Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-02-22

GEORGE.
Special Correspondence Of ale Commercial.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 81.
number Of interesting reports relative to
Public Charities have heen made this week, in
cluding our reformatory Institutions. The PEN
itentlary, House Of Refuge, House Of Correction,
Blind Asylum, and other establishments have
| been passed In review and the state Of affairs
has been found generally satisfactory. Details
in these matters read by everybody with
deep interest. They are painful subjects yet
they have sad fascination. But Of all classes
| OF the criminal or unfortunate, it seems to me
none excite such pity as the Insane and Deaf
and Dumb The blind command deep comisera-
| tton, too, but the mailman and the deaf unite to
drain the very depths Of the sympathetic heart
| cannot OF course go over the entire ground
above indicated, and will contine what re-
marks have to make to the Kirkwood report
and the report Of the managers of the Deaf and
Dumb Institution.
The usefulness and the extent of the opera
tions of the Insane Hospital, may be indicated
by few suggestive figures. There were TOO
patients last year in the Hospital OF whicn num-
| Der 127 were discharged cured and "a improved
When we reflect that but short time ago. these
| people would have been treated with either neg
lect or violence, no that their mania instead OF
being relieved, would have passed into confirmed
insanity, We cannot be too thankful for the
/ change that has. come over the world Since
| the founding OF this great Hospital thirty one
years ago. there have been 1000 patients
i treated in it, large proportion Of them with
good results. Where cure has been impossible,
| the patient has still been provided with a luxu-
| rious home, and has had attentions it would
| have been impossible to provide in private
Some of the causes OF insanity given in this long
| Of 1000 cases are very curious. 1t is to be re-
marked that the causes in over third OF the
cases unknown-a curious fact-but one in
which all research in this field verihes, Brain
| disorder in many instances is thing of such
ali WITH (nrOnaadinU franuaptlv
before its existence is even suspected) that 1t il
difficult to say when it commenced or what occa-
stoned it. OF the known causes, Intemperance,
i'll health, loss Of property, and grief are the
principal agents. accounting for nine-tenths Of
the cases. or the singularlties of the report be-
| fore me note,-political excitement 13, (relig-
ious excitement is always large element but
political disturbance is noveDmetaphyscal spec
ulation Il engagement in q duel, /; want OF ex-
ercise, 8; home sickness, Z: mortified pride, 8;
use Of quack medicine, 8; tight lacing l; old
age, l. During the year sewing room for wo-
man has been erected and two new wards for the
accommodation Of thirty patients, are now in
course OF erection.
Perhaps the principal point of interest in the
| report Of the Deaf and Dumb Institution is the
fact that so large part OF the state aud sur
rounding districts, do not, after all its fifty yeArs
OF usefulness, avail themselves of its advantA-
ges. The managers say that there are twenty
three counties OF Pennsylvania not represented
in the Institution. Statistics show that there is
one 0oAf mute 10 every loUU OF pOpulHtlOn, 30
that in the large district referred to there must
be many persons of the class for which this adj
mirable charity was designed. and who would be
gladly welcomed by the managers Under. the
present advanced system Of instruction
the Deaf and Dumb are enabled to get much
rom the world that other people gather, and
when their deplOTable condition in an unin-
structed state is considered neglect to educate
these unfortunates seems incredible. The man
ayers further propose to open Day Schools il
it can be shown that there are sufficient num-
Der Of persons likely to attend. The past year
has been very prosperous one Tor the lnstltu-
tion but the good IL does in its unambitious way
cannot be set down in black and white It is
one Of those things that make us admit that
there is a great deal OF good in the world
even II there is much suffering and wrong.
We have had u succession of heavy storms
this week, and there has been much anxiety
about the ice gorged Schuylkil in consequence.
1t seems, however, that these very rains, which
we were fearful would bring down the ice in
heavy mass, are likely to be our real safety.
The latest report ia that the increased volume
Of water has succeeded In opening channel be-
low the Columbia bridge, which will allow the
river to naturally subsde. As the ice
melts on all sides of this opening, the
danger becomes gradually less, and it is
probable that unless we have another freez-
ing, spell, the ice gorge will either melt
gradually or come away pieee-meal and witho ut
working any damage. There is great relief
felt you may imagine, for the peril for weeks
past has been imminent, some people going
so far as to predict that not single bridge
would be left standing when the freshet had run
it's course. Evidence OF the concern felt could
be seen along the waters edge from Gray's Ferry
to Paramount. All lumber, coal and other NOV
able material has been carted from the wharves
and stored in removed places not likely to be
reached by the water. The scenes on the
wharves, after the delugs of Sunday
were rather impressive in this way.
and by the middle of the week there was little
left for the flood to take II i came There are
many buildings close to the water however,
which would have to take their chance and the
wharves in some exposed properties would be
liable to great damage il that immense ice sheet
now stored d,between Columbia Bridge and Manay-
unk should come moving down in a solid mass
But think may say the danger is happily
over.
We are having "social" sensation. A leader
Of society has oonvulsed the fashiona bles by
publishing an article. in LtPpincoTs Maga-
Philadelphia, and laying down novel
code Of manners and behavior for the
guidance of all who may seek to enter the
charmed circle. The author is known to be
prominent lady in society, hitherto unconnected
with letters however, who feels that strong
word is needed at this juncture, when fools rush
| in where wise men fear to tread. Her article is
interesting to those concerned inasmuch as she
refers-'naming no names" as Mrs. Camp
says-to various fashionables, who she contends
are not fashionables at ALL Society knows
who is intended and hence the excitement
Inc article 1S excessively SHY anu mas
provoked storm of ridicule. The Bulletin has
made some capital out of the matter, having pub
lished several clever satirical reviews Of the
| tice which are making almost much talk as
| the original paper. The N. Y. Tribune has
| been induced TO give the matter an editorial,
and altogether our Fashion Leader is in danger
On her tirst appearance in literature Of becoming
another Byron. The thing is really but rehash
| of the " Handbook of Etiquette et al. and it
would attract no attention whatever but for the
evident personalities intended.
Since last wrote you there have been two
| deaths here that have attracted more than usual
remark. One was the painfully sudden deceass
| of Mr. Dos Santos, known well in Wilmington,
| belle o. az well as in this city. Mr. Dos Santos
was one Of the most solid, II not the most bril-
| liant musicians who ever settled in Philadelphia.
He was never rightly appreciated; that is, while
| really musical people admitted his talent aud
| worth, he was outstripped in the race by 9TH
ers with not a 1.-THE of his ability but with more
assurance. 1t takes push to make decided
| place for oneself in this selfish fight for posi-
| ton. Mr.. Dos Santos had not that faculty, and
| yet he ranks with nearly all truly worthy men,
| those whom you would care to know, and keep
as your friends -
"The world is too much with u.s."
| but Il was not too much with this old musician,
/ and il he lost in some things he assuredly
i gained in others. His funeral services at st.
/ Mary's church, where he had been organist for
| a ouartar of a centurV, were most impressive.