The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-21 00:00:00

EARLSWOOD ASYLUM FOR IDIOTS.

The annual fancy fair and summer fate in aid of
the funds of the Asylum for Idiots took place yesterday
at Earlswood. Large numbers of visitor,from London,
Brighton, and the neighbouring towns seized the opportunity
to enjoy a holiday, and at the same time witness the
workings of a most deserving charitable institution. The
hapless inmates of the asylum, who look forward to the
event with much the same eagerness as schoolboys at the ap-
proachiof breaking-up day, entered heartily intot he pleasures
of the fete, and received while they imparted gratification.
We had almost written enjoyment instead of gratification,
but the heart muss be unenviably hard that could par-
ticipate in the Earlawood festival without containing at
least an equal mixture of pain and pleasure. The poor 1
boys and girls, although they look happy and healthy,
and free from want or care, have almost invariably upon
them the stamp of the dreadful malady with which they
are afflicted ; and their looks, and word., and acts, express
most forcibly the motto the committee print upon the
oover of their reports :—" We plead for those who
cannot plead for themselves." A visit to the
asylum and some slight intercourse with the
inmates, are the best advocates of the society's claims.
For the benefit of those persons who are
unable to see for themselves the great good work which
the asylum is doing, we may state that there are at pre-
sent 273 males and 125 females spending their shadowed
lives in the well-appointed institution. For them there is
provided the best of food, the best of attendance, and an
abundance of recreation. Nothing is left undone that
would tend to lighten the heavy burden they bays to bear,
or that might lighten, wholly or in part, the vacant in-
tellect. So invaluable is the institution, that it deals with
patients of all classes, many of them inhabiting private
apartments for whichtheir friends, of course, cheerfullypay.
There was no more touching sight yesterday than two
bearded men, about 30 years of age, marvellously alike,
wandering shyly about, or sitting in the shade, hand in
hand like little children. Theybelong to what is termed
the " upper class," and are seldom to be seen separated.
Ore of the chief claims of this and kindred asylums is the
number of idiots who have been brought to their right
mind sufficiently to be able to obtain their • , and
in some instances work for their own livelih The
fete itself differed but slightly from that of preceding
years. Cricket, croquet, and foot-ball parties were distri-
buted about ; crowds were always dense in the region of
the Coldstream Guards' band, and Punch and Judy perhaps
never had more appreciative and demonstrative audienom.
Towards evening there was a set ptogarome of " events," in-
cluding racing and jumping for prizes, tea of the inmates
on the lawn before the public) gaze, glees by the Eastwood
Choral Union, and the ascent of a large fire-balloon. In
the carrying out of these amusements the attendants and
inmates co-operated with perfect harmony. For the
visitors fancy fairs and a liberally supplied refreshment
booth were prepared; and those of the company
who felt inclined wereallowed to inspect the asylum, in
which some recent improvements have been made. The
committee were largely represented ; and the efforts of the
excutive committee, under the generalship of Dr. Down,
the resident physician, and Mr. Nicholas, the secretary,
richly deserved the gratifying success with which they
were crowned.