Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-11-16

uHo 'ne uIIghtcst uhy Is kne saine-"htcI
and summer alike-through the thick daInp
walls of his prison, neither light or darkness,
heat or cold, can enter or escape, lie stood
silent and statue like beside his iron bed
his body erect and motionless-his hands
hanging down on either side-his head droop-
ing, with his chin resting on his breast-his
hair long and disheveled-his waxen fea-
lures, all paIld and dealhlike, on which de-
spair seemed TO have stamped its seal and
marked him for its own forever-and but for
the evidence Of mortal life and earthly ma
'nre, manifested by his respiration, might
well have imagined that the object be-
fore me belonged rather to The land of spirits
than to this world. sought to draw him
INTO conversation, but not a symptom indicn
ted that he recognised the voice OF fellow
creature. Once, indeed, as spoke Of his
probable removal to a comfortable Asylum,
in ncigliboring State, ! fancicd that per,
celvcd tremulous motion in the muscles
near his lips.
placed my hand on his forehead and
raised his head, that ! might observe hi.
yes, but there was "no speculation there
aud why should there be? he had long ceased
to need their use--amidst the darkness of
his dungeon, his eyebals must be touched
by an object before they could be conscious
of It's approach, | removed my hand and his
head immediately fell to its former position
as if acted upon by spring, For "a moment
closed the inside door, aud stood within.
that nigh, feel the spirit of the place--and
although accompanied by an a,cndan, with a
light, thrill al deeper horror passed oyer
me, as cndcavored to imagine myself ncar.
ceraied lhere--and felt that the reason of
The strongest mind, must soon have mad.
dcncd, amidst the horrors Of such den,
even ii no, shattered before.
As left the place, and before the door
was closed, the SOUND Of an uneorth'y glib.
berlng met my ear, which was told pro.
cccdcd from his cell, and quickly stepped
back to the inside door. ilc stood precisely
as helor" with The same cold and deathlike
expression OF fcalures-and | could scarcely
believe it possible that be had relaxed from
the position in which had first behcld him.
! again left the prison, and again the same
unear,hly Whisper followed me. | hastily
turned aud in the dim light a spectre seemed
to fit from the door, but so indslinct that
was uncertain whether it might not be
phantom Of The imaginalon-and the frs,
object that again distinctly met my view, was
the manac's form in precisely the same attl-
tndc and place rs before. understood the
keeper to say, that he was always found
standing in the same position aud place, and
that he ever refused to converse with any
one, and never apparently recognized what
was said to him. On one occasion, the keep
cr stated, that during visit from his mother,
her maternal appeals were answered by tears!
but. as the keeper said-"rnAr WAS Ats
In answer to remark made, that could
not comprehend how he could exist in such
a place. AMI tina, the want Of exercise would
be sufficient Of itself TO produce death, II
was informed that he was in the habit Of tax.
ing great deal of exercise "in his way,"|
and that piercing sbrIeks accompanied by
violent clankings Of his chain, were frequent.
Iy heard, even through the thick walls Of his
dungeon,
There is nothing, Mr.. Editor, oveidrawn
in the foregoing description, but can assure
you that il falls short of the truth-and that
language is not adequate TO its description.
That there are many other cases in our State
Of nearly or of quite equal enormny, am
constrained to believe, is very probable.
Is it not then high time iha, public opinion
was aroused to this subject7 Wha, excuse
can be offered for allowing such state Of
hings to exist amongst us, especially, as is
stated by Mr.. Updikc, now that sum fully
'usicicnt to ercc, suitable Asylum has been
,cqncahcd TO the State by benevolent in
lIvdual, and only waits the action of the
proper authorities to be appropriated for that
purpose? Let n suitable lot of land for it's
Ite he purchased in the vicinity of the City
'f Providence ,as required by the terms of the |
will OF the donor-say in Warwick, or else
vhcrc, where land can be purchased cheap,
md on which may be procured sufficient
luant,y of stone for its erect;on-iet il be
'ullt after the most approved models for
insane Asyuns, but of rough, unhewn stone,
md entirely void Of ornament or useless cx.
'ensc Of any dcscripiion-and have but liz.
le doubt That enc Of sufficient size to accom-.
nodate all the insane Of this State may be
lnlshcd for Tar less sum than is bcqueathed. II
I the provisions OF The bcquest will admit of
I, the balance can then be invested as a
fund for It's support. The yearly
expenses cannot, in any event, bear heavily \
~ the lSIaie--a part OF them will DO borne
y individuals who will be glad Of placing
clallves III an institution where they will be
omforiabIy provided Tor, and who will pay
IMPLY Tor their support. The towns, by plac-