The weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1869-18??, 1869-08-25
A Visit to the Insane Asylum.

stitution, we give abrief9 account OF what
we saw, knowing that it will be OF interest.
Immediately upon our arrival we pro-
ceeded to visit the several wards, common
cling at the top floor, in which are confined
those patients who are most tractable.
Nothing of a demonstrative character is to
be observed here, the occupants presenting
no outward appearances of insanity, and
this ward looks much as does the conya-
lescent ward of some hospital. It is only
by conversing with the inmates that their in
sanity becomes apparent. 1t is easy, how
ever, to ascertain the, particular point upon
which the mind of each dwells by few
questions, and in some cases the patients
will at once address visitor upon the topic
which interests them. One dapper little fel-
low, with sparkling black eyes, approached
us with beaming countenance, and joyful
ly informed US that he was going to buy all
the diamonds in the world. We expressed
our establishment at the immensely OF his I'M
dertaking, and deferentially inquired wheth-
er his finances would be able to stand the
pressure. He relieved our anxiety by in
forming us that he could do it and not half
try, and unfolded project which, if sue
cessfully accomplished, would make him
formidable rival to ALEXANDER the GREAT.
Promising the statement by informing us
that he commanded large army, heavowed
his determination to1conquer Cuba, Spain,
France and England, after which he should
be in readiness to overrun China. We sug-
gested that the Chinese language being some
what difficult he had better commence
learning it while at leisure. This advice
proved to be unnecessary, as he informed
US that he spoke every language known,
and proceeded to verify his statement by sa-
luting us with the following extraordinary
sentiment: " Ring ching, choo, change
bobskew de rigbob" This he assured US
was pure Chinese. Not being versed in the
language of the Flowery Kingdom, we were
unable to dispute the assertion, but had q
strong suspicion that it was nothing more
| than broken China at the most After
| this he gave us samples of French and Span
| ish, all of which bore remarkable resem-
blance to his Chinese. We complimented
him on his linguistic skill, which so pleased
him that he Immediately appointed
us commander-in-chief of his con-
| auering armies and authorized US to
| buy as many diamonds as we de-
sired. He then informed us that the
castle, meaning the Asylum, belonged to
to him, he having paid seven hundred thou
sand dollars therefor. Upon our express
ing great interest in this statement, he, with
shrewd air, informed us that it was a
mighty good bargain, for it couldn't be built
| at the present time for less than three hun
bred million.
Another gentleman, with aldermanic pro-
portions and a suave, yet dignifed mein, re,
quested the Doctor to present us to him
The Doctor did so, at the same time inform
ing US that we were in the presence o.
the President of the World. Having
made our obeisance, We were graciously re
ceived, and his Highness informed us thai
as the castle was somewhat out of repairs
and his regal garments lost, he was unable
to appear in a manner BETTING his exalted
station. Being unable to leave the castle
he said that he was cheated by his quartermas
ter. This assertion we considered as eyin
cling perfect knowledge of army matters
But the following, one; viz: that he had re
ceived 100000 from defaulting Q. NJ, w
considered as somewhat improbable. II,
stated the number of his forces at fifty mil
lions, which would be a respectable army
| We regretted, however, to be informed tina
Dr.. GR1ssoM was in the habit of nightly Wis
iting the President, accompanied by devils
| goblins, imps and other equally obnoxious
characters and also to learn that the Docto
had sequestrated some three billions of dol
lars belonging to our potential friend. We
at the request of the President, entreatet
the Doctor to refund his ill-gotten gains, bu
the Doctor had left his pocket-book in hi
other pants pocket and was unable to com
| ply with our request.
| The President and our linguistic friend
both commanding armies, do not agree YER
well, the President regarding the Conquere
as an upstart, and the Conquerer having
rather bad opinion of the military abilitie
of the President. Bidding our illustriou
acquaintance farewell, we left the ward
being, however, followed to the grating b,
the Conquerer, who wished to assure us O
his unrivalled skill with the lance. We toli
him he ought to go to Weldon, and Civ,
lessons to gentleman there who as {
ring-stickist is a lamentable failure.
| We passed through the middle ware
without observing much of interest.
| In the lower wards are the worst class O
patients, and whose insanity is violent. Herr
the spectacle was truly sad. One man in til,
farther end of the corridor was walking
ceaselessly in a circle. His rapid yet noise
less motions reminded one of the Gagged
tiger. Another, powerfully built man
stood with clasped hands gazing at tn,
ceiling, or, more probably, into space. Not
muscle moved and he stood like statue. Ant
thus he stands constantly, day after day
month after month, year after year. Al
attempts to cause him to cease were fruitless
and even when forced to move partly arouni
his eyes still rested upon the same point a
before. The sight was, indeed mournful
This man, strong and yet young, was but
living corpse, speeches., motionless, insensi
BILE, with no power save to forever look int
space For what he watches, for whose
coming he longs, or what visions pass before
his demented brain no one knows Blu
there he stands day, after day, living statu,
of death-a body without soul.
/ Another, tall, haggard and wild, rapid,
approaches our party. He is raving mani
ac-one whose mind is totally destroyed
He knows not what he does He glares al
us and wildly strikes at the Doctor who il
nearest The Doctor, ever on the alert
catches his arm and quells him with his eye
The maniac is put into his cell by an atten-
dant and the door is fastened -
Another comes up breathing threats, but
the Doctors eye meets his and he quails be-
fore it; his threats subside into abject NUT
terings BE is Giyen small piece of to
bacco and he leaves for his cell wildly gestic-
ulating. a