The Sun.
London, England, 1849-08-04 00:00:00

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,i t
- mining the sanity or otherwise of arc-person was to
commit matterer
e great i n disp
evils r qui s n
i toe pa ss
roo;s
Ih'efie w rei o
etm
a jurni it .
which, to lave the feelings of consequent
family connexions, acted
privately, instead of publicly. He contended that no
man should be put into an asylum who was not danger-
ous to himself or to others.
J. MILLER, Esq., supported the resolution. He said
he stood before the meeting as an alleged lunatic; and
he proceeded to state the_ extraordinary
circumstances
under which he had been arresteda ssuehue
had some sears ago connected himself with a religious
denomination which brought him into contact with a
converted Jew. Differing upon some polemical question,
the Jew went out and introduced a doctor who had a per:
centage upon all he sent to lunatic asylums, So much
For " county money," and a yearly allowance as long as
he was there kr pt; and he nut knowing the bead doctor
bad discussed with him some of their religious opinions,
and was then asked to exhibit his tongue. He was by the
doctor at once pronounced to be insane. A keeper there-
upon entered and took possession of his par !war, and when
he threatened to use th.- roker in i jeceing torn, at :en
o'clock at n'ght, the keeper celled in a number of his
ll.ovs, and he was placed in is straight waistcoat and
told to be" quiet.," us if such treatment were not enough
to make any sane man mad.—(llear, bear.) Ile was
then cempelLd to sleep in the saute rosin wiih the
keeper, who shaved him, hreidrasted, end dined on the
best in the house, and rummaged a I h:s di avvers. He
would a-k them to imagine his feelings uudt r such eir-
cumstanceF. ‘.‘ hyo unless ain in had immense nerve
such treatment would drive tom med. The doetir hef, re
alluded to ordered hitn pills and leeches, and when he re-
fused to take the pills he *as informed that a tea ly iti-
strument would be found to break his j4w. Ile sent tor
his own ph) sician, who, atter a prop, r examination, pro-
nounced him pertecils sine. The end of it alt wits, that
he one day took a walk out widi his keeper Emit led
him into his solicitor's office, who quickly discharged
him, and ordered him at his peril turiher to in-
terfere. His interview with his solicitor led to a
trial in the Court of Exchequer, when he obtained a
verdict and 1001. damage s.
The resolution was then put and carried unanimously.
GILBERT BoLDEN, Esq., the solicitor to the society,
moved the second resolution:—" That a petition be pre-
' seated to the House of Lords and the house of Coin-
mous in the next session of Parliament. praying for a
Committee of Inquiry
into tho laws of lunacy, with a
view to the amendment of the same, and that the peas'
tion now read be adopted." The petition was a tran-
script of the first resolution. Mr. Bolden stated that
the importance of the ,utij; cr, arid the abuses perpe-
trated under the present state of the law, w,,re daily un-
folding th mselves. and he was glad to see the di,cus-
Sion that had arisen in censequeaco of the judgment of
the Lord Chancdlur iu the case of Messrs. Au.tina, and
of the opinion of the Lard Chief Baron, in the cause
Nottidge v. Ripley, so energetically expresed by his
Lordship—" That per,,ons ought not to be confined in
lunatic asylums who are not dangerous to themselves or
to others." Mr. Thilden, reading from Dr. Conolly's
pamphlet, showed to what an immense extent of
abuses and evils these medical epinions and practice
must ultimately le,d, and commented very severely on
the assertion that, " if the judges, members of the bar,
and members of the press, would take the trouble of
visiting asylums more trequently, they would all derive
useful and weloom- information from opportunities which
would be everywhere cheerfully afforded them." Now,
however pleasing this aught sound in the public ear, it
was disingenuous in the highest degree, for Dr. Co-
nelly knew well that, excepting his own asylum, every
other asylum would have been shut to any such appli-
cation, tither from the bar or the press, and that with
double force.

