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Tuesday and Friday evenings, card playing is allowed, but at no other time. Whist is a favorite game, and this evening we went at it "with a rush."

WEDNESDAY. - This is "Lecture day," during the cold season. We have already been entertained with many excellent discourses on a variety of subjects. To-day we were favored by Anson J. Upson, Esq., of Hamilton College. He selected for his subject, the life of Franklin. He spoke eloquently and well for above an hour, and highly interested his large audience.

Dinner to-day consisted of roast mutton and vegetables, and I am happy to say, that my worthy friend on my right, made an excellent meal without "greens."

Each hall is provided with a ball and "nine pins;" this game affords much amusement and healthful exercise to the patients. I rolled a game to-day, but at first had very bad luck; my opponent informed me that he had, "skunked" me. This information rather alarmed me, for I lately had the misfortune to be placed in closer quarters with that most offensive of animals -- a skunk -- than I ever hope to be again; -- the matter, however, was soon explained, to our mutual satisfaction, when, out of revenge, I challenged my adversary to a second trial of his skill, and this time had the pleasure of learning from him, that I beat him, "two out of three." So much for perseverance.

On Wednesday evening, the "Debating Society" meets. It is regularly organized, and is termed "The Lyceum and Debating Society." A President and Secretary are elected by ballot, on the first Monday of every month. The following are some of the subjects debated: -- "Are early marriages beneficial to mankind?" -- decided in the affirmative; -- "Are the conquests of the British Government in India advantageous to commerce and civilization, and beneficial to mankind ?" -- decided in the negative. This evening the question was, "Do we derive more gratification from the anticipation of pleasure, than the participation in it ?" -- decided in the negative by a small majority.

I have remarked, that the debating appears to afford both pleasure and instruction, not only to those who take a part in the proceedings, but also to those who do not feel disposed to make any such exertions.

THURSDAY. -- Thanksgiving day. Fifty-two turkeys arrived here this morning, the whole of which were consumed for dinner, with pie in proportion. All were well pleased, and I heard one gentleman remark, that he thought it very mean in the Governor not to appoint more than one day in the year "to give thanks;" -- he said, he had no doubt the Governor loved turkey and pie as well as other folks, but was decidedly selfish, -- and added, that he entertained hopes of being appointed Governor himself, some day, and that when that time arrived, his very first act should be to appoint three hundred and sixty-five "thanksgiving days" for the coming year.

We spent the remainder of the day as we have many others, in relating and listening to stories and anecdotes. The hall for convalescent patients in a Lunatic Asylum, resembles, in one respect, the forecastle of a ship -- that is, in the disposition to tell "long yarns."

This evening, we enjoyed a rich treat; viz., the Ladies' Annual Exhibition. It commenced with a very pretty and appropriate Prologue, written by Miss N., and spoken by Miss P. I think great credit is due to all the ladies concerned. The tableaux were admirable; among which were, "Interview between King David and Ahimelech, the High Priest" -- "Cinderilla, or the glass slipper" -- "Interview between Rebecca and Rowena" -- "Jeanie Dean sueing Queen Caroline for the pardon of her sister Effie, accompanied by the Duke of Argyle."

Jeanie "looked" her part well; -- I could almost imagine I heard her give utterance to those beautiful and impressive words: --

"My puir sister Effie, -- her days are numbered! but she still lives, and a word of the King's mouth might restore her to a brokenhearted auld man. Oh, Madam, save an honest house from dishonor, and an unhappy girl -- not eighteen years of age -- from an early and dreadful death."

Her Majesty looked "Right Royal," and "Her Grace of Argyle" "acted like a man." The tableaux were followed by "The Mountain Bugle," a very pretty duet, sung by the Misses P. and M., with a piano forte accompaniment: -- after which was performed, a farce, in two acts, entitled, "The Village Tea Party," the performance of which called forth shouts of the most uncontrollable laughter.

The whole concluded with a Scotch Reel, "by twelve ladies, in the highland costume. The dancing was good, and if "the face be the index of the mind," all were delighted with it. At the conclusion, the Asylum Brass Band struck up "Hail Columbia," during the performance of which, the company marched in good order to their respective apartments, highly delighted with the evening entertainment, -- the men resolving that they would endeavor to equal it, by a theatrical performance on Christmas week.