The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-16
MOST CURIOUS OF CITIES.
One in Flanders Which is Largely
Inhabited By LunatiCS,

Appears Successful.
From the Pittsburg Dispatch.
There are cities and towns built upon
the water, or raised above the water, like
Venice, Stockholm and the pile villages
oftbe Orinoco and the Venezuelan coast;
hut de facto, the most curious town on
the earth's surface is Gheel. in Flanders.
This town is not strange because Of its
nsculiar architecture or location. II is a
,borough-going Flemish town, consisting
nj struggling group Of houses and a lazy,
besd-not-to-morrow. semi-almost-purely
AGRICULTURAL population. The reader will
naturally say ''then why is it stranger
Il is because of its population.
Gheel is not populated as is any other
eitv in the universe. 1t is a little place Of
some 5000 people; but of this 5 900 in 1892.
2Ol7 were lunatics. 1t is "city Of the
dead0-dead in reason. The popularity
of the treatment of these insane is that
they are allowed to wander around. IN
confued-as though under no surveillance
Uhateyer. They mix with the towns
ne0ple. partake in their amusements and
festivities, and, not infrequently, assist
of every sphere in life are found in Gheel
princes, mobiles, merchants, peasants
and the inhabitants board them accord
Ing to their ability 10 pay.
ONLY FEW VIOLENT MANIACs.
But it is well to explain that, in this
unioue town, the insane are located or
domiciled among the inhabitants, and not
confined in an asylum. OF course, violent
patients are not allowed to dwell in the
cottages of the people. There is an insti-
tuition for this class of lunatics, but the
authorities of Gheel do not invite such
patients, and, as a consequence. very few
violent naniacs are found either in the
town or asylums of Gheel The govern
ment has instituted a commission for this
purpose. This commission also uses a
power of vetoing the admission of the in
sane into the commune of Gheel. They
do not desire intractabie or incurable pa
tents-no matter what be their station
in life And, having received a patient
into the community, they use a Vigilant
surveillance over his or her movements.
whether it be necessary 10 have the luna
tic confined in the asylum or allowed 10
boar among the inhabitants.
Be duse Of this commission, which con
sists of the most famous doctors in
lunacy in Northwestern Europe, violence,
undue excitement and all kinds of impro-
prieties among the patients are well
guarded against, and. as a consequence.
the little community lives on in its lazy
existence in peace.
EXPLANATION OF A LEGEND.
Gheel can be reached from Antwerp BY
rail. and one of the quaintest views in
Flanders-caQed the ''Armes de Turn
hout"-on the main street, is always
ready with genuine Flemish welcome to
the traveller. Here one can meet, any
day, dozens Of the unfortunate insane
some Of whom shall be mentioned after
wards.
After leaving the railway station the
first object that attracts the eye is the
church Of St. Armand, with the hugh
missl0n-crosS erected in front. Then we
enter the struggling main street, at the
further end Of which is the church of St.
Dymphna-the patron saint Of the place
And this church Is particularly mentioned
because the legend attaching TO il and 10
the saint constitutes the reason WHY
Gheel is or rather was selected as resort
for what are supposed TO be cura-
bic lunatics. And before entering more
fully into a description Of this most
curious city it will be a apropos, as well as
interesting 70 explain the legend; and, in
explaining it, the origin Of its the town
adaptation for the reception Of the insane
in an unconhned condition will be amply
apparent.
The legend runs in this way: In the
seventh century the daughters Of one of
the Irish kings was converted 10 Chris
nanlty by priest named Gerebernus,
She was Dymphna, and her beauty at
tracted even the monarch of all Ireland
But Dymphna W seized with a religious
zeal-common TO all sincere converts in
those days-and she refused the atten-
tons Of every sutton.
A PLIGHT TO FLANDERS.
As a result her father became enraged
and threa tened TO wed her 10 a swine
herd, but Dymphna, understanding her
1ather's wrath, besOught the holy monk
GerebernUs to save her, and he c0unse. ed
her to fly 10 Flanders.
In due time she arrived at the place
where now stands the town Of Gheel, gave
herself % prayer and fasting. But the
King, her father, was beside himself
With rage and equipped a feet Of boats
rescue her" Arriving at Antwerp.
soon discovered her hiding place, and
Immediately set forth alone to see her.
he found her engaged in prayer with sew
eral simple CinsaneJ persons looking on
amazed at such piety. DYmphna did
not see her father. She continued her
prayers that the reason of those who had
come to watch beside her should be re-
stored, and the king, becoming enraged
oy her apparent want of flial love, drew
ms sword and cleft the head from the
BODY" The legend goes on TO state how
me insane were Immediately made whole
u mind" and they went forth proclaim
ing the miracle.
From that time-now / 200 years ago
persons suffering from mild forms of in
Sanity were brought 10 the spot where st.
Dymphna was killed; and as is the case
ID al faith cures. many of them recovered
l1elr reason. In time a little village grew
around the spot; the commune Of Gheel
was incorporated several centuries ago
slo, today the town itself, which is in
Inc center of the little commune, boasts
o. a population Of 5000 persons and two
beautiful churcheS-one St. Armand, and
"a me other the church Of the patron saint,
ST. Dymphna
TIE ONE GRAND EXCEPTION.
The principal altar in this church con
sa4ls some beautiful relieVos of the Incl
lents IN the miracle believing history Of
tne place Some Of these portray lunatics,
q q na1acles, praying at the tomb Of St.
Dympnla, while the next one will show
me same features, radiant with Joy and
recovered reason. with the iron bands
anu chains lying at their feet. The tomb
i.seli IS raised upon short pillars, Just
L-Rh enough 70 allow the poor lunatics 70
raw! under On their hands and knees;
e-l This used TO be the sole cure which
was sought for by relatives Of the afflicted