Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-05-25
For the Enquirer.
TRANS.ALLEGHANY LUNATIC ASYLUM.


The General Assembly, at its late session, passed
an act establishing q Trans.Alleghany Lunatic Asy.
, lum, and authorized the Governor 10 appoint three
| Commissioners whose duty it shall be to select q site
The Commissioners ars to commence thar la6ors or
the first Monday in June next. They are To be ap
| pointed, one iron the Valley Of Virginia, and the
| other two from the part Of the State East Of the Blue
! Ridge of Mountains. Their personal knowledge
! therefore, of the Trans Allegheny country, in all pro
liability, must be more or less Limited, end as the sc.
! lection of a site for such an institution, properly and
| iudicislly made, ia Q matter OF great Importance, we
take it for granted. that they will weigh well the
| advantages and disadvantages OF the various
LOCALITIES that may be presented for their con-
sideration. The great object in the establishment
of such an institution, being to amsliorate the con
ditiou of the unfortunate and afflicted Of our
race, great care should be taken and diligence used,
TO select a ate having all the physical advantages
possible. In view Of this fact, We believe it to be
the duty Of the friends of the various localities thai
may be presented for the consideration OF said Com
missioner S, to present such facts snd circumstances
az may be considered Of importance to the success
and prosperity of said institution; and believing such
a course would meet the appreciation OF said Com
missionerR,' we, in our weak manner, wish TO present
our views in favar of Beverly, the county seat oi
Randolph county, rs Il favorable site for said institll'
ton.
Beverly is situated in that beautiful portion Of
Western Virginia. called Tygart's Valley; a valley,
which for ~salubrity Of climate, fertility Of soil, and
dUu III lSllNI.tlo ~ "dlCl u llBhcoOe Wy
any portion of Western Virginia; q valley, which in
richness OF verdure and magni6cence of scenery ia
almost equal to the fabled Tempe. The Staunton
and Parkersburg Turnpike road passes through
Beverly, which is situated nearly midway between
said places. being l05 miles west Of Stanton,
and 100 miles East of Parkershurg; 100 miles North
of Lewisburg, and lao miles South OF Wheeling
Beverly occupies one of the most central positions in
The district. 1t has turnpike roads leading from
S,auuton, Lewisburg. Petersburg and Whesling,
besides other roads leading direct to the point
Beverly is only forty miles from the North Western
Rail Road, between which two points there is a good
stage road, by which to make the connection with
stage lines on the Staunton aud Parkersburg road.
As to materials for building, we have the bes; oil
clay for brick, en- abundance Of lime stone, and the
finest timber in the world.
One object of vital importance in the establish.
nent Of this institution, should be, TO have
CONES till more important when it is con.
s'dered what a vast influence, gaod or bad
water has upon the health ct acommunity. The ac-
vantage Of good pure water, in abundance Beverly
has over other localities in North Western Virginia,
which might othevwiseb be selected. II is situated on
The east side Of Tygart's Valley river, which ia a
beautiful and never falling stream. Ii is about loo
te-t wide, LED oy numerous creeks and springs gust
ing from the mountains base on either side OF tie
valley. Immediately on the south OF beverly, passes
a strean, called Files creek. whose channel ia sbou;
seventy feet wide, and which il fed by mountain
springs, such Us cannot be- found in any other county
in Virginia west Of Tygart's Valley. This strAsn,
has s~uiIi cient fail, by lsying conductor, \ mill, :"
raise water to the top of q four e;ory building, an,l
i'll sufficient ~qusniity 10 supply a city: Il has never
been known TOO low to tu.n u grlst mil.
Blu, a matter oil The higntst consideration /.
that of heali... aud the menlai aud physical con,
stitui.oH u raaa 10 such, tlat q sound nina
in a sound body. a. d general ruiz, eau o.
expected only where these elements exist III
their purity. lheie Is such q peculiar connection al
the mind with the body, ti:at the morbid action OF the
former cannot be cured, while the latter suffers for
want Of a proper regard TO those organic laws of nur
nature which we too often violate and infringe. E1'
ternal nature around Us, is fixed, and where We can
not bend nature to suit our purposes and contribute 70
our happiness. We must accommodate ourselves to
her. al, the mountain will not 60 to Mahomet, Ma
home' must 60 TO the mountain If we wish to plan,
this institution where lis inmate, may breathe the
pure air of the mountains nd drink OF the crystal
streams that gurgle from their base, We must 20