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Life In The N.Y. State Lunatic Asylum; Or, Extracts From The Diary Of An Inmate
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29 | FRIDAY. -- Our dinner, on this day, is always cod-fish and rice. I hear some grumbling about it occasionally, the majority thinking it "very unreasonable that they should be confined to cod-fish, on Friday, to oblige Catholics." We have sometimes, however, fresh fish on this day, which is generally very acceptable. There is one individual here, however, who is exceedingly fond of it -- Mr. M. He is the strangest specimen of human nature that ever came within my observation. He has been on this hall nine or ten months, and is now precisely "in statu quo." His ways and manners are most eccentric, and nothing can induce him to depart from them in the least degree. He has much aversion to wash him-self; also, to change his linen, and be shaved. When it becomes necessary for the attendant to do these things for him, he always repeats many times that he "don't want to be washed so often" -- "don't want a clean shirt so often" -- "don't want to be shaved so often," &c. He prefers eating his meals alone in the hall; -- each meal occupies him about two hours. He separates his victuals into very small particles, licks every piece of potatoe peeling, and blows and sips all his drink as if it were boiling. After each meal he sits some time, as if in the deepest meditation, then rising from the floor, (which, by the bye, is the only seat he will sit upon,) he walks once up the hall, and then takes his station by the wall, where he stands like a mute till the ringing of the next bell. I have remarked, that he always eats as nearly as possible, the same quantity of food at each meal, and when more than his usual quantum is put upon his plate, he resents it as an insult, by throwing away the surplus with much indignation. He nightly protests against the practice of going to bed so early. He says, he "ain't used to it when he's tu hum;" and after his door is locked at night, he always reminds the attendant, at least a dozen times, that he "must have his clothes in the mornin'." | |
30 | We took a walk this morning, and among other places, called at the Green-House, which, the gardener informs me, contains eleven hundred plants. Among others, I noticed in particular, the "India Rubber" plant, the "Cactus Multiplex," the "Cactus Speciosa," the "Americana Aloe," from South America, and the Rose in full bloom. | |
31 | SUNDAY. -- The Asylum is supplied with about fifty different Newspapers, which are sent from all parts of the Union, (thanks to the editors.) These Newspapers are distributed throughout the building every Sunday morning. To some halls daily papers are sent, and afford a good supply of agreeable reading matter to the inmates of the Institution. | |
32 | Went to the Chapel in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Goodrich, Chaplain of the Asylum, preached a good practical discourse, which was attentively listened to by a congregation of three or four hundred persons. The Chapel has an excellent Organ and a good choir of singers, mostly patients. It is pleasing to notice the shaking of hands and inquiries for each others welfare among the patients, after meeting; as a considerable number, by having been placed in different halls, have become acquainted with many, they do not now meet but on Sunday, in the Chapel. | |
33 | The remainder of the day was passed in reading, and in conversation. Frequently, very good stories are told. I was much interested with the following, as related by Mr. G., of ----- County. He said it was actually true, and I believe him. | |
34 | "Twenty-six years ago, I worked for E. N.; -- he was then in the prime of life, very handsome, and the richest man in the town, which is situated on the south side of the river, about sixty-two or three miles from here. The village where I lived, lies on the opposite side of the same river. (Now just mind your own business, and let me tell you in my own way, else I wont tell you another word about it, so I wont!) Well, it was in the month of August; we were all at work as usual, when, suddenly, the weather became uncommonly oppressive, even for that hottest of months. We began to prepare for a coming storm, and had scarcely time to run to an outbuilding, ere we were overtaken by one of the most tremendous thunderstorms that I ever witnessed. Although our work had hitherto gone on prosperously, (the grain and hay being all stowed away in the barn,) yet this temporary suspension of out-door work, was more than N. could quietly endure. He gave vent to his feelings, in the most horrid oaths and blasphemy, and cursed everybody about him. I am not a coward, but I confess, that what between the raging of the elements and the frightful language of that man, I was inspired with more fear than I had ever before experienced. N's rage, like the storm, continued to increase; his whole frame trembled like an aspen, and in a paroxysm of the most ungovernable rage, he defied his Maker. His defiance was immediately followed by the most vivid flash of lightning that had ever been seen in that part of the country. For a few seconds me were deprived of sight, and when it was restored, the first object we beheld was the barn wrapt in flames. Before we could render assistance, the fire had communicated with the out-buildings, and unfortunately, the wind blowing in the direction of the dwelling house, that also became a prey to the all-devouring element. "Vengeance is mine saith the lord!" I repeat now what I said twenty-six years ago, that this was a judgment from God. When I said so, folks laughed at me, and called me a superstitious fool ; -- do they call me so, now? No. Before one week had passed away, every individual then present thought, and had good reason to think the same as the superstitious fool. Time can never efface from my memory the recollection of that awful night. Oh! it was a horrible sight. There stood the amiable, the devoted, the resigned wife, there the frightened and weeping children, and there, the brutal, maddened drunkard N., breathing the most dastardly imprecations against his pious, and at all times, well meaning wife. She had come to console, and if possible, to withdraw him from the scene. How did he requite her kindness ? He cursed her -- he struck her -- he left her a disconsolate, broken-hearted woman. |