The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-11-10
Editorial Correspondence of the Press.

Editorfai Correspondence OF the Press.
Retreat for the Insaae-Colts Dyks-Hart-
ford Atheneuna.
REVERE House, BosroS, Nov. 6, 1852.
In our letter from Hartford yesterday, we
gave some account of our visit to the Ameri-
can Asylum. In the afternoon our party Wis
tied the Retreat for the Insane, at Hartford
which is beautifully situated about one mile
from the Asylum. Under the superintendent
OF Dr. Butler, who seems to be made on pur-
pose for that place, this Retreat is fast becom-
ing model institution of the kind. There is
sort of quiet, homelike aspect about the va
rious rooms, that must exercise soothing eff
feet upon the disordered minds of the patients.
The rooms are nicely carpeted, and pictures
are hung in profusion upon the walls In some
of the upper wards we noticed a piano and
table well covered with books. The patients
are classed into small families. which DR.. But
Ter says is much better than to compel large
number to live together. There is also con-
nected with the Retreat, bowling alley for
the female patients, and a billiard table for the
males. In, short everything is done that can
be TO remove the ''prison like aspect which
unfortunately prevails in most institutions of
like character, and we could not help contrast
ing the present mode OF treating insanity as a
disease with the crude notions formerly cher
ished even by learned and scientific men.
From the Retreat we rode around by the
residence of the late Col. Colt, to his famous
dyke two miles long, built to protect his ex-
tensive pistol factories from inundalion. We
regretted that we had no time to devote to
visiting these works, and also the large estab-
lishment for the manufacture of willow ware
also founded by Mr.. Colt
A visit to the Atheneum, in Hartford will
alone repay any person for a trip thither.
Bartholomew celebrated work, Eve Repent
anti in marble is one of the attractions. Here
are also other works from his chisel that are
interesting. In the Picture gallery will be
seen large collection of fine paintings, among
them several of Trumbull's great historical
paintings. Visitors are shown the first paint
ing by Trumbull. 1t is rude picture of
Brutus, painted on panel of door. MANY
interesting relics are to be seen in the historic
al rooms. A chest which was brought over in
the Mayfower by our Puritan Fathers-Gen.
Putnams old tavern sign--Putnam's sword
slab covered with hieroglyphcs from Nine
vah-a sunburnt brick from the same locality.
&c. &C., Here also are preserved Gen. LYONS
sword and chapeau, Capt. Wards sword and
coat, with other relics of the present war.
We regretted exceedingly that we could not
linger for hours amongst the numerous objects
OF interest here collected, but we were oblig-
ed to asten away.
Hartford is beautiful city, and its inhabi-
tants are genial and hospltable to an eminent
degree, and we cannot close this letter with
out expressing, in behalf OF our party, our obi
cations to Rev. w. w. Turner, Principal of the
Asylum, to DR.. Butler, of the Retreat, and to
5. 5. Ward, Esq, and Leonard Church, ESQ.,,
to whom we are specially indebted for their
courtesy and kindness.
Here our little party separated. The Gov
ernor proceeded to New York, while we re-
turned to Boston. In our next we will give
some account of our visit TO the Perkins In
stitute for the Blind, at 5. Boston. H.