Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-05-28

ever visited, and l expected to find ma
MACS jumping out az me from every dark
corner. or mistakng me for a million
aire or a Supreme-Court judge. or a
clergyman. At first / was even timorsome
about entering the grounds. but when
they coaxed me TO visit them / saw
most attractive place, kept in applepe
order. and beautified by all the embellish-
/ ments which horticultural skill can pro-
duce. The Duke Of Devonshre would be
justified in leaving Chatsworth and taking
up his abode in this institution. On APP
preaching the gate l saw the grounds
swarming with people. and when l re-
marked on what l thought was the great
number of public office-holders employed,
l was informed that the persons before
me were patients We talked with these
poor people, and in some cases had almost
to hold a commission of lunacy before
we saw signs of mental alteration. This
is explained by the fact that the officers
in charge, who appear TO be thoroughly
in, love with their work, carefully grade
the inmates according to the nature of
their mental diseases, and allow them all
the amusements and diversions possible.
The lunatics appeared to know and re-
spect all the officers, and in every in
stance greeted them with the utmost
cordially.
1t would neither be fitting nor just for
me TO specify the many forms Of in
sanity which came before my gaze
though do not believe that violate any
rules of propriety when / say that the
most peculiar patient / saw was a man
who ina gined he was a hog. and f,runted
when spoken TO. 1t seemed almost a hard
ship that this poor fellow should be i'm
prisoned when there were so many at
large who had far more substantial rea-
sons for such decisions.
The grounds are so spacious and per-
fectly kept that one may wander around
them for hours and enjoy the beauties
OF nature. Once during my visit / segre-
gated myself from my companions and
strolled beneath the verdant canopy
which rustled above me. Under a big tree
laid me down, took out my pipe. and
surrendered myself 10 reveries. While
thus enjoying life 1 heard female voices
and In an instant / recognized several
ladies who had come up on the cars with
me. AS my beauty is not one Of my
strong points, these tourists had not no.
ticed me on the train. When they beheld
me they halted and looked anxiously al
me. No one else was around
one OF them approached cautiously, and
when L raised my hat she started back.
Then / heard whisperings, and voice
which said Hasn't he got good man
ners! Poor fellow, he looks so clean and
sad"
Then another anxiously replied, but
that's the very kind that are sometimes
dangerous. Don't take your eye of him
an instant"
Ladies' / said. struggling TO explain,
but they jumped back and started to re-
treat. Then, prompted by curiosity. they
again approached me. offering as a peace
Offering a ham sandwich. 1t was very
Notifying to me, and I wouldn't have
had my wife see IL for anything.
In very dignified way / said: MY
dear friends. you have made me the VIC
tim OF d most absurd mistake: am, like
yourselves merely ---''
"Yes, yes" they exclaimed In chorus.
I'VE know we have disturbed you poor
fellow. but we don't mean any harm.
Can't we help you In some way; wouldn't
you accept a little money from US, or
let US give you this book to read?" They
approached me slowly and doubtfuly. as
IL had been vicious dog who could
be cajoled BY few preliminary pats. !