New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-15
CONNECTICUT RErREAr FoR THE INSANE

The Society for the Relief OF the Insane"
incorporated in 1872 the State giving 5000 with the
charter and adding aferward that render the total
OF the benefaotiOns OF the State S24 Beginning with
1872 the State appropriated annually sums varying from
s. $4,000 nominay 20 the Retreat and many
mised into supposing these to be gifts TO the institution
but they simply appropriations TO be expended
under the direction OF the the board OF the
pauper insane the towns paying in each Onehalf
In the mean time majority Of our sister States had
TO 81 500 for each patient the hospitals could acCOmmO
date Connecticut followed their example and erected
the noble State Hospital for the Insane MiddlcOwn,
and IN 1868 and 1869 the Retreat was relieved OF It's state
patients and after ntermssiOn OFF, years the directors
soeetv for tie Relief Of the insane or Retreat az we
shall call it for breyys sake not Joint stock copor-
aton but purely charity, originating IN the dsnter'
esed zeal OF ndVduhs prompted anu alaeu py Ieaung
ply ecans who found 10 impossible 10 take proper
Of patients In private dwellings, IL is an assoca-
ton OF gentlemen without regard to party or sect who
derive no pecunary benefit whatever, and In their
annual meeting elect the board Of directors ana eGecu
1--we Ocersi the board chooses the managing and resi-
dent officers OF the Institution, directs It's general anas
and extends over constant supervision and Inspection
all classes OF the insanecVerythlng that health aud
comfort demand for the humbest and spacious and
handsome and suites or rooms Tor those whose
tastes, habits, and wealth require Them 'rts
n affords a splendid view of the broad Connecticut
River valley and the distant mountains; its spacious
thereby and aTtistcally laid out and beautifully
adorned by shubbery and fine old trees 30 lar me new
yet entirely substantial BY artistic touches the whole
exterior effect has been changed making OF the severely
simple collection OF barracks originally erected pic
turesque group of great architectural beauty About
$26 600 has been expended Two buildings about 40 by
40 and stories high have been erected, entirely re-
placing low OnestOTY connections between ola buildings
Two Of the other old buildings. which contained
two rows Of rather small rooms In each story.
with narrow halls running between, nave hhu
additions along their entire length suclent 10 supply
tiers OF good rooms while broad halls occupy the whole
space Of Of the Old tiers that ~, where III the Oh
bindings OF with "a hall, are now
one enlarged row and enlarged hail. while through
what was outer wall entrances TO elegant
rooms Formerly the retreat could take $50 " crowded
Under these changes, and even considerable enlarge
rens s proper number Is $50, though II could possibly
provide for 200. 10 Is not prison. one notices Win
pleasure that place OF prison bars there Is IN front OF he
Tower sash only tasteful lattice work Ofiron when utes
grace with concealed strength The upper haifOi inc
window is entirely clear and only close Inspection us
closes the that the sash itself Is OF wrought IRON nc
halls are wide softly carpced with many pictures along
the walls aud fTeduent broad areas by bow windows,
where easy chairs tempt to rest and reading IN some p
by tho Wholesale aud Oh necessarily ot0AOmV" o"uS'