The Sun.
London, England, 1864-05-19 00:00:00

which from time to time cast a shade over the sun-
shine of existence, and tarn the thoughts to the
contemplation of suffering and misfortune. The
apathy or indifference that is so universally exhi-
bited when the first excitement is past, is the reason
why improvements are always so slow in arriving
and so seldom witnessed in all establishments and

nstitutions. When an amelioration dce3 take place

it is generally because some thoughtful members of
society take up the sutjtct in a theoretical form,
rather than the agents who perform the work
effecting any change by the instrumentality of
practical illustration. This is to be regretted,
because though the former is of great service, the
latter influence is greatly wanted as a remedial
power. Nothing can compensate for the want of
thinking minds among the labourers in any voca-

Hon, and if one more than another calls for atten-
tion and claims regard it the care of the insane.
It must appear to all who study the subject care•
fully that in the recent tragic occurrence at
Colney Hatch there was a want of due precaution
and an absence of watchfulness that may with ad-
vantage be rectified on future occasions. The no-

tion of placing the two men together when the one
was a violent lunatic and the other a harmless
imbecile, was a very strange one, and the occur-
rence of the tragic event proved that it was a
dangerous one. It is impossible to exercise too
much skill in the right discernment of these difficult
and complicated cases; but wherever there is a doubt
it is well to err on the side of over-caution. There
could have been no occasion for placing these men
together, and it would be well if, not only at this
establishment, but at other similar ones, the direc-

:ors and managers would profit by the warning
hue conveyed, end institute more careful inquiries

before they take things so much for granted, and
put temptation in the way of those so little able to

resist it. Another_ circumstance which requires

notice is, that there seems to have been some un-

necessary delay in sending for the medical man
when the accident occurred. Doubtless at first the

symptoms exhibited were not serious, and the same

course is often followed without any serious
results occurring, bat the practice is not a Lafe

one, and the jury very properly animad-
verted upon it. They gave it as their opinion

hat the visiting justices should issue directions to

,he attendants to seek the assistance of the " medi-

cal superintendect," whenever an accident occurs to

he patients. They also appended the notice that
the gas pipes should be covered in such a manner as

,o render the recurrence of such an accident as this

impossible. It is almost beyond calculation to
divine how and in what manner the unfortunate
beings who are suffering from this distressing
calamity will injure themselves and each other. It
is well, however, to profit by every means that can
be attainable to remedy defects in a system, and to
substitute different modes of treatment when any
particular plan has failed or not been altogether
successful in its adoption. The wonder is, not that
such untoward events sometimes occur, but that
they do not much oftener take place, and are not
more serious than they are. Considering the num-
ber of establishments that exist for the reception of
the insane, both public and private, it is surprising
how little we hear of anything faultless in manage-

ment, or serious in occurrence. A great part of
this fortunate state of things is owing to the super-

vision that is so judiciously exercised, but at the

same time there is credit due to those who have

wisely profited by the directions and hints con-

ceyed to them•

Amid the varying vicissitudes of political life,
tr changes and difficulties that beset the most
honoured and prosperous career, it is pleasant to
turn to a connection between a constituency and
its representative which has stood the most start.
ling political changes and outlasted successive
Parliaments. The contemplation of such an union
is rendered raoro gratifying when we see it com-
pleting its utmost passible duration without any
diminution of respect o❑ either side, and dissolving
by force of cireumstano3s and expressions of mutuil
esteem and goodwill. Such his been the career of
the first Baioa HOUGHTON, better known as
RICHARD MONCKTON MILNEs, and the close of his