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In the adjacent town, at the poorhouse, was a similar case; only, if possible, more revolting, more excited, and more neglected. There were also other persons there in different stages of insanity.

In a county jail not distant was a man who had been confined in a close apartment for many years; a wreath of rags invested his body and his neck; he was filth in the extreme; there was neither table, seat, nor bed; a heap of noxious straw defiled one corner of the room.

One case more must suffice for this section: I would that no others could be adduced even more revolting than are these so briefly referred to. In G--, distant from the poorhouse a few rods, was a small wooden building, constructed of plank, affording a single room; this was unfurnished, save with a bundle of straw. The occupant of this comfortless abode was a young man, declared to be incurably insane. He was chained, and could move but a little space to and fro; the chain was connected to the floor by a heavy staple at one end-the other was attached to an iron collar which invested his neck -- the device, it seemed, of a former keeper. In summer the door was thrown open, but during winter it was closed, and the room was in darkness. Some months after I saw this poor patient, and after several individuals also had witnessed his sufferings, the authorities who directed the affairs of the poorhouse reluctantly consented that he should be placed under the care of Dr. Bell. The man who was charged to convey the patient the distance of rather more than forty miles, having bound and chained him, (I have the impression that, by the aid of a blacksmith, he was released at this time from the torturing iron ring,) conveyed him as far as East Cambridge, arriving at dusk. Instead of proceeding with the patient at once to the hospital, which was distant less than a mile, in Somerville, he chained him for the night to a post in the stable. After breakfast he was released and carried to the hospital in a state of much exhaustion. While the careful attendants and humane physician were busied in removing the strong bands which chafed his limbs, and lacerated the flesh in many places, be continually endeavored to express his gratitude -- embracing them, weeping, and exclaiming, "Good men! kind men! Ah, good, kind men, keep me here."

After some months of careful nursing, he was so much improved that strong hopes were entertained of his complete restoration. These were crushed by an absolute decision of the overseers of the poor, remanding him to his old prison. Remonstrance was ineffectual. The last account stated an entire relapse, not only to the former state, but to a still more hopeless condition. He had become totally idiotic.

In November I visited the poorhouse in F--; weather severe for the season; no mode for warming the insane. I was conducted to an out-building, so enclosed as to secure the closest solitude to the patient. He had been returned from the hospital as incurable. He was said to be neither violent nor dangerous, but shut up lest be should run away. The door was opened, disclosing a narrow, squalid, dark, unfurnished cell. In one corner was a heap of straw, in which the insane man was nestled. He raised himself slowly and advanced with unsteady steps. His look was calm and gentle.

"Give me those books; Oh, give me those books !" he exclaimed, eagerly reaching his hands for some books I carried. "Do give them to me, do!" he exclaimed with kindling earnestness. "You could not use them; it is dark with you here." "Oh, give them, do give them!" and he drew a little nearer, lowering his voice to a whisper: "Give them, and I'll pick a hole in the plank, and let in some of God's light!" Just then the master arrived; he said that he proposed getting an iron collar and chain -- then he could fasten him in the air sometimes outside. "I had," he added, "a cousin up in Vermont, crazy as a tiger cat; I got a collar made for him. After this, I kept the poorhouse at Groton, and I fastened up a crazy man there: he was fast then. I mean to have one for this fellow. I know how to manage your crazy men."

In Connecticut, the estimated number of insane, nearly eight years since was 542; a number even then below the actual amount, and now very much below the true estimate. Of these not one-sixth were under hospital treatment five months since: in fact it is believed that not a ninth part will be found receiving suitable care. The sad case of Rubello is too well known to require repetition. The insane patients in M-- no longer drag their heavy chains abroad, when at labor laying stone walls, nor are they in other respects as much abused and abased as formerly. But no county is free from the reproach of having within its limits insane patients needing humane and judicious care.

Of the most miserable neglects in the case of large numbers carried for successive years to the Hartford Retreat, Drs. Brigham, Woodward, and Butler can, even now, bear sad testimony; and to the observations of medical men may be added the evidence of that good man and true friend of sufferers, Rev. T. H. Gallaudet.