Nevada national., 1859-10-22
CUissoszTIEs OF a LUNATiC
ASYLUM.
CHARACTERS AMONG THE INMATES.

/ ~ u" NiA1ueipula, presents some
OF the most Singular developments of luna.
cy that can be encountered all the world over.
Than the four hundred inmates of that de-
partment-male and female. and of ali ma
tionalities--no greater variety Of forms OF
madness we're ever collected iu a single bull.
ding. The sight as you pass through the
various wards is alternately pitcous, ludi-
erous and incomprehensihle. 1t is marvel
ons that among four hundred madmen and
mad women such uniform good order should
prevail; and that, even among the most ex-
citable, timid persons may venture without
fear of receiving injury.
The class most largely represented here,
as well as at the Insane Hospital at West
Philadelphia, is that of the farmer or farm
laborer. matter which TO those who appre-
ciate the calm retirement Of a country life
must be slightly anomalous. The large ma.
jority Of the patients are entirely harmless.
the subjects mainly of one mania, which rem.
ders them untitled for society. though in ev-
cry other respects they are wholly sane.-.
These have the free range of the wards. and
of the large yard, where exercise is taken.-
Over them the surveillance is not rigid
Constant watchfulness is only necessary in
the cases OF the few.
1t is singular study. this alteration Of
the human intellect, and too much praise
cannot be given to such gentlemen as DIR.
WOrthington, of the Friends Insane Hospi.
tai, and Drs. Kirkbridge and Smith, of the
West Philadelphia Hospital, for the success
which has rewarded their labors in reseating
reason upon its throne. Pass through the
paupers in the wards of Blockley, and in a
two hours visit you will learn that which
lifetime afterward can never oblterate.-
There are characters among the lunatics
just as there are among clergymen. members
OF the bar, and newspaper reporters. Num-
bers of them are epilepiics. and Of course in.
curable. yet these are, perhaps. the happiest
Of all. As specimen. there is a man who
imagines himself the possessor Of an mex
haustihie banking house. lie is a tall. Draw.
ny fellow, with a boiled eye and dishevelled
hair. You enter the ward in company with
Guardian OF the Poor. The Guardian he
probably knows, and to him be merely mods
salute. You, however, he approaC hes with
a smile:
did YOU want any funds to day. he ear
nestly inquiries.
Your companion explains his delusion
and to humor him you reply:
ayes, have you any thing over7
'Oh, yes. | lent Victor Emanuel one
hundred thousand dollars to-day, and I've
promised Garibaldi and Kossuth each a quar-.
ter Of million tomorrow. But can spare
you fifty thousand, provided you'll take it
in five franc pieces"
THAT will do very nicely" you respond
by the way, Mr.. -, how much do YOU
suppose yourself TO be worth"
"Wor;h? Why, the Rothschilds are nv
agents now, and they know better than do.
Mr., Belmont AMI james Duudas are my
agents IN Philadelphia. Ask them"
do you ever get short of funds. Mr.
'Not often. but did once. | lent Comon-
fort fifty millions to save Mexico, and he
cheated me out of il. That cramped me for
about a week; but no more now. Send up
tomorrow and IN let you have the five
franc pieces. Never mind about interest"
Saying which The poor fellow stalks away
feeling happier no doubt than one half our
millionaires who possess both reason and
dollars.
Another very odd character at the Aims
house is a Mr.. Virgins. This person is a
maniac on the subject of religion. Upon all
other points be is perfectly rational, but he
believes himself to be the Saviour of the
world. He was formerly schoolmaster in
kentucky. He is tall, spare man. with
splendid forehead, and an eye that tells of
integrity aud lofty principles. He has been
40 inmate of Blockley for some years, aud is
employed to take charge Of the dining room.
II desired to do so. he will make you an
address. His gesticulation is expressive,
anu us 'oteS ts W. = hhN' wv III uaii DouI
speech you cannot find single Ineligible
sentence. AT present the poor fellow is GO
ng through forty days fast. A gentle
nan connected with the Almshouse assured
is of his belief that Virgins had eaten moth
ng for twenty-four days-a statement GER
anly confirmed by the cadaverous looks Of
he unfortunate man, but OF course incredi-
Die.
AT times the unfortunate man is somewhat
ucid and even logical in his arguments
We asked him the other day:
"Mr. Virgins, you profess to be the Sa-
'iour of the world."
IL do"
"You believe the Bible. do you nol'"
Certainly"
"Then look at the remark Of the Apostle
'aul--