Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-07-29
Larstc Asylum West o. A!ieghauy Moua:nins.

!yY nEroI, Va. July -, lN59.
Mc>srS. Editors In pa: SiEs through the
country, and observing the public works, we
were more than pleased with the front that this
work presents.
The Legislature commenced this humane i'm
provement with Il design that it should be com
plcted with the most practicable speed, as there
were some three hundred insane persons
in the State unprovidcd for. 1t Is The duty &C
the State 10 provide for them, aud doubt not
that they will iully feel the importance OF the
work.
The state no Doubt feels the importance Of
the undertaking. Ii is one wh.ra carries 10
the breast of all ph!lanilropi>tS the wholeso
cd feeling of relief In all IFS ramiiicationS
we need the fullest and al the same time the
amplcst provisions. The Commissioners in To-
catin. the site had this under consideration,
and therefore, placed it at 4 point where the
number OF acres requisite cou.d he obtained
withou: an immense outlay Of money. We
heard remark from 4 gentleman who is in the
employment o, the Directory. and who has
been connected with institutions Of similar
character, ior the last seventeen years, that
'hc knew no location Sa;c one, that nature
had done as much for rs the site Of an inStitu.
ticn like this" The hcalth of the region in
which il is placed the ccntrality Of the point,
being the centre of the North West, all add an
cncominm upon the judi smcnt OF tic comnis-
,;oncrS who selected tli: point.
The Directors have determined TO erect the
building Of stone of very superior character.
which j. found co,i:cliici.t 10 the buildng-
This determination. upon the pant ot the Dl-
rectOyS has. after the ui;nr.>t consideration,
been adopted. because thc building can DC erect
cd a. cheap al stone :s cf brick, and in the
event It should exceed the price OF brick. as
;iis is building 70 last 70. al time, is 1t not
economy that the most substantial material
should he used With the plan adopted by
the Board. and approved By tie Commission Of
Physicians. DrS. Suibliug Of Virginia. and
Kirk bridge Of Philadelphia, We haze no doubt
that it will he the mos, perfect hospital for the
insane in the Union. if no, in the world
The Board of Directors deserve credit for the
adoption of their plan, aud also merit the praise
of the State whose agents they are, for the eco
nomical manner in which they have managed
the monetary affairs Of t> institution.
out of the sum Of $2j, 900 they have paid
for the land upon which these biHlding> are 10
br erected. some go acres All the tools, ncces-
>ary implements Nc for co:i.i':ctlnS the work
have been obtained and with ;ne aid ot - con.
vict negroes from the Pcntcntiary they are
driving the work ahead as h!s|,!y a. is possible
for them TO DO with the ,':aii,d means upon
which they have to Operate, hut no board could
push work of the m.S'.;..:ie ie AMI Importance
of this with more e..ar;;y and with u desire 10
complete the undertaking at the earliest possible
moment. We sincerely hope that the LcslS!a-
turc at its next session will as early as practi-
cable give the institution the advantage Of 4
liberal appropriation in order that it may he
completed at an early period; but we have 10
hesitation in saving. from what We know Of
the plans and the material cut Of which it is
to b. built, il will be 4 credit I, those who have
the control Of its construction and an ornament
TO the State whose nan:'iccucc has erected 1t.
PniLAHTIIGoPisT.