The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-14

AMELIORATlON OF THE MAD.

PLEASANT ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE LUNA
TICS ON WARDS IsLANp-ExcELLENr Er-
IECls PREDICTED
Last evening olio entertain MI ont, consisting of
vocal Instrumental music, Rotations farces and
specimens of ventriloquism, gwen at The
State Emigrant Insane Asylum Wards Is
land, for the amusement and benefit of tho
patients. The main ward CONVEX ted into a pretty
little theatre neatly and tasefuIiy arranged for the &C.
casiop. A number q visitors from New York, in
GLIDING many laiies, were present and
cupled the seats In tho centre OF
the room. On either side the patients, about
u hundred in number, we're ranged, the majority
being men. The music was furnished by piano
kindly loancd Tor the entertainment The luna,ics
were all comfort ably dressed anu clean looking.
1t was Interesting TO observe the effect OF
the various performances these spcci-
mems OF humanity, and gratifying
record the TACT, based on the authority
OF Dr. Fenberg. mo resident physician, that these
gentle vet subtle and STIMULATING influences OF music
and singing result numerous hopeful
anne oratlon. OF course The performers were all
people. some OF them empoyed upou tho island. out
The greater number residents vi Yorkvlle and Harlem
pnd mbers oil social clubs aud religious Societies.
Dr. FemOe,c did not think II possDlc 10 get per-
iormancc OF any variey1 and cobcrcncy with upatlcs
alone. IL might be possible TO get very expert
performer on tho vio'in or the nanJo, tue
harp or accorGcoD, or one who might render
very elective dramatic recitation, but II
WOULD DC Impossible to culate Lis adherence to
TIE programme, as TIE least look sound mlght
start htm OF at tangent into some wiid eccentric
melody from WI Gu there might be retaining Tim.
In very large asylum such Or. FenDOefg pre-
sided over IN Bavaria Tor several Yeas 1t
was possible TO raise company OF performers, 20
great was the variety OF accomplishments among the
intelligent class OF patients therein confined, Uut III
The poor class people wno constitute te inmates Of
tue Emf grants Insane Asylum nothing ike this could
be expected.
THE PERFORMANCE.
Mr.. JonD Vos superinteudcd t. arrangements and
performance, when we're admirably carried out. The
Nus "A a fHa M hy Mf Eufl
followed by soloby Miss Barth. Then came "a rect,-
ton by Miss Welsans; "ihe Kaicaicher's Daughter"
by MT Hidden recitation by Mss Dcyo. and a duet,
'Murmuring Sea-" MISS sharp and Mrs Romaynr.
by tins timc tue luuatcs were Tor t.fc most part
aroused IRON lctharRy, though here aud thcIe were
dull eyes aud expressonless features indicating
nciiher consciousness nor appreciation oil what
gong Cd. The WOMEN showed much quicker
performance than the Tue scene of The
evening was when Mr.. MADDEN rcciied, "Who Was
Japheps Fathor ~ One vi the female lunatios,
III listening TO this ana observing the dramatic CO.
lures OF the speaker grew perfectly excited ana erred
out aloud "Oh how very Roodl" ana then Kissed
hands passionaleiy to the performer. IA tact the
WAS thought advisable to request the patient to re-
tire, when she did with a very good grace.
farce called the RED Chiyuon" was then
played by SIX young iadies-Miss q. Banta, Miss NJ.
Banta Miss H. Poodle, Miss ~ FeoDlo, Mss L. NcFail
and Mss 5. ShceDan. LOOK NJ down tho line OF 40
mcnted faces II did not appear as II many were
urey duil 10 the roaring iun oil the LARGE, which
was capitally played Broad smiles were most vi
ihcm anu "A stranger not knowing the character or
Tho company would never dream In looking around
him that most OF his negbbors we're iunatcs.- There
Was aDo bor very amusing farce ana various songs
and recitations and haiipa O'Clock the very
pleasant cnoTtainncbt ended and the unatics almost
without exception wendell their way bed with
looks that Dctokeued much eradication. "ihcv will
tax ABOUT this TO me,' sad Dr. Feniberg, ior days
repeated" showing that 1t is athing felt ana remem-
bered, aud must necessarily be beneficial.