The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-01-11

BALL.
Upon entering the female ward we
were introduced by DIR. a. II. Wilmer.
the ph! stefan accompanying us, TO IL
associates ms 1.-the Queen" who firmly
believes herself to be in possession "i
immense wealth, such MS gold, silver.
diamonds, etc. She also peris,s in
marrying lin her imaginaiion) ever,
male visitor who comes Into the ward.
She admitted that she loved all the
nitn and she infmHed IT'S coniteH.
tally that she was already married To
DR.. Wilmer. Fearing that she would
assert the Ieap-,ear prerogn;ise "t NO
man and ''pop the question" we hnr-
rird away.
wHLRE IGNORANCE Is BLISS, ETC.
Our next Introduction was to an
elderly woman who, upon being asked
her nnn,r. replied Rns;lnna Letlengar.
Notwithstanding he fact that this
poor creature has been IN inmate OF
the Asylum for Il number of years, she
still laburS under the balIucina ion that
she is residing upon her estate, which
singular enough she calls Blocklry =
She Indignantly denies that she is in
the Alnlsltonse, and upon an assettinr
being made that sucl, Is HE fact she
ties.inta II passion. Taking lis by the
arm and leading us fn The windows size
pointed at an old nnibnilding whic she
whispered WAS the old mansion fulnnr-
ly occupied by her ancestors. The
name oi Letfen.ar is merely one as
sumed 10y her, and when called 10y her
righttul name she refuses to answer.
OUR HONESTY QUESTIONED.
We were next shown into the lnfrm-
ary. where we made the acquaintance
OF an old, bed ridden ,lnatic, who Ia
hors nHtler the tlelHsi0H that she was
long since robbed OF an inheritance
by designing relatives. DR.. w. told
her that we had heard at her losses, aud
had called upon liei to get the particn-
lars in order to recover her property,
whereu,,o,i she abused MS in nnmt rsur
ed terms. accusing MS of participating
in the act, whereby she was defrandrti
of her rights. In vain were all our
prutestatinns OF Innocence, she con
tIniin. firm in her assertion that we
were accessory to the wrong perpetia-
ted upon her.
THE REFRACTORY PATIENTS.
Turning from thu wrath of this old
lady, we followed the doctor into thu,
ward in which are confined the violent
female patirnts. Upon either side OF
the ward were several small rOa,iis
furnished with il bed covered with tie
wltftest of csttnterpanes The doors
are lMrnislied with II heavy lock, and.
i'll the event OF any of thr women he
coming too violent, they are locked up
IN one of these rooms Until the excite
ment passes way. On entering the
ward, We were greeted hy sume of tn,
Inmates with sitiiles, and others elafetl
;litgi,ly at us. One Young gill, al pre-
possessing appearance, threw her arm.
around our neck and essayed t" salute
us with ii kiss. Black eyes an! brnisrs
we're to be seen in abundance. This
however, cannot he avoided, as the,
are so quick in their movements thai
many il blow is given MAfure the nurses
call separate them. While in the ware
i arrow WAS started, aud, he nurse.
coming in, we deemed it advisable Il
/ leave.
THE MALE DEPARTMENT.
Leaving tile female quarters W,
were next shown into the large ware
on the male side uf the house.. Herr
Ealso as in the females department. wa
i observed Thorough attention to tn
sanitary condition OF The patients an.
/ their surroundings, everything helm;
| in good order and the patients clad ii
clean aud warm clothing. The follow
ing are some OF the characters we me
and coIiversed with:
DIR, BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HEGHEs.
/ About half way down the hall stco'