Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-09-14
MADNESS.
.si.d as the sea aud wind. when both contend

aby above the rest OF Gods creatures, and hen en-
joyed even TO the extent allowable, il assumes the
aspect of godke attribute, and the mind, no longer
clrcuinscrbed by the limits that mprison the
body, trcads the universe. IL deves the eart 70 the
centre md the caverns of,he ocean are searensa
The sum the moon, and the stars are traversed' ana
even the sacred walls of Heaven are approached by
| the me, curial spirit. The mind, framed to ENJOY
such research bears WITHIN itsei, an ioun
tain of delight II scars beyond TINS WORM, anu tue
realities of life cannot wound IT.
Tbongh reason elcvutes man above the rest of the
animal Kingdom, yet when deprived oil 1t, lac becomes
more ab,cct than the bxmbles ocreatures. There is
nothing so powerfully calculatedt to shock nature
as the scene exhibited il receptacle OF maniacs.-
Death the end of all things not to be compa red
with it, for that is natural but to witness the annih-
laton of mind, while the body still retains it's func
tions, sight that cannot be reconced to feel
irgs. tits literally death in the midst of life, and
death of the better part.
! Some years agoI entered receptacle of this de-
scupon, to gratify my curiosity, but Time has been
unable to cfiace the impression which 1t made upon
me, and the scene stands pictured in my memory
one of the few, earfully impressive, which in
! the cquabc life of an ordinary
entered the yard, common to such were harm
less in their alterations. Each appeared to be absorb
ed with his own reflections, and the train OF thought
was indicated by the movements of the body. Here
might be one whose steps were hurried, and his
gestculaton wild; and there another, whose move
uions regular and measured; his hrows knit and
his head bent 10 his bosom, over which his arms
were folded
| movcdthrough The crowd until my attention was
arrested by gray haired mar OIL his knees, making
figures in the sand. He intent in caculaton.
His vissge small and fox.like. His eyes were
deep-set and swinkling his pointed and th;n his
jchn projected aud his mouth receded. Every line
Of his countcnancc denoted avaricc. lie did not
, tice approach until the keeper accos,ed him.
We'll, Jameson, what you about?'
"Cas,ing up the amount OF my property" he repli-
cd without raising his head. "a moment and have
done.-Ten and eight are eighteen and two twen-
ty There it is "a clear as daylight. Twenty thou
tsard. n A Ind NOT aviali
me less than twelve per cent Ia, ha. la, I NAV
laugh at the world now, | think"
"And at your heirs, too. JamcsoI," SAID The kee-
per-,
"Ifang them for ungrateful hounds" exclaimed the
miser, "thcy would have clappcd me in mad house
for havn. dropped dollar in the poor box after lis
tening to charity sermon: They pronounced me
mad aud unfit to take care of my wealth They wish
ed to become. my stewards: the devil thank them
But the dogs have reason. hard round dollar in the
charity box was symptom 10 be sure, but then look
there, twenty thousand at twelve per cent Could
they have done better the times go, mad as they
pronounced mc?" He smiled and chucked in n sa-
tised tone at the idea OF his imaginary possessions
and as left him, invountariy exclaimed ",yhercin
does the happiness Of this deluded wretch differ from
that of the mlser who worships his hoard of pold in
secret Their joys are equally imaginary, and he
who dreams he Is worth thousands, provided the
dreams be broken, is in fact as wealthy as he
who is possessed of thousands, and spends his life in
dreaming over his possessions. How many mani
acs ofthis description do we daily see who are not
only permitted to run n large, but who are pronoun
ced to be in The full possession of their mental fac
ulties?'
My attention was now attracted by young man
fecit'ng Homer in the original. The musical num-
oers flowed from his tongue with eloquence his coun-
ensnce was animated and his gesticulation impas-
stoned. When he concluded the passage he exelaim-
ed, "N ell, that is poetry and will remain so, let them
say of my epic what they please"
"Your epic:" | exclaimed.
Yes, They pronounced me NAL 60. having writ :
poem that the critics had neither taste to relish
nor to comprehend If this be the fate of all
authors who experience similar condemnation let
them convert t1c whole world at Dncc into bedlam
your prison houses will be too small TO hold us.
And who Is there to draw the line between insanity
and reason. II my imagination be vigorous as to
soar beyond the reach of those who cannot dissolve
the influence of this grovclllng world, which draws
them back with magnetic power, must | needs be
inad!-lf their waXen wings fail them in their at
tempt to follow me through untrayeed regions of
light and glory, and while keep with steady wing
and eagle eye, they for their emerity share the fate
OF lcarus--iOE this may they pronounce me mad?
And yet 1t IS So But who is there to draw the lines
Sophocles, IA his age, accused of being insane by
his heartess sons, but when before his Judges he
produced his last tragedy, and asked if mailman
could write such verses, he dismissed with fresh
honors, and his were punished as nadrnen for
making the accusatou.-Werc ! now to write an
Epidus Coloneus such is the revolution that taste
IN Literature has undergone, that the critics would
pronounce 1t conclusive evidence Of ncurable nsani-
ty The line between madness and reason changes
with the age. l have lived century before nv
time, and poserty win enjoy the epic that has con-
signed its author 20 bedam." How many authors do
wesee ut large aboring under similar delusion!
At short distance from tlc poet was a painter
6usly engaged in his art. We approached him. and
the keeper inquired Of him what he was about
drawing amap Of the moon" was the reply
"And what DO you mean by that palace upon which
| you have bestowed SO much care'"
"The residence Of the in the moon 10 be sure
! ais the drawing accurate?"
"Aye, even TO the smoke that you see ascending
from inc chimney Dohold, have laid down win
precision all the rivers oceans, mountains anl viii
dernesses; and l will stake my reputation that tho
picture is as faithful many Of the stionq
of the globe we inbabt." Not being prepared IN
dispute tie point with the maniac, pissed on and he
resumed his la6our.
lie worked with intense earnestness, but in the
world we daily see hundreds as busily employed, and
10 rs little purpose.
(, The next we came TO was an astronomer, looking
through telescope. What, Lawson, will Won no
yer have done With your astronomical rcscarchus,"
said the keeper 10 him.
"Never, until death puts period 10 them IadI