FULGURITES, OR LIGHTNING-HOLES. 529 



trample upon all rights of property and person, and institute a reign 

 of anarchy and destruction. 



The spirit of revolution and disorder pervaded the whole move- 

 ment, and justified the most prompt and aggressive action on the part 

 of the police and military authorities. It is to be hoped that the civil 

 law, in the legitimate exercise of its power, may permanently relieve 

 society from the presence of these leading anarchists. 



The municipality, too, is charged with certain obligations to its 

 proletariat. On the proper discharge of these obligations, the con- 

 tentment, sobriety, and good citizenship of the community will very 

 largely depend. Among other things, it ought to be the care of the 

 city that the houses built for the accommodation of this population 

 are suitably constructed, with a due regard to the health and com- 

 fort of the inmates ; that the streets where they live are properly 

 lighted, and sewered, and cleaned ; that they have an ample supply 

 of pure water ; that public baths are established for their use ; that 

 libraries and reading-rooms are established for all who will use them ; 

 that public parks are established, with some reference to the conven- 

 ience and comfort of this part of the people ; and that some simple 

 entertainment, such as music in the parks, be furnished for them. 



The expense both of time and money which might be involved in 

 carrying out these and such other plans as would be instituted in be- 

 half of this part of the city's population, would afford the most ample 

 returns, even when considered as an investment. It would lessen the 

 amount of disorder and crime. It would reduce the demands made 

 upon the hospital and poor-relief funds, and it would increase the value 

 of taxable property. 



There would be no quarter of the city which was practically as- 

 signed to the criminal and degraded classes — no localities which 

 would have the reputation of the Old Five Points of New York, or 

 the Levee of Chicago. I do not mean that we should in this way re- 

 move all destitution, degradation, or crime, but that we would reduce 

 these evils to their smallest dimensions ; that we would advance every 

 material and social interest of the city, and would discharge a duty 

 that is devolved upon us by the claims of humanity, the instincts of 

 self-interest, and the principles of the wisest political economy. 



FULGUEITES, OR LIGHTNING-HOLES. 



Br GEOEGE P. MEEEILL. 



THE peculiar and often disastrous results attendant upon an elec- 

 tric discharge have been dwelt upon since time immemorial. To 

 even briefly refer to the numerous recorded instances of the destruc- 

 tion of life and property by the discharge of "heaven's artillery" 

 vol. xxx. — 34 



