THE DAILY EVENING TELEGKAPH. PHILADELPHIA, MONDAY, JANUARY 22, 18GG.
Continued from the Firtt Page.
nail, delights (lie eye. The aspect of nature can
not bo too highly estimated in its effects upon
the bet'er class of patients ; it Is the moot promi
nent alleviation ot the anticlines they feel In
bolnp separated from friends, and lor no sin con
tinea In durance vile. It affords .hem that on
'which they can build many a pleasant thought,
and helps them to relieve their minds of the
fancies which oppress them.
Among other noticeable objects pertalnlnrto
the grounds ts a pond of considerable size, which,
though ol lathpr brackish water, Is useful in thi
winter, furnishing ice forth Workhouse and the
Asylum, and pood skating lot the officers and
certain patterns.
There are fifty-six officers, attendants, and
employes salaried by the Commissioners. Of
these the resident f hysiclan holds the entire
executive power. There are usually three assist
ant phslcians and a chaplain attached to the
Institution. An engineer and two w itchmen are
among the officials. The duties of the Intter
extend dunne the night as well as day. There
are two attendants to each hall in the Asylum
and Retreat. The Lodge is presided over by a
female superintendent, and each ball hasasluglo
keeper. The Matron has the charge ot the neno
ral housekeeping in all the buildings, and stands
highest in rank among the lemale attaches. A
gardener and a cook are noticeable, as well as
the attendants in the sick-room. The laundry,
wash-house, and kitchen include most of the
other employes
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PATIENTS.
The number of patients Is usually about eight
hundred. More tnan one-half perhaps two
thirds aio of foreign nativity; Ireland annu
ally furnishing 15(1, and Germany GO. The usual
number ot admissions during a year is 340, while
discharges and deaths amount to a similar num
ber. Ot male patients who are single there are
more than of those who are married, while with
females it is the reverse. The lemale majority
in respect to age lies with those between thirty
and forty years; the male between twenty and
thirty. The term of residence of those dis
charged is generally from three to six months,
though not a tew have spent three years in the
Asylum, and some from six to eighteen. The lat
ter are usually discharged unimproved.
I shall not trouble my readers with medical
subdivisions ot the forma ot insanity; suffice it
to say that mania afflicts more than four-tilths of
the patients dementia, or idiocy, and general
paralysis being the mislortune of the remainder.
Mania lucluoes the violent and raving mudman
and those oppressed by a single delusion. From
six to. twelve improper subjects are annually
sent to the Institution. These are mostly per
sons laboring under a short-lived delirium occa
sioned by intoxicating dilnk, though sometimes
a criminal, relieved lor a time from the penalty
ot his crime by t plea ot iusanlty, makes his ap
pearance Ironi a court of justice.
Even where the criminal is really a lunatic it
Is not considered that the Asylum is the proper
place tor biw, there being at Auburn, erected by
the State, an asylum lor insane convicts, which
combines as far as may be tne comforts of an
asylum with the strength of a prison.
In the construction of ordinary asylums atten
tion is riven more to the homelike comforts than
to the great streiigth ot the establishment. It
is the moral power that holds the patients more
effectually than strong rooms, and probably
there is no asylum in the country, except that
at Auburn, from which a sane man could not
readily escape. In the Asylum oa Blackwell's
Island there are no rooms really stronger than
the usual sleeping-rooms of the hotels in the city,
and the only appearance of extra strength is in
the cast-iron sashes of the windows, which might
be read'.ly broken.
They are well adapted, however, to common
coses ot insanity, but are insecure for the crimi
nal insane with dangerous propensities, and
atford to those who teign the disease, in order
to escape punishment lor their offenses, ready
facilities lor elopement. One of the unhappiest
results of the reception of this class id, that the
other insane feel truly degraded by the associa
elation, and we feartul that their own lives are
endangered. Manv of the patients are exceed-
inaly sensitive, and leel deeply any real or fan
cied injury or injustice, it Decomes with tnem
a matter of complaint that murderers even
occupy the same halls with them and sit at the
same table. Expressions ot feeling arouse a
spirit ot ill-will and antagonism, and serious
Quarrels and difficulties result.
There are usually between thirty and forty
persons with suicidal tendencies confined in the
institution. Most ot their manifestations aro.
however, made previous to admission. The
greatest cure is taken to prevent the success
of their attempts at self destruction while in
carcerated, vet one or two annually effect their
purpose. The nature ol the attempts 19 various:
jumping from windows and heights, hanging,
Dtnui'tttiikii DfrommlotiAn tntinrr thfAat fr arm
Dial I RVlUUl O 1A UlUtllVU) VUlhlUf, . VI , X Ml
drinking laudanum or morphine, and beaming
the head aga.nst the wall are enumerated. Con
sidering the disproportion ot the sexes within
the Asjlum, it may be stated that such cases are
equally divided between them
The clunk of chains and fetters is no longer
heard in the Asylum. All meaus are taken to
conceal every orison-like appearance. Iron
doors are nownere seen; entrance to tne differ
ent, halls in. of course, onlv obtainable bv a kev:
but, though extremely strong, ordinary locks
are used; bolts and bars are not visible. The
iron gratings ot the windows correspond in their
openings to the size of the panes ot glass before
them, so tnat a casual glance would detect no
thing peculiar. The most violent cases are put
simply into a ceil containing only a mattress
and a wooden vessel; and w here that is tnsutli
clent to prevent harm a strait-jacket of bed-tick
closely fastening the arms to the sides is used;
but it is rareiy worn.
The same care now extends to the clothes ot
the patients; these were formerly of striped
cloth, resembling that upon convicts in other
buildings on the island. Withiu a few years
thev have been exchnnge.1 lor suits ot navy blue.
so that patients in whom some degree of sanity
exists present a repectable appearance; the
females are attired in calico gowns. Apprecia
tion of their apparel is a great Inducement to
cleanliness and neatness. The majority of the
insane are furnished with clothes by the com
missioners, though many are provided by friends
and relatives with siicn necessaries. At .lmcs.
however, some ot these are not allowed to wear
their own garments, their destructive natures
necessitating stronger and less valuable attire.
