Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-24

cold facts prove that so adapted Is hu-
mainly TO its environment that con
tsntment and even a cheerful spirit j
compatible with tuD-dwelling.
There is precedent for this latter daF
tub-life to be found in classical reminders
of the philosophical Diogenes VINO also
dwelt in tub. =, CO
The constancy Of the treatment Is so
literal that virtually the patient VINO
once enters unless cured, never leaves
his tub. The visitor 10 the water-cule
department of the Vienna Hospltai -
abruptly admitted TO chamber OF grea'
size where are groups of covered pain
tubs. Each tub is occupied by man VI
woman sunk in water 10 the chlh' 4hei :
Is no lack of enterprise on the part u
these unfortunates in the way or eIIorts
at self or mutual entertainment. IT Il
palpably in the air, however, that eley
are all there on business, the Important
business Of getting we'll and the one hrst
and general principle adhered to and en-
forced by each and every patient, phy-
stefan. and attendant is to keep constant
ly. SO to speak, in soak, up 10 their mem
I-pon a recent visit 10 the hospital
che tubs were observed to be all occupleu
and the visitor was Informed by th1
house surgeon that there was Waitliis
list Of thirteen patients all anxious Ing
lost man was especially so, because or
his innate superstition regarding the, 10
him. ominous chance that had made him
No. Is. The tub jewellers, While
feing observed by the visitor referred 10,
xvere amusing themselves by readihs'
playing musical instruments. ana caluS,
and smoking. One inventiV genious hau
"a little workable laid on top OF his tub
dwelling. and with tools. brass "neS.s'
pulleys, shafts, and springs was eEoiN
ing from the assortment what might DC
either an eight-day clock or an anaIehis-
tic bomb-hring machine, or possibly ne
was AT work on that old ignus fatuis
which has lured so many-perpeiual mo-
ton. ,,, 81,
The gregariousness of mankind was Wen
illustrated by the fact thst some or the
tubs were grouped so that four would De-
at their circumference, In touch with each
other. while q few tubs were remote ana Is
plated. In this wet little world there We're
as In the great outer world, lew lhul-
yiduals who preferred solitude ana sell
communion. one Of the groups OF -FOUR
tubs contained a quartette Of toViai
$rienAs whose spirits could never be
Uampened, although their bodies were
never dry.
A JOLLY PARTY.
One member Of this quartette was far
round-faced German woman, presumably
Fat and probably over 20. The other three
were men, ene OF them quite bald and All
hooking as IL they had never abstaineu
from any Of the good things or lie until
they had. possibly as result OF high
living. taken TO water as q last resort
This FOLLY party was intent on gooo
game OF pinochle. They were playing
nth the regulation double deck in vogue
with pinochle experts, and exhibited con-
Adorable fincsse in their desperate deter
animation 10 hang on to jack OF dla'
ynonds until tho queen OF spades came
along TO help him count forty. or galneiS
letting trick after trick be taken, with th'
beguiling hope that the one ace needfu
10 make up tine four and score hunurec
would come In the next draw
The least careful of the quartette oil
eard-piayers was the jolly German frau
whose dimpled pink and white and ta
bare arms and shoulders attracted more
attentlon from the visitors than did the
game. IL was evident that she was II
more for the fun she could get out OF u
than TO be the first 10 score thousand
points Her cherished score was the mum
her of hearty laughs which she coulc
evoke and join In. Every time II came
her deal she would flip and san the cards
90 recklessly that several times one fell II
the water In the other players tubs. This
did not injure the cards. IL was observed
because they were possibly O special make
having a sort OF cellulod finish.
There was q pretty general indulgence
IN tobacco. A few OF the men smokeS
pipes. but the general preference was fo
papor-clad cigarettes OF Turkish tobacco
& 1hree man were smoking chibougnes al