The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-11-05

own rooms, with suitable arrangements.
We found every where exquisite clean
illness, and good air and light; the pa
tienis seemed 20 relish their dinners
well; they enjoy, even in the asylum, a
great deal Of liberty; and if lunatic
asylum could be called cheerful place,
the one at Gheel is, perhaps, the only
one 10 which that term could be APP
piled. Good paved roads traverse the
commune, and many houses are really
fine villas, with large gardens in the
rear The first house which we visited
was the house Of poor people. We
found the family, composed Of man,
wife, and three young children, and
their two lunatic boarders, seated
around the table al dinner. The chill
dren seemed 10 be quite unaware that
they were sitting az the side Of lunatics,
nor would stranger entering unpre-
pared ever have thought Of the presence
Of such persons. After some more visits
of the kind, we went 10 the principal
tavern, to which fine large hall is at
tached, where there is fete, concert, and
dancing every Sunday Some of the
houses Of the weather. class were now
visited. They offer all the comforts that
can be desired for ladies and gentlemen.
The apartments are large, well furnish
ed, and the patient may install in them
libraries and whateveris allowed by the
director. We found there persons of
very high social rank, and Others of
great accomplishments In the streets
we met at every moment lunatics loung-
ing before the doors of the houses,
smoking pipes or cigars, playing with
the children, or otherwise amusing
themselves. Among the weather. class
Of patients at Gheel It'll nothing uncom-
mon to find persons who spend there
from $500 TO fGOO year. Some keep
cars and horses for their use.
The authorities watch carefully
that the patients are not imposed
the money which they spend Cases of
misconduct of any kind toward pa
tient are, however, exceedingly rare,
and the punishment of being declared
unworthy TO keep patients is considered
fearful disgrace. We visited the
Church of st. Dymphne, the Irish prin-
cess and protectress OF the lunatics. In
the seventh century there existed on the
spot chapel dedicated To 81. Martin,
surrounded by dozen houses forming
then the village of Gheel. The style Of
building of the present very spacious
church points TO the twelfth century,
the time of transition from the Roman
to the Gothic style. Some parts, how
ever, were added later. The central
chapel of the diambulatorium contains
a remarkable work of art, the history of
st. Dymphne, carved in wood. II is
divided into eight parts. The figures,
painted and gilt, are Of good proper
tons, and the faces wonderfully ex-
pressiye. The parts represent l. The
birth of st. Dymphne, who j. handed
over by her mother to st. Gercbert. ,.
The death of the Queen, the mother of
st. Dymphne. ). The devil suggesting
bad thoughts 10 her father, the Irish
King. 4. 1T. Dymphne embarking with
st. Gerebert for Belgium. 3. The King
seeking his daughter. 6. The wicked
King who has had 1t. Gerebert behead-
ed, beheading himself his daughter, rs
nobody else would serve as eXecutioner.
Z. Priests carrying in procession the
relics Of St Dymphne. ). A demon
leaving the head Of lunatic woman,
cured by prayer, and lunatic in chains
waiting his turn for deliyerance /
ought to add that during our visit we
met from the excellent Director. DIR.
Bulckens, the parish priest, and every
body we came in contact with, the most
exquisite courtesy and willingness to
give US information.