Most of the inmates of the Lodge are thus clad.
The food, as I have said, consists mostly of
t oup with spjon meat, the impracticability of
allowing the insane the use of knives and forks
rendering this essential. The bill of lure is not
luxurious, though better than in other institu
tions upou the island. Beet soup, really merit
ing great, commendation, is erved three times
wee kiy ; tor dinner mutton und alt beef once. The
soup is thickened withlndiun meal, und contains
a variety of vegetables. Occasionally, in the sea
son, other vegetables, such as radishes, accom
pany the dish, but this is seldom. The breat is
very good, and ot all edibles furnished there h
always an abundance. Friday is a black day
with those of squeamish stomach, for musb and
molasses is then furnished instead ot soup. The
break last is composed of br9ad and coifee; the
supper of bread, nutter, an J tea. Frequently,
as putients are recovering from their discuses,
and manifest a desire for employment, they are
lurnislied with it, and attendants' fare; this has
greater variety, ad includes roast meats, with
cotlee.
It would be desirable thit each unfortunate
should occupy a separate bed-room, and, as far
as possible, his is done; but the overcrowded
state of the institution prevents it as a general
rule. In one hall of the Retreat there are no
bed-rooms, and bedsteads line the walls merely.
In most of the small bed rooms, also, two sleep,
though on separate mattresses. Disturbances
ocrasionallv arise through this arraneemeut.
Most of the patients are from the lower ranks
of life. Thev are In general friendless or poor.
Persons able' to afford it, and gifted with natural
feeling, would, of course, preler to send their
diseased relatives or friends to other than a
charitable institution. Many, however, arrive,
committed by the city magistrates, their friend
being ignoraut of their atllictien or whereabouts
iiiiillweeks, or perhaps months, after their pres
ence in the Asylum. Manifesting dangerous
sunntoms in the street, thev are arrested by the
police, brought to the station-house, (hence U
the Tombs; the physician there file a certificate,
and 1 lie steamboat transiers tnem to tue L.uuauc
Asylum.
OCCUPATIONS OF INMATES. ' ,
The time of many Is mainly passed In coursing
from one end f the long hall to the other, some
rapidly, with violent gestures and occasional ex-
clumations, invectives, and oaths; other-;, with
dejected countenances and hanging head-t, pace
wearily to and tto. some wui staui or sit mo
tionless tor hours together, and of them there
are those who w ould not go to their meals unless
bid. Some, again, are loquacious, soiiable witn
their companions, dcligTltert at the presence of
visitors; while others sedulously avoid all so
ciety, and will not speak even if addressed.
The main treatment on which reliance is
placed lor cure consists in fedutives and tonics,
the freedom trom active qxekemehts, and the
establishment of correct hub.ts. ; As happiness
or unhuppincHS in all depends much upon men
tal training, so whatever tends to establish an
evenness ol temper aids not only in preventing
Insanity, out in actually restoring tue diseased
mind to its normal condition. '
Bv lar the maiontv of those in confinement
being of an uncultivated class, it would bo dif
ficult to find means to alleviate the weariness,
they experience tn their seclusion. But there
aro many to whom books and papers would
prove highly valuable. Ot these and such liko
inducements to mental case the Institution ex
hibits a great deficiency.
The position in this Asjlum of a patient from
the better ciass of society is not enviable. Crazy
though he mav be. be has vet tne instincts, pre
judices, and habits of the class to which hobo
longs, and being in daily companionship with
bis opposites in every respect nis scnsioiuties
are shocked on every side. Amidst the ignoble
mass there are at tunes scholars and gentlemen.
Men who have obtained distinction in thoir
various walkaof life find in this' institution a
lorary resting-place or a final abode. Clever
rs, tine musicians, artists, literary men, law
vers, doctors, and clergymen have been num
bered anions the inmate?. Insanity, like, death,
is no respecter cf persons.
Visitors to mis institution, 11 tney como pro
vided with the proper ticket, will, upon pre
senting it to the clerk, be shown through a
single female hall of the main building, usually
Hull 3. 1 nave supposed that ladies are ot the
n 11 ft t f T niriA "Kiit rrnntlaman ora Tirnain fr tlmtr
are escorted in addition through male Hall 3.
in these two nuns tne quieter and better class
of patients are confined. The Lodge and the
Ketreat are, as a rule, closed from public cu
riosity, tbe indecencies in both word and action
of many ol the inmates rendering them unfit for
scrutiny. The reason for refusing all applica
tions to see more of the lunatics, is the unhealthy
excitement induced by an influx ot strange
laces among them, reviving, as it necessarily
must, old associations and sturting anew delu
sions whit h have almost died out. Visitors,
though always treated with politeness, are not
at all desired bv the physicians ot the pluce.
The cleanliness and neatness evtry where appa
rent always commands admiration. The white
washed walls and spotless floors show constant
attention; certain ot the patients, under the
guidance of attendants, swecpinir and dusting
the boards daily, and thoroughly scrubbing thtm
once a w eek.
Alter contemplating the strangely attired, close
shaven residents, chatting, perhaps, with some
mild-eyed, ladylike inononiauiac, shuddering at
the approach of a haggard wretch with uncouth
gesticulations, receiving urgent prayers from
many to etlect their release, the sight-seer de
scends the long winding staircase of the octagon
and proceeds "to the grounds for lurther spec
tacles. Here, if the weather be favorable, he will
doubtless find inclosed -in a yard, profusely set
with trees, a motley crowd of men. Almost
every variety of dishabille is visible. Some are
playing or wrestling with each other, some en
gaged in altercation, some in quiet socal con
verse. Occasionally one starts as on a loot-race,
another jumps as it' lor a wager. Singing, preach
ing, bowline: is heard, producing a Babel of the
most discordant noises.