The liev. RICHARD KING, a clergyman from Dublin,
in seconding the resolution, stated that he thought the
present law qui.e hied- quate, and advocated, at some
length, the csse of a lady ut property who was detained
in an asylum. He exhitited some. beautitul specimens
of needlework, the production orthis highly accom-
plished lady, the mistress of several languages, who was
me t ieanr et
pd, t
upon
bet) but
si mgpieiosisbotr us(rjtti. religion.--(hear,
k, sstiai
which
s qsthiui nshdbaeodtvttnerg h
showed
nasecsrrpi for-
tuneebceid:
in needle-work, in Italian, end English, and stating
various proofs of her sanity asked whether it was right
such a woman should be deprived of her liberty ?
THOMAS STURGES, Esq , surgeon, supported the re-
scilution, and stated that the bounds of perfect sanity and
of insanity were much more obscure than the world ge-
nerally thought, and gave some data by which, in his
opinion, necessary restraint might be decided upon.
With much feeling he warned his brethren of the profes-
sion of the various injuries arising to a person being placed
in confinement. It was often, in the case of men of busi-
ness, the total ruin of their circumstances, and the loss
of self-esteem and confidence, forming a considerable
bar against their advancing themselves in their future
career of life. It were, therefore, better that cooling
medicine, change of air, end some and every means and
remedy should be resorted to for the purpose of restora-
tion to sanity previous to any attempt to"{ire a
person in en as) lum, leaving confinement as Abe last
resource, when all other means have tailed. The very
shock produced by isolation and confinement has often
totally bereft those of their senses who otherwise might
have been only temporarily affected.
The next resolution was moved by J. C. SEARLE,
Esq., barrister, as follows:—" That the detective state of
the law c,f lunacy, and the abuses and evils practised on
all ged lunatics, having been most effectively exposed,
and redress afforded in several cases by the magisterial
influence of the county of Gloucester, the thanks of this
meeting are due to the chairman and the other visi,ing
magistrates of asylums in that county for their zeal,
perseverance, and humanity in pres, cuting the inquiry
and acting upon it in the energetic and benevolent man-
ner they had dor e." In proposing this resolution, Mr.
Searle stat, d that the visiting magistrates of Gloucester-
shire were most excellent udmintstrators of a very bad
law, and that but for their exertions the case of the
unfortunate Ansties would never have been brought to
li ht, as the Commissioners, who uatst have frequently
' visited the asylum, had never taken the trouble to in-
boyfulorirelee gtheatd° lunacy calcy7l. He 1
publicrear, ceioanrmq;u_i (r'pynrdeseshdi
do teuhdl adi
oihnvecervebr institutedctabse°
coroner, and that only on the coroner's warrant should
ss),•Clullddedetaainndacnararlii:dgeudnlaunnimatoicu.sly.
t h eTpbreorpez ti ou rt
,o,nt awna
ROBERT SELBY, Esq., moved the next resolution :
" That the attention of the public press is earnestly in-
vited to this siiblebt, and the thanks of this meet-
ing are duo to those journals which have already
noticed some of the abuses perpetrated under the pre-
sent law of lunacy." Mr. Selby expressed a strong
desire that public attention should be aroused to the
subject before the next session of Pat liarnent, and that
each person present in his own sphere should co-operate
with the society and the public in the endeavour to
obtain an amendment of the law, which was filling the
country with receptacles for the insane, the greater por-
tion of which, there was good ground to conclude, were
accused most unjustly and injuriously.
Captain DrcuY, It N., shortly seconded the resolution.
and stated that he bad not found the asylum at Hilling-
don to be the paradise that Mr. Dlylne, the Commis-
sioner, had represented it.
In support of this resolution,
Mr. PERCIVAL read extracts from a petition presented
this session to the House of Commons from Samuel
Doubleday, E.q., detailing various abuses alleged to be
existing in a certain lunatic asylum.
The resolution, having been put, was carried unani-
mously.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman was adopted by
acclamation, and the me, ti.,g separated.
.431.1-S P •

