The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-02-04
THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.

THE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE.
1t is ever the pride of a generous
people to kindly care for the unfOrtu-
nate and destitute among them, and
certainly the means provided for the
care of that most unfortunate class, who,
while living, are yet dead to them
selves, their friends, and to society, in
the Oregon Hospital for the Insane,
situated in East Portland, and efficiently
presided over by DR.. Hawthorne, is
and should be source of pride to our
citizens.
1t was our good fortune, few days
since, to be one of a number who ac-
companied Professor McGibeny and
his family to the asylum, whittier they
had been invited to give concert.
Arriving at the gate, our party was
met by DR.. Hawthorne, and while wild
eyes gazed at US from hundred barred
windows, we alighted from the carriages
and proceeded up the walk, through the
hall and out into the chapel, where sit
ting, some with restless expectation,
others with blank indifference, was as
wierd and motley an audience as ever
gathered together to listen to sweet
sounds. Women were there from whom
all traces of youth and beauty had de-
parted, and men whom it were impossi-
BILE to imagine had ever known the
pleasures of boyhood and enjoyed its
painless play.
AS the little band of musicians drew
with one accord sweet sounds from their
violins, and were accompanied by the
deep tones of the organ, and the SOL
emn but joyful words, "Glad tidings,
glad tidings, we hail the glad tidings
of wonderful love-" rose and fell
upon the air, many wild eyes burning
with the restless brilliancy of insanity
were suffused with tears. Some sat
with bowed heads, reverently hearken-
ing; some regarded the scene with
laughter, Unsurpassed, some with
earnest attention, and few with stolid
Indifference.
The concert over, the wierd audience
fled quietly out of the chapel, the bolts
that shut them securely from the world
without flew back at the bidding of the
wardens, and once more the different
wards of the Asylum were swarming
with maniacal life.
Under the conduct of DR.. Hawthorne,
our party passed through the various
wards, viewed the dormitories, halls
and dining-rooms belonging to each,
and everywhere we found scrupulous
neatness and comfort in the arrange
ments. The floors were spotless, table
appointments appropriate and clean,
beds well made, and rooms well warmed
and ventilated.
Out into the kitchen we passed, where
a huge range was glowing with heat
and steaming with preparations for
supper; from thence to the bakery,
where loaves of the finest bread, fresh
from the oven were found.
The best testimonial which DIR. Haw-
thorne could possibly receive of his
kindness to these persons is rendered
by themselves, as he passes among
them and is by them so eagerly and
kindly greeted.
The type of insanity which we beheld
was of an apparently harmless nature,
and differed seemingly as the disposi-
tions of the subjects differed; some be-
ing exceedingly vivacious and loqua-
cious, Others reticeut, or moodily silent.
We were informed that there are at
present something over 200 patients in
the asylum. We did not inquire the
number of women, but, judging from
those we saw, presume that three
fourths at least are men. We found
among the women several whom we
had met under happier circumstances
in times gone by, some of whom will
perhaps remain in the shelter furnished
them by a pitying commonwealth, until
the fitful fever of life has ebbed to its
close.
Having finished tour of the build
ings, which, on account of eur limited
time, was more hurried than we could
have wished, we took our departure, fol-
lowed by the wild eyes that had greeted
US on our coming, divided in thought
between pity for the poor inmates, and
thsnkfulness for an institution that
strives so nobly and with so good a.
measure of success for the care, relief,
and restoration of those who continue to
live after all that makes life desirable
has vanished.
STATE TEMPERANCE ALLIANCE.