Having gazed sufficiently, the summer visitor
strolls into tne garden, the season boiug summer,
and there consulting his watch, learns he has
just time in which to walk the quarter of a mile
to the steamboat dock, and the wlflstle Of the
vessel coming up the river quickens his steps,
lie is soon after landed at Twenty-sixth street,
joyful at having "done" the Lunatic Asylum;
but that he has seen and heard merely a hun
dredth part ot what is most interesting the suc
ceeding conversations will, I hope, prove.
With a stranger the insane are often slow to
unbosom themselves. If I occasionally seem
to push the sportive vein too tor to be insuffi
ciently filled with compassion 1'or misfortune,
the reader w ill please accept as my excuse that
1, too, have been a madman, and feel entitled
to greater license han the ordinary pleasure
seeker. . THE FEMALE TATIEMTS. ' ,'
The lemale puiients (as well as the male) ex
hibit every variety of ugliness of leaiiire. It
would seem, lrom a general survey of the in
mates, that the demon of insanity prefers the
most repelling abode. The "lair" sex; is really
represented but three or lour times among the
live or six hundred women in the Institution, so
nt least to the .casual spectator it would appear.
Their close-cropped hair, slovenly attiro, and
maniacal expression -are doubtless among the
causes of this. And again many have contracted
a habit of sitting in the broiling sun until tbe
skin peels off from their noses. ,
If a painter wished to depict the Witch Scene
in Maubetti he would here find the finest models
et prominent among all the monstrosities,
a very paragon of hideousness, stands Ann
Barry. The pen is Inadequate to describe ner, .
Contemplation of her grotesque bulk induces the
ilioucht.that like the monster In "Frankenstein,"
she became distracted through tbe- sensation
her appearance ever caused among her fellows.
Her gigantic head, with its reiL bushy, unkempt
hair, is supported by a bugu misshapen body,
covered usually by a coarse blue cotton gown,
while her arms and hands would astonish a
prize-fighter. Upon meeting her for the first
time one experiences a feeling akin to awe. Not
withstanding her terrific asuect, this singular
creature Is ot a tractable disposition and very
useiul in the cook-house, carrying twavy ves
sels. Her conversational powers are not exten
sive; to all questions slie replies by monosyla
bles, given ma deep bass voi:c, like the growl
of a woaried lion. Her appetite are strong, yet
she is not aevoid of lovo in tbe'tine arts. Music,
or what doubtless tn her is Tuch, is her great
deiighi. Would you till her soul with sort con
tent, place in her hands a guitar. Hugging it
as though it were the idol ot her heart, mhe will
sis absorbee in ecstaey lor a whole afternoon,
producing a monotonous turn, turn, turn. Though
stupid,' Ann seems always happy, and dcubtless
is one of those who are satisfied with their posi
tion in the Asylum.
.With her there is usua'ly associated in
the mind of the resident her l'ciloiv-putient,
Norah. She hiu the same carroty locks with
the same frizzled texture (though not so
profuse). But. while Ann i sedate and
rarely smiles, a continual grin over-spreads
the innocent face of Norah. To ulance at
her (s to excite a simper ; a protracted look
will influence her risibles to such an extent as to
close her eyes and involre her whole frame in
wriggles and contortions ; then a pleasant ex
pression upon vour face, and she will beat the
ground with both fact, turn her body from side
10 side, and amidst chuckles and snickers con
ceal her beaming countenance awkwardly with
both hands and her aprm. All this would be
very pretty In a child of three years of age, but
it is supremely ludicrous in ths forty-five
years Koran numbers, and ihe spectator's
mirth s. on equal hers. To her concluding
erunt, "Ugh, ugh! go away! go away!
there! stop it!" he is hardly able to
attend. Upon her picture being taken she went
through every variety of emotion, ending with
suspicious glances at the artist, when her
moaesty burst forth in tears, evading all tbe
endearing words and efforts of the attendants to
repress. Norah always impresses her acquaint
ance as an elderly and overgrown baby. When
provoked she w ears the sullen, angry look of a
spoiled boy, and emits a roar, intermingled with
broken words, w hile she stamps savagely upon
the ground. In persou Norah is rather nnwiely.
Mie muy frequently bo lound ;it the cntrauce to
Female Hall 3, where she assumes the sine
cure office of doorkeeper, ever seeming in an
intense stato of satisfaction with nothing in
particular, and indulging In a vacant reverie.
She may also be occasionally met carrying
pails or water trom the cook-house. Her in
telliqeiK e is sufficient to enable her to eat and
drink, year her clothes, and sleep when sho
should. She also reads in the visapes of those
about her their expression, ascoffl rendering
her frantic; her mental acumen Is not otherwise
nuteworlhy. '
It is customary, during the pleasant weather,
for the female attendants In the Lodge to give
their charges an early morning airing. In troops
of filtcen or twenty, two by two, these fantasti
cally garbed patients proceed through the walks
ot the Asjlum grounds. Prominent tn their
midst is one styled the" Queen," rejoicing in lief
Crown of artificial flowers and old rags.' The
iioual number of sceptre-bean rs are present in
this Inst tution; there are some six kings; Prince
Albert rows in a small boat belonging to the
lesiuent pnjsician.
FEMALE ODnirTTES.
Now and then, from the motley ranks prome
nading, there will dait some particularly hila
rious member, who is soon brought back by
threats, entiratlcs. or force. The principal of
these undisciplined stragglers is a gross, portly
woman, w ho, w ith wheedling smiles on her sen
sual countenance, attneks every man who mny
happen to be a few yards oir with demands for
tobacco. If her request is complied with, she
pockets her treasure, pat9 the donor on the
back or cheek, in token of thanksgiving, and
reloins her companions at a pace scarcely war
ranted by her unwieldy proportions.
Another oddity among tliese poor creatures
is one who seems to irragine herself a steam
boiler, her mouth being the valve. At the bid
ding of her keener, or for hir omrn ease, she
will emit, during her excursions, a screech thaf
would do nonor to tne whistle or tne largest
boat on the river. It is given with a passionless
expression and an energy of purpose that are
extremely comical. Leaving her and her asso
ciates to wander leisurely bark to the Lodge,
let us pass that building, and enter the gate ot
the yard of the Retreat. Here we are at once
assailed bv the comrilainins old maid Miss B.
