Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-07-16
TEE MANAGEMENT OF MANIACs.

One OF the oldeat ni1a bltants Of Boston has fur
nlshed the following anecdete of old Governor
Leverett, an Illustration Of the force Of cour-
age and ingenuity upon rnadnan.
One morning, many years ago, stout, b,rly
built maniac, in paroNysm Of insanity, burst
out otthe asylum, end on his way, a musket
heavily loaded fell into his hands. With this
formidable weapon, the mailman rushed out in
to the city and pretty effectualy cleared the street
as he was marching along.-Tuning corner,
he suddenly came upon Governor Leverett and
was on the point Of making point-blank charge
upon the vitals ofthe old Governor, who COM
pretending his danger IN Il single glance at the
fellow, and drawing himself up square and firm
" before his dreadful antagonist, hailed him
'Ho Z! brother soldier, have you learned your
exercise !u
II have p said the fellow, with terrible
oath.
Chen, brother" said the Governor ts,and 10
your arms, like vieiant soldier, while | give
the word Of command
The nadrnan seemed pleased, and stood bolt
upright, with his n1uszet fitted close to his shout
der III regular drill order
Crest your frelocls !o-the fellow obeyed--
"Gro,lnd your fifelock !''-this he eid--tFace to
the right about, March y said the Governor, and
the mailman wheeled and stepped away. The
Gov quickly ran up behind seized the powerful
fellow and the musket & held him until several
lockers Outstanding at safe distance and
Watching this curious scene--carne to the Cover
nor's assistance, and the mailman was carried
back, in an awful rage, to his quarters.
This annecdote reminds us Of similar one,
that happened to the famous Dr., Physic, an en-
inent medical man, row dead and gone, of Phil
adelphia The doctor was visiting physician
at lunatic asylum that city; and one
morning, after going his rounds among the pa
tents Of the institution, the doctor strolled up
stairs into the top gallery of the large rotunda
of the building, TO view the city and surround
ing country While absorbed i'll view from his
high elevation, robust mailman, who had elu-
ded his keepers came suddenly upon the doctor,
to his no little establishment and bodily fear
Eut keeping perfectly cool, he bid the maniac
"good day." and was turning about to go down
stairs.
sNo you don't said the mailman, clutching
the doctor Ermly as vice-ssI want you to show
me something; they say you do everythng-cut
off heads, legs and arms-put them together
take q man all apart, and then mend him up as
good as eyer-and know YOU can, too but
want you to just jump down This hole-[the
opening of the rotunda surrounded by long,
spiral stairway away down ON the pavement,
Come on--do it YOU must" And the fellow ex-
Gil lAi4oNi ~ tuCtol q Z w Inc
to which the poor doctor hung with the tenacity
Of a tick. The moment was one OF peril to the
doctor, but his presence Of mind completely floor
ed his antagonist.
at would be very hard for me to jump down
there SIR said the doctor, abut can do great
er feat than that for you if you wish to see me
try"
eCan you, Ell, old fellow Well, try it. What
is it 2,
''Why, sir, will go down there TO the bottom,
and with one good spring, sir, I'll jump clear up
heren
Ella, ha !" laughed the maniac F'that would
be worth seeing go down, doctor, and Jump up
I'll catch you 1ehen you eonlc up"
The doctor lost no time in going down, and
sending up the keepers, who nabbed the poor
deluded.
The moral of these anecdotes shows that it
Is tar more wise to manage maniacs by acts Of
kindness and innocent stratagenl, than by COM
| pulsive threats and acts of violence.
ELECTION OF JuDGEs-TExAs-It will be seer