The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-17
A visit to the Asylum.

Deslrlng 10 see the actual condition of the
Institution while under DR.. Buffers able
management, day or two ago our reporter
visited the establishment, and passed an hour
within its dreary walls. What follows is the
result OF our observations, from notes jotted
down as we passed through the different wards.
There are no mere Clancy" cases among them,
every trick and saying reported having a foun-
dation in truth. The only liberty we have taken,
and it is certainly an excusable one, is ch ange
in the names or popular soubrique'S by which
the patients are known among themselves.
Although
The General Appearance of the Asylum
is dreary enough from without, there is Ger.
tain air OF comfort prevailing within. The most
striking feature of the institution indoors is its
perfect cleanliness. The kitchen of q Dutch
VrOw in the old Knickerbocker DAYS of New
Amsterdam could not have been more tidily
kept. And as far as the facilities will permit
it, neatness is likewise enforced. But the per.
feet reign of this latter quality is necessarily
impossible in such an institution, and we there
fore did not expect TO see it.
AS general thing, the patients are comfort
ably clad although the cut and quality of some
OF the outfits would have plunged Beau Brum-
mel into a terrible fit of dependency. MANY of
them take considerable pride in their dress,
but others are as reckless in such matters
as they are in the hideous contortons of their
features But little difficulty is encountered in
enforcing cleanliness OF person. There are
several bathrooms in the inst itutlon and eyery
inmate is required to perform wholesale ablu-
ton twice week, There are some obstreperous
cases, however, who obstinately prefer a coat.
ing of filth. These are taken in hand by the
attendants, and subjected oj el orrnSs to the
renovating process.
The Amenities of Mad-HOuse Life.
Much has been done to give the interior a
pleasant and cheerful look, although the task of
rendering such prson.hOuse agreeable to the
sight is anything but an easy one. Here and
there in the corridors are collections of flowers
some OF them Of choice and elegant varieties
These are all under the charge of the attendants;
but they are relieved of all anxiety ON their ac-
count, as the patients never NEEDLE with hem.
On one occasion only within several years past
have the hower-pots come to grief very vio-
lent woman happened to become enraged in
the kitchen, when she gave vent TO her ill feel
ings by making sad havoc with the cooks col
lection of shrubbery.
The walls of the corridors and of many Of the
rooms are likewise adorned with pictures and
engravings of a chaste and simple character.
The late John p. Grocer, of Chester, gave 500
tor this purpose; and when the order for them
was given to Mr.. James s. Earle, of this city,
the latter kindly contributed an equal amount
Before one of these cOlored engra yiugs-a fail
young girl, holding little dog in her lap-one
Of the former patients was accustomed daily to
kneel and pour forth his prayers with an ear
nestness that was as touching as it was mis-
| directed
Tie library OF the institution likewise con.
| tains many valuable and interesting works, al
Of which are eagerly devoured by those who
| have access to them. Tho current magazine:
| Of the day, and the leading newspapers of this
city and New York, have also been placed upon
the table st DR.. Buffers own expense. All the
books, especially the illustrated ones are in
remarkably good condition, considering their
constant use.
Music is another enjoyment which is amply
! provided for. A beautiful cottage organ and &
well.toned piano constitute the resources in thii
respect,
The UnPIeasant Side Of the Picture.
But the drawbacks to the usefulness of tn,
institution which are mentioned in the begin
ning of this article are not the only ones 1t i
evident to the visitor at glance that the plac
Is fearfully rOWded, The daily average O
patients, as will be seen from the above tables
10 steadily increasing, In 1868 it was 642; II
1864 it had increased to 566; and last year |
numbered 674 The last weekly report place
the number Of men at 2Ol and of women at S64
The total number, 655, is falling of from th
daily average of last year, but this present de
crease is owing, in great measure, to the larg
number who died during the latter part Of tn
summer from cholera. 30 crowded, indeed, ar
the wards at present, that oyor 100 are Oblige
TO sleep upon the floors. a.. ID
But the distressing part Of the picture, an
that which shows how great and pressing is tn
necessity for q commodious and weil-mansge
institution of the kind in our midSt, is the ga
mental condition OF these fve hvndred an
bftV-hse outcasts OF humanity. AZ we entere
: the Visitors Hall the 6rst obj tthat sttrscte
! our attention