This lady is a neatly attired personage, some
forty years of ace. of a plain but by no means
unpleae.ant cast of features. Her hair is very
f;rey and in thick curls. The only peculiarity
n her appearance is induced by the gieat care
which she takes of herself, and consists of a
mask made lrom a pasteboard box, with two
rough holes cut therein, to protect her skin
from the sun. A an of the same material is
held in her right hand. The left is, as a rule,
occupied in buttonholing visitors. The story ot
her wiongs is endless. She wishes that she
could write a book to horrify the world with her
dire revelations ot the fiendish corruptions and
abuses that exist in the Asylum. She s cogni
zunt of murders that have been committed, and
gazing carciully about inlorms you in a thrilling
whisper that she hus more awlul secrets, but
dare not breathe them ; her life would be taken
should she do so.
Her discourse is coherent, and she is generally
judged sare by those who talk with her. The
writer himself once had that belief. He knew
what it w as to be treated as ii crazy. Since, how
ever, she rushed up to him one day, dissolved in
tears, and crying "outrage," and exhibited a
biuiscd finger, he has changed his opinion con
cerning her. The unheard-of .atrocity by which
such serious Iniury was mfficted was caused by
a irolicsomc patient snatching trom her lap soms
needlework. Miss B. pursuing her to regain the
goods stumbled against a table and fell. Ten
arsons and lorty assassinations were as nothing
to this viflanv. to judge from her denunciations.
If it were not lor that girl she would never
have etumblen, if it were not lor that stumble
she would not hive hurt herself, the eirl was
guilty of all a perfect monster, should such
tn.nps no, etc. etc. roor JUiss 15., you are crazy,
no doubt of it; but there are others as crazy un-
con fined. If you bad friends willing to support
yon, jou would not remain iere. You are just
liipane enougn to De wretcneci.
LOQUACITY AND PUGNACITY.
Miss B. is rivalled in loquacity by Mrs. N., who,
however, pissesses a lar wilder imagination.
Her stylo Is different, also, being that of a
preacher. At times she has informed the world
in general, and the writer in particular, that the
whole Institution belongs to her, not a rag worn
on the place but is hers; but that her servants
somehow have got ihe upperhand and order her
When she should order them, though a reckoning
will surely come. Her mood changing, she has
aeciured inut every doctor now on tne island,
and many who have left it, is her husband. Mrs.
N. has singular facility in extempore rhvmiag.
yet occasionally the right word eludes her grasp;
and it is amusing to hea her. without a cause.
overthrowing on all sides sense rmd syntax, rush
headlong through sentence after sentence before
arriving at tne destined goal.
An altercation now going on In the vard
airests our attention. Iwo women stand shakiug
their clencbsd hands at each other. One of
them is a tall German with dishevelled hair, sun
burnt skin, and toothless mouth. Her enuncia
tion is rnpia in the extreme, and bitched in a
high key. Part ol her discourse is in;her native
tongue, part in broken English, but all so
jumbled together, so strangely uttered, as to
render 110 unnble to get at her meaning. We are
less f'oitunnfe with respect to her Irish opponent,
a wrinkled hag, whose maledictions, given with
equal ferocity, are every where interlarded by
profane expressions and obscenity.
Satisfied at length that no serious harm will bo
inflicted, by either, we approach a crouching
figure, whose preternatural ugliness fixes the
eye. She is engaged in embrodering strange
characters on a strip of cotton cloth.
"What have you there?" we ask. irreverently.
"Take, care, don't dare to touch it; hell yawns
ceiore you i" is tne response; and atmghted
eyes gaze into ours. ,
"What's the matter ?"
"This is sacred. It contains a despatch from
tne Aimifibty tioti. it is worth millions on nnl
liors. ' 1 am the Queen of Heaven !"
naeii mortals Unit we weie! we etlect our re
treat.
And now there advances towards us 'with
light, tripping footstep and outstretched hand a
plump female. Hf r clothing is soiled and slovenly
worn. Her conntenance is unctuous with the
milk cf human kindness and mutton-suet. .Her
discolored leeth are fixed in the thigh-bone of
sheep, and licr bare arms glisten to theel'oows
w ith the fat of the aiiimal. As she nears us she
drops the bone, nr Scad fulls to one side, and
her mouth expands in a lovinc leer. It is she-
the irrepressible "Moonshine." Woe is me that
I am a man. It is I who have drawn the crea
ture to us. -I have whiskers, I am therefore
adored. That feartul seene is to be repeated,
She sidles hcsitatinelv up to me and extends
her dripping digits my modeMy takes nlurm
f I retire. She grows bolder, poiits her hps, and
essays to itissme; botn urms aie now extended,
and a tender embrace would surely follow did 1
not precipitately dodge behind a companion. In
a low murmur are constantly emitted expres
sions ol affection. Finally she gets wearied by
my shy manner, und sportively claps me on the
back. 1 thenceforward bear a love-token on my
coat, the imprint of her greasy hand. To state
it mildly, Miss M. is continually playing the
ancient game 01 1 opeimugen; without mucn re-
Vara, nowever, to certain ol its rules.
But where is our accomplished friend Funny
L.? Our search ol her is interrupted bv a red
lared woman in the rageedest ot towns, who
seizes us by both arras, and. rapidly vocilerating,
commands us with threats to tell father that
Moll Mugulre has a litter of pigs and the old sow
is dead. She uhw insists uon our making Pat
.Uulrooney keep away from Biddv M'Umnis, the
ould varmmt, the ugly baste. Hi. ha. did we
see Tim O'Flaherty climb the creased pule
didn't he fall sudden. Ann Sullivan eha'n't wear
ber silk dresses Into the dairy; and we must tell
iiitner mat 'leiFly itoche doesn't mind bis busi
ness and she wants to go home.
I gravelv enter a note in my pocket-book, and
promise an mat is BSKed.
TNTBODUCTION TO FANNY L.
