Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1842-06-22

Lean asylatn; by DR.. Earle, OF Pennsyl'
EYania, who examined particularly the con.
ldiiion Of Asylums in this country and Eu-
rope, and by many others. The truth is,
/ that The practice has become general, and
we have seen it stated that there are but
four Institutions in this country where
| there exists no, come form Of devotion
al exercise. A feeble attempt was once
made 10 introduce itinto this Asylum, and
though The experiment was abundaatly sue
cessiul, from some cause or other il was
abandoned. Your Committee earnestly ad-
wise that the effort be renewed, and 10 this
end sugges, that an arrangement be made,
ifpractieablc, with The Clergy ofthisTown,
to officialo alternately a, the Asylum on
every Sabbath. From maniics' considera-
tons, i, would be better to confine this sa-
cred duty 10 one Clergyman, but we see no
way a, present, by which this caube ac-
conipiished.
Man is made for activity, and The mind,
like the body, 10 maintain its proper mo-.
,ion, requires its stimulus. A condition OF
inaction is unnatural, except from the re-
frcshmen,s Of sleep, or in certain accldent-
al states which may be regarded as violent
and rrarsilory. Who has not felt that his
n,ind must be employed, or sink into inan-
i,y? That i: mus, have its proper exercise.
OF perish! This is no less true Of the Lun-
aic, than Of the man Of reason, and true
philosophy consists, not in tho withdrawal
Of the necessary stimulus. but in wise
adaptation TO the particular case. Take
any number Of sane men, and conhno therp
Ior length Of time without employment,
and they will bccome fools or madmcn.
The reasoning faculty must be cultivated,
aud in Luna,ics particularly, i, is all i'm
porlunt. Every proper induccment for its
exercise should be presented, lha. il may
be strens, hencd, aud the mind Of the suffer-
or withdrawn from the gloomy subject Of
his medi,alions. The suggestions on this
head by your Physician, should receive The
most serious attention aud the Commit
lee can but hope, tha. Immediate steps
will he taken for laying of The ornamental
Gardens, aud doing whatever else your
ability will permit. Il is mistake TO sup
pose, that u Luna,ic is insrnsiblc TO the
OeaUutS Oi udtuTC anu til. FtuUs VIC Sut-
tiyatcd field, the beautiful flower garden,
and the rich sky above him, his enchanI-
ed senses drink in The most delicious plea
sure. One Of your Committee remembers
thar many years ago. OIL tho occasion Of
visi, to this Asylum, he was met at the
tinor by Luna,ic who was a stranger to
him, aud amid EXPLANATIONS Of delight
a beautiful rose which he had plucked from
a ncishborius bush. Nature should no, be
made to wear livery Of gloom, but ber
most cheerful dress; aud the Lunatic must
feel TINT he is still human being, not be-
rcft of comfort, but 10 word ready 10 min
lister TO hrs joys and pleasures. You must
preserve his self-rcspecl, make him believe
that he is of some consequence, or he will
sink into fatuiry, or under the influence Of
morbid sensibili,y end his existence by
violeu, death. Some distinguished writer
has remarked, that if there be one princi-
pie in the management Of Lunalics more
;sar"r'"-. .s-=-- ~ ~ s', il : .p 4
at ear Esa Nar. .ar.', clearly
..H.