The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-29
MESCEEEA NEOUS.
From Grants .Sk2tches an London.
THE WRON SUBJ &c T.


in unexpected emergencies ! could mention
many instances of this, but will content myself
with one. There was lately, and we are not
sure whether there he not now, in one of our
asylums iunac, who, on The loss of his ren-
son, in the first instance-ior he repeatedly
cured, though he always relapsed again-lved
in a neghborng county: Belonging as he did
60 family Of wealth and responsibility, he was
provided with keeper as soon as the first symp
toms ct tue disease appeared. 1t was hoped
that1he unfortunate mans lunacy would be of
but temporary duration !; and that, by tcommit-
ing him TO the care of keerer,h slriends would
be spared the pain Of sending him to an asylum
His insanity, however, lasted much longer than
his relatives had fondly hoped it would and it
was therefore eventually determined 10 sen,l him
to an institution ioi tho reception of persons la
boring under mental alteration, in the hope that
through the superior treatment he would there
receive, an additional chance of recovery might
be afforded him. On the day previous 10 that
appointed for his being sent TO the asylum, he
overheard his brother giving instructions TO his
keeper on the subject. He took no notice of
the circumstance that night, nor next morning !;
but when told that he, accompanied by his com
pnnion--the name by which his keeper was al
ways caed-was TO have long drive in the
gig tina, day, he expressed himself as quite de
lighted with the idea, and display ed IL willing
ness to take an airing, which strongly contrI>led
with the reluctance he had before shown To
leave the house. After breakfast, the gig
qratlv ,au, both started for the county ioMn-
nho,, twelve miles distant--in the suburbs OF
which the asylum was situated. The lunatc
was unusually cheerful and docile all the way
Amt here ] shout! remark, that lis hummer
sometimes COLLECTED and rational IiHl il ouh!
have been difficult IA convince s.rarGer Ihai
his ,.l"rc!> were in the slightest / cree atlec-
ri. On rnnrhirg tnc principal hotel, hotb par
Ties came ont of the gig with view get
refreshments and 10 enable the keeper TO uakr
some necessary preliminary arrangements for
the reception of his charge into the tSS lum.-|
The former, after being some line la the house,
Quilted the apartment into wmcb they Wcre
shown, FIR few seconds, not e ming 1t ncccs
sary either 10 take the linatic with him, or TO
turn the key of the door. The hitter, watching
.he opportunity, agreeahly to II previous deter
nnation to that effect, stole out of the house
the moment HE other had quilted the apartment.
On the keeper missing the llinatic on his return,
an alarm given, and in less than five min
utes, at least dozen persons were engaged in
an active search for the unfortunate man, the
suddenness of whose disappearance was quite
tnaccountable to his keeper. No trace OF him
was TO he found for two hours, and the iinpres
sion began to become general among all ac-
quaiuted with the circumstance, that he had by
some meafIs other destroyed himself Just rs
all hopes of ever seeing him alive again were on
the eve OF expiration the unatic appeared, TO
the infinite astonjsl m mt and Joy OF the person
entrusted with his safe keeping. But where he
had hecn during his absence was IL point which,
Notwithstanding all The efforts that we've made
with that view, could not he elected from him.
Where does the reader suppose he was, or in
what way employed ? That was piece Of in
formation which his keeper learned to his cost
i'm few hours after the Iunatics return. The
hitter had been to the asy!um for which his
friends had destined himself, and having pro-
cured access to the proper party, gave his keep
er's name as his own, and represented him ms
being Mr. So .and-so, the brother of Mr.
As IL ~ known nf he
that the latter gentleman had brother who was
mt the time aboring under insanity, but as OH
the previous day, notice had been received that
the lunatic TO be sent to the asylum, the re-
tnainder of his story the more readily be-
iieved. Now" says he, addressing himself to
,,he Manager of the institution, the lunutic is
emarkably clever and siugularly cunning .
and
ooh, great many Of our patents are so, -
interrupted the Superintendent OF the ins'ltil- |
ton. I'VE see instances ofcunning and shreWd.
ness every day, which the wisest Of us could
not exceed.
81 have no doubt Of it, observed t:1e lunac'
with the creates, apparent self-possession, and
seemingly in the most rational manner possible
have no doubt of it ; none whatever. | have
seen many cases of it myself: but this unhappy !
man exceeds IN cunning and shrewtlness any
one ever heard Of Why he would almost de-
ceive the
ooh, he won't deceive u.s. interrupted the
other hastily; we are too well accustomed to
such Thugs
am happy to hearit,' continued the unatic.
MY only reason for coming out hei 9 before TAX
ing him with me, was, that l might acouaint
you with the circumstance beforehand.'
That was unnecessary let him try all the
tricks he chooses, they will he lost here, remark
ed the other, with selfcorsequentaI air, as if
he we're beyond the power of ingenuity to de-
ceive.
Very good observed the lunatic, in al sa,isf-
ed tone Il shall bring him here in an hour So;
have left him at tho Fountain Hotel in the
care of friend.'
We shall be really for him. said the Super.
intendent Of the place, in that careless sort Of
lone Which is so characteristic Of men in au.
.hority. /