Fanny is at length found, and a mock Intro
duction is given her to the familiar luces about
"Dr. Patch, the distinguished"
"Happy to meet you, sir. I huve heard of a
relative ol jours, who ascended into lunnj by
descents into the water. He was en exceedingly
drctitt performer Mr. Sam Patch. Do you re
membei;" and forthwith Fanny recitej with ap
picpriaie and striking eesturcs seveial stanzas
ircm wen-known verses in honor of the hero ot
Iv in gar a Falls. Her delivery both In word and
act on would excite the admirat on of the elo
quent Cough, and do no disciedlt to Mrs. Kero-
i'ie.
'The gentleman before vou." some one re
marks, "is not unwoithy of his illustrious an
cestor. He also has lumped over wnterialls. The
ladies wear them very large now, and orcasion-
biij ioie inera. '
"All! then he is doubtless aennninled with
the Maid of the Mist." Fanny renlles. ouicVlT;
"for I presume he was gallant enonirh to nr-
sent it to the lady, who, having let it drop,
missed it."
We have heard much of vour vnonl nnmn
Miss L.; will vou not favor us with a sonir?"
" 'Sing a song ol sixpence.' shall I. gentlemen
'a pocket full ot rye.' A bottle of rye w hisky is
meant by the poet. I snrmlse; itoftenliidnp.es
sirging lor sixpence. Ha, ha! As lor me I
nave only a wry lace."
Ac-Mi..., j oiiijj, mjAiifiinj t i: nic c.etTi-u-
ingly fond of music, and w ould delight to hear
you."
"Well, what will vou havef What is vour
favorite style r Operatic or the simpler ballad 1
Sad or gay ?"
"nmg us the melody you Ilk? bet."
"Well, the one I sing oltenest is the Blind
Girl. It suits me, for I am always groping in
the dark."
She strikes at once Into a plaintive air. which
with its pathetic words absorcs the attention of
ner visitors. She sings witn real leeling and
tru expression, and her voice, though not rich,
is very sweet. Upon our repeated requests she
sings another and vet another. '
' We are infinitely indebted to vou. Miss T-.
but we are not yet satisfied. VVe know how
much further you are capable of pleasing us,
and long to see you dance. You are not tired,
w e nope r
"On no. I have not vet thought of retlrinor.
and so, of course, could not of tiring. What
will you have?"
"An j thing you please."
She straightens herself, extends her shnbbv
skirts with both hands, after the approved man
ner of danseuses, and assumes a graceful atti
tude. Then, humming the music that should be
played, she bounds Into the first figure. Chasse
ing, pirouctte-ing, she performs many of the
more difficult feats ot the Terpsichorean rt,
every movement full of ease and elegance. Her
aguity is surprising, tor sue must number lull
lorty-flve years, and her locks are quite gray.
We clap our hands loudly as with a superb
courtesy she sinks at our (cot.
"inc uacnuca, r'anny, th Cachuca!"
Lcnainiv. my lords. You will excuse my
slippers, they are, ha ! ha 1 the best I have, but
mcir ni is charming." bbo protrudes her bare
iopb to our gaze, and then, inrowinc us a smite.
launches into the wild dance with all the aban
don of a Spanish senorita. The languor, the
nre, tne passion ot its voluptuous ngures. are
given con amove, yet chastely. Our plaudits aro
lenewed with lervor at its conclusion, and we
oio ner iareweu.
Fanny was unquestionably at one period
gifted with much beauty and more than ordinary
mieiieci; sparKsoi tne latter even now remain.
and frequently burst lorth in repartee. Yet all
her tine qualities were during their perfection
prostituted to base uses she has been one ot the
celebrities of the demi-monde. Her acquaintance
w ith men prominent in the world is extensive,
and she delights to relate anecdotes concerning
them. One of the most singular of her delusions
is connected wivh a young physician attached to
the Asylum. She believes him the Deity, and
sits daily at his door, sadly disturbing his reflec
tions by pouring lortn melody alter melody.
She makes him presents of bouquets of weeds.
and grasses, and is never happier than when she
sees mm.
MRS. BUCHANAN.
'Ihe interesting "Moonshine" 1 have men
tioned is conjoined with her in persecutions of
mis oocior, out snows less good taste in her de
monstrationsbeing wont to fill the keyhole of
his door with gristle and fat, and thrust into his
room old pieces oi newspaper carefully tied up
with various-colored string. At tne approach ot
evening ho usually finds finds a dozen f these
missives on his floor.
For some reason (probably her long residence
in the Asylum) "Mrs. Buchanan" is tne female
patient best known to tbe public. She is often
inquired after by the visitor. Her name indl
cates her monomania; she believes President
James Buchanan to have been her husband.
quiet, motherly-looking old lady, she is always
aecentiy umred, and lnnaous a comiortaDie bed
room in liail h ot the main building. A large
doll Is ever with her, which she sometimes im
agines is one ot her children, no less than lortv
five of w horn, she affirms, have blessed her union
with the cx-thiet Magistrate. In times past Mrs,
B. had some kittens, which she also nursed as
her oflspnng.
ihe writer made a call upon her not long
since, and wishing to be well received, and
knowing her predilection tor distinguished
guests, announced iumseit, nis modesty consent
ing, as travelling tutor to the Prince of Siara,
then visiting the United States. She hoped the
king, my mister, was well, and did me all the
courtesy in her power, inviting me into her
apartment and giving me a seat. In the course
ol our conversation I ventured to say that it was
strange that the wife of a President should be in
her bosition.
Oh no. not 'strange at all, some political end,
she would soon be iree, Mr. buchunm was
coming that very afternoon. (Mr. B. has been
coming every day for the lu6t six years, yet the
old lady Is as' cheerful as a cricket.) She suffers
no disappointment, for she forgets every thin;
said or done as soon as it has passed.
I also hazarded tha remark that I was informed
and, believed the venerable President was ae
ceased. . She burst into a laugh, and turned to
mv companion with the exclamation:
"Do hear-.him! he would impose upon 'me
with that! - No, sir; I had a letter from him
yesterday."
"Are vou well cared for here, madam ?"
