Evening star., 1934-11-04


suffering with some form Of
~ insanity. Truly the loss of sight,
smell, hearing. taste or touch is
living misfortune to the person bereft of one
of these five senses, but the permanent loss Of
ones mind is even worse than death itself.
In the early days of our Republic little at
tention or thought was given to those mentally
incapacitated, and even our own city was help
less to render to those unfortunateS proper care
until the erection, in 1855, of the Government
Hospital for the Insane, generally known as
St Elizabeth's. OF course, this was many years
ago. when Washington was a small city; but
what wonderful place it has grown to be
since then!
Being native of the District Of Columbia,
and, inferentially, classed by law with those
unable to cast an intelligent ballot, the writer
decided few days ago to visit this great in
Stitution and see some Of his brethren who are,
to an extent at least, in the same boat with
himself and several hundred Thousand other
Washingtonians, 50 far as not having a say in
Government affairs is concerned.
It a lovely day, and his went up
Asylum Hill without an effort which made him
think of the old bicycle days of 40 years ago,
when many of the strongest riders found 1t
convenient to disn1ount when half way up the
hill, though when we meet the few old riders
still remaining today they always refer to the
steep grades around the city they used TO pull
with ease while the other fellow had his tongue
hanging out-and one Of these hills, now known
as Nicholas avenue, Is among those we climp
with such ease today.
OF course, the road was not 50 good then
1t is now, being paved with rough macadam, and
1t was strain to reach the top, especially on
the high -vheelers, while spills were frequent,
too. The several bicycle clubs of the city
rarely failed TO include one or more of the
steep hills around the city in their runs and,
as many Of the trips were taken to River View
md hal Eol1 liar orlld
not be avoided.
But from the top Of this elevation one can
surely see some very pretty views, especially
from within the asylum grounds at a point to
the north Of the original building, which is q
landmark to every early resident of the Dis
trict. Indeed, the old asylum building and
Arsenal Point are two places never forgotten by
one who has lived around Washington long, and
who went excursions down the Potomac in
his early childhood days.
A THE point referred to there is an almost
abrupt elevation of nearly ITS feet, with
the Eastern Branch lying close up in the fore
ground. The Government flying field is also
nearby to the left, and a beautiful parkway has
replaced the muddy flats that helped to give
this section Of the city reputation for chils
and fever many years ago, but which seems
now to have been entirely overcome.
The view from st. Elizabeth's is delightful.
Looking to the west, across the Potomac, can
be seen in the distance Arlington Heights,
where are Fort Myer and its conspicuous wire
less station; the National Cemetery, where rest
the Nations dead; the Gusts mansion, and
the ampitheater of pure white marble; Boiling
Field is closer up. The Memorial Highway and
Key Bridges are clearly discernable, as is
Georgetown University, on the heights Of
Georgetown.
In the city proper can be seen the Lincoln
Memorial and q number Of the public build
ings. The Army War College occupies old
Arsenal Point and in northerly direction are
seen the Capitol Library Of Congress, the Navy
Yard and the new plant Of the Potomac Elec-
trio Power Co., which occupies the site at
Buzzard Point, to the east Of James Greek
Canal. The view in this direction could be