Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-01-23

A LUSATIc BALL IN VIRGINIA The
Lexington (Va.) Gazeite OF December
80, says:
"On Christmas night there was grand
ball al The Lunsic Asylum, at which a.
bout one hundred patients OF The asylum
snd an equal number, or more. OF gentle.
men and ,dIes from the city were pre-.
sent. On entering the grounds the large
buildings presented brilliant appearance.
and from cellar TO dome blszed forth IS
we imagine the palaces Of royalty do on
occasions. Of Stale receptions. We pass
ed through one Of the wards on our way
10 the ballroom, and lev hotels or prl.
vste houses are as neat and orderly {.
these dofmiIories, every ibing bring rs
thoroughly clean as soap and sand and
scrubblDg brush can make lhem. AT.
we'd at the ballroom door a sight present.
ed itself al once astonishing and mtlan.
choly. Ranged around rhe asl wero
sealed more than hundred from whom
The light Of reason had been taken by a
mysterious Providence, yet they were so
quieI and orderly that II required eloss
observation 10 distinguish them from an
sssemblsge Of rustie', in their bes, attire.
waiting for dance 10 besin.
"The visitors soon fell into converse
lion with The patients. spd oil was life and
snImstion. There was DELAY about the
music, and some OF the Pslitnls became
very restless We were struck with tho
perfect ease with which they we're quiet.
ed by gentle word from DR.. Cb,pley,
Who seems 10 exercise q marvellous sni
mysterious influence over this aberraled
multitude. lie has revoluiionized the
whole system Of treatment. and. ~s be.
licve, in no case permits othef punish
nent ihsn confinement and arati6es lis
patients 10 many harmless induleencts
not heretofore considereJ necessary or
advisable. When tie music struck up
there was wIld glesm in the eyes Of
many, ss IL they anticipated az un nwonled
! pleasure, OF a. n IL bad awakened some
thread Of memory long sincs SUING.
Soon The spacious floor vss filed With
dancers. the sane and the insane mineliDg
/ in ibe nazcs Of the dance, who all seen.
ed to erjoy themselves equally. The
I quick elsnce Of The attendants Kept con.
slant " a'ch over The patients. and the
sIighies. appearance Of anything itdeco-
roUs would have broUgb. them 10 The eide
OF lbe offender; bVi 40 this occasion Doth.
ing OF the kind occurred.
1--WE inquired FOR Jere Mail the Pfoph.
ei. bs lesrned that he ,corned 70 minsls
with soch prolane mpItiiuje. and vas 10
deep conversation with Lord John Lap
ton, an imaginary friend. whose seejeiy
he piefsrs 10 al Others. Mics Mary
I Leach. The lady OF msny birds snd doll.
babies. wss The objeet Of moeb s'teniios.
She Told o. tbs, size rearered ,ba she
could mol bring her singing children. Tor
Iliey had been dancing Ill day, m sntisi.
! ps hon, bot the hour Vas Too late fos them
! 10 be o0i. We deisrsed Bstney, By
loud laugh Gbsi rang hfooeh tho hall,
provoked BY preset, of q isrse and eaa.
dy pinrh.beck bresapin. in which he es-
peeisIly dsligbts. On going 10 him 10
found his whole front decors.sd with these
especial objects Of his plessurs. come ss
large 90 oOf inksisbd. and Of eli shapes
and eoloTs. lie vas qsiie q beau, snd
had lady on each arm. but would not
dance for fear he mighi loose some OF bis
Vslusble'. Many Of the patients sre On
'irely rational except on Psrticolsr sub.
jecIs. bot hen these are broscbed they
are perfectly Wild snd ineobereni."