Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-13

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and prinkng of the dress through the ROOM
These, the keeper said, were the we'll behaved
patients, and more innocent and happy.looklng
people never saw. If to be happy IS 10 be
wise, | should believe with the mad philosopher,
that the world and the Iunstic should change
names. One large, fne.lookiDg woman took up
on herself to do the honors Of the place, and
came forward with graceful curtesy and smile
Of condescension, and begged the ladies to take
off their bonnets, and offered me chair Even
with her closely shaven head and coarse flannel
dress, she Seemed lady! The keeper did
moi know her history. Her attentions were oc.
casionally interrupted by stolen glance at the
keeper, and shrinking in of the shoulders. like
child that had been whipped. One handsome
and perfectly healthy looking girl OF eighteen,
walked up and down the hall, with her arms fold
ed, and sweet smile on her face, apparently
lost in pleasing thought, and taking no notice of
us. Only one was in bed, and her face might have
been conception Of Michael Angelo tor horror.
Her hair was uncut, and fell over her eyes, her
tongue hung from her mouth, her eyes were sunk.
en- and restless, and the deadly pallor over fea-
lures drawn into the intensest Look Of mental
agony completed picture that made my heart
sick Her bed vas clean, and she was as we'll
cared for as she could be, apparently.
We mounted flight Of stairs to the cells
Here were confined those who were violent and
ungovernable. The mingled sounds that came
through the gratings as we passed were terrific.
Laughter of a demoniac wildness, means, com.
plants in every language, screams-every sound
that could express Impotence and Tear and sui.
ferins saluted our ears. The keeper opened
most of the cells and went in, rousng occasion.
ally one that Was asleep, and insisting that all
should appear at the crate. demonstrated, OF
course, against such piece of barbarity, but he
said he did it for all strangers, and took no no.
tice of our pity. The cells were small, just large
enough for bed, upon the post OF which hung a
smali coarse cloth bag. containing two or three
leaves OF the coarsest bread. There was no other
furniture. The beds were bags ct straw, with.
out sheets or pillows, and each had coarse piece
of ma.tins for covering. | expressed some
horror at the miserable provision made Tor their
comfort, but was told that they broke and injur.
ed themselves with any loose furniture. and were
so reckless in their habits, that it was impossible
to give them any other bedding than straw. which
wa. changed every day. soseved that each
patient had wisp Of long straw tied uPin bun
die given them, as the keeper said, to employ
their hands and amuse them. The wooden blind
before one of the gratings was removed, and
girl flew to it with the fsrocity of tiger, thrust
her hands at Us through the bars, and threw her
bread out into the passage, with look OF vIo-
lent and uncontrolled anger such as never saw.
She was tall. and very fine looking. In another
cell Law Door creature, with her face dreadful
" TORN and her hands tied strongly behind her
She was tossing about restlessly upon her straw,
and muttering to herself indistinctly.
The man said she tore her face and bosom
whenever she could get her hands free, and was
his worst patient. In the last cell was girl OF
eleven or twelve years, who began to cry pite-
ously the moment the bolt was drawn. She was
in bed. and uncovered fer head very unwilling
y, and evidently expected to be whipped. There
was another range Of cells above, but we had
seen enough. and we're glad to get upon the
calm Lasune. There could scarcely be stron.
ger contrast than between those two islands iy.
ING side by sde-the first the very picture OF
regularity and happiness, and the last refuge
for distraction and misery. The feeling OF graft
tuds to God for reason after such scene is ir-
resisuble.
In visiting again the PRISONS under the ducal
palace. several additional circumstances were
told US. The condemned were compelled to be-
come executioners. They we're led from their
cells into the dark passage where stood the se'
cret guillotine and without warning, forced to
nut TO death felow-creature either by this IN
strument, or the more horrible method of strang-
ling against CRATE. The guide said that the
office of executioner was held in such horror that
it was impossible to fill it, and hence this dread.
full alternative. When the prisoner was about
10 be executed, his cloths were sent home to his
family with the message. that "the state would
care for him. How much more agoniziDg do
these circumstances seen, when We remember
that most Of the victims were men OF rank and ed
ucatiun, condemned on suspicion of political
crimes. often with families refined to most un-