io Anthropological Investigations. 



become more and more alike, and show less and less of their former 

 diversity. Each child, of course, preserves the fundamental differ- 

 ences of its nature, but it loses gradually more and more of those 

 conditions, both physical and moral, which distinguished it acutely 

 from the healthy and well-trained children, as well as from the 

 individuals confined a longer time in the institution. These changes, 

 although taking place on the basis of rule and advice, are not due 

 to compulsion. One of the most important factors in this improve- 

 ment of the newly admitted subjects, I have noticed to be spontane- 

 ous emulation by the newcomers of the already improved habits of 

 the children who have been here longer. After the first few weeks 

 of residence the children settle well down to the life of the institu- 

 tion, and they can seldom be seen in any but a happy state of mind 

 and good disposition. 



In learning, the newcomers are generally found to be more or 

 less retarded when brought to school in the institution, but in a 

 great majority of cases they begin to acquire rapidly, and a child 

 usually reaches the average standard of the class to which it is 

 allotted. An inveterate backwardness in learning is not noticeable,, 

 except in a few instances. 



The advance of the children continues slowly in all directions 

 during their stay in the asylum. When the time of discharge comes, 

 the children have certainly all more or less improved. I have had 

 occasion to satisfy myself of this fact by re-examining a number of 

 the subjects immediately before they were discharged, and although 

 the periods since the first examination of the same individuals 

 amounted to only from three to six months, nevertheless in every 

 case a general improvement, both physically and in the behavior of 

 the child, was noticeable. 



I cannot say, however, that every child is discharged from the 

 New York Juvenile Asylum only when all the improvement of which 

 he or she was in need, or which was possible with them, has been 

 achieved. Undoubtedly many of the children are discharged before 

 the full good, both physical and moral, has been effected. 



It is widely different to teach a habit to a child, and to inculcate 

 this habit so that it becomes a firm part of its nature. The child, 

 who has been many times well compared with a young tree, which 

 you can bend in any direction, can be corrected of bad habits and 