"Well. sir. the fare is without variety. The
eoup is very good; but is nothing to the"ten
courses to which 1 have been accustomed."
1 1 burst forth into raae at the inhumanity of
her spouse in allowing her to remain so long
with strangers; but was brought to a stop by
horrified look on mv host's features.
is as much grieved at our separation as myself.
( lrciimstances are uncontrollable: hut 1 am re
signed to tht will ol my Maker." And she uttered
a long homily, as most Christian old ladies would
in her imagined-position.
Being informed that 1 was an artist desirous of
taking her portrait, Mrs B., with her sweetest
smile, couscnied to sit. Upon the completion of
the picture tte respectfully withdrew.
AMUSEMENTS OF THE PATIENTS.
Most of the amusements of the patients are
only acceptable to convalescents or to inoiioma
urnc. Ol such a character are draughts, chess,
dominoes, and card9. These game are con
tinually played bv certain of the insane, and
treat skill 'is not infrequently found among
them. Loggerheads and quoits are at the dispo
sal of those to whom it is sate to intrust them,
and who are desirous ot exercising with tnem.
At one time daily military drills, with drum and
tile, took place in the yaid or tne Asyium. u
was amusing and instructive to see the invigo
rating effect- of- the martial airs upon even the
il meuted. They wouid go through the evolu
tions, too. with an exactitude tnat WRS li'Pr1'1-
ing; and stimulating the melancholic cases to
exertion, the orui prooaruy not a nine ueiiwu
to promote their recovery. Falstatf, gazing
lrom aiar. might think he beheld his ancient
aimy in the grotesque company before him.
Fine facilities tor swimming are afiordedon
the islund; h small shanty serves as a bath-house
at its extremity, and male and female patients
enjov in the season the luxury of a dash Into
the East river. Mention of sharks having been
seen occasionally deters the timid from ven
turing 1n, but no accident from the presence ol
flatfish is recorded as having happened to
island residents. There are sometimes dis
covered among the patients accomplished per
formers in the water men conversant with ull
known feats, und able tn spend hull udayrts
porting on the surface." Good skating ts abto to
be obtained in the winter. !
Facb inninte Is allowed, as far as Is po-.s1b'e, if
he is tit tor it, to busy himself with bis favorite
pursuits. The penman finds ample occupation,
under tne doctor s direction; the oaotnot-maser,
painter, carpenter all may work at tbelr vari
ous on pioymcLts. A museum until lately ex
litrd, In which speclmwjs of the more curious
work of inmates was exhibited. Drawings show
ing InBniU" patience were exposed needle-work
rt the most outre character. The larger part ot
the museum, however, consisted of contribu
tions from outsiders.
Fishing is to be had, but it Is by no means as
good as formerly. Lobster-nets arp, however,
set a' the proper time, and not a few ol tbe shell
fish find their way into them. There is One
eccentric whoFe whole time is devoted to the
placatory tribe. He is a sort ot hermit; has
built a hut in ihe marsh at the upper end ol the
island, where be spends most or the day, coming
to ton cookhouse for bis meals (when he has not
amply provided himself), and to his proper ball
at bedtime. Ho is called Hudson, and his grizzly
hair, long as a woman's, is coiled, Chinese
lasinon. at the bark ol nis head, unuer a variety
ol handkerchiefs, rags, and an old bat. He
speaks little English, knowin0- apparently iust
enough to enable bim to asic (or nsn-noons and
tobacco, lor he is a continual smoker. He Is of
Oeimsn nativity.
Another prominent oisciple ol Isaak Waltou is
"Black Jimmy," a lolly, clever darkey. who?e
romantic story ol his incarceration, as given y
himself, runs thus. Ho is not wholly a negro,
his father having been an Indian, and ho in
herits some of the characteristics of the savage
people to which he is Bllied. His former mas
tcr, whose coachman he was. is declared by
him to nave also had Indian blood in his veins,
and was once the Mayor of New York. Jimmy,
as time progressed, manifested matrimonial in
clinations, and as his tastes leaned towards his
lather's race, a voune squaw became the favored
ooiect ot nis addresses. - mis most beautmu ot
women (Jimmy grows rapturous in picturing hor
charms) favored bis suit, adoring him. But their
marriage was not to be. When does tne course
of true love run smooth? The Mayor Inter
posed, influenced Dy leaiousy. tie intnrraea nis
servant that If he espoused the fair Indian
being, as he was, bait red man hi in sell he would
become equal to him, the Mayor, and such a
thing could not be. Jimmy, infatuated, would
not listen, and his master, bv the high hand ot
power, shortly transferred him to the Lunatic
Asylum. It will be surmised by the reader.
doubtless, that Jimmy's insanity manifested
itself first in love-making to a beautiful guest of
nis employer.
At the conclusion ot nis story the writer re-
marked that the narrator was certainly "done."
"Oh! no," Jimmy wittily replied; "I ain't
done, I'm accomplished!" And this is not far
from the truth. An ingenious tinker, he repairs
an tne umorenas, pans, Knives, rings, and spec
tacles brought bim by attendants. lie soles and
patches shoes, makes tobacco-pipes and fancy
canes in fact, is a sort ol niechnnii al Admirable
Crichton. Jimmy's great delight, however, is
in tishing, and many a nue mess ot biack-bsh.
bass, and eels does bo furnish for the resident
physician's table. There are the remains in him
ot a once surprising agility, but some injury has
so affected his right leg that it bends with diffi
culty, and he drags it stillly as he walks. His
countenance is cupable of the most ludicrous ex
piession. His fancies, as a rule, appear to
tickle him amazingly, and he may not unfre'
quently be found convulsed with smothered
lacghter. His eyes close, every muscle ot his
face is contorted, and his body writhes in a vain
attempt to free himself from the srasp of mirth.
An sitift might seize the habitual grin that
adorns his features, but the chuckle would have
to be lctt to imagination.
Jimmy is not unable to utter brilliant savings.
but he talks sad nonsense most of the time. lie
is also a most amusing stammerer, working his
laws tun hve minutes colore the word escapes,
I subjoin a specimen ot his style of conversa
tion :
"Good mornln'. Mr. D."
