Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1847-08-26
Vermont Asylum for the Insane.

There is nothing, among ell the beautiful views
and scenery around Braitleboro, that give strnn.
ger upon a summer visit so much sup and
pleasure, ss when the Insane Asylum 6rs. catches
his eye. II is quite at the Northern extremity Of
the village, and as you 60 towards il here is
gradual ascent Al distance Of twent or thirty
rods from the Institution, the ground denly falls
of some twenty feet. and then spreads 3t, beau.
iifal level lawn, with lie green esIpet Of gra.s
hundred rods wide, perhaps, and eItensiug shor,
distance beyond the Asylum, whrre tne .,o,...s
again falls Oft SbruP,y few feet, and again sprss.
out in lovely plain, until Toe, in grove beyoid
As you pass along from the village, i, is enifly
invisible until you stand upon the brow Of the es-
cent, when the view bursts suddenly and unez pet
edly upon you. and presents = scene Of unsurPasrd
grandeur and beauty.
Before YOU. in the midst Of the grassy ptin,
stands the Asylum, fronting you, with ils wigs
extending ninety feet on either side on the dgli,
AT little distance, the Chesterfield mountain ms.
es It's lofty summit to the skies; while beyond md
on the len it Is surrounded BY an smPhiiheai, Of
hills, rising gradually out Of and reeeding froh the
plain in undula,ng forms, and sPrinkled ovef ~th
farm houses, groves and mesdows 10 the distance
may be seen glimpse Of Yves, River. winding lis
way out Of the hills, and emp,yipg itself into the
Connecticut, which huries along at the foo, Of the
Inountsin. Altogether, the scene is one Of indie
seEibsbls ioveliuess and imposing grandeur.
A more suitable and delightful situation for an
Insane Asylum could no, be conceived Here the
world is shut out, and the noise, excitement and
hustle Of business is unheafd The hills and the
mountains cluster and circle around AZ If 10 guard
and protect IT, while the surrounding groves are
vocal with ieaihered songsiers Every thing is in
harmony, and nature exhibits herself in ell her
beauty, sweetness and simplicity, to calm and
sooihe the diseased mind aud turbulent passion. of
man, and teach him 70 look from Nature IN 10
Natures God" All things around-ihe quiet re.
pose and stiffness the spreading green lawn at YOUR
feet, the surrounding hills and mountains the mur.
murng streams and musical groves, and the absence
Of all the noise and hustle Of business-seem cal.
culated 10 tranquilliIe, heal and strengthen the
wandering and diseased mind Of man, and restore
nature to her deserted throne.
= The interest Of the visitor viii not be dimin.
ished when he visits the institution and learns the
condition and mode Of treatment Of the inmates.
The Superintendent, DR.. WIN. II. Rockwell. and
his amiAble lady, seem especially qualified for the
station they occupy. Though they have ordina.
riy three hundred patients, male aud female, under
their charge, every thing proceeds with the resu.
lariiy aud quietness Of private family The pa.
hent soon feels the beneficial effect Of the sur.
rounding scenery, and the system Of treatment
adopted al the Institution. lie finds himself treat.
ed with attention aud respect and gradually learn.
TO take an interest in amusemenis and useful oc.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES to good conduct and self
government are held out TO him. and the tendency
10 mental alteration is constantly counleIac,ed BY
powerful motives 10 check and restrain H. II IL
found that the insane will frequently, in the hone
OF attaining some desired object exercise great con.
troll over their mental faculties; and speedy res.
toTalion 10 health often is the effect Of these efforts
a farm' towergarden and work. shop is con.
nscied with the Institution, carried on Amos, e n.
ufely by the PaIiens-they have, besides access to
newspapers and large library, and amuss them.
selves by writing, or walking, or playful games
Dr. Rockwell uni,es 10 great experience, an en-.
ihusiaste devotion to the cause in which he is en-.
gagged, and The success Of the Inalituion is graft.
lying tribute to the excellence Of its manasement
during the year ending in August, lei6, there
were admitted l97 patients, and there remained
from the previous year 263-in all 400. i69 were
discharged during the year, Of whom o. were en-
NJ NY recovered, and "a improved--ihe proportion
yslescrn,S being about ae per cent. The pro-
e., a. those who recover is diminished by the
49, u.s. Aey sre taken away by their friends be.
'"'s mere I" as,ir trial, and even when partially
restored. r-'''""J
The high and extended repu,.,ion Of III. so,e,
'nIendeni in the treatnen, .s ,n.,oi,v !, nl,v ~.
uhed and deservedi and in HI. sppoip,meo, ;.
wen as IN the location, extent, ana sanv.n,.n,
aasP'Anon Of the buildings, the Legislature 4nd az,
trustees have done credit to the State, and per.
formed an acceptable service 10 the causc Of susr
ing humanity.
WA Wing meeting was recently held =, n,