreaders.’  A collection was taken up during the afternoon, and the audience were [sic] then dismissed with the benediction.”