"Good morning, Jimmy, that was a capital eel
you caught me yesterday. You shall have your
tooacco to-morrow."
"1 knew it! Honors as honors. When you
deal with re-re-responsibilities of course you
win, win i lenow honors, i know eentiemen,
Gentlemen al-al-al-al-al " Jimmy seems going
into a nt.
"How, James, be careful what you say,
.Don't do it. I would advise you to welt con
sider"
"D-ara it, look here, Mr. D. You think you've
c-caught a gudgeon, but I've caught m-more fish
'n you have kick le, ktckie! ha, ha, ha I he, he,
he!" And convinced "he had me there," my
black friend goes off shuffling with his lame leg,
and shrugging his shoulders with glee.
Jimmy has all the negro fondness for high
sounding words, and inasmuch, as one of his
numerous professsons is that of com-cutter-
general. I informed him that he was a d Id tin
guished chiropodist. He labored to commit it
to memory, and ever after announced himself in
that capacity as a "stingus kiropokus." A
large book bang under my arm one dey, he
gravely asked it It was a " Hokopeekus," that
being his nearest approach to the word Ency
clopa-aia.
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS AMUSEMENTS.
On Christmas and New Year's day all the
talent of the Institution is usually assembled.
and an entertainment is given. An exhibition of
this character is present to my mind in which a
magic lantern was the prominent feature, the
slides ol which were mainly furnished by ayoung
artist recovering trom an attack, ot mania, ms
productions were mostly of a comio character.
and numbered some two hundred pictures. He
was helned in the mechanical contrivances by
an ingenious physician, since deceased. The
designs were all original, and drew forth enthu
siastic plaudits. The war ot Secession was
waged at the time, and many of the drawings
were political. Jhn Bull was represented in
one about to fight a duel with Brother Jona
than. Thev stool boldly confronting each
other, according to the done, until Brother Jona
than pointed his pistol, when J. B.'s counte-
nance Jell, and he raised his right leg in an
attempt to leave. A "Magic Mirror" excited
much amusement; it had the quality, according
to the lecturer, ot reiiecting upon tne cusraeter
instead ot the face of the in-looker. Some
dozen figures presented themselves. "Brother
J. saw some pumpkins." J. B.. yery small po
tatoes indeed, and Jeff. Davis no loss a person
nee than Old Kick himself.
A menagerie was shown, which numbered
among its inmates all known animals, and in
eluded the tar-famed Gvascutus. All the sped
mens passed through a cago on the curtain, the
riraiie w ith treat difficulty. The female elephant
was only got through by means ot pulleys and
the torcible endeavors of thre men, but when
the turn of the monster male elephant, "Atlas,"
came, it was found only his head would enter
the cage. The lecturer then announced that,
unwilling to disappoint the spectators, he would
have the animal cut up and his vast proportions
be shown ihem in parts. Accordingly a proces
sion at peared, which a hyena led, drawing in a
cart a tusk; u uiuskrat with his cart brought up
the rear in more tuan one sense, conveying us
he did tbe fail ot "Atlas !" There was also a
"Maeic Microscope." in which, a learner
in a voung lady's cap, properly magni
fied, exhibited a number of young men on a
siring the limits of a magazine article forbid
me to mention moie. A tine pianist, who had
been a patient, accompunied tbe pictures; and a
solo player on tie coruet-a-pistou added to the
delight. Vocal music also lound skillul ex
ponent?. A complete minstrel band at one period per
tsined to the Island, with its bones and tambou
rine, givingjconcerts on tne holidays, (ieutiemen
lrom the eity used to tuvor .the' Asylum with
sacred music every Sabbath, but ot lute have
discontinued the practice.
FOURTH OK JULY BALL.
On the last Fourth of July a novelty was in
augurated; a bull was given in the large hull of
the Itctieut, and certain male and female pa
tients intermingled in the mazy dance. An
athletic Irishman distinguished himself by nis
pianou-w nigs and extraordinary ability. Norah
was there, bopoiug up and duwu as though plus
were in each shoe. And .liumivtlie fiddler was
ost in ecstasy; n perpetual snide oozed through
his bristly moustache; and his left leg beat time
extravagantly to the wheczlngs snd shriekint?
of his liiHtrOment. , Hut the bail wss a Success
no aocidont occurred patients, physicians, asifl
visitors-were eqimliy delighted. i ;
A LEOTURBR.
A comic lecturer and ypntrtlonulst well knowa
to the public has not tmrequontly given per
formances in tho institution, and they wore of a
chnractcrxeeerilnglv acceptable to the inmate.
His late was most sad. He died the terrible
death of a hypochondriacal maniac: not a single
pleasing fancy Illumined his plteo is confinement?
lie was an illustration ol the danger of allowing
bp active intellect to run into a mlessness. He
obtained a competence, retired lrom business.
and went mad. lie voluntarilv"committed hlra .
self to the Asylum two years ago, and his story
ran mus:
I bought me a house: ordered and oald for
furniture to be put therein: arrived at It one
r'ght and found it empty; slept on the floor; be
came disgusted and sold it next day lor a mere
song. I then reflected; found I had lost a large
sum of money; knew I ought to be under care;
ana came nere lor it."
From the deepest melancholy ho ranldlv sank
into hypochondria of the most extravagant
character. He was living In tho midst ol nutre-
1 action: he could cut nothirg; his meat was de
composed: milk was a mass of gangrene. He
became a walking skeleton, and would unmis
takably bavt starved himself to deat j had not
food been forced upon hiin. His shrieks as the
detested viands entered his mouth were appalling.
Opium mBV be named as another cause of his-
madness, no bad addicted bimseit to tbe habitual
use cf that drug. Such got to be the unhealthy
state of his cotistitutirn that a slight scratch on
one of his leet caused it to swell inordinately. He '
wBirni pom i 10 uwiLu oespair. inatiooiia
dead i LrfioKatii! isn t it nornoie ? it is all
gangtene. rah: how it ! I shall die of
cholera lrom that loot." He finally imagined
himself -a corpse. Passing his door one after
noon the writer heard a cry (as he understood
it) for rofJee.
