National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-02-10
The Bitter Bit.


There is story told of former Chan
cellor of Ireland, who was desirous o.
visiting u lunatic asylum near Dublin
in order TO satisfy himself upon som,
points touching its discipline md man
agement None Of TIE officials Of the
establishment were to he previously ap-
priscd Of the intended visit, his object
being to see the asylum in its every. y.da,
working, and to judge for himself as to
the matters that interested him.
For this purpose the Lord Chancellor
repaired thither alone, and quite iaeog
Hito. One other person only was in the
secret. This was an eminent medical
man whom the chancellor had requested
to meet him in the waiting room of the
institution at II certain hour on partic-
ular day. When his lordship, plmctual
To the. minute, got To tlla place he found
upon inquiry that tho doctor had not ar
rived He said he would wait, rs he
wanted to see him particularly. Fifteen
minutes passed, but the medical man
did not make his appearance. The
Lord Chancellor began to show signs OF
impatience, not unobseryed by an ofli-
cial in attendance.
High iunctionaiies must not he kept
waiting, and this one was notononsly
iidgetty and short tempered. He kept
looking at his watch every two or three
minutes, and at length gave vent to his
impotence by stamping his foot ON the
floor, and mutterings which bore a strong
resemblance to good round oath His
manner attracted the attention of the
attendant, who began to suspect the
visitor must be mad
The attendant kept his eye upon him,
and prepared for an emergency. Half
an hour elapsed-still 40 doctor. The
great man could stand it no longer
Starting from his seat, he paced up and
down the room hurriedly, uttcring angry
calculations the while. The official now
satisfied as to the insanity of the visitor,
made rush for him, and called ont for
help. One of the keepers soon appeared
on the spot, and the unlucky chancellor
was finally secured.
Not without a fierce struggle, how
ever, was he secure l. Against the indig-
nifty he protested loudly and Justify He
declared with al the emphasis possible
that he was sane, and threatened c H.
dign punishment to the officials But
the men only smiled Having made
up their minds that he was a dangerous
patient they at once proceeded t. .orci-
bly, remove him to one of the wards.
Seeing that his threats and protests We're
useless, and that the matter was getting
serious, the hancellor thought to turn
the scale in > favor by diyosting him
s l.,
declared himself to be the Lord Chan
ellor of Ireland, and that Sir,
manning the physician was his personal
friend.
The officials knew better. Each gave
a wink to the other.
80, yes,I dare say" quietly remarked
one of the men, 1--WE have got two Lord
Chancelors up stairs, and also the Queen
of England and the Duke of Wellington,
and not only was the chancellor removed,
but he was placed in straight waistcoat,
each successive manifestation of his rage
being only regarded as strong symptoms
OF mnacy.
Luckily Sir ------ arrived at the asy-
lum Immediately afterwards. Entering
the waiting room he anxiously inquired
gentleman had called and
asked for him.
A gentleman had called, was the
the reply, but he became so violent that
it was necessary to remove him up
stairs
Good God exclaimed the physi-
elan, Why it is the Lord Chancellor.
What is the meaning of this ~
The officers were horrOr-stricken, and
it need hardly be added that the unlucky
Lord Chancellor was released instanter
with many apologies, St James Mtgo-