The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-06-10

tion," replied. II have fortunately
neither friend nor relative here; but hav,
cone simply as you say, to see the curl
osities of the asy lum.'
II congratulate you,' said be, "upou
your exemption, and upon the laudabe
motive which prompts your visst. The
calamity next to bring an inmate of ar
asylum ones self, is to have dear friend
or relation imnured within its walls As
you have come to see peruit me to become
your ciccrone for a short time. | am al
leisure, and loye to point out the localities
aud to explain the economy of the institu-
tion to iD1ui-itiee strangers. For many
years have been priviledged visitor
in all the department., of the asylum, and
Iknow the history and peculiar haluci.
nations of we'll nigh all the inmates"
Struck with the intelligent conversation
aud won By the afable address of the
stranger, | readily accepted his PROPOSE
ton to be NY guide on the present occa-
sion. We passed on slowly from cell to
cell, aud from room to room-he relating
and | listening with pleased attention to
his relations of the names, hallucinations
and present conditions of the iDmates.-
His descriptions of tie more remarkable
cases were grapic and eloquent in high
degree. Ii is hard to decide whether
was most interested in myseli or in the
smitten ones whose history be so touch
ingly anI 50 beautifully related. Occa-
siouaIiy We passed an Official Of the insti-
tuition, between whom and my cicerone a
few words, but more frequent nod or
ware of the hand, were exchanged in to-
ken of friendly recognition.
Having visited all the apartments upon
one floor, We assembled to the next, and
went through similar round of pictur-
e,quc description on his part, and of at
tentive listening on mine. He talked with
out the stimulus of questions. 1t was
thrilling monologue, with 10 auity for its
theme, an i the moutuful alterations of the
wrecked uiud for its gloomy emteillsh-
ments
At length We reached the last cell upon
the highest floor. lie paused momont,
thoua uahrfully, and then added:
Il have now an architectural curiosity
10 show YOU, aud then we must part. |
wish to poiut out to you the cunning con-
tri:auce by which the pressure of the
weight Of the high tower which surmounts
the lnaiu building of the asy lum is dlfius-
ed oger large era of support, and thus
prevented froc depressing ang portion Of
the roof or injuring any part OF the edihce
Sa7ins this, he assembled, anG follow
ed him up a short fight OF steps which
brought Us to tie fcor from which the
tower -praug perPouiicularly upward to
4 considerable height As soon as We
set foot upon the floor, | saw long stout
ladder. with one end resting pear the spot
where we stood, and the other fastened
With iron rings to grapplcs driven secure.
iv into the fat roof of the tower. be
tor most roand was in close proximity to
the place of crit to the summit OF the tow
er. which was trap-door. now wide open
and admitting column Of light into the
dismal looking room in which we were
standing. My eomPanion, catching
sight OF the ladder almost az quickly as l
had, uttered sharp, quick cry, express
siye Of both surprise aud delight, and
sprang forward as if for the purpose OF
ascending it at once. But, as if arrested
by some sudden thought, he paused with
one foot upon the first round, aud his
hands erasping another higher up, turn
ed bis face towards me, aud exclaimed
in quickened tones
Come let's 60 up here, and Will show
you glorious sight. The architectural
curiosity can wait its solution until we
come down. The view from the top OF
the tower is remarkably fine. 1t Is not
often we have SO good day to enjoy It,
Follow me-"
With these words he sprang up the
ladder With the agility and speed of cat.
soon stepped out Gu the summit OF the
tower, aud /, following with more leisure
IL and cautious steps joined him 10 20.
ment afterwards. H. stood erect and
motionless as a statue, only foot or two
from the edge of the trap door through
which we had emerged, passed on to
the front of him, and took my stand IN
position favorable for observation, aud
with my back turned to my companion.
The view, as be had promised, wa, ln-
deed. surprisingly foe. The landscape
lay. like gorgeous panorama unrolled
beneath US, stretching far away over bill
and plain, until it melted, BY soft gradu-
ations, into the blue haze Of the distant
horizon. The various objects which d.
versify the sumner scenery of the South
were distinctly VISIBLE at seemingly great
distances. 1t was prospect full OF the
lights and shades, the tints and touching
beauties, which the great artist-Nature
spreads with such prodigal bounty oyeI
her immortal canvass, and was worth o.
reproduction beneath the creating penci
of Claude Lorraine himself.
Downward, and Immediately beneatf
us. the view, if not so inviting as the more
distant surrounding landscape, was, a
least, far more bewildering aud unsettiinG
IN tho nerves The summit OF the towel