Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1823-09-10
A LUNATIC's CUNNING.


A very laughable incident lately oc-
CURED at the Lunatic Asylum at Lancas-
ter, England. A parish officer from the
neighborhood of Middleton took a lu-
natic to the Asylum, pursuant to an or
der signed by two magistrates. As the
man was respectfully connected, gig
was hired for the purpose, and he was
persuaded that it was merely an excur-
sion of pleasure on which he was GO
ing. 10 the course of the Journey,
however, something occurred to arouse
the suspicious of the lunatic with re-
gard to his real destination but he
said nothing on the subject, made no
resistance, and seemed to enjoy his
jaunt. When they arrived at Lancas-
ter, it was too late in the evening to
proceed to the asylum, and they took
up their quarters for the night at an inn.
Very early in the morning, the lunatic
got up and searched the pockets of the
officer, where he found the magistrates
order for his own detention. which of
course let him completely into the Sc
cret. With that cunning which mad
men not uufrequently display, he made
the best of his way to the asylum, saw
one of the keepers, and told him that
he had got sad mad fellow down at
Lancaster, whom he should bring up in
the course of the day /; adding, "He is
very queer fellow, and has got very
odd ways. For instance, should not
wonder if he should say was the mad
man, and that he was bringing me but
you must take care of him, and not be-
heve word that he says" The keep
er, of course, promised compliance, and
the lunatic walked back TO the inn,
where he found the overseer still fast
asleep. He awoke him, and they sat
down to breakfast together. "You are
very lazy fellow to be lying all day
l have had a good long walk this morn
ing" Indeed" said the overseer,
81 should like to have walk myself
after breakfast, perhaps you will 60
with me-" The lunatic assented; and
after breakfast they set out, the over
seer leading the way towards the asy-
lum, intending to deliver his charge
but it never occurred to him to examine
whether his order was safe. When
they got within sight of the asylum, the
lunatic exclaimed, what fine house
: that isl" eyes," says the overseer 81
should like to see the inside of ito $50
should J." observed the lunatic.-
"Well," said the other, 81 dare say
they will let us look through; however,
iii ask" They went to the door; the
overseer rang the bell and the keep
er, whom the lunatic had previously
seen, made his appearance with two or
three assistants. The overseer then
began 20 tumble in his pockets for the
order, which the lunatic produced and
gave it to the keeper, saying {" This is
the man spoke to you about, you will
take care of him shave his head, and
put straight waistcoat on him. The
men Immediately laid hands on the poor
overscer, who yociferated loudly that
the other was the mailman, and he the
keeper; but as this only seemed to con-
firm the story previously told by the
1unatick, it did moi at all tend to procure
his liberation. He was taken away,
and became SO very obstreperous, that
a straight waistcoat was speedily put on
him, and his head was shaved secunduna
Grtem. Meanwhile the lunatic walked
deliberately back to the inn, paid the
reckoning, and set out on his Journey
homeward. The good people in the
country were, of course, not little sur
prised on finding the wrong man return;
they were afraid that the lunatic, in
fit of frenzy had murdered the overseer;
and they asked him with great trepida-
ton, what he had done with -?
Done with him. said the madman,
"why left him at Lancaster Asylum,
as mad as his" which, indeed, was
not very far from truth for the wits of
the poor overseer were well nigh over
set, by his unexpected detention, and
subsequent treatment. Further inquiry
was forthwith made it was ascertained
that the man was actually in the asylum.
A Magistrates order was procured for
his liberation and he returned home
ON Wednesday'last, with handkerchief
tied around his head, in lieu of the COW
ering which nature had bestowed upon