Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-05-20
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one Of the most a,urshing towns In the Valley and
every day rapidly improving both In wealth and popula-
ton. The Central Road nov connects tho town with
Richmond while line Of stages Cupeper O. H. bring
Ii In daily communication with Washington City. 'Th,
present population is 1000, aud Improvement
arc being erected every day Tho buildings of tho Lu
matte Asylum and the Institution for the Deaf Dumb an,
Blind. situated few hundred yards from tho town. arr
very handsome and add much the beauty Of tho place
While In Staunton paid visit the first named Ins
tuition and was very kindly shown BY Of tho attend
ants entirely through the Male apartments. was yer,
much grained to find that the Recommendations for tb,
Up anate creaturcs-who are sent there to draf
out Vulnerable cIistencc-were both neat aud comfora
BILE. The rooms all well furnished and servants have
been hired to the patients and attend TO all their
wants. Since the establishment Of the Institution ary
quarter Of century ago, there have been sent to
nearly 1900 patients while out Of that large number
there have only been Ave cases OF suicide When the
Asylum Was first established only sio 900 appopr
sted by the Legislature to purchase land aud erect build
ngs. At that time little attention comparatively, had
where in tho United States been devoted tho
Of tho Insane, and buildings erected only for the
accommodation OF sixty or seventy patients Since then
the public mind has become enlightened in regard to
the nature Of insanity its proper mode Of treatment
-pejudiccs which had long existed, began give way
and those who had kept their friends home-says Dr.
Strbbng in his last rcport-S IRON dread Of what was
conceived to be the horrors offs mad house." salts
fed that such dread IL well founded could only
have been applied to the darker ages TIE
therefore, Is that signal has been the success of
The Institution, that from building at first
erected for only 10 patients nine have since been added
and there at this time upwards of 400 lunacs under
the superintendent OF Dr. Stribblng and his
assistanS;-a number so large preclude the posi-
bily OF wing more unless the next Legislature
shalt appropriate sum sufficient to aud furnish other
buildings The superintendent in his late report to the
Board OF Visitors sateJ that the Asylum has for some
years enjoyed the advantages OF a male night watch
who is required TO guard it from intrusion, protect
it from h", visit the sick male patients, aud ad-
minister medicines and nourishment or see that
the nurse |, charge Is not sleeping upon his post
This is feature in the conduct of Asylum which can
be too highly estimated aud which should be
wanting in any institution Of the kind The chapel situa
ted IN tho upper story of the front building and very
handsomely furnished contains beautiful aud cost
y organ, presented to the Asylum by the Phantbropic
and benevolent banker, Mr.. w. w. Corcoran OF Wash
ugtou City. Divine worship is performed in the Chapel
every Sabbath evening, by the ministers of the different
denominations, who preach alternately The grounds in
front Of the buildings are very neatly laid OIL and afford
the patterns the advantages OF fresh air aud bodily
ercse, which is beneficial in great degree the pro-
notion of tleir health aud strength. The Asylum is
entirely lighted with gas, while the are warm
ed up by scanning apparatus in place OF the ordinary
hrcpaces, thereby preventing any accident from fire.
should the patient be mschevous enough make such
attempt Before leaving the place made inquiry Of
the attendant in regard the fare given To the inmates
aud he Informed that they received just what food the
Physicians thought proper to recommend, and that Dr.
Stbbns particular in procuring every article
| necessary TO their comfort.
Although space than probably necessary has
beer occupied in this letter, in regard the ASYLUM vet
have been particular in collecting all the information
in power from the fact that large number omy read
have either friends relations acquaintance the in
sutio, aud information 10 regard the lace will be
read BY them with pleasure and trust with satisfaction
coulc II necessary devote tho whole this letter to
this Interesting and important subject; but the details
given il hoped will be sufficient to satisfy those who
have friends or relatives there that they comfort
able circumstances and their unfortunate situation will
admit while their every attended with great
care and kindness by the estmsble gentleman who has
charge OF the lnstititon not able TO remain more
than days in Saunton consequently did have
time make visit to the celebrated Meyers Cave and
other places Of resort and curiosity in tho county.
