Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-27

With what melancholy interest one visits an
Asylum for the Insane, and especially when he
passes for the first time into its apartments.-
There, various degrees of victims to the terri
BILE afiliction of insanity are exhibited and ex-
cite the finest and tenderest sensibilities of our
nature. IL there be heart stranger to SYM
pathy with human suffering who seeks for
nothing in life save the qualification Of his
own selfish ends, let him repair to this noble
Institution and though all unused to tears and
and anguish, even when clothed in the touch
ing and eloquent words Of the most profound
master of the passions, we can scarcely rea-
lie that he is human, if then the fountain of
his affections be not stirred and his eye betray
not wkat is working in the depths of his soul.
Those who were once leading minds in the
world and who were comforting benefits on man.
kind in their various vocations are here, their
fine powers a melancholy wreck and Impress
i've evidences indeed that God moves in mys-
terious way. The beautiful and accomplish
ed female is there fresh and in all her lowell
ness and purity as from " Eden's bower" she
came. AS you approach her, the smile Of in
teligence, that priceless gift of the Deity,
seems TO beam from her eye. You utter a
few kind words, to which, alas, there is no re-
sponse and that apparent consciousness ofbeing
is changed into an expression of vacancy and
despair. Oh how mysterious is Heavens dis
pensation when reason is dethroned, mofe es-
pecially in one SO beautiful and so promising /;
once the ornament ofthe domestic circle and the
admiration Of society The promising boy so
lately the pride and hope Of his parents is an
inmate there. The prop and staff of their old
| age is broken. Once, " the world was bright
before him" and this sanguine youth was joy
Gus and hopeful with anticipation. But the
mysterious visitant came and how soon were
his bright prospects blasted and his youthful
visions dissipated. Yet how grateful should
we be at Gods wonderful love to the children
of nssn whom he never willingly grieves and
who mingles merces in afflictiOn's bitterest
cup. Insanity has found an alienation, through
the munifcencc of States and individuals, in
the establishment Of Insane Hospitals, where
every comfort is provided which the most fas-
/ tidious could desire and which is within the
embrace of the most humble The body and
mind Of the patient are under the most skilful
and judcious treatment and many are the in
stances where the maniac who would deal death
and desolation in his path at the period of his
entrance, is cured Of hi, disease, and at his ex-
it goes forth blessing instead of terror to
society. Let our towns refrain from extrava-
giant appropriations and outlays and patronize
the Butler Hospital for the insane and thus aid
in carrying out to their utmost limits the mu-
nifcence and benefcence of Brown and n
Butler But comparatively few from our
State with the exception of the insane from the
city Of Providence) have yet been allowed this
boon, and the Managers say, that unless the
towns ere long embrace the present opportunity
more inmates must be sought from other
States, and thus the Institution may be filled to
the exclusion Of our own unfortunate citizens.
The Butler Hospital is commodous and airy +,
and in its local position combines every advan-
tage. This beautiful building is situated in
the city of Providence, is encompassed with
groves, and overooks the lovely Seconck as
she pursues her course in qnet beauty to
mingle her placid waters with the less tran
quill Narragansett. In view Of these con-
siderations, let US not be parsimonious in en-
bracing this charity and coun, not too closely
the cost of aifording comfort to the insane, with
the rational hope, too, of restoring the once
hopeless maniac to the bosom of his family
and in some cases, perchanco, to those places
in society which he once may have adorned
and where he may again shine with an endur-
II -. 4 L. A. Al.