The Portland daily press., 1884-11-26
THE INSANE HOsPHTAL.
How the Inmates are Entertained Com
cerIs and Dances-The Beneficial Effects
of Amusezaenis Apparent.
,rrespopdence Of the Press.l

Special Correspondence of the Press.)
AUGUSTA, Nov. %.
Within the past week it has been our good
pleasure to be present at two entertainments
provided for the amusement of the patients at
the Maine Insane Asylum. Ever since the
chapel building was completed, the officers
have, through the Fall, Winter aud Spring
months, provided something weekly. About
once month some literary or musical enter
tainment is given, and while these are in
preparation social dances are held. The exer-
cises begin promptly at T. so that by O'Clock
the boarders may be in their rooms and ready
for sleep.
Wednesday evening of last week the play
"The Last Loaf" and the farce "Seeing the
Elephant" were presented, and stranger,
seeing the audience at distance, could hardly
be made to believe that 1t was not made up Of
officers and attendants. Oa the right OF the
hall sat about 125 male patients, and on the
left as many from the female wards, while
between were the officers and invited guests.
An interested, expectant audience, watching
closely every point in the play, and was prompt
to applaud anything worthy. Scattered
through the audience we're attendants to care
mained in their halls to look after those who
could not be present.
AS the play progresses the interest deepens,
and eagerly they watch for the leading points,
and no one can tell how fully they are appre-
ciated. That each and all were Interested,
and their minds diverted from their strange
fancies no one could for a moment doabt
But the dance is most thoroughly enjoyed by
the patients. On the stage is the orchestra,
and it is one of the best to be found in the
State, and one of which any city would be
proud. 1t is made up from the corps OF officers
and attendants, led by V. r. Luce, Esq,
supervisor, and directed by Prof. e. s. Har-
low, very fine musician. As the eleven
gentlemen took their places and the music
commenced, we found ourselves wishing that
some friend OF each and every patient could be
present ,.hear the sweet strains and witness th o
effect.
Under the rules no officer or attendant il
allowed on the floor unless his or her partner is
q patient, and in this way much larger num-
Der of couples is secured than would otherwise
be possible. AS one Of each couple is sane,
the mistakes that might Otherwise disturb are
easily corrected, and SO become simply amug-
ing. From the greenhouse flowers have bsen
sent into the halls and the patients bring or
wear their button-hole bouquets to the dance.
Only the old-fashoned contra dauces and
cotillions are danced We watched with in-
terest one gentleman, so years old, who as
light ss boy tripped through each dance, aud
was partner eagerly sought after by the
la1ies.
Forward and balance your partners" then
down the centre they go, some walking de-
murely, others running aimlessly about una
bic to fully comprehend their positions, while
still others, full of glee and the spirit of the
dance, are hardly able to contain themselves.
80 through the changes they go, gay, happy
thoughtlesss crowd enjoying every moment.
Who calls THESE insane? They are getting
their fill of happiness as truly as any company
that ever gathered beneath the gaslights and
sought pleasure in the bewitching Whirl of the
dance. Around the hall they sit those who
dance and those who do not, some in groups.
others alone, and some in corners back to the
dancers, towards whom they glance furtively
as they think no one is watching.
Hardly moment that the floor is not occu-
pied, for there are always those who seem anx-
ious to show their skill, and appear the most
pleased when presenting the most grotssque
appearance. But ell is merry, aud all join in
the merriplent. This amusement hail has
been one of the best investments the State has
ever made. 1t has enabled the officers to car
ry out long cherished plans, and prove the
| wisdom of we'll established theories No one
who visits this institution. gear after year. can
| fail to be impressed with the steady improve
ment that s being made in the condition OF
| the patients, and the decrease Of the more VIC
| lent forms of insanity, That this is largely
! due to the introduction of amusemsnts, to
| music and games, there can be no doubt Az
| year by year the percentage OF insane persona
| increases, so, under skilled treatment the per.
| centage OF cures Is increasing, and friends can
| now commit friends for treatment, assured
| that not only will all be done for them physi
eally that is possible, but in the several chan
| nels indicated their minds will be diverted
| their hopes raised, until reason again asserts
| itself and cure is established. SETH.