The Washington herald., 1914-12-27
NUTS" PLAY FOR BUGS"
And 'Queen Victoria" Dances with
the "KaIser, mt snake Hill.

And "Queen Victoria" Dances with
the "Kaiser'' mt snake Hill.
Queen Victoria picked up her imag-
mary train, slipped into the arms Of the
Kaiser and glided with him along the
waxed flood Of the big reception hall at
the Hudson County Insane Asylum at
Snake I'm yesterday afternoon. Most of
their feIlow-inmates were then resting
from their unwonted exercise OF the
Christmas dance, but they appreciated the
Difference due to monarchs and graciously
and generously applauded the movements
Of the royal pair.
A moment later the nut orchestra of
the asylum CHATS what the attendants
call it), consisting of a viOlinist, whose
instrument was also "crackedy q hutist,
a cornetist and Beethoven himself at
the piano. started Jig and fully one-half
the lunatics ran out on the floor. wherL
they kept step to the erratic music, gig
Cling. Laughing and shouting for the sheer
joy Of the thing.
You'd almost think they weren't crazy
at ALL wouldn't your" said an old keeper
who had been specially assigned to keep
his eyes on a group OF dangerous lunatics
bad ones he termed them-whO had
been taken from their rooms to enjoy the
fun. They certainly don't look or act
like lunatics now. do they? And that's
morn'n you could say ofssome other folks
l know who are dancin' at regular Christ
mas parties today.
"I don't know what IL is about these
Christmas doin's we have here at Snake
HILL" the old keeper continued musing-
ly. Perhaps it's the smell of the green
things we've stuck up around the hall
that awakens something in their crack
ed brains and takes them back for
the time being to the times before their
minds got twisted. Then again II may
be the turkey dinner, or perhaps it's
true what the poet said about music
having charms to soothe the savage
beast, or breast. I've forgotten which.
Anyhow. they're having a bully time.
and a job in this asylum today is q
blame sight eastern having a class In
kindergarten"
Eight hundred and two inmates of
the asylum took part in yesterdays
Christmas party. arranged by a COM
mittee of the board OF freeholders. OF
which Jim Meehan. OF Jersey City, is
chairman, assisted by Warden Patrick
Fitzpatrick. DR.. Harry v. Smith. the
medical director. and his assistant, DIR.
Robert Schlemm.
1t started about 2 o'clock with a din
ner consisting of turkey. cranberry
sduGNt lNN SlNdills I'M
apples, oranges and candy that could
be tucked into pockets and skirts to
be eaten later when there was more
room.
The choir from St Michaers Mon
astery. with Walter Nugent as leader.
strolled from one county institution to
another like minstrels of old and
dritfed into the merry party at the
asylum late in the afternoon. 1t sang
Christmas carols and up to date songs
and the inmates clapped their hands
and whistled through their fingers, but
their greatest delight was in their own
dancing.
A group of women. all over sixty.
refused all invitations to dance with
men. but insisted on having one corner
of the hall to themselves. There
Martha Washington" Mrs. Lincoln"
and other American dignitaries of the
past elevated their noses whenever
queen Victoria" swept by and content
ed themselves with round dances. even
though the nut orchestra" played
something that was a cross between a
one-step and a waltz.-New York Sun.