Year: 1867

The most terrible of all words to a
thinking being is the word mao; and ofall
institutions madhouse is the most awful
[ could never thi k of madhouse with
out shuddering, and when [ was invited
by a friend to visit the one at -, [
shrank from the experiment, nor was it
till after repeated solicitations that could
make up my mind to accompany him
We were introduced to the physician, and
while talking with him. one of the ward
ers came up to him on evidently impor-
tant business, with the words: 'She is
going that way now sir" The physician
turned to US, and said: '.Would you mind
accompanying me to see very curious
case?' We assented readily, and he led
us through the pleasantly arranged gar
den, with its tasteful disposition of flower
beds and rose-trees, toward wilder and
more solitary region, planted with shrubs
and few large trees.


"Ha. there she is!' he exclaimed, as
We caught sight of female dress little
before u.s. "This is the case" he contin-
ued, A'that invited you to witness The
patient is young lady of respectable par
tage, who has been here some time
without showing one glimmer Of any kind.
| have long been puzzled how to treat her,
for not one single experiment moved her.
Looked at her and Judge for yourself"


Just as we passed, the sounds of fule
were heard in the distance; she quickened
her step, and passed US in turn, taking
the direction Of the music.


''It is the music entices her." said the
physician. every day, about the same
hour, some one plays the flute just out
side the wall, and every day regularly she
goes to listen. A slight improvement
has been observed since the first time she
came to hear it, but [ have been unable
to take advantage Of it. It have had
other flute players to play to her without
her needing. You will see bow she
values HIS


We followed her now again till we
came to the wall bounding the grounds
Of the establishment. Here she sat down
as close to the sound as possible, listening
intently Each moment her face grew
more divest of its dreary void, little lines
of exp esslon came dawning one by one
where before was utter blank, her eyes
seem ID to search for meaning, and you
fancied you could see the mind within
rusted from long disuse, striving to work
its springs and move its machinery in
cOnsOnant order.


| Looking at her still, and speaking in a
gentle whisper, SO as not to divert her at
| tentlon from the healing influence, [ ask
ed the physician "Who is it that plays?"


II cannot tell you," be answered ut
is lung way round to the nearest gate,
and he would be gone before we could
get there" This was added rather apol-
ogetlca!ly, as he perceived my meaning.
''Is there no other way then?" I asked
rather loudly and impatiently, for the girl
started at the sound Of my voice and
seemed to loose the music The physi-
| clan thought for moment, and then re-
piled there was secret postern near, only
known to himself and higher attendants
by which he would let US out. My friend
remained to watch the patient, while the
physician and [ issued cautiously through
the low concealed doorway; we got into


a little lane running between the walls
and an orchard.


In this orchard was a small arbor with
rude chair on which the fute-playel
was seated. We got close up without
his hearing. and then the physician spoke
to him: "Would you oblige me, sir, by
net stopping, if you can conveniently play
and listen at the same timer" The earn
estness of tone carried conviction with it;
the player partly removed some of the
branches so as to get a peep at US, but he
showed his acquiescence by continuing te
play. at does not inconvenience you, |
trustH' the physician continued. The
flute player shook his head.


| f am not aware whom am addressing
| if YOU are at all engaged in medical pur-