The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1847-01-09
From the Utica Gazette.1
LUNATIC ASYLUM ADJUSTMENTS


Much has been done within few years to rs
abuse the public mind in relation to the cb1gc
Ter OF asylums for the insane We remember
Wen when these institutions were viewed almost
win horror when they were considered but lit
Tie else than secret prisons into which it was
hardiy sale to look, and when their inmates were
regarded as past hope, as shut out from s.the
nsh' % me- and as consigned to living graves
Inc hight which has lately been shed upon ,he
SUBJECT OF insanity, the great improvements in lie
treatment which have necessarily followed in
creased knowledge, and especially the establish
Gu idcts, that 1t is the result of disease of the
brain and is TO be treated as other diseases sre
treated, and that can be cured as easily as moot
other diseases OF the body, have gradually CHANG
ca our views and opinions; and Bedams and
,lelf horrors have passed away, and lunatic asv
for invalids 90 AosPi'aiS
In reference to the State institution at this
piace, we are inclined to believe that if lie abI
ana worthy superintendent continues the conrss
"hich ne mas hitherto pursued it will not be lone
before the people will forget even its character
as hospital, and will rather consider + ss
school Tor instruction and amusement. and W.
should not be surprised if he should find more
aiHculty IN preventing ''the wellp from break
ing INTO MS pleasant halls than ssthe sick, from
breaking out We have learned from his annual
and
ouical celebrations, and fairs and carving and
whiting and daguerreotype shops; and we know
snat large numbers OF his patients are almost CON
stahtly engaged in useful and interesting EN-
Pioyments. Almost every week there is some
OBJECT OF special interest in the chanel the halls
or the parlors
Last saturday evening the inmates of the insti
tu'ioh ana number OF invited guests, from the
city' were present at an entertainment which in
nroS l..
III consisted OF Rotations original addresses mn
sic and scenes from real life The audience were
informed in very appropriate and clever man
her 'nat the evenings pleasures were in honor of
tne DOCTORS birth day" and it must have been
gratifying to him, as it was to all present. and
should be to the public, thus to learn how strong
hold he has upon the affections of his Loroe
Jamay. There was powerful and impressive
recitation oil Colns's ode by gentleman TO whom
MS ieliow patients and all connected with the
asylum are much indebted for the repeated ex-
ercse of his striking talents for their pratifca-
ton
There was scene in equity genteman's par
Tor, In country kitchen, in a water cure estsb-
hshment, In Western tavern and recruiting STA
uon, ana IN an artists studio. There was "can-
awl' driver, and Long Island bow in Utica =
Inc way the equity gentlemans silver candle
SUCKS were pockeled by his officious friend wouId
nave been lesson to the burglars who lately
walked OH with the unmentonable garments Of
certain worthy citizens
The invitation to the sleigh ride in the cour,r,
Kitchen was capital, and il it had come from
ahkee Hill would have been applauded to the
echo. y '"'
we will bet hat that not one of the deItehted
auditory will ever resort to the water cure even
alter all other help hath failed. After seeing the
learned professor PACKED, and the water poured
into htm by an engine OF some horse power. and
hearing his groans, we think they will be dispoe
ed 10 give all hydropathic establishments wide
berth. '1'
We take IT for granted that all opposition 10 the
Mexican war has ceased on the part Of those
VINO witnessed the patriotism OF the srecruitinq
station and we advise the colonel of the New
York volunteers to send drum and fife TO Utcs
His ranks would be filled at once.
nat was delightful visit to the artists studio
we knew not which most to admire-our Van
kee friend who took look, (and such look Is
among the ousts, our worthy publican who was
"a democrat and didn't believe in the fine arts
or our exquisite in ruffles who remembered Sir
waiter Scott as the accelerated author of Bvrons
poems and Pilgrims Progress" The artist was
sorely puzzled TO discover the resemblance he,
tween himself and the wings of 1874, and had to
give II up He learned at last it was "because
tney took Clay and made bu(r)st" The whole
mug was excellent.
II would be extremely gratifying to know how
'he serehaders" felt when Dinah informed them
,nat she would tell her Missus, achen she canl1
nome rom Saratoga, how they had beer PLAYING
beautiful music under her window.
Inc Long Island boy was perfect gem. We
nave seen the time when Hackett would have
taNell notes OF that ''yarn," and put it down in
lhe oooK oil his remembrance to be dressed nm.
ana re produced in the Park and verify we doubt
"hether even he could improve it much. There
was d quiet huinor, a naturalness, an apprecia.
uon OF clever things and succession Of hits
Whieh could hardly be excelled. The exchange
Oh nose "two quarters" for ga bogus half was
least Of itself; and that stocking was worth a,
many quarters as could be stuffed into it.
In truth. the whole affair, as we have biqb an
moTaty Tor saying was "hrst rate" We don't in
tend 10 praise one more than another where All
ola SO wen, and what we have said is nteuded
good things OF the night