The evening times., 1901-05-06

The Park a Mass of Brilliant Foil
aGe-ReIigIous Services Conducted
by the Rev John & Chester-Band
Concerts Given Daring Summer.
OF all the people in and around the Ma
tional Capital. none enjoyed the bright
sun, the 5aluy breeze the green trees.
and grass and flowers. more than did the
inmates of the Government Asylum for
the Insane, yesterday. IT is said by those
conversant with the physical and men
tai makeup Of these unfortunates that
the seasons and the weather have a de-
sided effect upon them; that such a day
as yesterday brings to the surface all of
their better qualities. while chilly dark
rainy days ill them with gloom and are
sure TO make them assert all of the evil
whinns they may have. That the glorious
weather Of yesterday had a most sOoth-
ing effect upon the insane men and WON
en- at st. EIizabeth-s could net have been
overlooked by even the most casual OBJ
server
Early in the morning almost all of the
2.1G0 patients now being treated there, who
are not bed-ridden, were astir, and it was
scarcely necessary to sound the rising
bell All were in cheerful mood. and aft
er partaking of q hearty breakfast Of oat-
meal. beefsteak. potatoes. corn bread. and
other wholesome yiands, Sauutered out
into the exhilarating air Here. gazing at
the Iuxuriant foliage OF the trees, or pick
ing the pretty posies that grow 50 pro-
fusely in the Asylum reservation, the old,
middle-aged, and young passed away the
delightful morning At noon they were
called in to enjoy the usual good Sunday
dinner Then hundreds again sought the
services were held in the asylum chapel.
Tie Rev John c. Chester conducted the
meeting 1t was his first sermon at the
Asylum this year. The Rev Dr.. Chester
has taken his turn at preaching a this
institution Tor more than thirty years. a
good choir made up OF women and men
employees Of the Asylum furnished music.
About 200 of the inmates We're present
Many Of them joined IN singing the
hymns The asylum authorities encour-
age this. They believe that music has n
very beneficial effect on the mentally
fraH and those who took part in the
singing yesterday were possessed Of eX-
When the religious services were finished
there was another outpouTIug- and the
beautiful grounds around the Asylum
were again sw8rmed with craZsd humani-
ty. Besides these, there were hundreds Of
visitors. From s o'clock yesterday morn
ing until in the evening the gatekeeper
was busy examining cards Of admission
One thing that could not escape the at
tention Of visitors to the Asylum yes
teTday. and one that was freely comment
ed upon, was the number of inmates who
wore soldiers uniforms There were per
haps 200 Of them. Many of them appeared
to be young men. Others were further
advanced In years. but few of them had
reached middle-age. Nearly all of these
200 men are said to have served recently
in the Philippines But they are only a
small part Of the men held a the Asylum
who have served their country. Some
thing like 9@1 Of the 2.1O0 patients now in
the institution are said TO have fought in
the civil war About forty more veterans
are expected TO arrive some time this
week
The last bali of the season for the IN
mates OF the Asylum was given last Tues
day night. The orchestra, an excellent
one composed of Asylum employees. had
arranged a catchy programme for the oc-
casion- The attendance was unusually
large and the dancing gave all who par
tiCipated q vast amount Of enjoyment
Band concerts in the open air Will take
the place Of dancing during the summer
months There vii! be two each week
on Tuesdays and Fridays This music
viii be supplied by a brass band of TWEEN
Jy mem ,'ers. all OF whom are employees Of
the AcylEyu