Evening star., 1896-12-26

-w w'
is as much of a novelty as a new land to
the discoverer. They imagine however,
that they make progress; the delusion is
harmless one and keeps them happy.
One woman informed us that she had just
bought couple of love songs and wanted
us to hear them; she was a bright, ener-
getic looking woman, and, to the unprac-
ticed eye seemed as sane ordinary NOR
tails; she was once a singer in of
Washington's most fashionable churches
and her voice is excellent; we left her
humming her ditties to two friends who
thought they were playing game OF
checkers.
In the COlored Ward.
The me st amusing feature of my visit
was the walk through the colored ward;
here the characters of the race ac-
centuated in high degree. All the glad
ness and mirth of the African disposition
found expression in Methodist camp-meet-
ing shouts, snatches of popular songs and
q continuous chatter in the soft south
erh dialect. There was no depression, such
as We detected in the faces of white pa
tientS, and some who were eating dinner
had as ecstatic a look on their faces as
If they were being regaled with 'possum
and watermelon.
In the same ward We're two Indian wo-
rose and sullen, and stood apart from
the other inmates the other, of the Paw
nee tribe, shook hands with US, and though
she iabbered away in her native tongue,
smiled intelligently when spoke to her
in ours; the two were put together that
they might be companions, but the scheme
did not work; when enc catches a glimpse
of the other she turns her back and says,
Heap bad Injun"
The female patients do a great deal of
sewing and domestic work; some are good
performers on the piano. few love to
draw and paint; they have a great deal of
freedom in their occupation, and no work
is compulsory.
Work as a Panacen.
DIR. Godding regards work as the nearest
approach to panacea for the cure of
imaginary ills. 1t takes the patient out
of himself. and makes him feel as though
he had a place in the world. There are
also material rewards for toll and a sau'
tary spirit of emulation is aroused. Male
patients work on the farms, help in the
laying out of walks and plant flowers. In
the agricultural colony at Godding Croft
harmless working men find an ideal home.
Those who behave particularly we'll are
permitted to dwell in the cottages and be-
come members of the colony.
In the Soldiers Quarters.
After passing through the soldiers quar-.
ters, where numbers of the veterans might
be seen playing billiards, cards and various
kinds of games, or talking over hair
breadth escapes and thrilling battles, we
went into the great dining hall, where $50
soldiers were taking their monday re-
past. 1t was indeed interesting to see so
many together enjoying one of the great
est pleasures left the insane. They were
hearty and healthy, and it was wonderful
to notice the rapidity with which huge
loaves of bread and other good things dis
appeared.
The hall is very large, and has a stage
at one end which is utilized when enter
tainnelts are given; these occur often,
and some of the best talent in the city is
secured to give pleasure to the inmates.
Amusements.
The floor was smooth and polished In
preparation for dance which was to be
given the following night. OF all amuse-
ments, the patients find their chief delight
in dancing; the rhythm Of music, brilliant
lights and that indefina BILE inspiration in
concerted motion, which even makes the
feet Of the sane tingle In anticipation OF the
giddy whirl, bring a glow of warmth TO
those childish hearts and create a paradise
in their excited minds. Two interested
lookers-on at the dances are an old king
who has reigned over the asylum fifty
years and a high priest of nature already
past four score and ten. Storm after storm
of trouble and pain have swept over the
nation that shelters and protects them but
nothing touches their philosophical con-
tentment, and they look as serene and hap
py as the child in its fathers home.
The Culinary Department.
The dining hall is connected with the
culinary department by narrow tunneled
railways, and small cars carry food and
dishes back and forth. The kitchens fill
one large building. Here the profusion of
food made one feel like the beer-loving
tramp who saw great boiler marked 100,-
coo gallons capacity, and wished he had
such capacity and the means to satisfy
1t.
In the room below 400 fat turkeys had
been led to the slaughter to make ready for
| the Christmas sacrifice. Tubfuls of onion,
| chopped celery and bread were ready to
| decorate their interior. The great cabbage
boilers were the size of small tank, and
| there was enough tea and coffee to drown
regiment. Seven hundred mince pies were
| in process Of construction. The bread ovens
occupied more space than an ordinary din
ing room, and it took two or three men to
| where 1t was cut into loaves. About ten
| barrels OF hour per day are consumed in
| the asylum When each ward is ready for
dinner, bell Is rung, and its rations are
| sent to 1t by the underground railway.
From the kitchens we went to the SOL
| diers' play grounds. They were almost de-
serted save by few who fingered in the
| cold to watch skiff skim down the broad
| Potomac.
| ST Elizabeth's seems like village run
on communtstic principles, SO far as the
| qualification of material wants is concern
| ed. Yet there is no dead level of uniformi-
| ty In the treatment of Its people, and no
| stin. unhomelike buildings In its grounds.
When the inmates are driven in the long
| herdics down the tree-lined avenues to the
| road, and across the river into the heart of
| the city, they can find no place made more
pleasing by nature and art, or half so well
fitted to minister to mind diseased.
Appropriate.
From Life.