The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-07-07
IFor the Dispateh.l
Virginia and the international at
Toronto.

toronto.
Messrs. Editors,-'Tis a matter OF graft
fication TO Vhginians to know that we
were so we'll represented in the Convention
Of Superintendents OF Asylums for the ln-
sane which met In this city recently-the
Western by DR.. Fauntleroy, the Central by
DR.. Cabel U belieye), and the Eastern by
DR.. Black. Tennessee and Kentucky each
had a representative, and we are pot sure II
there were any other southern institutions
that had. Meeting DR.. FauntleToy for
few minutes after his return, we were
deeply interested in bis animated descrp-
tion OF his trip. Toronto honored herself
in the attention bestowed on this body OF
intelligent gentlemen, convened for the
first time in her beautiful city. II has near
100, 900 population, and besides one OF the
largest and best-appointed OF the half-doZen
asylums for the insane OF the Dominion,
II has normal school, that entertained the
Convention magni6cently one evening OF its
STAY. The venerable head OF the institu-
ton Csorry we can't recall bis name), clothed
in bis gown, and with cap with as many
points as that worn by a Romish car
dinal, presided, and made a speech
of welcome that impressed bis hear
ers deeply. His school is a part, and
NAV be termed tbe substratum, OF the Uni
versity Of the Old Dominion. The build.
ings cover over an acre, and embrace
museum, which may be termed, because OF
its extent and comprehensiYenesS the eldest
child OF the British Museum of London.
One OF its departments embraces an amount
OF statuary that illustrates most fully
British history, and its importance to The
student, as an adjunct, can only be judged
Of by being seen. So impressed were me
delegates from the States with the exceed
ing economy and unsurpassed advantages
Of the institution, it will secure patronage,
and the Doctor aVOwed his purpose OF senc-
! ing two OF his sons. He visited The Utica
and Flatbush institutions, Of New York.
one Of Massachusetts-the point we do ~ t
remember-and one of New Jersey (at New
ark, perhaps), and said he was greatly in.
pressed with the contrast-their tout enSen-
| jLe, so to speak--presented in comparison
with that over which he has the honor TO
preside. They wore the appearance of
prisons, penitentiaries, houses OF correc'
ton, &c, the aesthetic taste ignored, and
the repulsive features retained, If not culti-
vated.
You will pardon us, Messrs. Editors, as
we well know you esteem breyity the soul
Of wit" to say we recall DR.. William Bays,
the first superintendent OF the Western
Lunatlc Asylum, who was in charge for
from six to eight years. We knew DIR.
Stribling intimately, who soon attained ma
tiOnal reputation and the top OF his profes-
sion, We knew the lamenled Baldin, and
most cheerfully accord to him all the en-
comiums he so soon received and deserved;
yet we do not hesitate to say that in the
selection OF DR.. Fauntleroy to preside over
this, the largest institution not OF Virginia,
hpt OF the South, be has been found pre-
eminently the right man in the right place,
and has at one bound, as it were, vaulted
into the front rank OF the profession. IT'S
true he has had his hands held up by what
the late Ben. Crawford, OF Staunton, most
favorably known all over the South, and
who was member Of the directory, as we
believe, from the organization OF the insli'
tuition almost to the day Of bis death,
eighteen months ago, by what he regarded
a. preemnently the best Board OF Direc'
tors in all respects that he had ever known,
presided over, as it will be remembered, by
Joseph A. Waddell, in itself compliment
to it. NlHlLlsT'
RockfSh Gap, June 80, 1881.