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It seems to us that all the public bodies about town are tarred with the same stick. Our Common Council, owing, as some say, to our dirty streets—the worst kept and best paid for in Christendom—have got themselves deep into the mud, and the American Institute, not a whit behind, has fallen as deep into the mire. All our readers know what fine prizes were offered by F. M. Ray, through the American Institute for certain railroad improvements, and how so many very excel-lent inventions were presented at the last Fair of that foggy Body, to the no small loss of time, money, and skill to many inventors, and yet not a prize has been awarded, and not a report yet made on the subject by that dignified Pound of a corporation. We think it is high time for the Examining Committee of the Institute to make a report. You gentlemen certainly have had enough of time to sleep, eat, drink, and talk over the subject since that notable day when the Fair closed. Do you call yourselves true Ameri-cans, and dilly dally in this manner about the business entrusted to you. Uncle John Bull, gouty old gentleman, would have run round the world in the same time. You have usurped the name of American Institute, for your acts are not characteristic of the Ameri-I can character. Report yourselves lost, or something or other, only give us a report, and let us know whether or not it is time to write your epitaph. We hope the Institute will soon put out its jcircular for holding its next Fair,—it will be JlV a pleasure to read some of its new promises.
