The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-07-06
lFrom the st. Louis RspabIiean.J
4 mad DANCE,
1erPisc1orean Festival at an Insane
Awlum-Mamiacs on 0e Light Fan
sasfic Toe-How the Patients Look-
ed dnd Acted-An hteyesting Gath:
ering.

ering.
Festivities and dancing at . place
devoted to the residence and treatment
Of the insane naturally suggest curious
Z inoQngruity to the majority ef people,
and yet these things form regular Tea.
!, lure in the weekly programme Of the
institution. These insane asylum balls
are very interesting events and gener.
ally attract quite large number OF
spectators, considering tho distance OF
the establishment from the city. The
assembly takes place in the amusement
hall, on the upper story Of the asylum,
which is b large and handsome apart.
ment. The number of patients partic-
ipating in the festivities is generally
from forty to sixty, and frequently more
than tho latter figure. The ball room
is brilliantly lighted, and with its
lofty ceiling and tasteful adornmcnts
presents highly pleasing spectacle
The music is generally piano and two
violins, the musicians usually being
DR.. Lefingwell, assistant physician, and
one Of the attendants, and q patient
who understands music exccllently.-.
Besides the patients who directly
participated in the dancing, quite large
number arc entertained by watching
the spectacle of dancers. The usual plan
is to arrange the sets SO that half the
number on the floor is composed of
patients. Care is always taken to prc-
vent two Insane people acting as part
noro Viostnre ooI ~ a ID 20 ;o;D
tho dancing and form half the SETS
Quadrillcs and round dances are execu-
ted, and the patients mingle in both
with the utmost spirit. Of course, rs
in every incident connected with asylum
life, a constant watchfulnes has to be
kept over the patients, but rarely If
over, does anything occur to disturb
the harmony Of the proceedings. Vis-
itors arc frequently astonished at the
order and decolum pre- erved, and fiud
it difficult to realize that more than one
half of those present belong to that un
fortunate GLASS cursed by the blight Of
mental alteration. The spectacle of the
hall as the dance is in progress, has,
moreover some curious features, which
remind thoughtful spectator that there
is something peculiar about the assembly
which otherwise looks like any other
festival gathering. The harmonious
music of many voices which usually
characterizcs dancing party is absent
Mad people, as general thing, are not
talkative, except in a broken incoherent
manuor, and when number of them
are together, and when some un-
usual excitement prevails. The COM
parative silence where one expects nat.
urally the sound of human voices in
conversation aud laughter, is one Of the
most prominent characteristics. When
amused and interested, the insane pa.
tients have tendency to more freedom
of speech but still the absence of the
usual hum of voices strikes spectator
at once when he first glances on the mad
peoples ball. They do talk and laugh
to certain extent, but the prevailing
sound when the music ceases has an
outro element in It, and is different in
quality rs we'll as quantity from the
usual accompaniment Of ball room.
The patients are all neatly dressed
and in department. there was nothing
observable to which the most fustidious
could object. An examination Of the
faces ofthe crazy folks as they are par
ticipating in amusements ofthis sort, il
a most interesting study. Once thor
oughly interested, and they lose more
than half that peculiar expression
which in the majority of cases charac~
terizes insanity. In tho pervcrsion of
intellect they may not be able to un.
derstand the exact meaning Of words
addressed to them, but the simple pro.
gramme of on evenings pleasure as
skillfully devised now in our public
institutions, appeals to them in diff
ferent way. The light, cheerful music
soothes them, and the animation around
awakes their interest, while the example
of others exercise its influence Then
in many cases, the patients previous to
the arrangement of their reasons un-
derstood dancing and the scene re.
calls dimly visions and scenes of the
past.
In many instances female or male
face could be seen which illustrated the
deep interest excited even among the
insane by such amusements The
expression was that ofabsorbed attention
with now and then n trace Of bowilder-
ment. Ono could. understand at q
glance the struggle in the disordered
mind Charmed away from its dclusions
by the influence of others and the
scene around, it was cndcavoring to
comprehend the true and reasonable
It was, in fact, as if one we're looking
Through glass darkly," for insanity
is oftener obscurity of mental visions
as to the relation OF things than mere
disorder Of faculties or one crnwning
hallucination. Again, here might be
seen young girl, SO evidently pleased
with her surroundings that she could