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in New York and some of the neighbouring coun-ties. These draw together crowds of people, who engage in wagering, all kinds of games of chance, and in debauchery, which produce habits that lead to the ruin of many, and drive numbers to the com-mission of crimes. Horse-races, billiard-tables, and all games of chance, ought to be strictly prohibit-ed. Baiting of animals with dogs, and every spe-cies of amusement which may tend to harden the heart, and render the manners of the people ferocious, ought to be prevented by a well regulated police. Laws are made for the preservation of decency and order on the first day of the week ; and it remains only to have them more faithfully executed. Perhaps there is no city of equal extent, where fewer crimes escape detection and punishment, or where greater order and tranquillity prevail. Too much praise can-not be bestowed on those to whom the peace and safety of our city is entrusted, for their unweariedattention and vigilance in the discharge of duties, the extent and importance of which are not generally understood, or fully estimated. But, notwithstanding the improved state of our police, and the care of our magistrates, every year furnishes new objects of atten-tion, evils which demand additional remedies, and more powerful reasons for devising and applying them in the best and most effectual manner. Another object more immediately connected with the subject of this work, is the present mode of pun-ishment for petty crimes. The only prison in this city for the punishment of those convicted of small thefts and other petty offences, is the Bridewell, part of which is also appropriated to the safe keeping of prisoners before their trial or conviction. At present, vagrants, disorderly persons, and convicts for petty offences, are confined in this prison ; and are put into rooms together, without any discrimination, or regard to difference of character. No proper or adequate means are used to prevent profanity, intoxication,