The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-05-27
For the Register.
Greenwood Institute

tFPtnNoou Ah-titutt
DEAR EDlroR GREENWOOD Institute,
or the private luehriate Asylum referred
to in a previous letter, is located in the
valley Of Greenwood, eight miles from
Boston, on the b, d. NJ. Railroad, where
some train is passing, nearly every fifteen
minutes, until midnight. The building
resembles a mammoth hotel, built in the
center of u park containing about four
acres, being well supplied with graveled
walks and driveways. The compact
streets Of tho village are chiefly composed
of artistic cottages and mansions, owned
and occupied by families from the city.
The valley is enclosed by chain ofmound
shaped hills Of uniform height, clothed
with evergreen trees and carpetcd with
moss aud woodbine. Upon one Of the
loitiest peaks towering observatory has
been erected, which overlooks the sea
coast. From this point the scenery is
simply grand. The little valley beneath
presents the appearance of miniature
city, which would have been larger, if
there had been room. The Institute is
amply furnished with modern improve
ments, an extensive library and reading
rooms, music, &c, and finally every ia
cility for rational amusement are gener-
ously provided. After being shown to
my room the polite superintendent in
formed me that dinner would soon be an
nounced, where l would meet most Of the
guests. confess l thought these rather
nice quarters for such degraded men to
occupy. One hasty glance, as l entered
the dining hall, convinced me that pro-
found reticenco was my safety. | saw at
once that fortune had brought me in con-
tact with young men much superior to
myself in many respects. 1t was not
their elegant dress, flashing jewels, or
fine, manly beauty, that awed me, 50
much as their polished manners, plthy
quotations and tho keen satire that float
ed so mirthfully around the tables, spiced
with sharp repartec, which | knew was
the result Of a thorough education and
unlimited travel. These men were from
all parts of the continent some of them
we're educated in Europe. Nearly all Of
them were there for medical treatment
where intemperance is considered di.
scase of the brain. They were not men
who drank a stipulated amount every day
without uniting themselves for business
nor Of the class who drink deep to drown
some trouble, real or imaginary, nor Of
those who deliberately drink to 70 tify
themselves for mischief aud crime, but
men who are ovcrtaken ut times by ar
overwhelming thirst for something to cx
cite the brain. These feelings, in some
il firmly resisted, gradually subsidc, ant
are often conquered by the will, oidet
oy surrounding influences, in the frs
stages Of the disease others, who may
perhaps, inherit their susceptibility, ant
weakened by other chronic complaints
find it very difficult to combat. The learn
cd Doctor says this disease may be super
induced by ovcr-work, either mental o
physical an excess Of any kind, even il
the use Of tobacco, and cited cases of rig
id temperance men becoming incbriotes
in the last years Of their life, By an i'm
moderate use Of tobacco.
| found some in that Institute VIII
were driven there by policy. One younl
married man told me he became so reck
less with money that his wife and her rel
atives made some ominous threats, whicl
caused him to deposit large amount il
city bank, to tho credit of his infan
son, with the intention of drawing it gu
when he chose,'he being the natural guar
dian. But he found the deposit was
fixture until the son became Of age, whe
he could issue his own checks. To saw
himself from further sacrifice, he consent
Il 20 En- 10 tho Tnet;t"to. allowing hi
wife to pay his board in advance, takin
receipt in her own name, thereby sus
tanning the doctor. under State law, il
determining him subject to the order O
his wife, which would not be given unit
he obtained the doctors diploma. ii
thought the case little mixed. Anothe
young man from a western city would no
admit the need of treatment, but said h
came to suit the caprice of a certai
young lady who wonld not consent to unit
her destiny with his until he obtained
recommend from the Institute. | shoul'
think, from his description, and the pho
tograph shown me, he was justified ii
making the sacrifice. OF the peculia
treatment and its effect | will say NOR
in my next. OBSERVER.