From the twenty-first report of the Philadelphia House of Refuge, we learn, that during the year 1848, one hundred and sixty-eight inmates were received, (129 boys and 39 girls,) and 153 discharged, (116 boys, and 37 girls,) of whom, 89 were by indentures. Of the commitments, 86 were by request of parents or near friends. The average age of both sexes was a fraction over 14 years; but so far as the prospect of reformation is concerned, a girl is as old at 14 as a boy is at 18. There was only one death in the House during the year. Of the 65 boys indentured, 30 went to farmers; and of the 24 girls all were indentured to housewifery. The occupations of the inmates are, cane-chair seating, (48,) umbrella furniture, (57,) and razor-strop making, (71.) The income from the labor of boys during the year, was $5,598,88, and the total expenditures of the establishment, were $13,987,39. The principal of this institution has, at our request, furnished some valuable suggestions respecting the methods of administration and discipline, in establishments of this class, of which we gladly avail ourselves in the present connection. He ranks classification, among the most obvious, important and difficult objects to be attained in such an institution. He admits that education, moral, intellectual, and religious, is all important; but he insists, that habits of industry and obedience, should be regarded as among the first and most desirable fruits of it. The power of habit, he thus forcibly describes: “A boy, who has been unaccustomed to obey his parents, or respect his superiors, and has been allowed to spend most of his time in idleness before he is brought to the Refuge, if kept regularly at work, and at the same time compelled to obey those who have the care of him, will, in time, become so accustomed to labor, that he will even, in some cases, prefer it to idleness, and obedience will also become habitual. But this must be a work of time. He should be kept until he is thoroughly weaned from his former indolent ways. I have known boys who have remained three or four years in our institution and who have run away from their masters soon after they were bound out, come back to the city and resort to their old haunts and habits; but finding few if any of their old associates, they have soon felt that their former habits were not so pleasant, and having lost all relish for a vagabond life, have voluntarily returned to the house and asked admission and employment as a boon!”