The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-22

from one end OF the long hall to the other. some
rapidly, with violent gestures and occasional ex-
clamations invectIves, and oaths; others, with
detected countenances and hanging heads, pace
YEARLY to and fro. Some Will stand or sit mo-
tloniess Tor hours together and of them there
are those who would not 90 to their meals unless
bid. Some, again, are loquaCious, sociable with
their companions, delighted at the presence of
visitors; while others sedulously avoid all So
clety, and will not speak even if addressed.
The main treatment on which reliance Is
placed for cure consists in sedatives and tonics,
the freedom from actiYe excitements, and the
establishment of correct habits. AS happiness
or unhappiness in all depends much upon men
tai training, so whatever tends to establish an
evenness OF temper aids not only in preventing
insanity, but in actually restoring the diseased
mind to its normal condition.
BY far the majority of those in confinement
being of an uncultivated class, 1t would be DIFF
fcult to find means to alleviate the weariness,
they experience in their seclusion. But there
are many to whom books and papers would
prove highly valuable. OF these and such like
inducements to mental ease the Institution ex-
The position in this Asy lum OF patient from
the better class of society is not enviable. Crazy
though he may be- he has yet the instincts, pre-
iudiCes, and habits of the class to which he be-
longs and being in daily companionship with
his opposites in every respect his sens1bilities
are shocked on every side Amidst the lgnoble
mass there are at times scholars and gentlemen.
Men who have obtained distinction in their
various walks Of life find in this institution q
temporary restng-place or a final abode. Clever
actors fine musicians, artists, literary men, law
yeIs, doctors, and clergymen have been num-
bered among the inmates. Insanity, like death,
is no respecter of persons.
Visitors to this Institution, if they come pro.
yided with the proper ticket, will, upon pre-
senting it 10 the clerk, be shown through a
single female hall of the main building, usually
Hall 3. / have supposed that ladies are of the
party; if none but gentlemen are present, they
are escorted in addition through male Hall 3;
In these two halls the quieter and better class
of patients are confined. The Lodge and the
Retreat are, as a rule, closed from public Gu
riosity, the lndecencies in both word and action
OF many OF the inmates rendering them unit for
scrutiny. The reason for refusing all applica-
tons to see more of the lunatics Is the unhealthy
excitement induced by an influx OF strange
faces among them, reviving, as it necessarily
must, old associations and starting anew delu-
sions which have almost died out, Visitors,
though always treated with polteness, are not
at all desired by the physicians OF the place.
The cleanliness and neatness everywhere appa-
rent always commands admiration. The white
washed walls and spotless floors show constant
attention; certain OF the patients. under the
guidance of attendants, sweeping and dusting
the boards daily, and thoroughly scrubbing them
once week.
After contemplating the strangely attired, close
shaven residents, chatting, perhaps, with some
mildeyed, ladylike monOmaniac, shuddering at
the approach OF haggard wretch with uncouth
gestlculations, receiving urgent prayers from
many to effect their release, the sight-seer de-
scends the long winding staircase of the octagon
and proceeds to the grounds for further spec
tacles.
Here if the weather be favorable, he will
doubtless find inclosed in yard, profusely set
with trees a motley crowd of men. Almost
every variety of dishable is visible. Some are
playing or wrestling with each other some en-
gagged in alteration, some In quiet social con-
verse. Occasionally one starts as on foot-race,
another Jumps as ii for wager. Singing, preach
ing, bowling is heard, producing Babel of the
most discordant noises.
Having gazed sufficiently, the summer visitor
strolls into the garoen, the season being summer,
and there consulting his watch, learns he has
just time in which to walk the quarter of mile
| to the steamboat dock, and the whistle of the
| vessel coming up the river quickens his steps.
| He is soon after landed at Twenty-siXth street,
| joyful at having "done" the Lunatic Asylum;
| dredth part OF what is most interesting the sue
ceeding conversations Will, l hope, prove.
| With stranger the insane are often slow to
unbosom themselves. If | occasionally seem
to push the sportive vein too far to be INSULT
| GENTLY filled with compassion for misfortune,
| the reader will please accept as my excuse that
| l. too, have been mailman, and feel entitled
to greater license than the ordinary pleasure
! seeker.
| THE FEMALE PATIENTS.
The female patients (as well as the male) eX
| hibIt every variety of ugliness OF feature. 1t
| would seem, from general survey OF the in
most repelling abode. The ''lair' sex is really
represented but three or four times among the
| five or six hundred women in the Institution, sc
| at least to the casual spectator 1t would appear
| Their close-cropped hair, sloyenly attire, and
manIacal expression are doubtless among the
causes of this. And again many have contracted
a habit of sitting in the broihng sun until the
skin peels of from their noses.
If painter wished TO depict the Witch Scene
| in Macbeth he would here find the finest models
! vet prominent among all the mOQStrOsltlps
a very paragon of hideousness, stands Ann
Barry. The pen is inadequate to describe ner
| Contemplation of her grotesque bulk induces thu
thought, that like the monster in "Frankenstein,
she became distracted through the sensation
her appearance ever caused among her fellows
Her gigantic head, with It's red. bushy, unkemp
hair, Is supported by huge misshapen body
covered usually by coarse blue cotton gown
while her arms and hands would astonish
prize-hghter. Upon meeting her for the frs
time one experiences feeling akin to ave. Not
wjthstanding her terrific aspect, this singular
creature is OF tractable disposition and yer,
useful in the cook-house carrying heavy yes
sells. Her conversational powers are not eXten
sive to all questions she replies by monosyla
bles, given IN deep bass voice, like the gro "
OF wearied lion. Her appetites are strong, We
she is not devoid of love IN the fine arts. Mnsc
or what doubtless IN her is such, is her grea
delight, Would you fill her soul with soft con
tent place in her hands guitar. Hugging !
as though ii we're the idol OF her heart. she viii
SIS absorbee in ecstacy for whole afternoon
producing mOnOtonOus tum, ,tum, tum. Thougl
stupid, Ann seems always happy, and dcub ties
is one OF those who are satisfied with their posi-
tion in the Asylum.
With her there is usually associated il
the mind of the resident her feow-patient
Norah. She has the same carroty locks wit
the same iriZZled texture Though not s.
profuse). But while Ann Is sedate an
rarely smiles a continual grin over-spread
| ha gl0 a