SHALL probably, avail myself OF opportunity during the
summer months, of spending days in this section
Augusta contained at one time, within her boundaries,
territory that this day. comprises four entire States and
at least 40 counties in Virginia IL is one of the
largest and most populous counties in the valley and
land, in some portions OF IL ia inferior to in the
State. In the Northwestern part Of the county the
Augusta springs IL miles from Stanton They now
| but little known by the travelling community and of
course not much irequented. The waters are strongly
mpregnaed with ulphuretted hydrogen, and beev-
ed by many TO be equal to the celebrated springs OF a
rowgate England Even now the improve ments AT the
| place said to be ample aud convenient while the
scenery is both picturesque and beautiful. There are
other curiostes in worthy Of the notice
oil the traveller and among which
would mention the Cyclopean Towers, short distance
from the above named springs aud deemed, by many as
great curiosity the Natural Bridge For some years
they were only known in the vicinity and bore the rude
appelation OF the Burnt Chmneysn They are about 10
feet height and said to resemble in their formation the
Palisades, the Hudson river, but regular in
strata which appears to have been arranged huge
masses OF perfect workmanship with project like
| nices of Gothic architecture in a state of dlapida-
ton. Those who acquainted with the structure Of
Cycopean Towers OF the ancien says writer would be
struck with the resemblance have neglected in nv
letters, heretofore to mention anything in regard the
temperance question, which, than any other topic
seems this time agitae the country and 10 cause
everish excitement all through this section of Virginia
For the last three four the Order OF the Sons OF
Temperance has rapidly increased both in responsibility
and in number and at this time some Of the
most prominent names in the State. So rapid has been
its Advancement and to such pitch of excitement has
brought the masses that he Order openly proclaim their
intention not to support any candidate for any office what
ever unless he be of their particular Order, or in
favor Of prohibory liquor law. In many counties SO
great has been the influence e1ertcd by them, that
the county courts have refused grant license to
the mos, respectable applicants. This has been the
in Giles, Craig and other counties in that re gon
OF the country At the last Botetourt Court desperate
attempt was made TO prevent the issuing Of any more
licenses, but this voted down by close contest after
long debate. II has been limited by many that it il the
intention OF the order to support candidate Of their
for Governor the election unless one or both of
she political candidates shall accord with them In their
views upon tina. subject II this is be the case no
coalitions aud will support their candidate from his
Known opinions in favor Of the principles Of the party
Wherever and whenever they have unted with the ord.
in political contest they have always suffered terrible
defeat. In the little State Of Delaware two years sgo we
lost by the temperance question, only tho Governor
aud Legislature, United States Senator for six years
who at this time msreprecnS his State in that body
Even in the old Wing strong hold OF Augusta which in
days gone by was looked upon faithful among the
faithful In the cause Of Whiggey, was lost To the party
by making the prohbi,oy law Issue in their lss State
election, aud the county IL represented by two Dem
ocrats in the House and in the Senate when their
opponents should have been returned by upwards of six
HUNDRED majority. again hope that the Wing party at
| least will have nothing TO do with the movement ia a
political way but will firmly cling their organization
whether they to be defeated to DO victorious In
my heKt letter shall probably have more to Say upon
this subject and will also give description of tho country
i this portion Of the valley The excitement in regard
10 Jcung Christian israpidly dying away and very de-
cidei reaction has taken place in his favor 10 the last ey
weeks. isnoT thought by many that he will most pro.
bab be cleared at his trial. On tomorrow shall
leave Lexington for Liberty and from that place will 20 10
Franklin Cour, House. will write 10 you again either
from Liberty or Franklin. JES
LTEcnBURG, May II, 1854.
Tie annual Conven ton of the Protestant Rniscopa