_ .
INCENDIARISiII AT CREDITON, DEVON.
About five o'clock yesterday morning, some miscre-
ant set fire to a linhay, which covered a thrashing
machine, belonging to Mr. Philip Francis, of Moore,
about one mile from the town of Crediton ; and,
homestead, and ultimately to the dwelling-house,
un-
fortunately, the flames soon extended to the whole
which, with some immense stacks of wood, soon
became one burning mass, and sent forth such a
volume of flames, that even the apple trees in an
orchard adjoining, could not withstand the destruc-
tive element; nothing now remains but their charred
and broken trunks. '1 he agent for the Imperial Fire-
office tells us, that he has witnessed very many
alarming fires in Crediton, but none that could in any
way be compared to this. The loss occasioned is esti-
mated at 1,5001. Mr. Francis is insured in the Sun
Fire-office, but, we fear, to nothing like the extent of
his loss. Much sympathy is felt for him, as his farm
may in all respects be considered a model one, as he
has always been one of the first to embrace any im-
provement in agriculture, though he still maintains
the good old practices of his ancestors in respect to
the hospitality of his table, which we have heard all
classes praise. He is one of those, however, who
have availed themselves of the use of machinery,ot
which the labourers believe is the maind cause of fhe
want of employment, and not the vereye
origin of i in of the
har-
vest of' last year; hence, no doubt, h
12 houses were
town about three weeks ago,
middleof the night; for almost
tire, and very probably that which happened in this
burnt down in the
fleld behind, stands a barn con-
tainingadjoining them, in a
chine which is, however, so
a thrashing-ma when
and walls as to be difficult
fenced in with high gates . .
from its proximity to the houses,
of approach, though,
any one would
have thought it was imposiible for
one to have been burnt without the other ; and it is
now remembered that some old people looking on
said, the machine was the cause of the fl
con agration,
as they had heard it loudly cursed. e attention
was, 1 • on
was, however, at that time paid to what
said,
but now those farmers who have
threshing machines
are getting quite alarmed, and some of them, it is
said, have received h •
t reatening notices. It is a
singular circumstance connected with the fire at
Mo re, that a fox had em d
aher nest under one of the
stacks of wood, though so near the farm-house, and
one of her cubs was observed attempting to escape,
but was pursued and taken alive ; two others were
found literally roasted.

DEPARTURE OF TRH DUCIIEFS OF KENT.--Fier
Royal Highness the Duchess of K.'ut left townyi”terday
for Tonbrtdge Wells by the South-Eastern Railway.
Her Royal Highness, attended by Colonel Sir George
Coup,r, &c. &c., arrived at the London-bridge station at
a quarter-past one o'clock, and was received by two of
the directors and Mr. Herbert, secretary to the South-
Ristprn Railway Company. The red cloth was spread
along the platform, and the royal carriage placed in
readiness to receive the illustrious visitor. Mr. Brown,
dir.ctor, and Mr. C. Udworth, locomotive superinten-
dent, took charge of the train.
A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sun-
shine on a ssd bears.--Eliza co'. Journal.

THE Kti A I.: 1 `is L E ASSURANCE
COMPANY.
(Prox icionally Peg:stered, January 17, 1'49.)
Capital. 2,000,00e' In 80,000 Shares, of 251. ellen.
Preliminary Deposit, 2s. 6d. per Share
Proapeetures and fill information may be obtained at the Tempo-
rary Offices of the Company. 11 • C.mnon-row, Westminster. on ap-
plication to

G. F. FIOWE. Ann. Sec., pro tern

COMPLETION OF PEPYS' DIARY.
Now ready, price 10s. fid.. bound,
V. OF PEPYS' DIARY,
WITH HIS CORRESPONDENCE,
And a GENERAL INDEX,
Completing the NEW and ENLARGED EDITION of this interest-
ing Work, Edited by LORI) BRAYBROOKE.
N.B. -übscribers are requested to give orders to their Booksellers
for the completion of their sets without delay.
Henry Colburn, Publisher, 13, Great !Marlborough• street.

V 0 L.

Itlow ready at all the Libraries, in 3 vols.,
TIIB KING and the COUNTESS.
By S. W. FULLOM, Esq.
" This book possesses the first qualities of a novel. In the impor-
tant points of carrying the reader along, the author is equalled by
e w novelists."—Spectator.
" An excellent romance, abounding in striking adventures and
animated descriptions."—Dispatch.
" This romance has the invention, the vivacity, the abundance of
Incident, and the sparkling diaiogue that distinguish the modern
French school of novelists. We may fairly congratulate the romance-
reading world upon its appearance."—critic.
henry Colbuni, Publisher, 13, Great Marlborough-street.

fi ER MAJMADAMEESTY'SSONTAG. J,E T Y'.SAG
GRAND EXTRA NIGHT
On THURSDAY EVENING,
Tit which occasion Madame SONTAG win have the honour to ap-
pear in one of her favourite characters, with various Entertainments
1 i the Ballet 'Department.
.applications for Boxes, Stalls, and Tickets to be made at the
Box-otlice of the Theatre, where Pit Tickets may be obtained as
said, price 10s. Gd. each.

HER MAJESTT'S THEATRE.
MADAME SONTAG,
Last Night but Two of the Subscription.
THIS EVENING,
Will be presented,
IL B kRBIERE DI SIVIGLLt.
To conclude with

LES Pi:AISIRS DEL'HIYER.

