The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-25 00:00:00

CHARGES OF LUNACY

LETTER VI.
With discipline reclaim,
And their superfluous growth with vigor tame.
VinnTL's GEORGICS.

ESTEEMED SlR—Can you and your readers believe it,
upwards of TWENTY-SEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS, viz ,
27,1721. 9s. 3d., were received as the yearly income of
Bethlem to 31st Dec., 1837, and a balance was left in
favour of the Hospital of seven thousand four hundred and
seven pounds, thirteen shillings and eightpence, as appears
from an authenticated account, printed by Norris at Al-
dersgate-strebt. Then, on the 26th of July last, a foundation
stone was laid for new building. I shall not go into the
account or make remarks upon it, others may do so. Of
all select bodies persons may be induced to say—
' " Stars of their own, and their own Sun they know,"
and the sooner the better the PUBLIC SUN shines over all
such things, and the influence of any improper " ttars" is
avoided.
The administration of the affairs of Institutions of such
magnitude nnd nature requires unusual public spirit--self-
, enial—strictness and constancy. No mere formal or no-
minal round of attendance by persons o im..bil malted as to
bs indifferent and comparatively incap :eitated, will do—the
greatest talent, feeling, and minute attention are indispensa-
ble. An increase of salary to physicians aril arlditiocal
number of subordinate officers may arise from "n,iw wings,"
and more inmates be received, WITH MORE THAN WONTED
RE•DINESS, and the augmentations may be very acceptable
to some persons Who (la not tecl exactly as Ci‘.!ero rlid wilco
he wrote, "Human nature fIC% er cones nearer to the Divine
than when it is (ling good to mankind."
There is a very eieg .nt Book, milt handsome pictures.
just printed, for the Governors of Bridewell and Bettilem
Hospitals, entitled, " A Narrative of time Proceedings
at the laying of the First Stone of the new Build.ngs at
13,41m1em Hospital," &e. Making a noise about new bui,d-
ings may operate upon a f. w, but we have a wore important
poiat to discuss, how is the internal management regulated
Si) as to prevent WRONGS TO PERSONS, WASTE OF PUBLIC
PROPERTY, AND THE EXERCISE OF SELFISHNESS IN INDI-
VIDUAL, ?

Wh,, noble rods by noble means obt
Or failing. smilrs in exile or in chains,
Like good Au .elms let him reign or bleed ;
Like Socrates. that man is great indeed.—Pors

Supposing there could not any Wrong by pos-ibility accrue
from an increased accommodation by the erection of 166
new cells at Betblem, is it a matter for feastin,2,- and osten-
tation ? Is the existence of misery to be an occasion of

such things? I read in the "Narrative," &c., "loiters were
issued inviting the attendance of each Governor with per-
mission to intro !nee two ladies, or a lady and gentleman,
and Mr. Smirke, the architect of the Hospital, was re-
quested to give directions for the erection of a platform for
the Governors, which was according,ly done ; it was of an
octagonal form, and fitted up with raised seats, affording a
complete view of the ceremony to every one present. A
stout awning removed all apprehension as to the weather,
and the royal standard was hoisted on the staff. On the
lawn, likewise, a very extensive marquee was pitched, lined
with striped bunting, which had a light and pleasing effect,
it being also decorated with the flags of foreign countrys ;"
then we are informed of the arrivals, procession of keepers
and officers, &c., not forgetting a DEJEUNER.
In the King of Holland's speech, at opening the States
General, on the 15th inst., you will see he says " the man-
ner of providing for the maintenance and sanatory treat-
ment of lunatics was generally defective, measures have
been taken to improve it. I expect they will produce salu-
tary fruits."—l am esteemed Sir,
Yours respectfully, in haste,
HUMANITY.