The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-22
Remarkable Characters and their
PeCuliarltleS.
MRS. BUCHANAN" AND her DOLL.
Tho Prophets, Generals, AdmiTals, States.
men. Kings, Princes, and Lords of
Weak and Deranged Minds.
ETC.. ETC.. ETC.. Etc.. EtC.
From Harper's Magazine for February.

From Hdrper's Magazine for February.
At no very distant date 1 had the misfortune
to be patient in the Institution Of whjcn this
article treats. 1t is not necessary for me to de-
scribe the form in which my affection manifested
ITSELF l only mention it here to show that
have had ample means of seeing the details of
the management of the Asylum. Since my re-
covery have as q guest visited the Institution,
and thus produced the dra wings and narrative
which are now commended to the readers
attention. OF their truthtulness think there
will be no question. Feeling no malice, l have
certainly set down nothing in that spirit; and
there is little which The managers could wish
me to extenuate.
Backwell's Island, notwithstanding its beauty,
has no very good name. This arises from the
tact that the Penitentiary was the first building
erected upon It, and the island for a long time
was known only as the site of that abode of
CRIME. To none OF the other structures it con-
tains, indeed, would one like to be compelled to
go-to the Workhouse, the Almshouse, the Hos
pital, or the Insane Asylum; yet TO the last two
compulsory visit might well be unattended with
disgrace.
POSITION OF THE ASYLUM.
The Lunatic Asylum stands at that end of the
island iarthest from the city of New York and
is, as regards scenery, lar better located than
any of the others. On the eastern side Ravens
wood, with Its luxuriant foliage and elegant
architecture, appears From the opposite bank
OF the river Be levue Gardens and several noble
mansions with their boat houses and terraces
look down. Then the eye glancing unrestrained
up the stream, sees the historic "Hell-Gate,n "
with the adjacent smiling village of Astoria;
farther on, the leaty shores of Wards Island dis
cover themselves. The picturesque ierry-boat
landing on the Manhattan side at Eghty-sixth
street, with its surroundings of gayly-painted
skiis and sailboats, and the hotel rearing aloft
its old rckety walls, form other objects OF Interest
as the attention again reverts towards the city.
In summer the river presents continued scene
Of animation. Graceful yachts, helped by the
swift current, glide by with even more than
fznf,, no. ~, 11AA
boats plow past with increasing roar and turbu-
lence of waters; and now and then skeleton
race boats propelled by sturdy arms and active
muscles shoot swiftly along.
The Lunatlc Asylum comprises three sepa-
rate buildings, known as the ''Asvlum," the
LODGE or Mad-house, and the Retreat l
have named them in the order in which they are
situated, the Asylum, or original and largest
structure. being the one nearest the end of the
island. This, though displaying irregularity in
the architectural plan, is one of the most impos-
ing edifices under the control of the Commis-
sioners of Public Charities and Corrections. 1t
consists of two wings, forming right angle with
their octagonal centre. OF these, one is inha-
bited byLtemale, the other by male patients.
The octagon is devoted to offices, parlors, and
physicians apartments.
Each wing has three stories and an attic,
which are divided into bedrooms on either side
OF long hall. These halls are inscribed at
their entrance, Male or Female Halls, l, 2, or 3,
according to their elevation and the sex of the
ueulLeuS. I00 dDJlC contains Uue SICK
The Lodge or Mad-house to which access is
never attainable by visitors, is the place of con
fnement for the most violent cases. All new
corners, are, however, generally placed there
until they disclose their characters. Then, IL
sufficiently mild, they are removed to the Asy-
lum or the Retreat. The Retreat is a building
formerly belonging to thew Workhouse, the inst'
tuition adjacent to the Insane Asylum. 1t is now
a receptacle for female patients, who usually
outnumber the male more than two to one. In
the Lodge there are four halls given up to te-
males, while but two are inhabited by males.
There are other buildings which, though unite
nanted by the insane, are rendered necessary by
the size of the institution. Of these the most
important is the cook-hOuse, where the food is
prepared for use. This consists manly OF soup,
boiled by means of steam pipes in stationary
kettles From these it is carried in large tin
vessels to the different halls of the three main
structures. The engine-room occupies more
than one-third of the cook-house, inasmuch as
besides that necessary for cooking, it generates
steam on which the warmth of the asylum de.
pends during winter. The washing of all the
patients clothes is performed in the same build
ing, mainly by machinery.
The Institution is supplied with water by sub
marine pipes connecting with the Croton reser-
voiT. Large tanks in the several edidces keep up
the supply when, as is not infrequent, the
pipes are injured by anchors or otherwise.
Among the outhouses is a stable, a carpenters
shop. blacksmith's forge, and paint shop. A
dead-house also figures near bv. Four large
wooden structures are erecting tor the benefit of
patients sent from other institutions upon the
island-the Workhouse, Almshouse, etc. When
typhus may rage il is probable they Will also be
used as a fever hospital.
The Asylum grounds contain some fifteen or
twenty acres Ohe island containing one hun.
dred), and produce all the vegetables except
potatoes and tuTnips, used by the Institution.
OF potatoes and turnips about two hundred
bushels each are raised; tomatoes, two hundred
bushels; carrots, one hundred; beets, one hun.
dred and fifty; parsnips, one hundred and forty;
other kinds in due proportion. The tilling of
the land, like most ofthe WORK about the Asylum,
is done by patients under the guidance Of paid
official.
considerable portion of the grounds is de-
voted to yards for the benefit of the insane, and
an extensive garden blooms with many colored
flowers. Rarities are not infrequent An orna.
metal summerhouse adds to the charm of the
spectacle, while grand old willows, horse
chestnuts, and button woods, with other trees,
make the scene Immediately contiguous to the
main Asylum exceedingly picturesque by their
diversified and luxuriant foliage. The carriage
road to the principal entrance runs through a
densely shaded avenue, and a fine vista preseI te
itself-at the end of which the blue water CLEAN
ing in the sun. dotted here and there with white