The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-17

registers. On the part Of others great interest
in our movements was manifested. One hope
lessly idiohc creature, in particular, followed
US from room 70 room, with. eyes and mouth
wide open, and frtght'ul smile upon her coarse,
dull lace. The more moderate Of the
Wesk-minded Women
display ed many little eccent1ioitjes as we passed
along. One of them, whom the Doctor ad.
dressed by the comprehensive title of "Bridget,"
crswled under the bed as we approached.
Another, who was laDortng under the impress
sion that she is the deserted wife OF an illus
trious colder OF the republic, was more for
ward She stepped gaily up 70 the Doctor, and,
grasping his hand, commenced to dance about
HIM, firet cautionlng him ''not TO tread on her
toes.r As she was barefocted, this injunction
proved that she had glimmer OF sense left.
Female violence.
One of the more violent specimens rushed up
to the Doctor and besought him in plaintive
voice to provide her with some clothing Like
Miss Flora McFhmsey, and with ABOUT as much
cause, she imagined that she had nothing to
wear.n To prevent her from ditrobing her
companions, her hands were secured in stout
leathern cuffs. Another violent specimen YVES
tied TO bench-an arrangement which she did
not appear to relish very greatly, as there we're
traces OF tears on her cheeks.
One obstreperous female, who happened to
be loose for the moment, became enraeed be-
cause we examined and praised some OF her
embroidery. She picked up chain and made
vIllainous rush tor one of her companions,
when she was suddenly seized by one of the
nurses and strapped TO bench. This summary
treatment she resented with u loud howl.
But by far The most pitIable cases on this side
of the house were those who, from old age or
disease, were confined TO their beds. The SICK
ward indeed, presented a scene of CHASTITY
misery which we have no desire to portray.
The scene in the women's yard presented no
noticeable features Some were strding up and
down, and muttering TO themselves or their
companions.
Our attention was attracted by one, however,
who was raising furious complaint, directed,
to all appearances, against no one In particular,
about some ole who had been ''blackguarding
her bethers," and whom she threatened with
'tbe iron bedstead," by way of retaliation. She
wound up her passion by hurting cob0lestone
against the gate,
The Coleaed Women,
as we have already said, are kept apart from
the white. When we reached their quarter ol
the Asylum, we found them, as general
thing, in an excess of good bumor. One, in
psrtCular, who is known as the Ohesterheld OF
the institution, account OF her studied polite
| uess followed us about and conversed in the
| most garrulous style. 1t turned out tn at she
! desired q fresh supply OF tobacco.
There are not many peculiar cases IN this de-
| partment. One of the most noticeable Is that
OF an old colOred lady, who has an inordinate
| liking for doll-babes and rags. OF the former
! she possesses some halt dozen OF various sizes
and in various STAGES Of preservation; of the
latter, she carries about with her two large bags
| full. Another interesting case was that of
| A FretKul Old Lady who has n Horror
OF the StYx.
She dogged our steps for some time and
| as we were about to leave, requested the contri
| button Of one cent towards paying ner ferriagC
| over the obnoxious River OF Death. We ex
| pressed the hope that this event was yet lone
way off, to which she sensiblY responded by
| sayIng:-
''There's nothin' like bein' ready, Massa, yor
| know
Thinking to retain our coppers, we then in
| formed her that ChaTon had discontinued hi
| ferry since the completion Of the new bridg
across the Internal Stream.
''Foot-toll" was her response, and the cope
| had 10 come forth after ell.
This ended our survey Of the institution, anC
we mad seen and heard enough to satisfy ou
own curiosity, and, we hope, that of the public
| as we'll.
In conclusion, we give below The statistics 0
| insanity in the United States, which Will sho
| at a glance to what fearful extent in6rmity o
mind has afflicted the people OF this country
az 1t has those Of all other countries in all ages
Table of Insane and IdiOttC Persona IL
| the United StaJess According to tn
Census OF 1850