,
Application for Boxes, Stalls, and Tickets to be made at the
13)x-ofilce of the Theatre, where Pit Tickets may be obtained, as
usual, price 10s, 64.1. each.

THEATER ROYAL. ADELPHI.
Under the direction of Madame Celesta.
THIS EVENING,

Will be presented a new piece, entitled WEBSTER'S ROYAL
RED BOOK.
To be followed by the original farce, called HOW TO SETTLE
ACCOUNT:4 WITH YOUR LAUNDRESS. Whittington Widgetts,
Mr. Wright; Jack Brown, Mr. Ilsnyard ; Squibb, Mr. Redmond
Ryan; Mary White, Miss Woolgar ; 3ldlle. Cherry Bounce, Miss
E irna Harding.
After which, THE DOUBLE•BEDDED ROOM. Mr. Dul-
cimer Pipes, Mr. Lambert ; Mrs. Deputy Lomax, Mrs. Laws.
To conclude with the Farce of SHOCKING EVENTS.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.
Proprietor, Mr. W. Batty,
trader the Patronage of her Majesty the Queen, his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, &e.
M. Jean Klare In his extraordinary penbrmances on Le Globe
Roulant.
The following eminent artistes form the greatest amount of female
equestrian talent ever engaged in this or any other establishment at
one time : •
Mdlles. Adelaide Tilenie, Valentine, Louise Tonirnaire, La Jenne
Josephine.; Miss Woolferd, Barran& Daeldson.'Avery, and La Petite
Jeillanette, . „ ,
addition to the above Mr. Batty tins great pleasure in announc-
ing' tlat he has 'that, peerfess equestrian ISfarie Macarte,
whose brlllianthilumphe ors the Cortinant and in, AMeriea hive ne.
qa,064,1. tor her the appegation, of :the, Equestrian Enchantrees.p
TIIIS EVENING,•
tact e,
'The performance will comm
ec ence 'with aled Grand Military Equestrian
Sp entit .1 r
MOOLTAN and .GOOJERAT ; or, tilts Conquest „of, the. Seikhs.
To be tollowed by an Inimitable display of SCENES IN VIE
CIRCLE, in which Marie Macarte will appear, supported by the drat
Elnestrian talent of the day.
To conclude with a favourite Melodrama, entitled CRAMOND
BRIG.

Box-office open from Eleven till Four,
•at' mlnaver, Mr. W. West.

ROYAL SURREY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS.
IMMENSE AND UNPARALLELED SUCCESS.
Uhler-the patron Age of her Mos Gracious Majesty, her Majesty the

Queen Dowager, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, &c.
The Public Press has unanimously pronounced the Storming of
Badajoz to be the most pert: ct ani life-like exhibition.
Celebrated German Band and Chorus.
Engagement of Mr. Roberts, the celebrated Welsh Harper.
Last Week of Miss E. Rowland and Mr. G. Tedder.
The N.bllity, Gentry, and the Public are respectfully informed
that this favourite place of fashionable resort is open every
MONDAY, T '7E:SLAY, WEDNESDAY, AND THURSDAY.
Denson's gigantic modelled Panorama of the TOWN AND
FORT OF BADAJOZ, pronounced by the voice of public
opinion to be the most perfect and life-like exhibition ever
presented—Splendid Menagerie—German Band and Chorus—Vo-
cal and Instrumental Concert—Several Favourite Songs and
Ballads by Miss Ellen Rowland and Mr. George Tedder—
Solos by Richardson (Flute)—Violin and Violoncello by
Viotti and George Collins, varied alternately—and other at-
tractions, concluding with a vivid representation of the Storming of
Badajoz, pourtraying the advance of the British army—bombard-
ment and attack—gallant defence—rush to the breach oy real troops
—and final ta',leaux in honour of the " Ilero of a hundred light..."
REFRESIIMENTS.—The frequenters of these Gardens have long
complained that Refreshments from the Confectionary-rooms only
could be procured. Arrangements have been effected, and a distinet
portion of the Gardens set apart, where Refreshments may be liad
of the first quality, and at the usual Prices.
Doors open at Nine o'Clock, A.nt. ; feeding of the animals at Five ;
Pelicans and White Bears half-past Five ; Concert at Six ; Storming
of Badajoz. at Dusk.—Admission One Shilling.
On Mandy% being Queen Adelaide's Birth-day, and the Anniver-
sary of the Opening of these Gardens, the Bands of the Royal Artil-
lery, Horse Guards (Blue), 2d Life Guards, and Coldstream Guards
will attend, in uniform.