Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-07-19
Tennessee Hospital for the insane


We made visit yesterday to this insti-
tuition for the first time since it has been
under the superintendent OF DIR. w. +.
Jones. We presume that our readers are
generally well informed touching the 10
cation, the buildings and the grounds, for
in former years much has been written on
the subject, and every one coming to Nash
vile having time and desire to visit her
public institutions her private palaces, or
the charitable institutions of the State, has
done so. By these means, all have become
familiarized in some degree to the reading
and travelling public Of this and other
States. We shall not, therefore, repeat
descriptions Of the buildings and
grounds. We will say, however, that
they are in superb condition, and were
never more attractive. The. whole in
terror of the Asylum is in a remarka-
BILE state of preservation and cleanliness ;
and everything is done to secure the health
and comfort of the large number of patients
occupying the several wards. There are at
present one hundred and thirty-nine male,
and one hundred and seven female patients
many of them hopelessly insane, and
some of the latter at times troublesome to
manage The male wards are under the
charge of Dr. J. A. Beauchamp and the
female, under that of Dr. A. A. East, both
of them accomplished physicians and gem
tlemen of great urbanity aud kindness of
heart. DIR. Jones, the head of the establish
ment has long been recognized as one of
our ablest medical men, and a Christian
gentleman worthy Of all confidence and
esteem. Under his snperintendence some
changes have been made, amongst them is
the removal of the wash room from the
east wing, and the fitting up of new and
larger chapel 1t has been his fortune to
meet the negro question" and to provide
for number of insane colored persons.
la frame building, on part of the
grounds, he has made neat and comforta-
Bile arrangements for these unfortunate
Of whom there are nine males and four
teen female. A large brick ediice, capa-
BILE of accommodating about fifty patients,
is in the process of erection, and will be
finished at an early day. 1t will have all
the convenience known TO such institu~
tons, and will reflect credit upon the hu-
mainly of Tennessee-showing her inten-
ton 10 take care of her colored as well as
white insane children.
The Asylum has given shelter to many
patients from other States Some of these
remain. Others have been sent here to
their frieads-if friends they can be called
because for years no payments have been
made in their behalf, and Tennessee does
to e,l-.
from abroad, especially whilst so many OF
her own are appealing to her charity. The
sending of these patients away has been one
Of the most unpleasant of DR.. Us duties
but he discharged it firmly, and in a spirit
Of kindness 10 all.
Passing from the Asylum and the de-
pressing reflections caused by witnessing
the stricken beings housed within its walls
we 20 out into the open air, in the blessed
sunshine, and into greenhouses, anC
| flower gardens, where there is much &c
cheer the heart and obliterate sad impress
/ sions. Here the intelligent Sharkey pre-
sides and takes much pleasure ia showing
the lovely children Of Flora, that hav,
sprung ap under his eve and blossomeC
| under his culture. He has a congress o
| rare and beautiful flowers and plants -
representatives, we believe, from al thu
zones. The splendid Victoria Regini
looked gneenly ia her bath Of water, sn'
Aourishes in the tropical heat which give
her life and inspiration. When she don
her coronal Of beanty, may We be there &
see. Bat, good Sharkey, We cannot hinge
over youT department. It's growing lat
al night-ibere is a call for eopy-and VI
| come 10 a close.