New-York daily tribune., 1845-02-22
THE TRIBUNE.
ST VALENTINES DAY-BLooMlN0DALE
ASYLUM FOR THE INSANE.

.,ol,eos in which Cupid presents the leathereo
- e 81. dsr, as if he meant TO tickle before he
,ro,oded the captive, has always had great
charm for me. When but child. saw Allston's
n;c,nre of the "Lady reading a Valentine" and
the mild womanliness of the picture, SO remote
from passion no less than vanity, so capable OF ten
ds,oess so chastey tmid in its self possession, has
piyen n color TO the gayes thoughts connected with
ii. day. From the ruff of Allston's Lady, whose
clear starch is made 10 express all rosebud thoughts
of girsh retirement the soft anhedged hopes whlch
never yet were tempted from the nest, TO sam
Weller's Valentine is indeed broad step, but one
which we can take without material change OF
mood.
But of all the thoughts and pictures associated
with the day, none can surpass in interest those ur-
n;shed by the way in which we celebrated 1t last
week.
The Bloomingdale Asylum for the Insane IS con-
lncted on the most wise and liberal plan known at
the present day. is superintendent, Dr. Earle, has
had ample opportunity to observe the best modes
of managing this class Of diseases both here and IN
Europe, and he is one able, by refined sympathles
and intellectual discernment, TO apply the best that
sknown and 10 discover more.
Under his care the beautifully situated establish
,,ent at Bloomingdae loses every sign of the hos
ui,a and the prison, not long since thought to be
in.pparable from such place. II is a house OF re-
fuse where those too deeply wounded or disturbed
in body or spirit to keep up that semblance or de-
gree Of sanity which the conduct of affairs IN the
world at large demands may be soothed by gentle
care. intelligent sympathy, and judiclous atten-
It,. rlu health. q
least into tranquility.
DIR. Earle, in addition to modes OF turning the al
ention from causes of morbid irritation, and pro-
moting brighter and luster thoughts which he uses
in common with other Institutions, has this winter
delivered course of lectures to the patients we
were present at one ofthese some weeks since. The
subjects touched upon were, often, OF nature 10
demand as close attention as an audience oil regular
students (not college students, hut real studen's)
can he induced to give The large assembly pre-
sent were almost uniformly silent, TO appearance
interested, and showed power OF decorun anu
.elf-overnmcnt often wanting among those who
esteem themselves in healhfu mastery OF their
morals and manners We saw, with great salts
faction generous thoughts and solid pursuits offer
ed as well as light amusements for the choice OF
such sickness arises as often from want OF concen-
tration as any other cause. O&e OF the noolest
Youths that ever irod this soil was wont TO say ne
was never tired, if he could only see Tar enough
He is now gone where his view may be less
bounded, but we, who stay behind, may take the
hint that mania no less than the commonest forms
of prejudice, bespeaks mind which does not see
far enough TO connect partial impressions. No
doubt in many cases, dissipation OF thought, alter
attention is once distorted into some morbid dlrcc-
ton, may be the first method of cure, but we are
glad TO see others provided for those who ready
for them.
ST. Valentines Eve had been appointed for one
Of the dancing parties at the Institution, and few
friends from the worlds people" invited 10 be
present.
AT an early hour the company assembled in the
welllighted hall, still gracefully wreashed with It's
Christmas evergrcens the music struck up and
the company entered.
And these the people who, hall a century
ago, would have been chained in solitary cells,
screaming out their anguish till silenced by threats
or blows, lost, forsaken hopeless blight to earlh
libel spon heaven.
Now they are many Of them happy, all nte-
rested. Even those who are troublesome and
subject TO violent excitement in everyday scenes
show here that the power of seli-conirol is not
lost. only essened. Give them an impulse strong
enough. favorable circumstances, and they will be-
gin 10 nse il again. They regulate their steps TO
music they restrain their impatient impulses from
respect to themselves and to others, The power
which shall yet shape order from all disorder and
i nla nm ON,
green graves, hath them also i'll It's keeping.
The party We're well-dresscd, with care and
taste The dancngwa better than usual, because
there was less of atiectaton and ennui. The
party was more entertaining, because native traits
came out more clear from the DISCUSSES OF vanity
and tact,
There was the bue-s,ocking lady, mature belle
and beLespri,. Her condescendins graces, her
rounded compliments, her girlish, yet highly in
teleciuai vivaciiy, expressed no less in her head
dress than her manner, We're Just that touch above
the common with which the illustrator of Dickens
has thought nj 10 hishten the charms Of Mrs. Leo
Hunter.
There was the travelled Englshman, an fait TO
every thing beneath the moon and beyond. With
his clipped and giib phrases, his bundle of conven-
AonallileS Carried SO Heatly unQer MS arm, and his
My dear sir.2 in the perfection OF cockney dig
niy, wha, better could the mos, select dinner party
furnish US in the way of distinguished stranger
hood?
There was The hoydenish young girl, and the de-
corous elegan, lady smoothing down !" the wild
little thing" There was the sarcastic observer on
The folly OF the rest; in that, the greatest fool o!
all uneelOved and unannealed. In contrast 10 this
Were Characters altogether lovely, full OF all sweet
affections, whose bells, If jaugled on, Of tune, st
retained their true tone.
One OF the bes, things on the evening was a
dance lmProvised by two elderly women. They
asked the privilege of the floor, and, suitable
measure being played, performed this dance in a
style lively, characteristic. yet moderate enough.
1t was true dancing, like peasant dancing.
An old man sang comic songs in the style of va
nous nations and characters, with dramatic ey.
preston that would have commanded applause " on
any stage