"Bring me my coue, my cotlee!"
"What do vou want cotfee lor. Doctor!
haven't you had your dinner?"
Cotfee!" exclaimed the poor msn. testily:
"I didn't eav cotlee. 1 said coffin. I am dead.
I won't keep long. I ought to have been buried
two days ago."
Clinging to this delusion, he had to be dressed
and undressed bv the attendants, for he would
do nothing lor himself. He was a corpse; no
such thing could be expected of him. Out of
this living death he soon now passed into the
reality. A case ot more unmiiica'ed woe I have
never seen before or since; yet tho sufferer was
one who had convulsed large audiences with
laughter at his finished imitations of a hypo
chondriac.
Shortly after his decease another miserable
man breathed his lust within the walls of the
Asjlum. An educated Hungarian exile, he
practised law in the city even while a patient.
Ilis death was caused by consumption. He was
ever talking of his position in hi native land
how he was wealthy and noble. Some of his
hallucinations while upon his sick bed were
amusing. Two holes lor ventilation were in the
wall near the ceiling, and through them he
imagined the doctor was playing upon him with
iiuge wugueuc oaiiery in tne room auove. l
tried in vain to disabuse him of the belief, em
ploying incontestable arguments, but to no pur
pose.
THE BLACK rRKACHEIt.
We want fresh air after contemplating tliese
cases of extreme wretchednoss. A s'.roll about
the grounds will recreate our sickened souls.
Coming up the pathway towards us is a form I
recognize; the placid countenance of Black
Charley is about to pass.
"How are jou, Charley!"
"Quite well, tank you, massa."
"In a hurry?"
"No, no great, massa."
"1 have here some friends who like instruc
tion. Will yon not edify them by a discourse?"
"Can't preach widout notes, sail.''
I know Charley's peculiarity, and at once
hand bim a scrap of blank paper. He surveyed
it tor a tew moments, and then enunciated the
following:
"Bredren, de Oueen of Sheba, Moses, and de
?rophets, de New Jeruslem for ebcrlasting.
ea, berily. eben so, now and loreber. Kelah.
In de beginning was de word, and de word was
made in six days out ob noting. Paul an apostle
to dem dat am wid Nebuchadnezzar peace.
Blessed am de n erclful, for dey shMtl pluck corn '
nn Hp Rtihhn' tav " pf i
Charley speaks as if reading from a book.
There is no question but that tho piece of paper
is of service to him; he never was known to
jjieueu wuuuia it. xiih u ceimiuiy a ocnpiurai
discourse, and delivered with earnest purpose,
yet we are not sorry when he commences sing
ing, in his weak, lackadaisical way, the words of
an old Methodist hymn.
While he is so occupied let us talk with
'Taddy," who is bitching desperately at his
trowsers in the polato-patch yonder. He picks
up his hoe as we approach and vindictively lace
rates the ground.
"Paddy 1"
"Ah, go long wid ye; I'm busy." Then a sud
den idea strikes him; he rushes up to us, thrusts
his bleared eyes and haggard, twitching mouth
into my face, and catchiug me by the lappcl of
my coat, propounds the question:
"D'ye remimbcr the ponies I gave your father
three colts und a buy mare beauties, every
son of 'em ?"
"No, Paddy, you never gave them; they were
bought at a good price."
"D'ye mmd that, now? Wasn't I the largest
landowner in the County Eillurney ? D'ye know
Tim O' linen's tavern ? He was next door to me.
Take this." He puts In my hand a bit of broken
crockery, and closes my fingers upon it. "Keep
Hint, now. D'ye mind? D'ye mind that ?"
He hitches his trowsers again, and is off, with,
a painful, nervous step. I turn my back, won
dering, as 1 move aay, if he were not a horse
jockey at one period, when my sleeve is pulled,
and lo ! Paddy once more. He motions me to
exrreme caution, elips auotber bit ol an old
plate ino my hand, " D'ye mind that, no w ?" and
is gone.
As the artist i- putting the finishing touches
to a likeness of bim he has picked up during the
adventure just related, an attenuated and spec
tacled figure looks' over his shoulder at the
drawing, and then, with irrepressible indigna
tion gleaming in his eyes and quivering in every
werd. declares that he will have no such wort
done in the lund.
" Thou shalt not make to thyself the like
ness of any thing in the heavens ubove or in the
earth beneath.' . Dare ye disobey the Second
Commandment?"
The artist, in despair with the portrait he has
obtained with such difficulty, mildly suggests
that it can hardly be considered the likeness of
anything.
"New Jerusalem" looks puzzled, but solves
the question by usking iorsome tobacco, which
Is given.
It is mine," he returns, as he pockets it. "All
you have is mine.
We look our titttitudo for the use of his pro
perty, and retire from the presence of the
".pecil Messenger "
Continuing our walk we soon reach the en
trance of the main Asylum; and there belore it,
comfortably smoking under a iaree willow-tree,
we descry two individuals that deserve notice.
THB OLDEST PRESIDENT.
The little, bent old man, with tho long white
beard, is the oldest re-ident of tho institution,
having been a patient some thirty years. An.
amiable Frenchman, it is one of his boasts that
he once served under Napoleon tho First.
Devoted to hia pipe, he raises all his own tobac
co; and as he cuies it, it would prove innocuous
to a babe. He mav be subject to aberration
occasionally, but strongly marked symptoms of
insanity have not been niaoiiested by him for a
long time. He U very useful in his way, having
"a great likias lor the medical officers, and doius
ihem many services. ....
Ills oon panion is M , an Irishman, who,
without any peculiar delusion, is certainly dait.
lie talks sense much of the time, but is also an
utterer ol the most "hightalutlu" nonsense. Ho
bus a learned fileud among the patieuta, with
whom he is fond of dbcouising ethicj and
politics, and a more amusing dialogue to.40.
ContiimeJ on the Third l'ag.