Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-12-05


Il third class, which is composed Of
the violent and noisy, have their provisions
furnished In their rooms. About one-balf
however, of the whole number Of the patients
IN the Asylum, are permitted 10 partake oil
their meals at table, and although allowed the
use OF knives and forks, no effort has over
been made to abuse the privilege thus granted
thcm--on the contrary, they conduct them
selves uniformly with as much order and deco
rum as Is usually observed in well regulated
families. AS eyidencmg their regard for the
observance OF good order and Wholesome req
ulatlons, 1t may not be irrelevant TO relate =
circumstance which occurred here ,;bont lS
months smcc-one, too, which most forcibly
illustrates the truth of Il statement which /
nave somewhere seen, viz s'rhat rood inn
pressions, when early instilled, become little
less than principles of our nature.'' AT the
time first mentioned, the first effort was made
In the institution to convene its inmates oround
the table. On this occasion, number who
had been previously appraised of the arrange
ment, were introduced into the dining room,
where every thing was supposed TO be in
readiness for them to take their seats. Some
of these had not seen table spread with pro-
visions for ten years.. Most Of them had been
debarred this privilege for more than five
years-hence, as might most reasonably have
been expected, when they beheld the seats
which they had been told were provided for
their accommodation, there was considerable
disorder and confusion exhibited in their at
tempt to occupy them. At this moment, how
ever, knock ON the table was heard, and at
Its head stood ''I.ord Primat'' DISPLAYING all
the gravity and sanctity incident to tine holy
| Office OF which he imagines himself the re-
sponsible incumbent. In a tone of authority he
commanded ''order," and as if by magic, eve
ry one Sprang to his feet and fixed his ewes
lntently on the speaker. In q mild and be-
coming manner he reminded them of tho re-
latlon In which they stood to that Supreme
Being who had SO graciously provided for
their use the provisions before them, and Chi
ded them Tor their rudeness in thus attempt-
ing TO Partake OF them, without first hayinu
suPpllcated blessing from the same Hiu6
Source. He then drew from his pocLe, !, no
per and read therefrom, in a solemn and i'm
pressive manner, lengthy duplication.
written by himself, as it seemed for the occa.
sion. to an audience of amazed thouuh atten-
tive listeners. 1t is needless to add that the
sensibility of this ''Church Dienitary''has not
been shocked by similar scene of disorder
ana that me same ceremony has been reou-
larly and (by some) devoutly observed ever
since.
| IS. Occupation. And for the sake of bre-
witty, will include under this head the inn
portant auNiiiarles, amusement and exercise
Whether regarding the universal opinion of
those who have written upon the subject
within the last quarter of a centuary or 60,
su!ting our own experience, as to the efficacy
OF employment In some form, in affording
comfort and contentment to the incurahIe &c
well as acceieratlng the recovery of the con-
valescent, we would deem ourselves h;rl,I,
culpable did we fail to afford our patients ey.
cry facility practicable for the accomplish
ment oil so important an end. 1t has been orr
aim 10 ahora sufficient exercise both to body
ana nina, ana the result has been that in ma
ny instances, both have been strenutbennd
| and we have often observed that the attention.
which occupation OF amusement reouired has
| produced a moral reyulSion, and prevented the
topic OF hallucinatlon from SO freouentJv re-
curing, or when it did return, from so entirely
lengrossing the individuals mind. OF conrse
| we have varied the mode of occunat;on -,
amusement to suit the taste and inclination NJ
| those for whom 1t was intended. A man of
| refined education, for instance, would derive
but little benefit from the occupation of diu-
ging, whilst the common day laborer would
md III 1t both exercise and amusement. we'll
calculated to divert his morbid ideas. The
latter would pass through beautiful scenery
or see fine picture, without being pleased or
attracted. The former, however. mioht he
enchanted by such objects, and completelv
whilst at least he beheld them, forgot his i,
luslons- For these reasons, therefore. AL
though we have endeavored to occpnv all !,
has been our object also to please all. The
various means employed for this purpose were
detailed somewhat at length in my last re-
port, but with your indulgence I will never
theless briefly, allude to them here.
''for the laborers who constitute the laro-
er class OF our patients, we have about 65 p.
cres OF land, contiguous to and almost SIR
rounding the buildings, III the cultivation of
which 1t Is designed that they shall be en-
pioyed. This property vas acquired abont
IL months since, at which time If VS. me-,
closed, and In rough and sterile condition
During the past year, however, the patients
unalded by mechanic, have surrounded mos,
OF 1t with neat board fence, constructed in
substantial and workmanlike manner. Tbev
| have also gathered into piles and assisted in
removing from the land large quantity of
stone. and have 1t now in an arabic condition
so that by the next season, they aptic;nato
reaping from 1t reward for their mast Iabor
In addition TO this, the class of patients of
whom we are speaking have cut and niIed !,
quantity Of wood--hayo excayated and re-
moved large portion of earth-and have as-
sisted In hauling quantity of water. besides
having attended TO other matters which IL
would be tedious to mention. Had the ins.i-
tuition been compelled 70 pay for the labor
thus performed, at the ordinary rates of the
country, 1t would have amounted. I am CONT
dent, TO not less than from six to seven bnnd-
red dollars. Butfew Of the patients here are
mechanics and hence we have not felt 81 much
the importance OF workshops as wouId have
been the case had our institution been located
In a manufacturing instead OF an agricultural
y 1