Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-05
local anu STATE Mems.
FOURTH OF JULY AT THE HOSPITAL.
Dedic alton Of the New Pleasure Park AZ
the Insane HOspital-A Happy Season
and Interesting Exercised.

Dedication OF the New Pleasure Park AZ
tho Insane HOspital-A Happy Season
ana interesting Exercises.
II ever there was laid out by nature plat'of
land better fitted for pleasure park than that
which has been assigned for that purpose on the
grounds Of the Insane Hospital in this city, we
never saw it. Its nearness to the buildings is in
its favor to begin with, being but few rods north
of the main buildings A pathway leading from
the highway, conducts you to the gateway Of the
Park, where you enter, and spread out before you
is a carpet of green, q new mown lawn, still fra
grant with the sacrifices of the burden of grass
that it has borne and that has now been ruthlessly
cut down, like so much human grass. On the edge
of this lawn of perhaps a couple of acres, is =
ravine, with forest growth Of young oak, beech,
and sprinkling Of maple. 1t is . bivious ravine,
leading two ways, and encircling plateau Of land
about an acre in extent This land runs down to
point, and the grove forms a semi circle about it,
and the land making gradual ascent from this
point, forms q complete amphitheatre, or audi
ence room, so to speak. In this delightful grove,
and on the gently slopipg sides of this ravine the
poor unfortunates at the hospital may recline and
rest, breathing the pure air Of the miniature
woods; or, ON the grassy lawns or hocks, they
may bask in the healthful and gladstone rays Of
the sun, better for them than any medicine the
earth ever yielded Or the mind of the most skilful
pharmacist ever concocted. This Park is designed
for An airing place and pleasure ground for the In
sane, and by its natural confguration is just the
place for that purpose; it is what DR.. Harlow has
been asking for these twenty years; and it is
creditable to the Judgment and benevolent feeling
If tha hoor nc &h> a. h.~
put his desires in a tangible form. In the interest
Of poor, tired, broken-down, csre-worn humanity,
we thank the Trustees for this bright, greer.
shady, sunny spot, with Gods own blue sky over.
head, and his pure air encirclng it. Rustic bridges
and other improvements are in contemplation on
the grounds.
On Saturday afternoon last, this Park was for
maly dedicated by irregular Fourth Of July cee-
bratioH. The inmates had been looking forward
to the event with the most lively antcipations and
arrayed themselves in costumes, both grotesque
and unique. Emerging from their neat apart.
ments, where everything is clean and tidy, they
took up the line Of march to the rising point of
land between the ravines, we have described.
At the point we have mentioned . speakers
stand had been erected, the top covered with can
the eight, fantastic toe" could be tripped by all
desiring to do 50. BY the grove the left were
the well spread tables, and the right seats for
the aged and nfrm. There are 404 inmates at the
hospital now-207 males and 1877 females. One
hundred and eighty Of these came out to partci-
pate in the celebration, the mildly insane and
others not quite so mildly. 1t would surprise
stranger to notice their orderly department and
quiet demeanor. With the exception of the ex-
preston of the face, peculiar tone Of the voice,
an ODD action, and once in = while an hilarious
manifestation, you would scarcely notice that you
were in a company of insane men and women
How they did seem to enjoy their new privilege.
To think that they could stand again upon the
green earth, with scarcely NO restraints was Joy
indeed, and let tell our readers that these peo-
pie appreciated it.
On the stand were Rev. DR.. and Mrs. Geo. W.
Quinby, DR.. Harlow and family, j.. W. Chase,
Esq, one of the Trustees, and wife, Steward La
kin and wife, Hon. Warren johnson, Rev. Mr.
Penney, Chaplin, and wife, Supervisor Hodgkins,
Mrs. Kent Mason, and other lady guests, includ-
ing some Of the well known patients. DR.. San
born remained at the hospital to attend to the pa
tients there.
The congregation having assembled about the
stand, they were called to order by the Superin-
tendent, DIR. II. NJ. Harlow, who acted Is master
of ceremonies. He said that it was proposed to
dedicate the grounds to the pleasure and enjoy
ment of those whom he addressed, and he called
upon all to give their attention to the exercises.
Prayer was offered by Rev. c. F. Penney. hos
pital chaplain. He thanked the Father Of Mercies
for the pleasant day and the glad light of the sun;
but there was not light enough in all the universe
to symbolic the love and mercy shed forth from
Him, lifting US up continually to Himself. He
thanked God for the goodly country in which We
live. He invoked the Divine blessing upon the
assemblage and the hour, and the grounds set
apart and consecrsted for pleasure and good health
that the blessings sought by loving hearts may be
given to these for whom they are asked.
The hymn, praise God from whom all blessings
fow," was sung with the spirit and understanding
also. There was true praise in the exercise. Tho
instrumental music was furnished by the hospital
band, Mr.. Vermont Luce playing the violin, and
Mr.. Win Chadwick the organ.
The grand old Declaration of Independence was
then read in clear voice and with distinct enunca-
ton, by Edward Mills Of Bangor. At the conclu-
sion good natured fieshy lady, probably brought
up in democratic family, called for three cheers
for Andrew jackson!
Rev. DR.. Quinby addressed the assemblage,
saying that this was kind Of Fourth Of July gath
ering, sort of Independence Day, and he was glad
to be here. He was glad to notice that so many
looked happy. 1t had been said that - merry
heart doeth good like . medicine" One Of the
patents-"Lke a dose of Lobels!''1 A merry
face speaks Of o good heart. We are apt to be
too cross, morose and consequently unhappy. Let
us be more cheerful and make the best of every
thing. He had heard of a man who had his eyes
put out; but even he found comfort in the conso-
lation that his hearing was left to him. The
husband of An Irish woman was brought homo
with his neck broken; bat she thanked God that
it was not his legs! He was glad that the work
of laying out the park had been accomplished,
and that the State had made this noble contribu-
ton. An inmate shouted "Thank God for the
circus!" meaning the grounds and the assembly.