Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-12-21

conecu ar the Northcru q tuantic Asylum
Or Kendnck, the excell cnt Superintendent
Of this noble State charity, recently invited the
Cleveland Musical Society to give an entertain.
ment in the Asylum. This invitation was ac-
cepsed, and Monday evening found large au.
dience consisting Of the officers, attendants Of
the wards, aud the patients, assembled in the
Chapel The members Of the Musical Society,
to the number Of some finy, and few invited
guests, arrived about o'clock, and under the
leod Of Mr.. BYERLy the programme of the
evening was soon commenced Neighbor BoSE.
Of the Herald, having occupied the pulpit" for
the loonce, enjoyed a 6ne opportunity of OBJ
serving the effict Of the music. Instrumental
and vocal, on the insane. We quote
The Concert, comprising principally pieces
perlormtd at the late public Concert Of the
Society, was executed with great skill Il was
deeply interesting 10 watch the effect of the
music on the pet cuts. One fine looking man
with a long b eck beard and intelligent cast Of
countenance, frightened up at the hrst sound,
and played the entire programme with his knee
for piano, keeping time with his foot. The
manner in which his fingers worked on the Wis.,
/
every one, and he was unanimously set down
as pianist, crazed with music, II was sur.
| prise to learn that he was German butcher,
| hopelessly insane, but who had possessed fine
ear for music. This was evident from his man.
ner. At times he became wholly carried away
| by the excitement Of sweet sounds--his head
fell back, his eyes were closed in ecslaoy, while
his fingers continued TO play with great fervor
and iaultltss precision on his imaginary piano.
Here sat a venerable patriarch, resting on his
staff, his gray hairs and age worn form attract
ing general sympathy. Silent and pc siye he
listened to the music, without a motion TO
break the repose OF his attitude. Suddenly as
Miss NELLiE HARRIS sang simple Il Tie air, he
bent forward eagerly, his lips parted for a mo-
ment, and he listened intenty until the close of
the air when he exchanged word with his
next neighbor and then resumed his passive
attitude Who knows what CLEAN of memory,
at these sounds, pierced the mists that surroun.
ded his mind
Next this patriarch sat another gray headed
man whose expansive forehead and intelligent
countenance gave no sign of the troubled
clouds within. At last something Jared on
his ear, and then causeess, soft laugh aud a
subdued whisper to the vacant air, evidenced
his sal condition. At another place was a
rsving lunatic, whose restless motions had to
be frequently checked. 1t was sad TO see SO
great a wreck as this. With wild eyes and
gibbering lips he beat the time with his fore.
| finger on tho back of his seat, ON his orehead
and on his nose at times laughing yAcantly in
the faces OF those near him. Nearer the font
row was a man whose clerical appearance
slow movements and passive indifference to all
but one or two strains which sounded like
/ religious tune, gave hint as to his condition.
which was that Of settled and incurable mel
/ II. r 4. r III
| B hind him was a young man who listened
calmly for awhile, and then took notes of the
proceedings in little book whilst farther on
was anO her unfortunate, who shed copious
| tears at almost every strain. Every man among
| the patients showed some appreciation of the
music except one With his legs stretched out
before him, his hands thrust into Lis pockets
! lips compressed ami bent brow, he sat perfectly
mmovable, deeply immersed in the solution of
some abstract mathematical problem.
Among the women patients there was equal
| diversity Of actions and feelings, but the most
noticeable was an old lady vino had once been
a ballet dancer. Old and withered, she was
the most lively in the room. Her gray curls
trcked out jauntily and tanning herself with
a feather, she laughed, nodded, beat time to the
music, and put every one around her in good
humOr with her eccentricities. But the sad
dest of all was one glTl,epparenty an idiot, who
gave no sign of hearing OF knowing anything
that was going on,
The Concert was concluded without any dis
tuTbance. In fact more orderly and apprec
ative audience never listened to sweet starins.
One of the patients a blind man, wanted to 90
over and thank the singers PEI sonally.
The Concert was followed by several qua.
drilles in which the sane and insane ioyously
participated together, when the latter retired to
therwards, and the Society partOOk of a fine col
lation prepared by Steward Pond. The occasion
was one long 10 be pleasantly remembered by
the ladies and gentlemen of the Musical Socie.
ty, and must hav> been very agreeable and
satlutary relief TO the monotonous life of tho
convalescents of the Institution
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