The Sun.
London, England, 1845-08-13 00:00:00

LECTURE ON LUNACY.

On Wednesday evening a lecture was delivered at the
British Coffee House, Cockspur•street, by J. T. Per-
ceval, Esq., on the interest which the members of re-
ligion of all denominations are bound to take in the
proper treatment and examination of persons alleged to
be of unsound mind. The lecture was advertised to be
in aid of a new society lately instituted, The Lunatics'
and Alleged Lunatics' Friend Society.
The lecturer began by apologising for intruding him-
self upon public attention, on a subject of so serious and
affecting a nature, and more particularly on account of
the connexion of the subject with the religion of his
cauntry, which did not belong to his sphere, butt
the sphere of the ministers of religion. He had also
felt reluctant on account of tho ridicule which he knew
would attach itself in the minds of many at the idea of
connecting lunacy or madness with religious inter fercnce
and instruction; but he hoped to prove, in the course of
his observations, that this ridicule was erroneous and
reprehensible. He felt himself to be so far far qualified
to speak on the subject, as he had himself been
practically acquainted with it in all its bearings,
having been unfortunately a fellow-sufferer with
the unhappy persons whose cause he was about to a.ivo•
cate. But it was especially that cause which had prompted
him to come forward. He had been an eye-witness of
the ill treatment and sufferings they were compelled to
endure, and because he knew these sufferings to be of
an extreme and real character, that he ;:or.cidered
it to be a duty which he owed to his fellow creatures, to
aid with all his powers in the exposure and remedy of
these abuses.

The lecturer then alluded to the Society la'ely insti-
tuted for the protection of the British subject from un-
just confinement on account of mental derangement, which
had given him every assistance on this occasion, and had
addressed nearly 400 letters, inclosing tickets of admis-
sion to the Bishops, the Clergy, and the Ministers of all
religious denominations in the metropolis, of whom he
was sorry to see so kw thought it worth their while to
attend. Yet he would prove that lunatics were, in every
sense, deserving objects of the attention of ministers of
religion, putting his claims to that attention on the lowest
possible scale, even as animals. The lunatics called for,
and demanded the protection of the ministers of reli-
gion, still more as poor, as afflicted, as sick, as prisoners.
To all of whom, in every capacity, the ministers of reli
gion were sent by the Author of the Divine mi,sion,
who came to seek and save them that were lost—but
lest those present who were not acquainted with the sub-
ject, and who were unaware of the brutal treatment luna-

tics received, should think that the complaints were ex-
aggerated against the system of private lunatic asylums,
he would relate a few instances of gross and indelicate
ill-treatment of patients which he had witnessed.
The lecturer then entered into details of the
most harsh and indelicate ill-treatment of patients
of the highest education and of the most refined feel-
ings, and particularly to a clergyman whom he met in
one of those asylums, and who was repeatedly caned in
the most violent minner by one of the keepers, in his
presence. This gentleman was of a very mild and ami-
able disposition, and had often interposed to prevent
similar brutal assaults of the keepers on himself. Ile
appealed, therefore, to the ministers of religion not only
for the sake of female delicacy, which was continually
outraged in these houses, but for the sake of members
of their own profession, who nereexposed to the grossest
insults, the greatest irreverence, the most brutal as-
sault:, under the deepest affliction that can bet's.' human
nature. He observed, that he hoped he had proved that
the ministers of religion were entitled to claim the right
of superintendence in these asylums—to the right of
visiting the members of their congregations con-
fined therein, to afford them religions advice and
consolation —to minister to the mind diseased—
to offer that sweet solace and consolation which religion
alone can supply, and simply by their presence and at-
tention to give to these asylums that mild and soothing
character so opposed to the present brutal system, and
the abuses to which he had referred and exposed. These
had occurred under the present supervision of magis-
trates and the Metropolitan Commissioners in Lunacy,
showing that system to be a complete failure. The failure
i,f the present system justified the clergy and the minis-
ters of religion generally, in demanding tor the benefit of
this unfortunate portion of our fellow c,.untrymen and
countrywomen, a new system upon new principles, which
being founded on sound reason and the highest charities
of religion could not fail of being successful.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF RICHARDSON'S THEATRE
AT DARTFORD ar FlRE.—Monday night, shortly More
twelve, the inhabitants of Dartford werek hrown into consider
able excitement, in consequence of an alarm of fire tieing
spread over the town. It was first stated that the church was
in flames, and in looking in that direction an extensive fire was
raging. On proceeding to the latter place it was soon known
that Richardson's Theatre, which had been erected in Builan's-
fields, near the back of the church, was on fire, and the flames
spread with such rapidity, that before any of the engines could
be procured the whole of the theatre was in flames. The per-
formance had fortunately concluded, and all the audience had
left about ten minutes before the fire was discovered. Mr.
Nelson Lee had also left, and was partaking of sapper at his
lodgings, near the bridge, and was thrown into a state of frenzy
at beholding the whole of his theatre destroyed. The fire ori-
ginated under the centre of the pit, and it is believed to be the
work of some malicious incendiary, as no light or any combus-
tible matter had been placed near that spot. Two of the
waggons in which the company slept were saved, but the stage
and properties of every description were entirely destroyed.
The loss is estimated at 1,2001., and Mr. Lee informed our re-
porter that he believed that it was not insured. None of the
property destroyed belonged to the Standard Theatre, which
is tinder the management of Messrs. Johnson and Lee.
RUGELEY.—A fearful inundation visited this town
on Tuesday night, spreading sudden devastation and alarm
amongst its inhabitants. Rugeley is situated near Cannock
Chase, and to the north of Hednesford, in which neighbour-
hood are several pools of water, used for the working of various
mills. In the afternoon of the day mentioned a dark and
portentous cloud was observed to rest over that locality.
Towards evening it suddenly discharged itself in a sweep-
ing torrent near what is called Brindley's pool, which
was completely burst. The impetuous torrent then
rolled along till it overwhelmed another and another pool,
carrying before it for many miles waggons, carts, and
every obstruction in its course, till at length it came in contact
with a stream that runs through Hagley-park, the seat of the
Hon. Mr. Curzon, near the town of Rugeley. Here the
waters forced down the park-wall, ten feet high, creating two
immense chasms 100 feet in length. It then poured into the
town, filling the houses to the height of three, four, and six
feet. Many individuals were suddenly snatched up by the
current, and borne along for many yards, to the imminent
danger of their lives. Property and buildings to a consider-
able amount have been damaged, it is said to something like
2,0001. or 3,0001. Fortunately no lives have been lost.
EXTRAORDINARY RISE IN WAGES.-11.133011S in this
neighbourhood are now publicly offered 1/. 7s. per week, while
twelve months ago las. to 18s. was the current rate of wages.
frardor.