, 1897-04-22
BOYS LOVE.

OF the thousand and one touching
scenes that arc enacted in merry Eng
land every day I suppose that we luna
cy commissioners come across as many
as most. And l doubt not that if any
man who has served the government in
this capacity were to relate the moro
striking of his experiences in a sympa-
thetic name he would command a
large circle. of interested readers, and
would surely draw tears from even the
least emotional among them. l do not,
however, remember that II lunacy
commissioner ever has published such a
volume, and l suppose the reason is not
far to seek. A constant course of prac-
teal routine, of dry statistics and cal
culations of what 1 may call the work
aday business of lunacy units a man
to regard these experiences from an
emotional or pathetic aspect and tends
to make him employ his leisure thoughts
upon subjects as far as possible removed
from those of the shop, while even if
it were otherwise the obligations Of
professional secrecy would be u formida-
BILE barrier to tho successful treatment
Of such n theme.
At times, however, u case arises at
tended with features that cannot fail to
excite strong feeling in the most hard
ened professional bosom. 1t is a case Of
this nature that I now set myself to re-
late, and l do so the more readily be-
cause there is 10 fear in the present in
stance Of my causing pain or distress
to any person concerned. If, therefore,
I shield myself under cover of mislead-
ing names and dates, it is rather as u
conventional formality than as n precau-
ton that is in any degree requisite.
At u distance of time-which l will
call five years agony business duties
took mo to inspect a well known asylum
in the west of England. DR.. x, the
head Of tho establishment, was an old
and valued friend of mine, and l was
pleased that my apportionment of cir
cult should happen to include his insti-
tuition.
On this particular occasion of my
visit to DR.. X, l arrived ut the asylum
overnight, and my friend Hospitality
put me up. Next morning, after break
fast, I strolled round, accompanied by
DR.. x, on II tour of inspection, know
ing, however, very well that it was
simply Il pro forma affair, and that I
should find everything about the asylum
in a satisfactory and efficient state. On
previous visits, l had noticed how much
DR.. X. had done to make his patients
calm and contented by humoring their
many foibles, and on this occasion I
was more than ever struck by the care
full, discriminating way in which this
system was being carried out and by
the favorable results which evidently
arose from it. No doubt, a man devoid
of unusually sound Judgment would
soon find himself i'll difficulties if he
adopted such u system. But DR.. KS
Judgment was so reliable, his shrewd-
ness so keen, his sympathy SO remarka-
bly, in touch with his patients. that he
knew just where to apply and just
where to avoid his plan of humoring,
and it was seldom indeed that the event
proved him to have been injudicious.
1t was n fine August morning, and
most Of the patients were out in the
beautiful grounds attached to the asy-
lum. l knew many of them, from pre-
vious visits, and not II few came up and
welcomed me with ELUSIVE cordiality.
They seemed pleased. also, TO see the
doctor, and l thought that some Of
them regarded him with quite affec-
tionate eyes. This, i'll itself, spoke vol
umes for the success of his regime-for
that the head Of n large asylum has
gained the love Of his unhappy patients
is the most convincing proof Of his efi-
cheney that could possibly be adduced.
Most Of the unfortunate men were
strolling about in an aimless way; 4
few were walking fast, as if their life
depended on their covering five miles in
the hour; a few others were gardening.
and some few were sitting on the seats.
But it is to one patient only that I wish
to draw particular attention. He was
in . retired corner Of the grounds, quite
by himself. The nook in which he had
ensconced himself was very picturesque
and charming. It was an opening in
the midst Of shrubs, some score Of yards
square, laid out In an old fashioned
border, rich with q mixed p%rotus,on Of
old world flowers. At the back grew
tall hollyhocks, s%unflowers, goldenrod
and evening primrose, and in the front
the lowlier, but not less lovely, darlings
Of a bygone age. I am a h%erbaceous en-
thusiast myself-a floral antiquarian,
Q botanical tory-and / noted with de-
light that all my favorites were repre-
sented. Yes, here they all were, column
bine, sweet william, Mary bud, a n
tarburv ball. fritillary. London pfide,