Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-01-31
CAMPHENE.
Miss Dix.


No person in our country, none in any coun-
try, except Howard and Mrs. Fry, has shown
us BY example, how much may be doue
through the instrumentaty of a single indi-
ydual for the relief of wretchedness, as the
estimable lady whose name is at the head of
these lines. Her success is beyond all paraI-
lei even in the history Of the two great phil
anthrophists we have just mentioned and al
though her own modesty shrinks from the
publicity which her career involves, there is
proprlety in presenting her example to the
world, that she may thus be silently as useful
in stimulating others, as she is by her aciiye
efforts in the dispensation of mercies 10 the
suffering.
Miss Dix was teacher in Massachusetts
honored and useful in her vocation, when her
mind became deeply interested in the condi-
ton of those of her fellow beings who are con
fined in prisons and asylums. Without being
governed by that philosophy which conlounds
vice and misfortune, and which looks upon
criminal as tile victim of arrangement. she
appears to have been moved by strong desire
TO promote the physical and moral treatment
OF both classes, with view 10 the reformation
OF the one, and the cure OF the other. SO far
as she has theory, il embraces provision
for the PERSONAL comfort of the subject. with
the application of religious truth and undeyi
ating kindness. Her theory has its foundation
IN the law OF love, which she desires 10 apply
TO all classes of humanity; believing that the
element of power is in it, and that happiness
will spread as it prevails
lis truly wonderful that single individual.
and she retiring, quiet female, should be
able, while yet young, 10 accomplish so much
for Tie good Of her fellow creatures. We ven
lure 10 say that no score of men would have
achieved half so much in The same time. In
various States at the east and the west, at the
south and the north, She has succeeded in OBJ.
tanning the establishments well-ordered asyI-
ums for the insane, in introducing important
improvements IN prison discipline, in melorat-
ing the condition Of county jails and aims
houses; while the facts which her unweared
labors have elected, being published widely,
lave awakened interest and secured reforms
in many cases, that may never come to her
knowledge. She is now in correspondence
with committees in six different States having
the erection or modification of asylums in
charge. Her mode of operation has always
been Of The quietest kind. Proceeding 10 the
State where there has been no provision made
for the insane, she visits various parts Of it,
and collects facts that showthe vast importance
of an asylum. In these visits, she becomes
acquainted with leading minds, and then she
visits the seat of government during the session
of the Legislature. In the retirement Of The
parlor and in the social circle, she commune
Gates to the members, as she comes into com
munion with them, these facts which she has
gathered; she eiilists their sympathies and Sc
cures their individual support 10 the measures
she desires TO carry through. In this way she
dsarms all opposition, and almost invariably |
succeeds. How many Of these Institutions
are now shedding abroad, their blessings, as s
the fruit of her philanthropy, we cannot say